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Someday some simple soul will pick up the Bible, read it, believe it, and put the rest of us to shame!” I read that quote by Leonard Ravenhill, an English preacher, author and revivalist in the 60’s and 70’s, years ago. I have applied it to very few people over the years. At our Big Sisters meeting on February 5th I applied that quote to our General Manager in Trujillo, Mike Bukta. I was also thinking about his wife Danell as well.
When I first met Mike and Danell I saw their heart for Peru and their desire to learn the language. John had told me Mike was a hockey player, and I was not disappointed. He had the look! I soon learned that he was also a Teddy Bear!
When John asked the board to approve Mike as the General Manager of the mission, I wrote John that I liked Mike but did not know that much about his leadership skills. John assured us that he saw something in Mike that caused him to believe that Mike would be effective in the new role.
John surely saw something that is sometimes hard to describe. Mike is street smart and is able to size-up people and situations. It is hard to pull something over on him. He has the uncanny ability to call a situation like he sees it, often sighting Scripture or pointing to Jesus as his authority. He just calls it straight forward, fair, without embellishment. He calls others to accountability. Sometimes it is disarming, but, my, is it refreshing! And because of that the people who work with him trust him, because he is also able to demonstrate and dispense genuine care and grace. These are the qualities that have served him well these past few months. I can’t say enough about how he has gotten PNHI on track - and we are seeing immediate results.
When John talks about Danell, he talks about her evangelistic heart. She leads people to Jesus on a weekly basis and teaches others how to do it and to have a passion to do it. She is heart and soul involved in the mission, meeting with people, training, teaching, out in the barrios. I love her enthusiasm and her heart.
And then there is Skylar and Nicole, the Bukta girls. God bless them for their heart for the work. Nicole is the youngest and so infectious. Last time I was there I had a word to describe her - “impetuous!” Of course she wanted to know what that meant. I asked her to look it up. Skylar wanted to know what my word was for her. “Sassy” is the word - not in the negative way, but in a positive, spunky way. They are so flexible and so involved. I love them.
The Bukta family, humble, everyday, and uncomplicated, are leading in God’s work in Trujillo, and causing the rest of us to rejoice in their effectiveness. I can hardly wait to get back there to spend time with them. Every time you think of PNHI and Trujillo pray for them - that God would give them health and joy in their journey.
When I first met Mike and Danell I saw their heart for Peru and their desire to learn the language. John had told me Mike was a hockey player, and I was not disappointed. He had the look! I soon learned that he was also a Teddy Bear!
When John asked the board to approve Mike as the General Manager of the mission, I wrote John that I liked Mike but did not know that much about his leadership skills. John assured us that he saw something in Mike that caused him to believe that Mike would be effective in the new role.
John surely saw something that is sometimes hard to describe. Mike is street smart and is able to size-up people and situations. It is hard to pull something over on him. He has the uncanny ability to call a situation like he sees it, often sighting Scripture or pointing to Jesus as his authority. He just calls it straight forward, fair, without embellishment. He calls others to accountability. Sometimes it is disarming, but, my, is it refreshing! And because of that the people who work with him trust him, because he is also able to demonstrate and dispense genuine care and grace. These are the qualities that have served him well these past few months. I can’t say enough about how he has gotten PNHI on track - and we are seeing immediate results.
When John talks about Danell, he talks about her evangelistic heart. She leads people to Jesus on a weekly basis and teaches others how to do it and to have a passion to do it. She is heart and soul involved in the mission, meeting with people, training, teaching, out in the barrios. I love her enthusiasm and her heart.
And then there is Skylar and Nicole, the Bukta girls. God bless them for their heart for the work. Nicole is the youngest and so infectious. Last time I was there I had a word to describe her - “impetuous!” Of course she wanted to know what that meant. I asked her to look it up. Skylar wanted to know what my word was for her. “Sassy” is the word - not in the negative way, but in a positive, spunky way. They are so flexible and so involved. I love them.
The Bukta family, humble, everyday, and uncomplicated, are leading in God’s work in Trujillo, and causing the rest of us to rejoice in their effectiveness. I can hardly wait to get back there to spend time with them. Every time you think of PNHI and Trujillo pray for them - that God would give them health and joy in their journey.
