My son Luke is a millennial, and I couldn’t be prouder. He went on his first international mission trip with my husband in 2012, and he hasn’t stopped traveling and sharing the love of Jesus since.
I have just returned from a week in Cambodia where I experienced what World Race calls the Parent Vision Trip or PVT. We served alongside our sons and daughters, worshipped with them, and our faith was stretched by theirs. I love them more now than I did before. They are so REAL.
We worshipped together on the roof of a guest house, led by “Racers” as they are called. 50 parents and 30 racers, several leaders and their parents. To be ushered in to the Presence of God by college age students seeking hard after Jesus is a holy experience.
To watch the “kids” as we instinctively call them interact with one another is a sight to behold. Love. Kindness. Respect. Compassion. Encouragement. Laughter. Not a harsh word spoken all week.
When someone was struggling – be it physical, spiritual or emotional, it was common for racers to gather around the individual and lift prayers of intercession to Our Heavenly Father – Papa as they call Him. They KNOW He loves and cares for the least of these, and that His Word is true.
During worship, as Racers felt led, they would share what God had spoken to them. A word of encouragement, a gentle reminder to focus on the Simple Gospel, a testimony of how God led them to bless someone that day, or a personal story of what God was teaching them. Real. Raw. Authentic.
The big C Church has much to learn from these 18-21 year olds who have abandoned all the comforts of home to make the love of Jesus known to every nation, tribe and tongue. People notice that they are different. How? By their love. Their love for each other, their love for others, their love for God. They love with intention. Choosing to love others as they love themselves. Honoring one another above themselves. Blessing others with their compassion, their presence, and their prayers.
This past week, we got to watch faith in action – to see the life changing impact of the love of God change the lives of precious people. I saw it as we picked up trash around the guest houses where we stayed, and neighbors came out to ask why we would do such a thing. I saw it as Luke engaged monks at a temple, asking about their beliefs and sharing the love of Jesus. I saw it as a group of parents and racers loved on a young Cambodian woman, Noch, who needed a “Moto” (think cross between a moped and a motorcycle) to get to work and back, and by God’s Grace we were able to purchase a Moto, pay for her helmet, registration and gas. We all cried with joy as Jesus allowed us to be part of His lavish love for Noch. She joined us for worship our last night in Siem Reap, warmly welcomed and overwhelmed with love. Our ministry partners in Siem Reap will continue the work the Lord started in Noch last week. What a privilege to see heaven come to Siem Reap.
My prayer is that those of us that experienced God’s reckless love in Cambodia will continue to give it away to a world in desperate need of the hope only He provides. May we follow the example of our millennial brothers and sisters, our sons and daughters.
May we Live Loved, secure in who we are and whose we are. May we share the love of the Father, who sent Jesus so that we could live through him, empowered by the Holy Spirit, for the sake of ALL who are willing to receive Him. He is a good, good Father, and we are blessed to be His kids. Love big. Live Loved. Change the world, one precious heart at a time.
With much love,
Kathy (Luke’s Mom)
