Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Five years later...
So on September 11, 2003, I handed in my resignation. I left an engineering supervisor role to become an engineer again.
On September 25, I joined a small company(I was number 40) that was about to spin-off from a bigger company. I joined because of the flexible working hours and the opportunity to be a part of building a new company. Of course, the pay was better and I was also about to leave for the US in a month's time.
When I went to the US, I first heard of a team called Advanced Development. They were the ones who were supossedly doing the cool stuff. Trying out new technology, creating prototypes, handing over their prototypes to engineering, etc.
I was like, 'wow, I want to work for that team.'
After my training, I was given tasks that were not very challenging. I did testing for about two years, did a lot of paperwork, etc.
I was given some design projects, two of which were cancelled. I was frustrated, I had put in around 100 hours unpaid overtime on those two projects. About a year later, I was given two more design projects which became part of the earlier models of the company's product.
The company grew and I became one of the older guys that the young ones go to when they have technical questions. I took the risk and invested a lot of myself in building the company, my team in particular.
A little later, Advanced Development gave me a project as an experiment to test my local company's capability. It was a learning experience. So many obstacles, so many foulups, so many delays…
While doing this particular project, I felt God's call to do a Nehemiah. To build something in a short period of time. I didn't know what that something was, but the builder's training course was so amazing. It was a lesson on faith, trust and obedience.
So last month, the head of Advanced Development came with one of his directors. My bosses asked me to join the meetings since I was already running a team of 'buffers'. My team was the training team - bring the guys in, train them and deploy them elsewhere when they are needed.
So I was listening to the presentations, I was thinking, 'Do I dare let go of my position now and my potential promotion, and try out for the team?'.
I was just running through these thoughts and my boss said, 'Oh, I'm sorry. We forgot to ask you, you want to LEAD this new team?' I was stunned.
Then the other guy, a Scotsman, asked, 'Ah yu inclynd?' I was still stunned.
So my boss said, 'Let us let him sleep on it.'
So early the next day, the Scotsman pulled me aside, 'So, ah yu inclynd?.... Are you inclined to take the lead?'
'Uhm. Yes.'
'Let's talk later'
So we talked for about three hours. It was an interview. He was a Psychology major. In short, I got the job.
That night, I told God, 'God, five years ago, I would have been content just to be called a full member of that team. Just being able to work with them was enough. It never occurred to me that I would be asked to lead the local team. God, I'm so overwhelmed. You overwhelm me.'
Got inducted to the team early next morning and was asked to create the plan for the creation of the local Advanced Development team.
Five years… What a ride!
Dear God, I thank You for this new opportunity. You have never ceased to amaze me with Your plans for my life. As I start on this new role, give me the courage and grace to do your work.
Remind me, God, that what brought me here was not my own talents and abilities, but it was by Your grace.
I dedicate this new team to You. May it bring greater glory to You.
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