Dear Friends,
For those of you who do not know, in June of 2010, I will be taking part in my first missions trip. I, along with some of my students from Rock County Christian School, will be traveling down to Costa Rica. While we are there, we will take part in several building and evangelistic projects. The following is my December prayer letter.
When I first sat down to write this December prayer letter, I struggled to find just the right words to say. I wanted to express my thanks for all your support, but at the same time announce that I had failed to meet my first fund-raising goal. As you may recall, our first major fundraising goal for my Costa Rica missions trip was $500 by December, 2009 (we will need $1000 by May, 2010). As of a week ago, I was a little under halfway there. I will admit, I was quite discouraged. So, I made the executive decision to hold off writing this letter.
Now, over a week later, it is my great joy to announce that I have met this $500 goal! It has been truly humbling to see gifts and checks come in this past week from people and families I know to be struggling. What a wonderful Christmas blessing!
I take away three major lessons from this experience.
(1) Always trust the Lord. Before ever agreeing to take part in this trip, I believe the Lord led me to go. While I still am not sure where all the resources and funds will come from, I know the Lord can provide in ways I cannot even comprehend. As a child I recall memorizing Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. “ Ever since then, it has been quite a joy to see this Bible truth in action.
(2) Always listen to your wife. From day one, Jill has constantly reminded me of God’s goodness and faithfulness. While I would never doubt that God is able and willing to meet all of our needs (I am far too spiritual to say something like that!), I have constantly found myself saying things such as, “I don’t know how this is going to happen…” or “It would be great IF the Lord provides, but with the money as tight as it is…” Jill has always responded with something along the lines of, “Well maybe we just need to be praying a little harder then…” Praise the Lord for a wife who has far more faith than I do!
(3) Never doubt the generosity of God’s people. As I mentioned above, I really was humbled to see people and families I know to be struggling give toward this effort. Not everyone gave large checks (though some did), but many simply gave what little they could. It was an abundant blessing all told. When we give to the Lord, even in small amounts, it is truly amazing to see how greatly He blesses and uses it.
God has certainly blessed our little Costa Rica missions team this past year. The story I just shared with you could also be told by several other team members. I am excited to see God at work. As a team, we have already begun seeing some unity and camaraderie and heart for service. I am exciting to see what the Lord will do during this next year.
- For the next several months, we will continue our fundraising efforts through our weekly cookie sales at both of our school campuses, a Papa Murphy’s event which will have us passing out special flyers, and a spaghetti dinner/concert in the spring.
- We have already begun working on a drama to perform which emphasizes the need of a personal , passionate relationship with the Lord as opposed to just going through the motions of a comfortable “Christian” life.
- Beginning soon, the team will begin working on evangelistic presentations geared toward both children and teens and special music we will be presenting in a local church in Costa Rica.
Prayer Requests:
- Please continue to pray for funding. While I have already met two goals, the big third goal of $1,000 by May has not been achieved. Would you prayerfully consider supporting me in this trip if you have not already? All donations are tax deductible. All donations are tax deductable. Make checks out to Rock County Christian School. Please include this slip with the check.
Mail checks to: (write Mr. Thompson Missions on the memo line)
Rock County Christian School
916 Bushnell Street
Beloit, WI 53511 - Pray that the students of Rock County Christian School will be ready to work hard and work together as a team in service for the Lord.
- Pray that our Marriage seminar will go well. The students and team will be promoting this event, and our own Dr. Phil Allen (of the Daystar Christian Fellowship in South Beloit, IL) will do the preaching. Pray that I learn something from this event along with everyone else in attendance!
- Pray for me as I prepare the Sunday morning message at the Comunidad Biblica de la Gracia in San Antonio de Belen. I will be preaching through an interpreter which will be a whole new experience!
- Most of all, pray that the Lord will mold us and shape us as tools to use as He sees fit.
Again, I thank all of you for your prayers and support.
Don’t forget that you can log on to http://rccsmissions.wordpress.com for all the latest updates including pictures! Have a happy New Year!
Because of Grace,
Kevin Thompson
