The streets in Pakistan have Illiterate children playing in them day after day, month after month, year after year, generation after generation. They watch their Muslim friends walk to school, dressed in uniforms and carrying a backpack of books, wishing they could go with them. Pakistan Schools of Hope is providing education for these children so the cycle of poverty can be broken in their lives.
Jim and Jan have had a lifetime of experiences that have brought them to this point in their lives. They always dreamed of what they would do when they retired, knowing that it would be something purposeful and positive towards helping others. As they came to this time in their life, God put something very special on their hearts and began opening doors for them, and they are moving forward! Jim and Jan have raised 3 children and have been blessed with 7 grandchildren. They enjoy spending time with their family and have turned their Christmas gift giving into a gift of “Quality Time”. Each year they take their family on a special get away for a weekend. They all agree that quality time is the best gift and they are making unforgettable memories.
Jan worked as a nurse for 46 years. She loved her work and cared for many people and their families over the years. The last 16 years she held a position of a Unit Manager in Long Term Nursing. This was a challenge that she thrived on and was very successful at. In addition to managing her unit successfully she also had a heart to mentor new nurses. Many of those nurses have come back and thanked her for helping them become a successful nurse. Alongside of her nursing, Jan also spent years being a worship leader and was a Pastors Assistant where she took on the role of helping people develop and use their spiritual gifts. She also taught in Children’s Ministries, was Director of Woman’s Ministries and led Bible Studies. She is currently a deacon in her church along with participating in numerous activities.
Jim graduated from Ferris State University with degrees in Industrial Engineering and Business Management. He then went on to receive his MBA from Wayne State University. He spent many years working as an Engineering Sales Manager and did a lot in international travel. While working in other countries he became very proficient at cross cultural communication and he became the person of choice for the international negotiations. When the auto industry fell in early 2000’s he made a career change and is now a Financial Advisor. Even though he may be an engineer at heart, he has come to love helping people with their financial needs. He does this free of charge just because he has been blessed to be a blessing. In 2011 Jim and Jan made their first short term mission trip to Pakistan.
They fell in love with the Pakistani’s and returned three times to the country on mission trips. It was while they were there in 2012 that Pastor Nazir shared with them the dream that he had on his heart to open a school for the illiterate- poverty stricken children in his colony so they could have a future. Jim and Jan embraced his dream and came along side of him. They have created the Pakistan Schools of Hope where the children are learning to read and write and become skilled so they can overcome poverty. The school was opened in April of 2016 with 45 students and is rapidly growing.
Jim and Jan’s dream has also grown and they are now hoping to have several, if not many, schools in the colonies of Lahore Pakistan following the model of the first school.