Puzzle Pieces

Who We Are

Dr. S and R have both felt the call to international mission work since they were younger. It was one of the things that drew them closer to each other when they met. S received her bachelor of science in Animal Science and her doctorate of veterinary medicine from the University of Tennessee. She had been practicing as a small animal emergency clinician for 6 years before moving. Her career was what led her to Virginia where she met R. R received his bachelor of science and masters degree in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina State University and had been working in overhaul engineering at a shipyard before moving.

S and R have been on multiple mission trips in the past through different churches and Christian organizations. S first connected with CVM in vet school on three short-term mission trips before COVID delayed further travels. Once S and R were married, S introduced R to CVM as they considered long-term field work. After 1.5 years of prayer and seeking the Lord’s will for their lives and a one-year delay due to the birth and medical needs of their daughter (affectionately nicknamed Baby Wrench), God led them to East Asia, where they are now serving the Lord and His people.

Our Work

S is working in the small animal clinic as their foreign animal advisor. She is assisting with cases and implementing training for the veterinarians in the annual internship program as well as the veterinarians in the clinic. S and R lead a bible study each week with the veterinarians to strengthen them in their faith and disciple them. S and R work together with other foreigners to teach English lessons once weekly using bible stories during school semesters with students from the veterinary school and other departments. R will be providing input for the building of the new large animal teaching facility and clinic. Together, they are involved with a local church. Once their daughter is old enough to travel with them more easily, they plan to go to the countryside in the summers to teach English and perform some training on small animal medical procedures/husbandry/techniques. With each avenue they are presented with, there are opportunities to share the gospel. However, their main focus is discipleship of the current veterinarians they work with through their ministry partner. There are many new Christians working there that greatly benefit from good mentorship and discipleship in order for them to be strong enough to share their faith with others in their country in their own native language. Together, their goal is to focus on sharing God’s love through teaching and ministry to the veterinarians, staff, local church members, countryside unreached people groups in East Asia, and those in the surrounding large city. 

Our Partner

R and S are working with a national NGO (non-government organization). This organization works to train veterinary professionals through their continuing education conferences and internship programs. It has many different departments:

• Teaching department: This includes Claim A County (CAC) ministry where teachers travel to different counties to bolster education of children and share the Gospel. A follow up ministry is Watering with the Word (WWW), where teachers return to previous counties from CAC to strengthen the new believers and pastors in the areas.
• Large Animal department: This department is in charge of teaching interns for 6 months out of the year, involvement with clubs associated with the veterinary school, continuing education of large animal veterinarians, herder trainings, and Gift of Love (GOL). GOL is a ministry where a sheep is given to a community member (chosen by the community) that is in the greatest need and the Gospel is shared.
• Small Animal department: This department is in charge of teaching interns for 6 months out of the year, involvement with pet clubs associated with the veterinary school, continuing education of small animal veterinarians, and running the small animal clinic.
• Pharmacy department: This department purchases pharmaceutical medications and sells them to veterinarians.

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