Lost in Translation

Yesterday I clocked out at Perishable Distributors of Iowa (PDI) for the last time. I have worked at PDI for over seven years—one year on the PDI side (affectionately known as “the dark side”) and six years on the Sunrise side (ice cream freezer, 15 degrees below zero, etc.). As I leave PDI, I want to offer a tribute to the company and my coworkers, sharing a few of the lessons I have learned there.

1)A company culture makes all of the difference in the world. I worked at another company with three initials (you can guess), and the contrast was vast. At my previous job, I got hurt and the supervisor chewed me out. Our crew always worked with one or two fewer guys than we actually needed. In contrast, I crushed my leg at PDI my first week on the job, and the supervisor was actually concerned about me! PDI has cultivated a culture of care for its employees. Almost all of my supervisors became my good friends. I’m going to miss those guys! Management and warehouse guys are not at odds. We were on the same team. They focus on win-win situations—do things that help both employees and the company. PDI fosters that attitude by offering incentive pay, quarterly bonuses, flexibility in scheduling, etc. I was never denied a day off in seven years.

Lesson for ministry: How we minister in Colombia is just as important as what we minister. Do we build up our Colombian brothers and sisters in every way possible? Do we encourage our fellow missionaries? What kind of team do we want to be a part of? Team ethos is key!

2)Some people will complain about a big raise because they have to pay more taxes. In my seven years at PDI, we encountered many changes in how we did our job. We used to select orders by following a printed out sheet of paper. We used to write the store name on our ice cream cart with a black marker. Now we don a $4,000 computer that talks to us (“Vocollect”), and the labels print when you call for them. The productivity has sky-rocketed. But some people fought against every change. Instead of taking an open view of things, they said to themselves, “This is change, and I don’t like it.”

Lesson for ministry: Ministry in Colombia will change over the years. More Colombians are being trained. They have creative ideas for ministry. We younger missionaries may have creative ideas. Each of us will be stretched as ABWE challenges us to plan strategically in a more effective way. The Colombia Baptist Seminary will undoubtedly change over the years. How will we handle that change? Will be open to God using us in different ways over the years?

3)Never say never! I never pictured myself working in a warehouse. Now I can drive pallet jacks and fork lifts like they’re an extension of my body. I’ve gained a different perspective from the warehouse—that’s a good thing.

Ministry lesson: God may use me in unexpected ways, but I need to be willing to do whatever He wants.

4)The personal touch is vital. I led a Bible study at PDI for about two years. We met for 15 minutes on Thursdays during a break time. I would invite people, and they would say, “Oh yeah, I’ll be there.” But they usually didn’t come unless I followed up with them five or ten minutes before the study started. Praise God that two people have come to know the Lord as a partial result of that Bible study.

Lesson for ministry: I must continue to improve in my interpersonal skills. Colombians probably won’t be impressed by a seminary degree or fluency in reading Greek, but they will notice when we show love in a personal way.

5)Enthusiasm opens doors. I’m thinking of three supervisors in particular who always greeted me with enthusiasm. They let me know that they were glad to see me. They even gave me hugs on occasion (that would fit in well in Colombia). How did that affect me? Well, I always looked forward to seeing those guys at work. I wanted to work hard for them.

Lesson for ministry: Apathy has got to go! I can become too laid-back. I need to daily drink from the fountain of God’s love, so that I overflow with joy and enthusiasm.

6)Life is short. In the last year, two employees have died suddenly (one drowned and one got in a car accident). At times I forget how short life is. We’ve got to be ready! The Bible is clear about what happens to those who have not received the Lord Jesus by faith. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Those of us who have a relationship with the Lord have hope. We know where we’re going when we die.

Lesson for ministry: I need to remember that life is short. I need to live this day fully for God. I need to lovingly and courageously share how God has opened the way for us to come to Him through His Son, who died for our sins.

These are just a few thoughts from seven years at PDI. I will miss the environment and my coworkers. I thank God for the lessons that I learned as I “stacked ice cream on carts.”