You know, for the 5 years that I was at the International Office in Bristol, I felt that I was sat on the bleachers. It seemed that God had taken me out of the game and had sidelined me. It was so hard to sit and watch the game instead of being involved in it. What had I done wrong? Why couldnít I be back in Africa as were others? What was I achieving in an office?

But in retrospect, I see that it was a seat of privilege as I watched the game from the perspective of the coaches, team managers and club directors.

Now that I'm ëback in the gameí, I can see things from a greater perspective ñ not just the small corner of Congo and the concerns of paying school fees with soap and palm oil, but the concerns of the whole of AIM with so many different locations and foci.

I realise that I learned a lot - both in terms of skill and attitude.

Information Technology skills really have to top that list: Desk Top Publishing, PowerPoint presentations, using DVDs and digital cameras, scanning documents, surfing the net. This is now the way that I communicate and access knowledge in this small corner of the Third World. The Internet is my source of knowledge when text books arenít available or are out of date. 1980s encyclopaedias arenít much good when the students should know something about post-apartheid South Africa.

Even those hours spent in proofing and editing tedious texts and documents have proved valuable. The experience of choosing the correct lexical items has given me a better appreciation of the English language so that I can describe it and explain its nuances. Iím often surprised at the explanations that Iím able to give when students ask for clarification on points of grammar and the usage of language.

The International Office was focussed on leadership training and I was included in much of the discussion and brainstorming of curriculum design. I was privileged to attend a seminar on change management led by high-powered Oxford personnel. Interestingly, one of the important points of that presentation was: always ask the Little People because they see things and have contacts and networks that the Big People don't know about. And if they're reluctant to change, then change won't happen happily. As I find myself training teachers and working with the more educated sector of the Congolese community, I can draw on a lot of that experience, insight and knowledge to motivate, direct, suggest and boldly push for decisions.

But what I draw upon time and time again is that experience of working with humble Big People. Itís incredible how much prestige there is here in the realms of higher education. How many inflated egos there are to pamper. How many male students who pose indirect questions to avoid admitting their mistakes. So I say: Let me tell you a story. I once worked with the International Director of a Big Organisation along with his Associate Directors. (Capital letters for emphasis). And do you know, they didnít consider it beneath their dignity to admit they didnít know something or that they had made a mistake. They were willing to apologise and to roll up their sleeves and do manual work. That was greatness. So thanks, guys, for the chance to learn how to be great and how to be first.

And thank you, God, for giving me treasures from dark, secret places and realising that you are the LORD and that you, the God of Israel have called me by name. (Isaiah 45:3)

Blessings,

Bridget Howard

And then of course there was all that experience of cleaning cellars and clearing out cupboards of horded goodies. Surely there arenít roomfuls of junk to be sorted in those heavenly mansions!