4 HIM IN AFRICA MINISTRIES: A Few Words From Kim Thompson

As I am sitting here drinking my early morning coffee on my comfortable couch, it is difficult to come to grips with the fact that in just a few days I will once again be on a plane bound for Uganda. It is difficult to put into words just how I am feeling. One minute I am so excited that I can hardly wait until that day comes and the next I am overcome by thoughts of “What was I thinking????” when I committed to go on this trip without my husband and the security he provides. A couple days ago, I received an answer to that question when I took the time to sit and listen to God’s voice instead of my own. He reminded me (in that special way that He does) just how much of an impact the last trip had on my life. I was reminded of how I returned home thinking that I couldn’t imagine NOT returning to Uganda. I still can’t. He reminded me of how much I had to learn about serving Him and about how I fail miserably each day. Being able to open up and witness to others was very new for me. I had never felt so comfortable before and the graciousness and love we were shown by the people of Uganda was extremely humbling for me. I learned that I still have much to learn about what it means to serve such an amazing God.

When I think about Uganda, it’s the children I see. We are always saying that our children are the future of our families, our schools, our churches and our nation. That’s where my heart lies. With the children. Their openness, their joy, their curiosity and their overwhelming love are something to be nurtured and treasured. I am blessed have been given this opportunity to be able to help them learn more about just who they are in Christ and how much their Heavenly Father loves them.

Sandy and I have been planning and preparing for what the Lord would have us accomplish for Him on this trip. Along with the plans I have made (with Phillip’s help) to teach the children about creation to the cross (in God’s timing, of course), we have several hands-on projects to do with them to help make Him more real in their lives. I am very excited about a new project I learned about a couple of weeks ago at a conference: Salvation Dolls. It is our desire that each child we encounter will get a doll. The dolls will have salvation necklaces that tell the Gospel of Christ, along with a front and a back face. One with eyes closed (representing life before Christ) and one with the eyes open (representing life after salvation). We have many hands working feverishly in our church to get these dolls ready for the trip. Another project I have presented my youth girls with is becoming pen pals with another young person in Uganda. They have written letters about their lives as teens in America and have included questions they have for the kids in Uganda. The chance to be able to play even a small part in the furthering of His Kingdom has become very precious to me.

I am so very thankful that God is allowing me the opportunity to serve alongside such a wonderful group of people. My prayer is that every single person we encounter in Uganda will be able to see Him shining in us!