Samaritan’s Feet Travelogue: El Salvador

By Marketing and PR Intern Seth Crawford

Upon the push from his mother who had heard about Samaritan’s Feet on the radio, Zach Hair, an 18 year-old student from Ontario, Canada journeyed to El Salvador with Samaritan’s Feet at the beginning of June. From June 10-17 Hair and a team of 11 others had the opportunity to wash feet, give shoes and love children from another country in need of both the physical gifts of shoes and the emotional healing of love. Hair, an aspiring missionary, felt this trip called him to action and was more than willing to share his experience with us.

What was your overall impression of Samaritan’s Feet and your trip to El Salvador?

I absolutely loved Samaritan’s Feet. As the trip went on and at some [of the] distributions some kids got the wrong sized shoes, and I kept asking [trip leader] Graham [Gibbs] what the deal was. He kept saying that it’s not about the shoes; it’s about the one-on-one time and washing their feet. That right there struck me and I was like “holy!” If God washed us clean why can’t we wash others clean? It was just mind blowing for me.

What was your favorite part of the trip?

My favorite part was actually driving back to the hotel and just sitting in this sweaty bus thinking to myself, “Wow, look what I just did.” The appreciation of these people!

Were there any kids that stood out to you?

OH YA! Some kids, you just connect with right away. I don’t know what it is, but they’re just as cute as a button.

How has your experience with Samaritan’s Feet moved and impacted your life moving forward?

For a long time now I have had a passion of getting into mission work. This trip with Samaritan’s feet definitely solidified it in my heart. I just want to give 100% to God. Seeing those kids just laugh, and have the biggest smiles on their faces from a pair of shoes makes me so happy. I feel God has to take us out of our comfort zone for us to truly see and understand him. This trip made me realize that if God can wash and cleanse us of sin, why can’t we serve and wash our fellow man’s feet?

What is the most important thing you will take away?

The most important thing I have brought away from this trip is relationships. I have learned this. JOY J=Jesus first, O=Others second, Y=Yourself Last.

Thank you for serving and sharing with us, Zach!