Yesterday I returned from my seven day visit to Bolivia. It seemed to go by quickly, but was also packed with time meeting with staff, hanging out with kids, and visiting friends in La Paz. It was encouraging to see how the new leadership team has been doing. As expected, there has been a few bumps in the road, but nothing that wouldn't be expected for any change in leadership. Some of the people we worked with on a daily basis miss us the most, both in our personal and work relationships. It was great to spend time with them and encourage them to help our new leadership in the ministry, to be patient, and to recognize what is different vs. what is bad.
On the way home from Bolivia I started to think about how I perceive much of Corporate America and its drive to lower the bottom line. Specifically it seems that many companies now view their workers as liabilities, and do whatever possible to minimize its cost. I recognize the fact that lower costs directly raises profits, but I wonder how effective this really is long term. I consider (and I think many would agree) that the individuals in our ministry are assets, our most important assets. Furthermore I think that the more that is invested in them, the more they will be invested in the ministry, and the higher their quality and quantity of work will be. Someone who feels cared for, secure in their job, trusted, and encouraged will be far more willing to go "above and beyond" than the person who is motived to complete their job responsibilities out of fear. (Fear for loosing their job, being demoted, etc.) We might be in a unique situation due to the lack of trained individuals in this field, but it is also very important to us that we develop our own leaders within the ministry. We cannot afford to expect to find a good house parent, or a good school director who has leadership qualities, experience with street children, and the same methodology as we do if it is not someone who comes from within our own ministry.
On a more basic level though, I think everyone can and should be a leader in their area - demonstrating to others what it means to be an excellent cook, and excellent teacher, and an excellent accountant. I also think that is part of our calling as Christians - to never be satisfied with doing a mediocre job, always striving to provide the best and do the best as a testimony of our earthly responsibilities. I always think of Jim Collins moto in
Good to Great, which is "never let good be the enemy of great," standing in contrast to the popular saying of "don't let perfect be the enemy of good." From Collins' perspective people all to often settle with doing a good enough job, allowing excellency to slip from their hands mainly because good is good enough. Our kids deserve excellence, and our staff can give it to them, and they can achieve it in their own lives as well. Kids respond to both expectations and example, and if we are satisfied with "just getting by" they will be too. If we don't expect something great from them, they won't expect it from themselves.
I was also reminded of how the problem we deal with in Bolivia daily is such a systematic problem. This idea of expectations is so ingrained in Bolivian culture and their stereotypes against street children. Our staff and our kids hear all to often that our kids are "only kids from a home" or "from the street", used as an excuse to basically say "what more can you expect?" What can we expect? That our child will be treated as your child. That he will have the same rights, same opportunities, and the same dreams. We expect our children to do well - not so they feel bad if they fail, but so they know someone trusts in them, has confidence in them, sees their value and their potential - not for who they were, but for who they are and in whose image they were created.
-J
