Dwell for Married Couples
DOOR believes that service is a lifestyle and not just a short term experience. For couples wishing to serve together, we have Married Dwell. The Married Dwell program engages married couples in service as they live with one to two other married couples. Couples will participate in household Bible/book studies and interact with other Dwell participants. For the 2008-09 program year, we will host married couples in Miami. Should you be interested in another city, please inquire with the Director of Volunteers, Heidi Aspinwall, Heidi@DOORnetwork.org
Specifics of the Married Program
- Married couples wishing to be a part of the Dwell program must both complete an application and submit the needed references.
- Interviews are conducted individually and as a couple.
- We do not place couples together at the same local placement (work site.)
- Married couples will live together with other married participants. Each couple will have their own room. Couples will share living space (living room, kitchen, etc.) We will attempt to have a bathroom per couple but this is not always possible.
- Couples are expected to take time to spend with their spouses apart from the other couples living in the house.
- Couples will be mentored by a local married couple.
- We believe that sex is an integral part of how God designed marriage. We ask that each couple use a reliable method of birth control while in the Dwell program. While DOOR is family friendly, the health insurance provided has little benefits for prenatal care. We ask that couples wait to have children until after the commitment to the Dwell program.
- Both spouses are part of the Dwell program as such both are expected to raise the required funds.
General Info
Other program highlights you will find in the city program description. Both members of the couple will apply through either the MMN application or the PCUSA application. Couples must already be married and had a period of life together before serving in our program. Couples should also note that this program is not a marriage counseling program. Couples should enter into mission service in a strong relationship. Just as mission service in any time of life will stretch an individual to the breaking and molding point, also it will stretch a couple’s relationship. Both member of the family must be ready and completely engaged to work through these times seeking God’s calling and grace as the growth is experienced.
BENEFITS – As with the singles program, DWELL will provide housing, utilities, groceries, public transportation pass, four retreats throughout the year, a monthly stipend, and health insurance. Volunteers will each be expected to raise support of about $6500 and to report their experience to their home networks of support.
PERIOD OF SERVICE - One year (beginning of September through middle of August)
If you are interested or if you have questions, contact Heidi Aspinwall: 786-261-3667 or Heidi@DOORnetwork.org
Curriculum
DWELL provides a curriculum that brings together a diverse collection of books, articles, and movies that participants read and discuss on a weekly basis throughout the year. The goal of our curriculum is to expose participants to a variety of perspectives on a variety of subjects, ranging from interpersonal relationships to social justice to spiritual growth. Selections for the married participants may include: Celebration of the Disciplined Life, Power Sex and Money by Richard Foster, Safe Haven Marriage by d Thurman, Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoefer, and Out of Solitude by Henri Nouwen.