The Definition of Love

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

While teaching at a local school in Ukraine, TREK participant Orrin Lieuwen was given the opportunity to share about God’s love to a classroom of high school students. His team was helping out at this school during the seven months that they spent on TREK….

One day the teacher was talking to her class about love. She turned to Orrin and asked, “Love…isn’t that what holds your team together?” Although he was unprepared for this question, Orrin quickly responded, “Yes, it is, but we need to define what love is.” The teacher urged him to go on.

Orrin had previously memorized 1 Corinthians 13 so he began to recite this chapter of the Bible to the students. As he spoke, it was as if time had stopped. All movement ceased and there was complete silence as the students focused on Orrin and were captivated by the words that he was speaking. Their eyes were full of wonder and amazement, as if they had caught on to something of great beauty.

When Orrin finished speaking, the teacher asked him to bring her a copy of 1 Corinthians 13 so that they could use it in class to discuss and memorize parts of it. Two of the students asked Orrin to write it out for them and one girl even had it completely memorized by the next time Orrin saw her.

This girl’s name is Kate and she soon began to ask Orrin lots of questions about God. At first, Kate had a hard time understanding and accepting Jesus. But now she is a follower of Christ and is on a new journey!

A number of the students from this class have started attending New Hope Church, a church that was planted by missionaries John & Evelyn Wiens. They are open to talking about God and are searching for the truth. Pray that God will reveal His love and grace to these students and that they will respond by entrusting their lives to Him.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:13