Recently, Joe and Brandi Mendenhall went on a short term trip to Haiti with Adventures Encounter. They left their two young children for a week and trusted God to do something huge on their first mission trip. After their return home, Brandi joined us in a brainstorm about why married couples should go.
1. You'll fall more in love with your spouse.
Well, we can't exactly promise that – you've gotta want it. But we've consistently seen God do incredible things in the marriages that have gone to the field. You get to see your spouse step more into who God has called them to be.
You get to see them love children well, have good attitudes in uncomfortable situations, and engage in new types of ministry. You get to watch as your other half is poured into by God and the team, and according to Brandi, you could fall deeply in love all over again.
"Thanks to Haiti, I fell more in love with my husband. It brought out the best in us and not only did we get to serve together, but we got to go deeper with God together. I got to see him walk in new levels of grace and step into unfamiliar territory in ministry. I've never been more proud to be Joe's wife."
2. You'll be a model to your children.
Whether you have kids yet or not, you get to live a story of sacrifice, adventure, and a commitment to the gospel and justice as you step out of your comfort zone to serve the Lord. While Brandi and Joe missed their kids incredibly, they were able to show them that life isn't about comfort and God is not stuck in America – he's everywhere and they believe he's worth the sacrifice.
3. You'll share new experiences.
Whether you've been married for one year or fourteen years (like Joe and Brandi), you've probably had your fair share of ups and downs. You may have experienced both joy and sorrow, both excitement and fear, but you may not have yet experienced things like bucket showers, the effect of extreme poverty on your heart, or what it's like to let go of fear and jump into a new part of God's call on your lives.
"I definitely, unequivocally would recommend a mission trip to anyone, married or not. But it was so much more precious that we could have a shared experience. In our fourteen years of marriage, we've had our fair share of trials and tribulations, but on this trip I saw so much more of a depth in Joe than I even knew he had. He loves people really well."
4. You can bring new depths of wisdom for the team and love for the children.
There's just something about the wisdom a married couple brings to a team. Not only do you get to minister to the local community, and not only are you poured into and refreshed by the trip, but you get to have a unique ministry with the singles on your trip.
Likewise, if you're parents, the depth of compassion and ministry you will have for the children in the local community is unique and special.
A mother or father's love will speak to the heart of an orphan like nothing else. All you have to do is open your heart up to it. For Brandi, she fell in love with Darious, a local boy with palsy, who she believes will walk, talk, and play soccer someday.
5. We'll take care of all of the logistics for you.
We know you're busy. We understand. That's why we take care of all the logistics.
For Brandi and Joe, a seven day trip to Haiti was perfect.
"A lot of people in our phase of life don't feel like a mission trip is doable. We wanted to do it, but couldn't ourselves. I'd recommend Adventures to anyone."
Brandi is a wife to one, mom to two, and devoted fair trade fashionista. It was rough for her to leave behind fashion, make up, and internet for a week, but if she can do it, anyone can! If you want to hear more of her ramblings and find out why she believes fair trade standards will help alleviate poverty around the world, check out her blog over at http://thefairtradefashionistas.wordpress.com
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