How We Got Here

In 2003, one of the directors for the Baptist Bible Fellowship International (BBFI) encouraged us to look at taking a trip to Ethiopia. We had become good friends with him and knew that he had been born and raised in Ethiopia, as his parents were missionaries. After talking it over and praying about it we figured we might as well do it. At this point, we had a desire for missionary work but had no idea were we where going to serve.  So, in the early part of 2004 we started raising money for the trip and in June of that year we boarded a plan in Chicago with Eric & Amanda Shadle, for a trip that would ultimately lead to a life changing decision.

It took a couple of days in Addis before the culture shock had worn off but by that time we felt that God had given us a strong desire to work in this country. We knew very well the history of our organization in Ethiopia and of previous missionaries before they were forced out in the 1970s. We had seen a few veteran families who had come back to the country and were doing everything they could to see the Gospel reach the people.  We were also very aware of the need for younger families to help and eventually replace those families who hearts were willing but were unable to stay due to health. We knew we should go.

So…our desire to go was born and really at that point Team Ethiopia was in full active mode. We had determined that working together with other couples proved to be a very practical and strategic way to start churches around the world. We had known Eric and Amanda Shadle for some time and had developed a strong friendship with them, plus we knew they were also desiring to go to Ethiopia.  Would it not make perfect sense to work together much like Paul and Silas did in the New Testament?

After we had started making the plans to go to Ethiopia, we packed up our bags and loaded them up in a moving truck and made our way to Raleigh NC to do an internship at Mid-Way Baptist Church in November 2004. At first leaving  our  church of 100 and moving to Mid-Way with over 1000 was overwhelming, but it quickly become home. For us the time we spent there was life changing, as we grew up a lot and made friends that are counted as some of our closest. Mid-way walked with us through the hardest times of our lives and through the joyful times of our life and we will forever be grateful for God moving us to this wonderful church.

In September 2006 we were approved as BBFI missionaries and in early 2007 we were on the road full time raising support to move to Ethiopia. Of course, God had many other things in store for us before we would get to leave for Ethiopia, but in August 2010 we finally touched ground in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, ready to start a brand new chapter.