Here we Grow
Sometimes life seems so difficult. We’ve all had days and seasons where we toil, strive, struggle, and work, work, and then work some more; and it all seems like Sisyphus’ journey of rolling that big fat boulder up the hill for eternity.
Then, there are days and seasons of just pure grace. Those grace points have absolutely nothing to do with our near-herculean effort but are just that. Pure grace.
Recently, a woman by the name of Kimberly Smith Highland and myself had such an encounter.
Louise Coggins, a mutual friend of mine and Kimberly’s, read one of our Freedom Stories and shared it with her. Kimberly had never heard of RiverCross, but was immediately stirred by our mission and our method. She knew, firsthand, that what RiverCross offers, equipping local people to set vulnerable children free from trauma so that they can thrive, is what many need.
Kimberly served as a missionary for nearly 20 years in Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, and Congo. She founded an organization, which she led for those years. God used Kimberly to raise millions of dollars every year to fund orphan care in those countries.
Kimberly stepped back from that work a few years ago, but as she learned more about RiverCross, her heart was stirred to bring her experience and skills to RiverCross and I am thrilled. Kimberly started her journey with us on April 1, 2024 and is serving as our director of development.
In this role, her primary goal is to connect people who share our heart for orphans and vulnerable children with opportunities to give. Her desire, and the RiverCross philosophy, is to invite people to partner with us in ways that are meaningful for them. Giving is one of these ways.
Please welcome Kimberly to our team and look forward to hearing from her over the next few months. She will be reaching out to each of our donors to get to know you, your heart for the work we do, and to see how we can be praying for your. Please know that she is not taking my place, but rather is extending my heart of care and invitation so that we are better able to serve every single person who partners with us. Feel free to contact me any time the need arises.
In the meantime, please feel free to reach out to Kimberly directly at 205.784.6120 or khighland@rivercrossglobal.org. You can read Kimberly’s book, Passport through Darkness as one way to get to know of her work in Africa. As you get to know her, you will see why we are thrilled that God joined our paths.
Your friend and partner,
Cindy Finley
RiverCross Executive Director