Core Scripture: “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10)

Message: My life changed forever when I met Curt Robertson.  He was my mentor.  The King of Ohana.  He taught me everything I needed to know about the teaching philosophy I used for a decade in my classroom.  It revolutionized my teaching like none other, bringing students together through camaraderie, high expectations, and the sharing of life together. 

My teaching days are over.  For now at least.  Life is known to throw you some curve balls now and again.  Sometimes you get a hit, and sometimes you strike out.  Me?  I almost feel like it is a matter of perspective.  I try to live like Paul, being content no matter what the circumstances.  Whether it was in a dungeon or in a palace, he relished the opportunity to share the gospel.  I’d like to think I slapped a single when Amazon hired me.

My new career path has led me to Amazon DKS3 where I have worked since October of 2024.  The Lord took me, a man who had never worked warehouse or overnights, and molded me into a Learning Ambassador.  One of my favorite jobs now is to work with the new hires, treating them the same way I once treated my students.  It almost feels like things are coming full circle. 

New hires are typically young, anywhere between 18-25 years old, looking to make a few bucks for school or their families.  Some are older like me, jumping jobs.  Others are retired from long-time careers, hoping to supplement their retirement fund.  Amazonians come from all over the world.  I have met colleagues from France, Ghana, Congo, Ethiopia, Iran, Cuba, Sudan, Haiti, Honduras, and Algeria to name a few. 

The turnover rate at our warehouse has been known to be rather high.  Some are just not cut out for the midnight shift, working a physically exhausting job on minimal sleep.  In my tenure at Amazon, new hires have been known to peace out in the middle of shifts, never to be seen again.  I am the lone survivor from my training class a year and a half ago.  My job is to throw the new hires a life saver, hoping they don’t drown.

Amazon has been on a hiring spree as of late.  New hires are being shoveled our way like packages on a conveyor belt.  That is where Ohana comes in.  Ohana is the Hawaiian word for family or community.  New hires are not just co-workers.  Each one of them becomes a new member of our Amazonian family.  There are multiple ways this plays out in our company.

First and foremost, I see these new hires as individuals.  I get to know them.  I share life with them.  When break time comes, I don’t zone out on my phone or sleep in my car like most end up doing.  I work my way around the break room, talking to my new hires and asking questions.  I get a feel for their lives, make connections, and ask more questions.  It is amazing what a new hire will do if you show interest in them.

Take today for example.  I was praying for God to guide me to the right person at lunch.  The break room looked the same as it always does.  Most are eating.  Some have their heads down, taking a quick snooze.  If anyone is awake, they are typically scrolling their phone or talking quietly.  Minimal interacting.  I noticed one of my new hires staring at her phone, content but alone, and planted myself a few seats down from her.

I had already learned this gal was brand new to the area, being raised in Nevada, so I used that as a talking point.  Before I knew it, she was showing me pictures of her home, beautiful desert beneath snowcapped mountains.  Absolutely gorgeous.  We talked about the hiking trails she frequented and her plans to save up some money to buy a house here with her brother.  By the end of our time together, I knew she was more likely to stick.

Besides the personal conversations I enjoy—they are so much more than just a check box type of thing—I also hold my new hires to the Ohana principle of high expectations.  On the floor, I point out how others sometimes take short cuts or try to avoid work, but my new hires are taught to embrace the desire to be great.  They are by no means perfect, but I can guarantee each one of them will be able to look themselves in the mirror at the end of the day knowing they gave it their all.

When the end of a shift comes, half the warehouse employees begin to check out.  They hide from management, play on their phones, and avoid work at all costs.  I push my new hires.  I treat them like adults, train them with encouragement, all while pointing out constructive comments to push them to the next level.  Sometimes I will tease the slackers, saying, “Hey, look at my new hires doing all the work!”  It builds pride in my team.

Finally, Ohana celebrates successes of students, and I do not waste any opportunity to celebrate my new hires.  On my last shift, I was planted next to a young gal just learning how to stow packages.  My manager told me she needed some tips, so while I covered my aisles next to her, I multi-tasked by giving her some crucial pointers.  Big boxes first.  Sort them E/G and C/D.  Use that stow cart.  And play Tetris as you build your bags full of boxes and jiffies. 

After a rough start, she began to hit her stride.  I complimented her well-organized bags, and I modeled teamwork, scanning a few of her packages away in the heat of the battle, all while trying to keep my bins at bay.  Before I knew it, she was over into my aisles, scanning a few of MY packages to help me!  She worked her tail off, and I felt nudged by the Lord to reward her.

“Hey, I have something for you,” I waved her over. 

Amazon rewards solid work with swag bucks.  Managers give employees this currency to buy Amazon apparel, and I had accumulated quite the stash through the past months.  I counted out ten one dollar bills and gave them to her.  You would have thought I had just given her the keys to a new convertible.  Her eyes widened, and her dimples shined back at me. 

“Oh my gosh, thank you!” she gasped. 

I can guarantee that girl will still be working at Amazon when I return to work next Wednesday.  So will the new hire from Nevada.  And so will the young man I tutored through pick and stage during my last shift.  As I taught him the intricacies of our work, we bonded, talking about everything from the Chiefs recent draft picks to our favorite music playlists we listen to.  It was Ohana at its finest. 

I never would have thought I would get the opportunity to practice Ohana upon taking my job at Amazon.  What a blessing to be able to use the gift of teaching that God gave me!  If you happen to be in my shoes, here are my Ohana principles discussed above in a nutshell …

1. Treat your students like individuals, getting to know their names and what makes them tick.
2. Ask questions.  Everything from their hobbies to their families to their favorite snack.
3. Share connections from your own life.  I can’t wait to expand the conversation about Christian hip hop artists with my last new hire.
4. Hold students to high expectations, treating them like young adults. 
5. Reward hard work that you see and celebrate success!

My body is on its second day of recovery now.  I don’t return to work until early Wednesday morning, but I am looking forward to my next shift.  Why?  To check in on my new hires and make sure they are growing.  I am merely planting seeds now, but the true beauty will be seen weeks down the road when they begin to sprout.

Remember what I said above about slapping a single?  When my new hires begin to flourish, that, my friends, is a home run.   

Challenge: Are you teaching or training someone?  Don’t just teach them the curriculum or the intricacies of your work.  Go the extra mile to get to know them as a person and share life with them.  Treat them like family!

Bible study: Journal about or discuss how the following scriptures apply to my message above …

1. “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” (Romans 15:2)
2. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)
3. “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” (Philippians 2:3-4)

Just for fun: Day one of my training sessions is filled with four hours of corporate videos to enjoy.  I use the term “enjoy” loosely if you catch my drift.  During my last video session, I thought one of my new hires didn’t come back from break.  When I asked the others if they had seen him, they all just pointed to his seat.  Nobody was there.  But they kept pointing.  The guy next to him started laughing.  I walked slowly back there, and there he was.  Sleeping on the ground.  One hundred percent knocked out.  Completely oblivious to anything going on.  Not my finest teaching moment!

Prayer: Lord, help me get to know my colleagues on a more personal level, promoting camaraderie and unity.  Let them see Your love through my words and actions.  Amen.