J+L Unite
The year was 2019. Jonathan had just moved back to Atlanta from Chattanooga. Lyndsey was finishing up her first year of grad school and was about to head to Washington DC for her applied practical experience as a fellow at Save the Children. We were both active at Passion City Church, but our paths had yet to cross. Both of us were casually on a dating app, called Hinge. While vacationing in Florida, L got a “like” from J and was drawn to his profile. We began texting, saw eye to eye, had similar interests and hobbies, and set up a breakfast date, as we both love breakfast and it seemed not-too intimidating. We hit it off immediately and 2 hours of chatting over breakfast turned into 8 dates over the next 10 days before L left for DC. While she was away, we texted, called, video chatted, and wrote old fashion, snail mail love letters to each other. (By the way, this is a perfect way to really get to know someone!)
Jonathan suggested coming up to visit for the 4th of July. Lyndsey eagerly agreed but was a bit nervous. We planned a detailed itinerary and visited numerous museums, nature spots, and restaurants. The chemistry was unquestionable and J’s departure back to ATL was a sad occasion. L came home at the end of July and we began seriously pursuing each other as potential life-long mates. We got involved in a couple’s small group, volunteered at church, and focused on making Christ the center of our relationship. We completed the UNITE premarital counseling course and are so grateful for our supportive community at Passion City Church.
The Wedding
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the US hard in March, ATL went into stay-at-home orders. We were no longer allowed to go into school or work, our wedding showers were canceled, and our venue told us they could not host our event. Fortunately, we had gotten our Marriage License in January before Jonathan’s track season and Lyndsey’s last semester began, so we decided to have a COVID-sized, 10-person wedding and broadcast it to our 200-person guest list via Zoom. The ceremony was beautiful, and it was so special that Lyndsey’s father was able to officiate. Our closest people were there; it was simply perfect. We realized that we were more excited to begin doing life as a unit and grow in our relationship with each other and Christ than we were in the hoopla of a wedding.
Moving Abroad
About 5 days after deciding to have a Zoom wedding and about a day before actually getting married, Jonathan got an email from his grad school, connecting him with someone he had met at an exhibition who was seeking him for a high school art teaching position at a Christian international school in Thailand (yes, the Thailand we had wanted to honeymoon in). Turns out, Jonathan had interviewed with International Community School, Bangkok (ICS) for the middle-school art position 2 years prior, and chose not to take it because his specialty is high school. The high school staff did not know about this when they were looking for him, but God had planted the seed in Jonathan’s mind. It was less than two weeks between the initial email, applying, interviewing, and our signing a letter of intent. We were freshly newlyweds, Lyndsey was graduating in May 2020, and ICS wanted us in Thailand in July, so we figured it was excellent timing. God had been planning this perfect place and aligning the pieces for us all along.
Upon deciding Bangkok was a go, we got into back-to-back paperwork/logistical setbacks due to closures in response to the pandemic. It seemed like it was going to be impossible to get here, but we decided to keep trying and do all we could and if God really had this plan for us, He would make it work! We obtained all of the required documentation, hopped on a flight, and entered quarantine about a month and a half later than we had hoped, but we are here! Everything is in God’s timing and He is good. The Lord, in His power, miraculously got us here and we cannot wait to see more of His plan revealed!
J’s Job
Jonathan will be a High School Art Teacher, utilizing his undergrad in Fine Arts and recent Master of Arts in Teaching, at International Community School, Bangkok. About half of the students are Thai nationals and the rest are comprised of students from many countries and Expatriate families. Despite the Christian beliefs/teaching amidst a highly Buddhist population, Thai parents desire to send their children to this school because it is so well-regarded for excellence in education and creates opportunities for their futures. This places the staff at ICS in an opportune position to show Jesus to those who would not otherwise be exposed to the hope and grace He has to offer everyone around the world.
L’s Job
Lyndsey now has the opportunity to do exactly what God has created her to do through an amazing Christian NGO, Imagine Thailand. Since she is on a spouse visa (volunteer status, not a work visa) and IT is a Canadian-based organization, it is not possible for her to receive a salary through their organization. Despite this logistical hurdle, Imagine Thailand is so excited for Lyndsey to offer her expertise and work with them to improve the health of mothers and children in Thailand. She will be evaluating their health-related projects, making recommendations for improvement, and empowering site staff and women in the community. She has been given an additional opportunity by Imagine Thailand to develop a maternal nutrition curriculum to teach and empower Thai and Burmese refugees to properly nourish their bodies and affordably sustain their families.
Hopes, Prayers, and Dreams
We are loving staying connected from afar! We cannot wait to take you with us on our adventure across the world. Amidst the excitement and adventure, our deepest desire is to encourage others to step into what God has for them, as we seek to do the same. We are thrilled that God has opened the doors for both Jonathan and Lyndsey to use the gifts He has given to each of us and are eager to step into the roles he has provided.
Jonathan enjoys honing the natural talent he already sees in his students and inspiring them in the beauty the Lord gave us to appreciate and work with. Lyndsey adores engage with the ICS community as an on-call substitute teacher, 9th-grade Life-Group leader, 11th-grade mentor, Senior Capstone Service Project Assessor, swimming coach for intermediate and advanced athletes, and through sharing about Global Health Nutrition at special events.
Although Lyndsey’s position requires her to raise her own funds, it enables her to do exactly what God has prepared to do. As Program Analyst & Project Manager, Lyndsey may use her passions and training alongside a remarkable Christian ministry. This provides her with the opportunity to not only teach women to feed themselves and their families in sustainable ways, but also share with them the joy that comes with the gift of salvation through Christ and relationship with The One who so uniquely creates us.
We would be so grateful for your commitment to supporting us monthly for our initial 2-year contract here, whether that be a dollar, a hundred, more, or even and especially prayer. Please pray with us, for our integration into and participation in the communities we get to be involved within Bangkok, as well as financial support. We will be sending out a monthly update email about our engagements, work, and excursions and hope you will keep us updated on your lives as well.
Giving options (found on the “Donate” page) include supporting J+L directly via PayPal or Venmo, or funding Lyndsey’s work by donating to her salary/project expenses through her sending organization, Asian Outreach International (AOI). If you would like a breakdown as to where project funds go, Lyndsey would be happy to provide you with the details. We SO appreciate all of you, as well as your love, support, encouragement, and prayers. Would you consider supporting our missions in Thailand through prayer and financial assistance? Thank you for your consideration!
Sincerely,
J+L Preg
