Over 200 people received a message of hope, a hug, and new shoes on March 14th at Centi Church.  The shoes were provided by donations from many in the area through the tireless efforts of Tom Lewis in organizing the event.  Pastor Jorge Herrera and his congregation provided the location and the servant-leaders who touched each person with sefless demonstrations of the love of God as they placed the shoes on the people.

Not only were the recipients blessed, but the experience also touched those who washed their feet before presenting the shoes.  Maurice Burris tells of his experience.

"On Sat. March 14, a shoe distribution at Centi Church changed and inspired my life and future for ever. I had been inspired to participate by, what I have come to believe is a God-sent friend, Tom Lewis, who directed me to Samaritans Feet and videos of Manny Ohonme. Manny's passion to help moved me. I felt that he spoke for millions of deserving people. I wanted to help instantly. It was a cold and rainy day out when we arrived my heart pounded, I was excited yet squeamish. I felt something imposing its will on me. I wanted to leave feeling like I had done more than distributed shoes at an event.  We have led blood and food drives, and given to charity, but often leave functions unfulfilled. The first bright smile warmed the day. After the second I felt giddy and amped after the third I was pumping my fist like Tiger and screaming "Next", like  Kobe  wishing I could handle them all. This was a humbling experience for me. I cried at the humbling site of individuals, that I admire, working at a frenzy pace wanting to be the next lucky person to wash the feet of anyone that came before them, respected peers like Charles Mason, who sat beside me and spoke kind words to all, words of encouragement and hope as he washed there feet. As I witnessed 10-year-old kids not only receiving shoes but humbly washing the feet of there peers and placing shoes on there feet. And a 19-year-old laughing with a mom as she  washed her feet it was if we where equal all on one accordance of one body feeding of one another. I left with a feeling that I had received  much more than I had given. It has now driven me to establish a global movement towards charity and the need for humanitary relief using the youth movement of today. With a new understanding of how GIVING is RECEIVING.  It was the first ever event that I left feeling as though I had been truly on the receiving end of something powerful something that I wanted to attach myself to for the rest of my life.
We were all of one body receiving a humble blessing. That day was love!"

"I am inspired by Maurice's selfless story," says Manny Ohonme, Founder and President of Samaritan's Feet. "This shows that a simple act of love as basic as washing the feet of the poor and outfitting them with shoes not only changes the lives of the recipients, but also the lives of those who are privileged enough to humble themselves at the feet of those in need to lace up their shoes. Their lives with never be the same again."

Would you like to join Samaritan’s Feet in a Domestic or International distribution?  Give us a call at 704-341-1630.