Love

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Discovering a MVP and a Pencil

My first impression of this establishment amazed me. The idea of collecting a cluster of empty shipping containers and converting them into deluxe compact rooms was amazing. Cargo88 is a modern luxury hotel property in the outskirts of Lusaka, Zambia. (www.cargo88-hotel.com)

You’ll see a crossroad of hotel guests from many places around the world as well as those living here in Lusaka. There is one hotel staff member that stands out among his peers. Justine N. was courteous, welcoming, and willing to make my stay pleasant. I salute him for being an exemplary staff member and here’s why! One day while doing laptop/notebook work in the lobby, I asked two other employees if I could simply borrow a pencil….yes, a pencil. I was attempting to obtain one of the most undervalued writing tools known to modern man. The pencil didn’t have to be brand new; just one to borrow. Heck, I’d be happy to return it back to them. Surprisingly, the two staff members simply said “they didn’t have a pencil!” That was it…and the two walked away?

Stunned, I planned to walk to a nearby mall and purchase a set of pencils. Minutes later, Justine started his shift at the hotel. I didn’t tell him of my disappointment, so I asked if “he” had a pencil. Like the others Justine said “no” – BUT he told me that he’ll get someone to go to the mall and get me a pencil!!!! I immediately told him not to do that, yet I was impressed by his willingness to help in any way he could. After turning down the offer, I proceeded to work without the use of a pencil. Five minutes later, Justine came to me with a brand new sharpened pencil.

A hotel establishment should not only impress its guests with the look of a facility, but more importantly, the engagement effort (do what it takes) of its staff! I asked for an inexpensive writing tool – I didn’t ask for a crusted diamond (bling-bling) ink pen. You would imagine that any hotel establishment should possess a hand wooden writing tool! And yet, I was befuddled by the two staffers who raised their shoulders at me like it was an historical Egyptian mystery?

I’m not writing to boast here, but I have traveled to more than 45 countries around the world in twenty years. My engagement with Justine topped off my 10-day hotel stay experience. His smile and candor was something I expected each day I stayed at Cargo 88. If you ever stay at this hotel property, please ask for Justine!

Personally, I imagine him to be a leader or moved to a higher position that he currently has now. This idea will resonate in my head for some time with the goal of advocating for him. Hopefully, this goal of mine may give him a better career opportunity there OR another establishment that will embrace his style of customer service! This true experience to me sums it up this way: The undervalue of a pencil and a most valuable person (MVP)!

Let us go out and do some Good!

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A Proposed Plan that may lead to Your Destiny in Mission

As the cool invisible mountain breeze of East Africa rolls over the last glowing sunset of my April stay here, I imagine what the Prophet Elijah must’ve felt while resting in the wilderness after the Jewish princess Jezebel threaten to kill him. With its lush green views from the lanai of my guest room at Lake Nakuru Resort, I felt well rested after a long, but successful mission journey here in Kenya.

God used me mightily at every turn, trekking some distance of about 16,400 miles in total! Every encounter with people young and old was a humbling experience. Despite the human casualty of 149 university students killed in the town of Garrisa three weeks ago, the Kenyan people are resilient and strong. They are determined to face new obstacles and bury old colonial-ruled lifestyle patterns. Its people will sound a new trumpet of Zion; awakening every living creature that roams and breaths on their rich fertile lands.

I can’t wait to reschedule my spring visit next year and continue the work of sharing God’s message, instilling hope, and encouraging the discouraged.

By looking out onto this beautiful quiet sunset evening, I can’t help but to listen to the blowing wind mixing with the whistling chirping of birds and the call of insects boldly declaring their presence to the world. Was this temporary image supposed to give me the feeling of the Garden of Eden? Think about it, no arguments of fussing, no sounds of honking cars, no slaughter of animals….yet! And most of all, no stress! Can you imagine….

By the time you read this, I’ll be back into the grind of everyday life back in the United States, but (God willing) the next mission adventure will be in Jamaica W.I. this summer.

My prayer for the country of Kenya is that God does a new thing for its people. His plan will bring a cool fresh breeze on its people to become more unified thanWorn Socks ever before. His blowing clear wind will remove the tainted attitudes and His gentle hand will be open to welcome those who will surrender to Him.

My personal prayer is that you’ll join me in 2016. Newly scheduled international mission trips will be posted on our website starting this week (June 5)! To view each destination, please visit: www.lifewalkmission.org. Perhaps next year while sitting on the lanai, I’ll look to the left or right of me and see you too, wearing worn socks and writing your mission journey in Kenya!