John and Shannon both accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior at youth camps in High School. We both had a love for our people overseas, but we were originally called to go overseas separately. Johnny had a growing desire to go overseas from the time he was in high school. The Father spoke to Shannon's heart while she was in college that he deserved the praise of every person on Earth. It was also in college that both developed a heart from the people that we now serve. Shannon went on a summer trip overseas, and the next year Johnny prayed for all his friends who went to the same places - that the Tibetans would believe and embrace the Father. After Shannon's trip overseas, during her senior year in college, she desired to go back fro two years. So, after she graduated, she spent two years as a journeyman in the same place that she visited for the summer. She also saw Johnny at this time - he was visiting friends in the same area of the world.
In 2001, Shannon returned home and was called to stay at South Tulsa, and the next year Johnny was called to work at John 3:16 Mission. Johnny and Shannon met there on day while Shannon was chaperoning a group of students helping with VBS at the mission. Soon after we were married, we started applying to go overseas. The Father led us to where we are today. We are both starting new in a new place and language, and we are learning a lot about what the Father wants us to do. Johnny does a lot of hiking to find and pinpoint our people, and to share about the good news of Jesus. Shannon stays home a lot more but tries to develop relationships with people in the city. God has been so good to us, and we are so thankful to be here. |
