I typically sign my name 345 times every time I travel to Haiti. Yes, you read that right – 345 times! On the third and final day of each PPI course, we conclude with a time of recognition and ceremony. Every church leader who successfully completes a PPI course receives a certificate of completion and a Thompson Bible (Course 1) or Creole Bibles (Courses 2-6) and other ministry resources. Isaiah, Jasmin and I sign each certificate and emboss it with our PPI stamp before Hebert letters each person’s name on his or her certificate. (Hebert has stellar penmanship.) We slide each certificate in a plastic sleeve to protect it along with an official PPI letter describing our courses. Since 2019, we have signed and awarded over 3000 PPI certificates. Before 2026 ends, we will sign 920 more.
Church leaders are very excited to receive the PPI certificate! For them, the certificate respresents three full days of study, discussion and assignments. They have worked hard in the Word! And many of them have overcome hardship and sacrificed significantly to attend a PPI course. Each one has a story. They express gratitude to the Lord for enabling them to take the course, and they rightly experience joy and accomplishment in completing it.
As I enscribed certificate after certificate last week, I thought more about what – and who – my signature represents. (So this is how one’s mind wanders while signing hundreds of certificates. . .) I sign the name given to me by my parents, Ken and Loretta MacGillivray. My name, Ken MacGillivray, represents not just me but them – my dad quite literally. They loved me and influenced my life for Christ. Without them, I would not know Jesus and certainly would not be serving in Haiti.
I also sign my name as the Directeur exécutif (Executive Director) of Partenariat avec pasteurs internationaux. As such, I symbolize the encouragement and affirmation of our Board of Directors and, indeed, all of you as PPI partners and friends. Each time I sign a course certificate, I am saying on your behalf: “Well done! We congratulate you on your work in this course. We see the Lord’s hand upon you and are praying for you, your family and your church. We’re behind you as you go back to your community to serve and lead in Jesus’ name!” In a very real way, we represent the Lord’s encouragement and affirmation. That’s very humbling – and motivating.
Thank you for sending Isaiah, Jasmin, Hebert and me to convey your blessing to church leaders in Haiti. We are honored to represent you and Jesus our Lord among dear brothers and sisters in Christ. We’ll sign our name to that!
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