We are a family dedicated to serving the Lord in everything, and this has led us on the path to missions in Moldova.  We met at Bethany College of Missions in 2004, where we were both freshmen.  We were both there in answer to a call from the Lord to gain knowledge and experience in the area of missions.  After a very short time, we fell in love and were married in December of 2005.  Patrick has since graduated from Bethany and we now have three wonderful little boys, Jack, Finnian and Levi.  We have not lost our vision or direction for serving overseas and are now fulfilling that call as an entire family.

Patrick

Patrick is passionate about everything he does.  He grew up in Ireland and became a Christian at 15.   A few years later, hearing a call from God to go into missions, and having received direction from his church, he went to the States to attend Bible college.  He now has a degree in Cross Cultural Studies and is working toward his master’s.  He is now fulfilling the call of God to help victims of human trafficking be restored to life, both socially and spiritually.  Patrick enjoys many forms of media, including videos and music.  He will be using his skills in the former on the mission field, by creating videos with the purpose of educating people about the dangers and evils of human trafficking.  His hobbies include playing with his boys, watching movies, discussing politics, and reading books about history and theology.

Kalyna

Kalyna grew up in Minnesota, in a family who loved the Lord.  It has been her life dream to become a missionary and serve Him overseas.  Following that dream, she attended Bible college for two years, where she met Patrick.  She is now fulfilling that vision in Moldova, but also makes sure to spend time with her three sons, giving them the love and attention they need.  Her interests and talents lie mostly in academic circles.  She is passionate about foreign language and is excited to finally be in a country where she can learn to speak one fluently.  When she can find the time, her hobbies also include reading, especially classic novels or history, and trying to keep in touch with friends in this new computer age with which she is unfamiliar.

Jack

Birthday:  December 11, 2006

Jack is, in many ways, a typical boy.  He loves to play with rocks, sticks, dirt, trucks and swords.  He also loves to watch Disney movies, and loves anything with Spider-Man on it.  Jack is very affectionate and likes to tell us all that he loves us.  He is a Daddy’s boy, though, and cherishes time spent with his father.  Like his mother, he loves language.  He learned all his letters by the time he was 18 months old, and now has begun to learn Russian.  He also loves books.  We are excited as we watch him experience a new culture and language and meet new friends in Moldova.

Finnian

Birthday:  February 23, 2008

Finnian is a free spirit.  He loves his family and enjoys playing with his big brother, as long as Jack isn’t too aggressive.  He is very independent and loves to go where he wants and do his own thing.  His interests are mainly toys right now, especially whatever toy Jack happens to be playing with!  He also loves books, especially rhyming ones, and singing songs from “Mary Poppins”, his favorite movie.  He is learning his colors and letters, too, as well as some Russian words, not to be outdone by Jack. He is such a joy to our family.

Levi

Birthday: May 18, 2009

Levi is a very content little boy, which are very thankful for.  He loves to spend time with Mommy and Daddy or anyone else who will show him attention.  We are trying to teach him to walk, but because he so content, he has little motivation to learn it.  He’ll get there eventually.  He is also learning to talk and says new words almost every day.  Levi is a great blessing to our family.