My husband and I began attending Platt Park Church in January of this year after searching for a new church home for about six months. The core practices of the church really hit home with me:
Love God — check.
Love others by building loving relationships — check.
Serve others in the community — check.
Grow spiritually — check.
That’s what I need and want to do. As a very imperfect Christian, I need nurturing, encouragement, and opportunities to put my faith into practice.
A few weeks after we began attending, Jim Copeland from Christ’s Body Ministries spoke to the congregation about the organization’s work with people experiencing homelessness. As a retired nurse, I’d had a nagging voice in my head urging me to find a place where I could use my skills to serve others — specifically by providing foot care. I had worked for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless in the past and was hoping to find another opportunity to serve this special population. Through my previous work, I had even been to Christ’s Body aboard the Health Outreach Program (HOP) mobile van.
Was this a nudge from God???
I spoke with Jim after the service, and he welcomed my offer to provide foot care. I then met with Anne Coughlin and Tiffany Beckford at Christ’s Body, and together we made a plan.
So, what is foot care, and how does it work?
Guests at Christ’s Body come for breakfast on weekday mornings between 7 and 9AM. On the mornings I’m there (usually Tuesdays) an announcement is made that foot care services are available. Those who are interested come to see me, usually three or four people each morning. I do a quick assessment of each person’s foot health and ask about any issues they would like addressed. I have basins for soaking and washing feet, tools for nail trimming and callus care, and clean socks to offer. But the best part is that I get to talk with each person.
I listen to their stories, their challenges, and their hopes. It’s just one flawed human being (me), talking with another. With my very first guest, I asked whether I could pray for him as we finished. He said yes, and I offered a few humble words to send him on his way. Then he asked if he could pray for me. Before leaving, he gave me a big hug. It brought me to tears.
I think I’m in the right place.
Serving others.
Building loving relationships.
Growing spiritually.
Feeling God’s love.
Would you like to join me at Christ’s Body? If you’re interested in helping with foot care, please contact me at tishmobley@gmail.com. Christ’s Body also has many other ways to volunteer or you can talk with Anne about ideas.
And one more thing — thank you for the sock donations! (We’re collecting new men’s socks in the tubs at the back of the sanctuary through October 18th!)