PVT – Parent Vision Trip – 4 weeks ago today since it started.
Although I had a ‘vision’ I really didn’t know what to expect but I was excited because I was going to do some missionary work, something that I had longed to do for 30+ years. But you can’t put God in a box and tell Him what to do. What I didn’t know, or expect, was that God had other plans, and He would step right into the week and orchestrate everything. The missionary work as I envisaged it never eventuated, but it was fantastic to go out into the streets of Tbilisi and watch these young people minister to the population, something they have been doing for 9 months now and which has really inspired me. We prayed over the city, intergenerational ministry, which was such fun, and enjoyed wonderful fellowship with the racers and the parents. Instantaneous friendships that felt as if we had know each other forever.
The biggest impact that PVT had, though, was on me. From the moment we arrived at the apartment where we were staying, before we had even met Katie again, I could sense His presence so strongly it brought tears to my eyes. When we did eventually meet her it felt like she was a stranger, and it was awkward, we seemed to have nothing to say to one other and after the initial greeting stood around watching everyone else. BUT THEN GOD. As the week wore on we were able to talk to openly and God started restoring our relationship, one I didn’t even realise was broken. The highlight for me was Wednesday night, when Denis and I, as her parents, had the privilege of blessing Kathryn, the first time we had ever done this to any of our children. To speak truth into her life where there had been lies, to proclaim over her her identity and destiny through Christ and what she means to us, and to affirm the call that God has placed on her life, wherever that may lead her.
He didn’t stop there though, in the 3 weeks since we got home, God is continuing to work in my life showing me who I am to him, exposing lies that I have believed about myself for the last 62 years. It‘s been a tough 3 weeks with lots of tears but I’m not the same person who arrived to meet Katie 4 weeks ago. I expect that Katie isn’t either. There is more work to do but He is faithful to complete what he began on PVT (Phil. 1:6) and I can’t wait to see Katie again in January to see what else He has done in her life since PVT.
Two scriptures that were highlighted for me during PVT were Ps 34:8 and 1Cor 2:9. Truly ‘taste and see that the Lord is GOOD’.
