The Unsung Hero Behind Every Trip

The man behind the magic of our trips.

Isn’t a man at all.

When people hear about our Kilimanjaro climbs or see pictures from our work in Uganda, they usually imagine the big moments: summiting a mountain, hugging kids in a dusty village, delivering supplies to churches and schools. And yes—those moments are real and powerful. But there’s someone you may not see in those photos who makes every single one of those moments possible.

Her name is Vicki Tims, and she’s the heartbeat of our international work.

Vicki is our International Programs Coordinator, but that job title doesn’t even scratch the surface. She’s the one who wrangles flight itineraries for climbers and missionaries, coordinates every in-country detail with our Man Up and Go cohorts in Uganda, ensures contributions get to churches, schools, and orphanages, and somehow keeps us all pointed in the right direction across multiple time zones.

Without her, I’d be like a guy showing up at the airport without a passport—lots of passion, but no way to get where I need to be.

The truth is, leadership isn’t just about the person out front. It’s about the people behind the scenes, making sure the mission stays on track. Vicki embodies servant leadership every single day. She doesn’t chase the spotlight, but she’s constantly moving the mission forward. She’s the one answering late-night calls when travel plans change, finding creative solutions when something doesn’t go as planned, and checking in with our partners on the other side of the world to make sure they feel supported and seen.

What I admire most is that she does it all with a spirit of joy. She knows the stakes are high—children’s lives, family restoration, the work of the Gospel—but she approaches every challenge with calm confidence and a deep sense of purpose. She understands that our success isn’t measured in Instagram-worthy moments, but in the long-term impact we make in the lives of men, women, and children.

And here’s the thing: teamwork like this is contagious. When you see someone serving with that kind of heart, you want to match it. You want to give your best because you know they’re giving theirs. Vicki raises the bar for all of us.

So the next time you see a photo of us on the summit of Kilimanjaro, or standing in a Ugandan church, or delivering school supplies to kids who’ve never had them before—know this: Vicki was there. Maybe not in the picture, but in every detail that made that picture possible.

And that’s the beauty of teamwork. The best leaders aren’t always the ones you see—they’re the ones who make sure the mission never misses a beat.

Thanks, Vicki, for keeping us moving, connected, and focused on what matters most. You’re proof that behind every great mission is an even greater servant leader.

Take care,

Jeff Ford