HOW DO I SWITCH JOBS OVERSEAS? A STORY OF FAITH & FLEXIBILITY
After becoming a Christian in the U.S., Cherry longed to return to East Asia with her American husband and children. She was a high-performance salesperson in her company, so her boss agreed to create a position for her to grow their business. Cherry would be the breadwinner, while Trevor would be the stay-at-home dad, a role he had enjoyed after their second child was born.
Their house was rented out, plane tickets bought, and they said their goodbyes. Then the unexpected happened: Cherry's position fell through. Would they still go? For four years, they had been preparing for East Asia. Scary as it was, they felt compelled to go in faith.
Trevor held a graduate degree in Teaching English as a Second Language and had taught in East Asia before. So when a fellow GLS associate found him a position at a top university, he took it. Trevor rediscovered his passion for teaching, and students loved him. Since university salaries are modest, Cherry also taught part-time and learned that she too could be a good teacher. But when she started home-schooling the children, they had to raise some support to supplement their income.
The unexpected turn of events was not without benefit. It is culturally much more acceptable in Asia for Trevor to be the family's breadwinner. Meantime, their marriage grew tremendously even as they learned lessons of faith and flexibility. Today, they host small groups at home to train and disciple for migrant families and local believers. This is what they have come to Asia for. God's way surprised them, but His will has proven good, pleasing, and perfect. Through it all, Trevor and Cherry are learning to hold onto God as their ultimate security. As they prepare for their next assignment, this strengthened faith sets them free to go wherever He may lead.
Reflection Questions:
What do you find helpful from Cherry and Trevor’s story?
What conditions must be met for you to feel ready to consider working overseas for the purpose of witnessing cross-culturally?