King's Banquet 2010

Last Thanksgiving, Bethany College of Missions partnered with other Christian organizations from the Twin Cities area to host the King's Banquet for the poor and homeless of Minneapolis. It's happening again on June 25th, so I felt compelled to share from my perspective what happened in November.

I'll admit that I was apprehensive (due to a few negative experiences), but a friend in leadership convinced me to see it through and trust God to work. When the day started, some of us hit the streets with a few last-minute invitations. Back at Club 3 Degrees, we finished setting up tables and gathered for worship and prayer. Finally, the doors opened.

I was a table-host, which meant sitting, eating, and talking with guests for the duration of the evening. Five minutes after my three guests were seated, one wandered off and never returned. Another took off right after the main course. That left me with Norman. The old man told me a bit of his story: where he came from and where he was now. Our waiter sat with us for a while, and we prayed for him. My friend Anthony walked by, and Norman asked if the guys at the door were going to give him back his hat. Without a second though, Anthony plucked the beanie from his own head and pulled it down around Norman's noggin.

After the message, I ask Norman if he would allow me to wash his feet. He protests, insisting that I wouldn't want to touch his feet and that I would probably run away once I saw them. In my gentlest voice, I assure him that nothing about his feet could possibly scare me and kneel down to untie his boots.

The socks came off, revealing dark skin turned white with dryness. He asks if the water is cold. I test it and inform him that it is actually a little warm. Once the pitcher has been emptied over his feet, I pour some oil into my hand and rub as much as I can into his weathered skin. Sliding the basin to one side, I dress his feet in new socks, then replace and re-lace his boots. Meanwhile, TrinityWorks director Steve Uggen begins to ask Norman questions about his life and his relationship with the Lord. A few minutes later, several people are around Norman and praying for him (See 5:24 of the video). As the people disburse, Norman also stands, says he doesn't want to miss his bus, and thanks me for not running away. Then he disappears into the sea of people.

The first moment I can, I rush to the loft to find my friend (the one who convinced me to come) and give him a big hug. He smiles, because he knows that the Lord had answered our prayers for the evening.

*There are a lot more testimonies of what God did at the King's Banquet on YouTube. If you would like to get involved in the next one, click here.