Dynamic Duo | MarriagePartnership.com

Mission Possible

When my wife and I got married, we felt we needed to serve together, but weren't sure exactly what we could do—until one night in May two years ago when we began researching possible vacation spots.We talked about doing some volunteer work with Native Americans. And after some Internet searching, we found a "Native American Work Camp" with an e-mail contact. We checked into it and felt God telling us to go.

This year we're planning our third trip to the Bloomfield, New Mexico, area where we work closely with the Navajo. We build fences, sheep corrals, and ball field backstops. We fix roofs, brand and inoculate cattle, learn about the Navajo culture, and share the gospel. We also learn about ourselves. These trips are such an eye opener to a world vastly different from anything most of us are accustomed to.

Last year Kim worked closely with the Navajo children using her skills as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.

For me, I can't think of anything more exciting than to see the joy of her beautiful smile as she works with the kids, knowing that God smiles back as he watches her work.Sharing this mission to help others brings me closer to my wife and makes me appreciate her more everyday.I'm so proud of her for the way she shows her discipleship to others through her Christian love.

Our experience has helped us grow spiritually and has brought great comfort when things get hectic after we return home.I can't think of a better way for a couple to share their faith and love for each other than by serving God together.

Ray and Kim Gryder live in Virginia.

I wish I could say we were a resounding success at our new post. But finding ourselves suddenly in charge, with no training or experience, was more than we'd bargained for. It required more time and creativity than we'd planned or wanted to give.

Yet even in those less-than-ideal circumstances, I began to see strengths in Erik I'd never recognized—and would not have discovered had we not volunteered to work together.

It amazed me how naturally he could get down on the floor and watch a science fiction movie with the guys—not as someone "ministering" to them, but as a friend. I was proud that, even after a hard workweek, Erik would spend his Friday night watching a JV basketball game in some small town just because a student invited him. And even though Erik never asked to be put in charge and wasn't entirely comfortable with that role, he always stepped up to lead the meetings when no one else was available—even when the kids seemed less than interested.

Erik and I also learned to appreciate sharing activities we wouldn't normally choose, such as camping with 40 students. We found our joint ministry responsibilities drew us closer together spiritually, as we dealt with struggling teenagers and prepared for meetings. Those situations allowed us to develop our communication as we discussed and prayed for the best solutions to problems.

When the church finally hired a new youth pastor, we breathed a shared sigh of relief and took a well-needed break. But we were more committed than ever to finding ways we could serve together.