Derek and Mimi met in October, 2013 during Derek's first mission trip to Camotán Guatemala where Mimi was already working as a missionary. This is also when the Lord called Derek to ministry after which time he and Mimi became close and talked regularly about spiritual topics.

After Derek returned to his home in Michigan, they kept in daily contact via Skype. After much prayer, they realized the Lord put them together and so they married on June 8th, 2014.

They sold Derek's belongings, purchased a used 4×4 truck, and drove from Michigan to Guatemala where they worked with a ministry in Camotán their first year. Being led by the Holy Spirit, they moved 6 hours away to San Andrés Itzapa where they now live and serve and are building their Mission House to host mission teams.