NAME: David “DK” Kimball
AGE: 36
OCCUPATION: “After 12 years in the real estate business, I left to serve full-time in Watermark’s Children’s Ministry. I’ve volunteered for many years at Young Life and at Watermark and found real joy in seeing life-change in the kids I serve.”
WHERE HAS GOD HELPED YOU TAKE THE MOST GROUND IN YOUR LIFE?
“I’m a pretty prideful person. I’ve taken pride in being a ‘Jack of All Trades’ in my career and the things I’ve accomplished over the years. Sometimes, my pride has come through when I’ve tried to serve. One of the
reasons I served was the desire to be known by others.
“What God has been teaching me lately is that life is not all about me. I need to fully submit my plans and my abilities to the Lord, and He will show me what He wants from me, rather than doing what I want. I’ve discovered how much more joy there is in serving others strictly for their needs, rather than my own. Humility is just one of the benefits that has come from learning this lesson, and several people in my life have noticed the change in my attitude.”
Where HAVE YOU SEEN GOD AT WORK?
“In mid-2009, I made a trip with others from Watermark to share the gospel in rural communities in Ethiopia. In one of the villages, we met a man named Geda. Unlike most of the people we met, Geda spoke English. A student at a local university, he had several questions about Christianity and how it differed from the beliefs of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, where the Bible plays a very minor role. I wasn’t able to spend a long time with him, but I was able to give Geda a Bible, encouraged him to read it, and prayed that he’d become a believer in Christ. He asked for my email address, but I wasn’t really sure I’d hear from him again. I thought of him regularly once I was back in the U.S.
“I was really surprised a few months later to receive an email from Geda. His words were a great reminder of the huge need to tell people about Christ – whether I’m here in Dallas or traveling somewhere else. People want to know about Him, and it’s my job to be bold in sharing God’s Word. Geda’s letter also reminded me that the Lord is always at work and the things He has us do are never in vain.”
Here’s what Geda wrote:
“Hello D.K.! When we met, I told you I’m a first degree student at Adama University in Ethiopia. The things that
you showed me when we met have been imprinted forever in the core of my heart. Now, I believe that God sent you to show me the real way. “After I met you, some questions came to my mind: ‘Which way is real?’ and ‘Why not find the facts for myself by going through each chapter of the Bible?’ I began to go through the Bible every night. Later,
with help from one my friends I trusted Jesus as my only Savior.
“After I trusted Christ, I began to face strong challenges from some of my family who are from an Orthodox background. I’m still trying to settle things between us, but they don’t want to speak to me. When I call my father, he is not willing to talk, but my little brother secretly calls me.
“Now, I dream of bringing my family to Jesus, and I desire to make an impact for Christ at my university and
with the folks I come in contact with. I hope with the support of Christ, I can change all these dreams into glorious reality. For ‘whoever calls on the name of the LORD JESUS shall be saved’ (Romans 10:13).”
God bless you,
Geda
“For whoever calls on the name of the Lord Jesus shall be saved.” – Romans 10:13
