Cheryl's Reflections - A Father's Love

I have had a wonderful time connecting with the university students here in Kiev. I have a natural affinity for students having a daughter who is graduating for college this spring. As I have watched my own daughter grow in every sphere of life, intellectually, physically and spiritually, I realize the powerful impact of engaging students holistically. It has been great partnering with the campus ministry of Kiev. They do a great job encouraging  growth in each area of student life.

One night we did the story of the Prodigal Son. We used a music video of “When God Ran” that had the words to the song and images depicting the story to introduce our Bible discussion. As we talked about the characteristics of a father I was saddened to learn that only two or three of the students in my group of seven grew up with their father. They had a hard time recognizing how uncharacteristic the father in the story is. What earthly father would allow his son to leave with half of the family wealth and waste his life?  And what earthly father would be looking for his sons return, run to welcome him and then throw a big party celebrating his return?  It was so great to talk about the immense love our heavenly Father has for us and how he runs and puts his arms around us, welcomes us back and throws a feast in our honor when we come to him. It is our prayer that many of these students respond to the gospel, that they run to the open arms of their heavenly father. Thank you for your prayers for us and for our students.