It was my great pleasure to serve on the Global Leadership team for the May, 2007 Symposium in L'Viv, Ukraine. I prepared and gave a presentation, which I hope was informative and thought-provoking for the participants; but, as I reflect on trip, the presentation is not what I think of most. Rather, it is the faces, and glimpses of the hearts, of the people I was privileged to meet. Some of those were teammates from home, some were Ukrainian team members, some were seminar participants, and some were from the extended Global Leadership family that had been forming in Ukraine over the years of consistant Global Leadership involvement.

The experience was challenging but not difficult. It expanded me but did not take me into areas so foreign that I was uncomfortable. I felt that whatever my talents and gifts were, God would use them to the benefit of others, and bless me greatly in the process. In many ways it was like a grand vacation, yet it was so much more when at its heart was the opportunity to be part of something very meaningful.

My reception was wonderful. I felt like most of the people I met became instant friends. Two of the seminar participants invited me to tour their offices, which was a wonderful opportunity to spend a little time getting to know them better while gaining insight into these two companies and Ukrainian business in general. As a businessman, several entrepreneurial ideas were sparked. Other ideas seemed somehow more possible than before, as I was inspired by Ukrainians who are working in very difficult economic and political circumstances, but manage to have very bright and optimistic attitudes.

I thank Global Leadership for allowing me to be part of a world-class professional event, and for making the experience easy, enjoyable, and enriching!