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Through various ways, God had been leading both Ben and Marie individually to have a passion and burden for full-time Deaf missions. However, in December 2015 each needed further mentoring and direction. Ben was working as a full-time car mechanic and Marie was raising funds to start a deaf ministry in Honduras. Marie's best friend, Nicole Condra, invited her to a Deliberate Discipleship Retreat hosted by a mission agency for the Deaf for further equipping. Ben also came to the 5-day seminar, knowing that it was what he needed as he looked forward to the future. It certainly wasn't love at first sight. Marie was gearing up to go to Honduras as a missionary and Ben was in a holding pattern as he waited on clear direction about the next steps for going to Eastern Europe. They were cordial, but nothing more.

At the end of 2016 they returned for another retreat. Marie took a second look, impressed by Ben's forming vision and pursuit of a Master’s degree in Biblical Exposition. However, Ben wasn't romantically interested. Ben, Marie, and other missionary peers maintained semi-regular contact in between the retreats through email and three-way video calls. It wasn’t until 2019 that God began to grow an interest in Ben towards Marie. The end of July marked a turning point in their email correspondence as Ben wrote Marie asking her if they could have a video call to discuss the possibility of pursuing something more than friendship. After a positive video chat on August 1 and the blessing of both sets of parents, Ben took advantage of one of Marie's visits to the US a week later to set-up their first date.

Ben and Marie had learned how to build a friendship long distance, and now they just kept it up…much more intentionally! Previous practice calling and emailing paid off! With her parents' help, Ben surprised Marie by flying down to Honduras on Christmas Day. Thanks to her mission team’s support and diversionary tactics, Marie was shocked speechless to see him! A few days later Ben and Marie went for a walk in a park in Honduras that held a lot of personal significance for her. There, on December 28, 2019, Ben asked Marie to marry him. It was four years to the day since they met.

The new couple will be moving to the Chattanooga, TN area. Church friends have provided a fully furnished home while they make preparations to move to Eastern Europe. In July, the Muldoons will be joining Silent Word Ministries International (SWMI) as ministry partners to reach the Deaf in Eastern Europe. They’ll have a few months to create ministry materials (video presentation, website, prayer cards, etc.) while getting used to being married and connecting with Ben’s home church (Stanley Heights Baptist). They plan to spend most of 2021 on the road, visiting churches to present their plans and raise funds for the ministry. The goal is to move to Eastern Europe in 2022. In Eastern Europe, the first few years will be focused on developing relationships, culturally adapting, learning needed languages, networking with Deaf people, and learning the local sign language. The long-term goal is establishing a Deaf church and ministry training institute in Eastern Europe. Ben and Marie are aware that plans may be changed. However, they are committed to the mission God has set before them and covet your prayers as they follow His leading.