Terry was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala in 1958. She has three sisters and one brother all born in various locations throughout Latin America and the USA. Their dad was a diplomat in the US Foreign Service and served specifically in Latin America. Terry is an experienced expat who cherishes all that she learned from her dad. She recalls that her dad would destress in nature and that the family would take off in a 4 wheel drive through the rain forest. "On one escapade, dad drove past these enormous trees and stopped at a narrow wooden bridge that crossed over a very deep ravine. Dad tested the bridge for safety by jumping up and down on it, then we crossed!" Terry and her sister have almost completed the publishing of their father's memoir. As a result of his different assignments, over the years, the family lived in Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and the USA. From age 6-8 Terry lived in Costa Rica, and also in Nicaragua for 10 years. "The family never discussed religion, but our mother and father taught us to always tell the truth, to be kind and other Biblical basics. We did have a bible in the house." During an RV trip across the Southwest when Terry was eleven years old she remembers being involved in the decision as to where the family would land after their dad retired. "I voted we move back to Nicaragua because it was lovely and I had horses. It was a peaceful country and safe at the time." When the family returned to Nicaragua her dad purchased and cultivated land for a cattle ranch."
A major turning point occurred when Terry was 14 years old. After a series of earthquakes that destroyed the city of Managua where the family was living, she recounts "We had 48 hours to pack up what we could to move to San Juan del Sur." From the age of 14-18 we lived in the remote town of Rivas. Because of the devastation of the earth quake Terry missed one year of school. At the age of 17, during the 2 years that Terry attended high school in San Antonio, Texas her mom died of complications during her treatment for cancer. After many bad decisions and poor choices, at the age of 18 Terry had met and married a man that her dad did not approve of. It was very painful for Terry to be cut off from her dad. At the age of 20 she gave birth to her son Jonathan in Panama City, Panama. Times were rough and Terry was taught how to bake cakes and sell them for 25 cents each. Terry was living off the grace of a God that she did not know...yet. The room in which she lived as an expectant mom was adjacent to a Christian Church. "There was not enough money to pay the rent and when the landlord came by to collect, out of her compassion she allowed me to stay. It was comforting to hear people singing through our thin adjoining walls." Long story shortened, the first time Terry entered that church
and heard the Gospel "I felt a physical Presence. I went forward and I was overtaken. The congregation surrounded me, laid hands on me and audibly prayed over me. My eyes were opened and I thought 'what am I doing here?' Terry ended up calling her uncle Jack who agreed to advance her the annual portion of a small inheritance. It was exactly the amount needed to purchase tickets to San Diego. Jonathan was 7 months old when she landed back in the USA with $100 dollars and a suitcase. In 1980, her first job was scooping ice cream at Savon Drugs for minimum wage. Her manager was Gene, the man she eventually ended up marrying. Once Terry decided to take charge of her life, her dad resumed his full support and helped his daughter make a budget to live on food stamps while honestly reporting every cent of help from dad. While living on food stamps, and working at Savon, her dad paid the tuition to attend a Trade School. Persistent in her quest to improve her living conditions, Terry eventually got her Master's degree. In 1987 she married Gene. Forming a family together with their combined children, Jonathan and Duana, they have now enjoyed 31 years together. In their first year of marriage they also bought their first home in Lemon Grove. Within a few years they both began attending the Christian Church of Lemon Grove. They both worked in corporate America with increasing responsibility and pressure that would eventually threaten their health and happiness.
In 2010 they decided to retire early. It took 5 years to execute their plan. In 2014 they visited Ajijic and in 2015 they sold their house and gave away most of its contents. "I had underestimated the work effort and sheer determination required to move from 2500 sq ft into 1058 sq ft then eventually into the 340 sq ft of a motorhome. With great excitement we drove to Miami and along the way the RV life gave way to a costly reality of repairs etc. Homesick, they sold the RV and moved to Modesto, California. They planned their relocation to Mexico, and in January 2018 they drove across the border and settled in San Antonio Tlayacapan. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 Over the years Terry and Gene have held bible studies in their homes and while at Lakeside they have contributed greatly in their community. Terry has taught a group of Expats to sing Spanish praise songs. After a fabulous career, Terry retired well out of a managers position. We are blessed to have her as a "Temporary Resident" in Mexico. Among her many wonderful gifts, the one I admire the most is how she swiftly engages everyone she meets with a genuine love that flows through her from above. What perseverance and faith it took to be such a victorious "overcomer". This Woman of Value is a tremendous asset to wherever God may take her!
