BHAG – Pronounced BEE-hag
Attended a company retreat this week focusing on this
question, “What is our company’s BHAG?”
BHAG, a Big Hairy Audacious Goal, is defined as a strategic business
statement which is created to focus an organization on a single medium-long
term organization-wide goal which is audacious, likely to be externally
questionable, but not internally regarded as impossible. The primary example given was John F.
Kennedy’s statement in 1962 that the U.S. would put a man on the moon and bring
him back again by the end of the decade.
Great discussion regarding our company’s BHAG but it got
me thinking, if I’m a young kid in Burundi what’s my BHAG? My wife and I recently received letters from
two boys we have supported since 2007 that may give you some insight. But first, some history.
My first mission trip brought my son, 16 at the time, and
me to Burundi where we met Simon, the mastermind behind the Tour du Burundi, and
Freddy Tuyizere, Burundi’s National Director of Youth for Christ,
the organization that built the Gitega International Academy, the school for which we are
riding.
Standing, in 2007, with Simon and Freddy on a site with just
a few buildings built of a future orphanage - Gitega Homes of Hope, and a future
school - Future Hope School, they told me they needed a huge sum of money to complete the two projects. I
don’t remember the exact amount needed,
however, my thought was, honestly, no way will that kind of money flow into
Burundi. But that was me limiting God
and men of faith like Simon and Freddy.
Now, not only has Gitega Homes of Hope Orphanage and
Future Hope School been completed and operating for years, under Freddy’s direction
and with Simon’s support the Gitega International Academy was completed in
2012. Seeing how these men get things
done and honor the resources given to them is one of the reasons I support them
and have signed on for the Tour du Burundi.
It’s why I feel comfortable asking for support to help the new Gitega
International Academy.
So getting back to my question, if I’m a young kid in
Burundi what’s my BHAG? The letters from
Thacien and Elise`,
expressing their hope for the future, are really no different than what we
wanted as kids, the difference being they were born in Burundi, and most of you
reading this were born in a “first-world” country. If you asked them, I’m not sure if they would
tell you their hopes expressed in these letters are their BHAG, but I can tell
you they need to attend a well-funded secondary school to keep their hopes
alive. Please read these letters then
consider clicking here to donate.
Praise the Lord,
This is Thacien, I am glad to have this opportunity to
tell you how grateful I am for everything that you have done for me. Thank you
very much for being my friend and keeping close to your heart all this time.
I am 12 years old and will be making 13 on the 11th
of July. I am in grade six which is the final year of primary school. I am so
excited to get through this year and join secondary school. I hope to join
Gitega International Academy next year and there is too much study going on, so
I and all my brothers and sisters in grade six are working as hard as we can.
Being the oldest, I have a big responsibility to produce the best since all my
younger brothers and sisters are looking up to me and I also would not like to
let down everyone’s expectation. Actually no one is telling me this but I just
have the feeling, I mean if you understand what I am trying to say.
I enjoy all the games we play at the orphanage with the
kids, but my best are football and hula hooping. Sometimes we watch a movie in
the evening which is so refreshing from all the studies and the chores.
When I grow up I hope to become a pastor and a very good
football player.
I hope to write to you again and I will always pray that
the Lord will continue blessing you. I hope you are doing okay. Send my
greetings to all your family and friends.
Oh and just the last thing, if you ever get to feel
scared and worked up, or overwhelmed by a certain fear, always tell your heart
out loud that “it is well” as many times as you can be able to believe it. I
always use it and it works. I love you so much.
Your friend always Thacien,
Gitega Homes of Hope.
Praise God,
I am called Elise`, and I
am over joyed to be writing to you. Thank you very much for all the help you
send me and for keeping me close to you heart all the time. You are a good
friend.
I am in grade five and I
am 10 years old. I will be making 11 this April on the 12th. Back at
the orphanage everyone is fine and I am doing alright. At school we are
studying harder than ever because we are semi candidates. But when am not
studying, I play football with my brothers at the orphanage and some girls and
sometimes I make toy cars or play halu hooping which is a new game Hayley
taught us.
My best meals at home are
when we have meat, and I also enjoy the days for watching movies.
When I grow up I want to
become a pastor and also play great footballer.
Thank you again, I love
you so much. Send my greetings to all your friends and family
Your friend Elise`,
Gitega Home of Hope.
In a word, humbling.
I read these letters and am so thankful that my wife and I get to
support Thacien and Elise`. One of the major takeaways from the 2007
Burundi trip was simply that there is life happening on the other side of the
planet. May seem silly but suddenly
Burundi was no longer a spot on a map.
Burundi is people, Simon, Freddy, Thacien, Elise`, and all the other people we
encountered, living life just like we do. Children dream just like ours. I love looking at the moon and thinking about
my friends over there and when I’m in Africa I look at the moon and think of my
friends over here. It’s just a way for
me to connect with the people I care about.
I’m not expecting any of
you to sign up for monthly support for a couple of African kids but I am asking you
to donate to the Gitega International
Academy which will give generations of children a chance to accomplish their
BHAG. Give and then start looking at the
moon knowing you too have a connection with people, literally, on the other
side of the world. Go on, give it a
shot. It’s a great feeling!
