Speed

The “summer months” have sped by and “our summer” is now here. 

In June, our lives were very much up in the air and we were not sure the next step ahead. James’s teaching position was ending, of his own choosing, and we didn’t know what was next.  He ended the teaching job with another job already lined up. But that one “ended up” falling through and it was a highly stressful time not knowing what was next. Especially when my parents were coming to visit. What could be more stressful for a son-in-law living in Africa then to be jobless when his in-laws show up for the first time ever!   But the Lord already knew the next step.

Some friends from church heard about our situation and offered James a temporary job. They had recently started a side business with a motorcycle courier service and asked James just to startup and boost the business.  We were very thankful for the new job but still wondering what would happen in October.

Only two months into the job and they were discussing a partnership in the company.

So now James is Managing Director of Macspeedy’s and the business is growing! 

The market is so ripe for it,  as traffic in Lusaka is so bad and companies currently hire taxis and drivers to take things across town and sending things via the motorcycle is much cheaper. So its all about getting the word out and more and more sales.  I have asked a few times if he can just throw the kids on the back of the bike and have them delivered to school, but so far it’s been a No. 

He is working a lot of hours, and is “always on”, but we are extremely thankful and marvel at the Lord providing this job. One that can carry us into the future and help meet the needs of our family.  And honestly, my 2 cents, is that it is refreshing to be out of the “ministry world” where things seem to run on a whole different level, then the rest of the normal working world. 

His abilities and skills are very well suited to this line of work and he is even using his past experience in Management and Human Resources at UPS  from 17 years ago. You never know when you will use and need something that you learned way back. That is one of the neat things about life. All our experiences, shape us and prepare us for the next thing we do. What’s funny is that James has always said, “if my family’s livelihood ever depends on my being a salesman I am afraid we will starve!”.... and now part of the job is selling the services. 

So, he just turned 40 a few weeks ago and rather than buying a motorcycle for a “mid-life” experience.  He is running a motorcycle business!!  :)   

Grace said she told her friend at school that “my dad has a motorcycle, thats his work”.

About 10 years ago when James was a pastor in KY, someone once told him that he looked like a “biker” because of his goatee and shaved hair. She told him as a negative thing, but we laughed because I liked his “biker look”.  Still do. Thus the goatee after all these years, and Leather jackets are nice, but personally I think he can stop before we get to the “chains and all” look.