The last time he saw some of them was 45 days ago, when a border control agent in Detroit forced Jimenez and his children to return to Spain because there was a problem with his visa. The border control agent had accused Jimenez of working in the United States illegally.
He, his wife Shelley, and their children had come to Vandalia to help with the youth ministry at Vandalia Baptist Temple. The trouble with the visa and questions about his intentions in the states forced he and their children to leave Shelley behind. That was in early January.
“We knew friends here. We were serving the Lord together in Spain for seven years because my friend was a missionary there,” Jimenez told News Center 7 videographer Jim Noelker.
“The Lord moved my family to come here to serve the Lord together again here in the states.”
Pastor Rick Washburn Jr., Vandalia Baptist Temple, said in a note to WHIO-TV, “We are thrilled to have them back, now with residency status. We are also all thankful for the support of [U.S. Rep.] Mike Turner, [U.S. Sen.] Rob Portman, [House Speaker] John
Boehner, for helping shed light on this situation, and helping it get expedited.”
Now that Jimenez is back, the church will hire him full time, ending three-month volunteer stints to work with the church’s youth.
Jimenez said his plan now is to become a U.S. citizen.
“We would like to serve here,” Jimenez said. “That is why the Lord brought us here, to serve him.”
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