Big News (Part 2)

By now, I hope you understand how important experiencing different cultures is to our family.  From the beginning of our marriage, Shawn and I have desired to make a bigger difference in the world. We considered joining the Peace Corps, going on mission trips to Africa, building Habitat for Humanity homes, starting an International Women's Group, adopting Roma children, hosting Syrian refugees in our home--- so many things, but the time hasn't been right---- until now. About three years ago, I began sensing that God was going to do something big in my life, but I didn't know what. Also, at this time, my dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed away only two months later. It was a very difficult time for me, but all the while, I still had this feeling that God was going to lead me down a new path.  At this time, Shawn and I signed up for a discipleship class at church and I attended the Global Leadership Summit (http://www.willowcreek.com/events/leadership/2016-domestic-b/)  and through both of these events, I knew that I was meant to work with people internationally. Still, I didn't know how.

You're probably thinking, 'but Jaime, this has been all about you and you have a family. How are you going to change the world with a husband and children?' Well, I had no idea, but Shawn and I had been discussing how I desired to "change the world" and he agreed that we should pursue International Missions. We talked to our pastor and he suggested a few organizations and we (after about 6 months) decided on One Mission Society (OMS) in Greenwood, Indiana. (https://www.onemissionsociety.org/)  Now, I really had no understanding of missions. Neither Shawn or I have even been on a short-term mission trip. I thought, it must be easy to become a missionary because this world needs help and who wouldn't want help? So, over the course of the last year and a half, we prayed and researched a lot of options within OMS and I thought that serving Roma kids in Hungary sounded perfect since I wanted to adopt Roma kids in the past and we had been to Hungary (at this point, it was Jaime's calling and we were looking for what Jaime wanted). However, Shawn and I were not qualified for the positions they were seeking. Begrudgingly, I began seeking information on Haiti. I say begrudgingly because, well Haiti has had a difficult life. However, one of the many job postings for Haiti was for a High School Director who could help build a High School curriculum for the Cowman School in Cap-Haitien and it sounded like it was perfect for Shawn. At this point, it became about how God would use our entire family and not just what Jaime wanted. So after about a year of praying, applying, interviewing and Skype-ing, we are happy to share that we have officially been accepted to serve as long-term missionaries in Haiti!