Miles In Missions

Recently in one of our managers meetings, we were discussing how the transfer of leadership would happen over the next few months for the Revitalization project. Someone mentioned, “We need to pass the mantle”.

My first thought went to a house with a nice comfortable fireplace that had a huge wooden mantel above it. I thought, “how am I going to pass something that big and heavy, easily to the next leader of the project?” I imagined us struggling with the huge decorated piece of wood on a forklift and then moving it from one office desk to the other. Then I realized my thoughts of a mantel were inaccurate. The word “mantle” (spelled differently) had to have another meaning than that of a fireplace decoration.

The “passing the mantle of leadership”, first comes to us in Old Testament book of 2 Kings chapter 2. A mantle is a coat of sorts that looks like a cape and it was used to ward off the cold. When Elijah went up in a whirlwind into heaven, his mantle was left behind. Elisha then picked it up and put it on. It was a symbolism that he was “taking up the mantle of prophetic authority”.

As our family prepares to change roles and location within Nigeria, we’ve decided the timing couldn’t be better than now to transfer the “mantle of leadership” of the Revitalization construction project to a fellow missionary, Pete Penno. Pete is a Godly man and is truly over qualified for the job. He has more experience in construction than myself and has served as a missionary in other parts of Africa before. I can say without a doubt that the construction project will be left in better hands. I think many of you would agree that not too many times in our lives could we confidently say that things will possibly be better without us. This is one of those times.

I will still be heavily involved in the aspect of construction within the hospital up until our departure. Pete, having been in Egbe since July, will need my experiences over the past three and a half years to get a great “base” of knowledge to proceed in his tenure. I plan to be involved in planning, drawing, estimating, accounting, and management alongside of Pete.

This past Christmas, we were able to throw a Christmas party for all of the staff and employees of the Revitalization project. It was a great time as we reflected on what had been accomplished in 2016 and what is in store for 2017. During that time, I passed on the “mantle of leadership” to Pete. I didn’t think it was wise to pass on a coat or cape for Pete to wear around because it is usually hot in Egbe. So, I took my first thought of a mantel and made a miniature version out of scrap wood. This one is small enough to handle.

Here is to Pete Penno and his leadership of The Egbe Hospital Revitalization Project!