After beginning pre-field ministry with no kids, we left for Kenya in 2008 with three small children. Tyler was almost five, Ella was three, and Alexis was nine months old. We learned Swahili and helped plant Utawala Baptist Church in Nairobi. Darin led the youth group, helped preach with an interpreter, and organized games for the Saturday children’s outreach. I taught Sunday school, junior church, and helped with the children’s outreach. In 2011 the government placed a huge tax on missionaries that we could not afford.

 

That summer we went on a survey trip to Durban, South Africa. Our family had peace that this was where God was leading us next. In September of 2011, the five of us flew to Durban and started working with a Chinese ministry called Peace Chinese Christian Church. Darin helped lead the church while the pastor was on furlough in Hong Kong and I taught Sunday school to the Chinese children with an interpreter. During this time, we were invited by Pastor Dennis Nkosi to visit the church he pastored, Crossroads Community of Christ. We felt like we had come home. After much prayer and long discussions in the Nkosi's home, God moved us to join the fellowship and assist in various ministries at Crossroads.