Eternally Grateful: A Tribute to Norma Ham

Thank you all for your prayers. We are so thankful we could be here with all my siblings (except for our brother Robert who went to be with the Lord seventeen years ago).

As I think about my precious mother right now with a heavy heart, I recall the time she shared her views of life, death, and eternity with me. In fact, we videotaped Mum in her Australian home on November 25, 2014, as she talked about her life. I trust the short video clip attached from that time will minister to you.

She is one of the true saints! I think of the Apostle Paul’s words, “Greet every saint in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:21). Mum devoted herself to my late dad, their six children, twenty grandchildren, and forty-eight great-grandchildren. She prayed for her whole family every day by name.

I have vivid memories of my mother teaching me to pray as a young child. She also loved teaching me the words of the hymn composed in 1839 and published in 1841, “Jesus, Tender Shepherd, Hear Me.” I’ve never forgotten those words:

Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me;
Bless Thy little lamb tonight:
Through the darkness be Thou near me,
Keep me safe till morning light.
All this day Thy hand has led me,
And I thank Thee for Thy care;
Thou hast warmed me, clothed and fed me;
Listen to my evening prayer.
Let my sins be all forgiven;
Bless the friends I love so well:
Take us all at last to heaven,
Happy there with Thee to dwell.

There are many things she taught me that I’ll always remember, such as the following principles:

• It’s only what is done for Jesus that lasts.
• Put God first, others second, and yourself last.

I can truly say that the ministry of AiG, the Creation Museum, and the Ark Encounter, which each year impact tens of millions of people around the world, are a legacy of my Mum and Dad. They taught their children to stand boldly and unashamedly on the Word of God. They would never knowingly compromise God’s Word—they hated such compromise. My parents taught me to “smell” liberal theology a million miles away!

My parents started Sunday schools and organized many evangelistic programs in Australia that reached children and adults with the saving gospel. Only God knows the impact their faithfulness to his Word and the gospel has had on a multitude of people.

I will miss you, Mum—but I look forward to seeing you in heaven!

It’s been hard being across the ocean for so many years. But I praise the Lord for the technology we have today like Facetime so that I could often stay in touch with Mum. When we heard that she was failing last week, my wife Mally and I used Facetime to tell her we loved her. She was conscious but couldn’t speak, yet she managed to mouth the words back: “I love you.” We then flew to Australia to be at her side.

Until we meet again, Mum . . . in glory!

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken