In Spring 2018, Philip was searching for where the Lord would have him serve next. A friend mentioned Mercy Ships, which piqued his interest for ships and sailing. When he pulled up the website for available positions, AV Technician was first on the list and he knew this was where God was leading him. He served for 7 months on the Africa Mercy in Guinea and the Canary Islands, then accepted a position in Texas at the Mercy Ships International Support Center and moved to Texas for what he thought would be just a few months. He expected to be joining the new ship, the Global Mercy, in China at the end of 2019 and did not expect to make any connections or put down any roots in Texas since he would be leaving after a short time. Meanwhile, Allison had finished her Bachelor's Degree in Computer Information Systems, but was having trouble finding a job that fulfilled her passion to support missions ministry through technology. Finally, in February 2019, she stumbled across a new job listing on Indeed which seemed as if it had been created for her. Each task she enjoyed doing, each college project, and part time job added up to this job description and all of it was in support of an international organization whose goal was to "Bring hope and healing to the world's forgotten poor."

Our paths first crossed in October 2019. Our two departments were assigned to work together to select a hardware and software package for new interactive whiteboards for both of the ships. We each became the point person for this project from our respective departments, and thus frequently met to work through the details while discovering we had similar interests and desires. We began dating in January 2020. Neither of us had ever dated before, so it was fun to step into new territory together and feel balanced. We had both waited and prayed so long for the right person to come along that it was striking to realize we got it right on the first try. Talks quickly turned to the future since Philip's plans were still to travel to the Global Mercy. The building of the ship had been delayed so it wouldn't be as soon as he had planned, but he was still sure this was what he was meant to do. Simultaneously, God planted a desire in Allison's heart to serve there as well. Through making plans for the school aboard the ship, she knew she was the one who was meant to put these plans into action. Once we knew we were headed the same direction, at the same pace, singing the same heart song, things fell into place. Friends and family were introduced, and the vision for the future took a more and more definite shape. Philip proposed to Allison on June 6, 2020 at the Dallas Arboretum. Our plan from early on was to have a short engagement to allow us to spend some time as a newly married couple before leaving to serve with Mercy Ships together.

In addition to getting used to living with each other and enjoying newlywed life, our first few months of marriage will be spent fundraising and preparing to move to a ship! Our best estimation is that we will leave to join the ship in early 2021 as construction is completed to head up the enormous task of getting our departments up and running. Our initial commitment to serve aboard the Global Mercy will be for two and a half years and we'll see where the Lord leads from there! He has been so faithful and provided time after time in our lives, and we look forward to following Him on this new journey together.