Chapter 2 - Page 19 - Vision Of Africa

time Jim and his wife had ever had. He hadn’t flown his plane since his divorce eighteen months earlier. He watched several planes take off and land, then, anxious to get to Africa, he instructed Raymond to proceed to the airport.

   When the limo stopped before the company jet, Mike, the mechanic, was doing some last minute repairs on the jet’s door latch. The pilot and copilot were already in the cockpit studying the flight route, making some last minute safety checks, and preparing to warm up the plane. Mario, the pilot, clambered down the steps to do some safety checks on the outside of the plane. Behind him, the mechanic hurriedly put his tools in his toolbox and started down the steps too. When Mike noticed Jim watching him, he stopped and waved. A wide smile shaped his face. Jim watched Mike as he walked toward the hanger. Mike had never acted very friendly toward him. Ever since Jim became a Christian, people treated him differently. They seemed friendlier, more comfortable around him. He didn’t know it was because he treated them with more respect.

   Raymond unbuckled his seat belt and slid his seat back. “I’ll be right there to open your door, Jim.”

   Before Raymond could get to the back door, Jim was standing beside the limo. Raymond stopped, looking puzzled. “Sir?” he said uncertainly.

   Jim smiled. “Raymond, I can open my own door. From now on, I don’t want any of my employees to do anything that would be demeaning or give the impression that they’re expected to wait on me.

   “Raymond, your job is to drive company personnel safely from point A to point B, and to keep the limo in peak condition and appearance. Nothing more and nothing less.”