Our journey together:

We have come such a long way together. To give you the full picture (and to communicate just how amazing it is that we’ve landed on the idea of spending a year in Malawi together) we really have to travel back in time to 2004 at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids MI. Jonathan had just returned to MI from a mission’s trip to Brazil with his soccer team. Having fallen in love with the people of Brazil, and his experiences using soccer to share his love for Jesus – he found his heart set dead ahead on leaving the country once he graduated to pursue a life overseas. There was only thing standing in his way: Kayla Marie Huberty.

So Kayla, (who was dating Jonathan at the time - very seriously I might add) had no intentions of ever leaving the United States other than for vacationing purposes. She even went as far (after their discussion on how tough marriage could be from half a world away from one another) to create a documentary book entitled, “Reasons to love where you’re at…” and filled it with pictures of roommates, favorite Grand Rapids restaurants, and Cornerstone University campus snapshots. She really wanted to convince Jonathan that there was no reason why you couldn’t pursue people the same way in the U.S. that you could in another country. 

Fast Forwarding to the last three years:

Of course we know that we ended up tying the knot in the summer of 2005, and moving to Charlotte NC to begin our careers. We ended up attending a church called Watershed. It was there that we really began to wrestle with issues like poverty, global injustice, and the idea of really digging in and living missionally for Jesus. We met an amazing set of friends at Watershed – Daniel and Jamie McCollum – who, after much conversation over countless cups of coffee, communicated that they too felt something stirring in their hearts for overseas missions.

To be honest, it really was unclear to us at first where and how to pursue this idea. We had a globe of the world sitting on our entryway table – and for some reason, someone kept moving it so Africa was in perfect view – everyday. (I think it's appropriate to mention at this point that Jonathan is a 7th grade social studies teacher specializing in Africa - wink wink) So, we spent a year dreaming and praying with Daniel and Jamie – and landed on Malawi, Africa after learning about the tremendous amount of need there.

Kayla's Story:

As you can tell from the above tale with Jonathan, I never dreamed that I would openly pursue a season like this in my life. It's so crazy how quickly your dreams can change.

I grew up in a small town in Southwest MI. Plainwell - the name alone opens the floodgates to a thousand memories. I had a great childhood. I loved being the only girl and the youngest of four. My older brothers, although I would've never admitted it, (or really understood it for that matter) were and continue to be such gifts to me.

I knew that I loved Jesus at an early age - but I found it difficult in connecting him to my personal life. The Jesus that I knew was about rules, regulations, and sitting up straight. College and beyond stretched me to see Jesus for what he really is - ferocious, but kind - lover to the poor & the broken - someone who spent his time with thieves and prostitutes - someone who came to battle worldly injustice and proclaim that there was a different way - a better way.

I truly believe that God speaks to us through our desires. Some people define this as a "calling". Whether I've been called, or God is simply using the desires of my heart to guide me - I believe that the investment we will make in the people of Malawi is an investment worthy of leaving everything else behind for. 

Jonathan's Story

I grew up in the promised land: Columbus, Ohio. I was the second of four boys.  In Columbus, I was surrounded by family.  They were everywhere, and not until I left for college and moved to Charlotte, NC did I really understand how great of a gift that really was.

Jesus was a part of every single day of my life.  We had prayers every night, devotions after dinner, and numerous trips to church (hey - at least there was a gym).  I couldn't even get away from it on vacation. Vacation devotions were actually the highlight of my year.  Needless to say, I am in love with the person named Jesus, and his life has shown me that the focus of my life needs to be on those that are suffering and pushed to the margins. He has also shown me that he cares about the whole person and all parts - spiritual, mental, emotional, (that was for my wife) and physical aspects should be focused upon to yield the best and well balanced result.

 I did not give up on my dream to go overseas when I made the decision to love Kayla (who wasn't fully excited about the idea). I'm fortunate enough to say that I was just delaying that dream. God was taking the time to prepare me while giving me the perfect partner to share it with.  There is no doubt in my mind that we can accomplish far more together then we ever could apart. 

Brazil is not our destination, it is not the year 2005, and I am not going alone.  I am grateful that my plan did not work out, I could not imagine it being any different.  I'm elated to say that we will be taking off for Malawi in the summer of 2009.  I am excited to use my love of soccer to create opportunities for mentorship in multiple areas of life, but most importantly to share the story of Jesus and how a life with him is not pain free - but freeing.