Missionary Shoes
Myself, and some other missionaries in Haiti used to joke that you can tell what sort of a missionary someone was by the shoes on their feet. It was sort of true a lot of the time.
For instance, Chacos were reserved for the short-termers. Those who would come for a few weeks thinking to accomplish some amazing task singlehandedly. The bearers of high hopes... and ego. They stood out just as those colorful tribal shoe straps did.
Birkenstocks have long been the shoe of choice for long-term missionaries in Haiti. Comfortable and enduring, practical and easy to clean. Not up on the Haitian style, but not quite screaming “foreigner” as the Chacos did.
If we saw an American wearing high heels in Haiti, now, we would most definitely guess that they are neck deep involved in Haiti and not likely to leave any time soon. You see, Haitians wear heels, and all sorts of other impractical fancy footwear. So, an American that got this and wasn't afraid to walk over the gravel and dust streets with unsteady kicks was most certainly a life-termer.
Dead Giveaway
It’s funny how the outward apparel of a person can tell you so much. For example, not only the shoes, but also the clothing of short-termers sets them apart.
Baggy T-shirts and sport shorts are so practical for a hot tropical place like Haiti. So, basically everyone packs them when they sign up for that weeklong trip. To a long-termer this is a dead giveaway that you aren’t from around these parts.
Once you grasp some of the language, you will most definitely hear the local comments about these outfits and change your wardrobe. Not that Haitians don’t wear short things, the younger generations do for sure, but they are not that casual, nor sporty, nor do they tend to wear short-shorts in public.
My Burks
I've done the heels, I admit. But my favorite shoe of choice falls in the second category. I have an old pair of Burks. I’ve worn them for four years now. Traveled around the globe with them as my exclusive companion. Save the winter months in the US, I’ve hardly worn another shoe!
Together we’ve been to Haiti and back to the US 12 times. Killed time in a Chinese airport for 8 hours. Lived in the Philippines for four months. Walked the streets of Davao and trudged through the village of the Bajau ocean community.
My husband sweetly bought me a new pair of Burks for my birthday in July. A very practical and much needed gift! While I slipped my feet into them admiring their new leather straps and finally setting my worn out pair aside, I got to thinking.
Reflection
I began reflecting on the past. Oh the places I have gone! Oh the trials I have walked through and the times of joy and sweetness I’ve been blessed to witness!
It wouldn’t matter what shoes were on my feet. But those shoes could tell a story. A story of leaving all that was familiar behind and walking into all that the Lord had for me. They were there to witness the lonely paths and the paths filled with sweet friendship and love.
It was bittersweet to trade out those worn soles for new. The journey of a missionary life, of my life, has been so beautiful. I wouldn't trade a moment in those missionary shoes.
Where He Leads
This season is different. This season I am not on the field so often but at home in the mundane of motherhood. Still, I count myself blessed to be living this life of following the savior where He leads.
“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.” Habakkuk 3:19
“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.” Job 23:10-11
Whichever shoes you decide to wear, they will become your missionary shoes, as we are all on a mission to know him and make him known. Whether they are worn or new. Chacos, or Burks, or Heels. May they carry you along the extraordinary path which is the christian life. May they take you where He calls and be along to witness miracles and triumphs.
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7
May your feet be beautified and the shoes that cover them blessed!