Hey, y’all!
I know it’s been a while but that’s life without easy access to internet. I’m currently located in Bouake, Cote d’Ivoire, which is pretty much in the middle of the country. It’s been a whirlwind for the past week and a half and so much has already happened. I want to share something a little more personal with you for now and then I’ll have more updates to come.
The moment we landed in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire I logged on to the airport’s wifi and received a text from my mom. This was a text that I knew was coming eventually. She informed me that my grandma had passed away the evening before, gave a brief update on my family, and told me to keep going for the Kingdom. I feel like I can say that with some ease and some sadness. Here’s a quick explanation:
When I said yes to the World Race in August, more than an organization got that yes. I made a commitment to the Lord to follow Him fully – no matter what the cost may mean. I did not think or realize how quickly this commitment would begin to come into action.
We knew she wasn’t doing well at the time I was headed to Atlanta and so I paid her a visit. It was difficult because I knew that I was saying bye to someone I would not see again. And since I knew that I didn’t have much longer with her, I began to ask the Lord whether it would be OK to go home for a funeral or not before I had even left the United States. He reminded me of the words found in Luke 9 when Jesus told a man to come and follow him and the man requested to return home to bury his father. Jesus told him to let others worry about the burial and to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.
This is her below about 25 years ago (and baby me): seriously feisty, fully caring, and SO brave!
This was her more recently – still crazy feisty and fully caring.
To continue with my story…. The Lord had made it clear to me that I wasn’t coming home for a funeral, but my heart struggled with not being present for that time with my family and the loss of my grandma. As I began to share my concerns with my team and leaders at Launch in Atlanta, they prayed for me and God gave me an overwhelming sense of peace.
While I am sad at times and some of this reality is sinking in more, I know that God was faithful in this decision. And since I chose to listen, we have seen the Lord saving men, people hearing the Gospel, and grown in many ways. While the Lord could have done all of this in my absence, I’m thankful that I get to be a part of the experience and time He has set in front of me right now.
With all of my heart,
Kim
P.S. I have heard many of you reaching out during this time, and I want to say thank you. It means so much!
