John & Wendy
Married Professionals, NGO WOrker
By the time we got married, my wife and I had already decided to go into missions. We felt that tentmaking would be the best option for us. She was a software manager, but gave up a China assignment during our courtship to wait for the right opportunity to come for me.
During my post-doctoral fellowship, I underwent additional training in a related field to broaden my options. My mentor connected me to a position to consult for an international organization on their China projects. My wife and I began to pray for an overseas assignment with this organization. We were headed in the right direction, but there were many bureaucratic obstacles.
It took about 4 years before a position finally became available in China. During this time, we started our family with two young children.
Altogether it took six years of waiting after we got married before we went overseas. But I was hired for the position we had been praying for. It offered me great opportunities to work in the field of my professional expertise.
When my assignment with the NGO was about to end, I ran into a former colleague who introduced me to another opportunity in China. My new job fully utilized my experience and networks. Most importantly, it allowed my family to serve in China for many more years.
In our 16 years abroad, I was blessed with a rewarding career that enabled me to make some meaningful contributions in my professional field. I was also blessed to see several of my colleagues come to faith in the last three years of my tenure. At church, my wife and I were responsible for the training of small group leaders. I also had the privilege of teaching Bible study methods to a network of student leaders. Finally, our children have grown up loving the Lord, comfortable with their identity and bicultural heritage.
When we align ourselves with His will and move intentionally in obedience, we can testify to God’s faithfulness that leads us every step of the way in career, ministry and family.