After raising a family and building careers, many people look forward to a quiet retirement. For Dan and Tina Beachy, retirement opened the door to something more purposeful: intentional service through Mennonite Mission Network’s SOOP (Service Opportunities with Our Partners) program.
Service isn’t new for them. The couple met (and began dating) while serving in the same Mennonite Voluntary Service (MVS) unit. MVS discourages dating between unit participants, so “we decided to keep it a secret,” recalled Dan. In hindsight, he admitted that it wasn’t a very well-kept secret, “but we thought it was.”
Service has remained woven in their lives ever since. While attending Philippi Mennonite Church in Philippi, West Virginia, in the late 1980s, the Beachys hosted the first unit of Mission Network’s fledgling Service Adventure program. Thirty-seven years later, that program has placed hundreds of young adults in service units across the country. The Beachys continued to serve as well – at food pantries, Meals on Wheels, animal rescue, and even short-term service in Jamaica — but SOOP is different.
“This is more focused,” Tina said. “You come for a short time and get it done. I like that feeling.”
Retiring but not tiring
Early retirement brought new commitments — caring for grandchildren and navigating other responsibilities — but their desire to serve never faded.
“It feels like an extension of how I was taught. Helping people around you,” said Dan.
Once the youngest of the Beachys’ local grandchildren started school, they finally had enough free time to explore longer-term service opportunities. Friends at church recommended SOOP and it felt like the perfect fit.
Their first assignment took them to Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp near Colorado Springs, Colorado. Dan had attended camp there as a child, so returning to a place full of memories felt special. “It was going back to something familiar,” he said, “but everyone there was new, and I built new relationships.”
For their second SOOP assignment, they spent two weeks at Hesston College in Hesston, Kansas. Their projects ranged from renovating an administrative office, moving books and clearing out storage in the library, to helping in the greenhouse of the nearby arboretum.
“You see the need, you help meet it, and you know you’re making a difference,” said Tina. T
he work isn’t always glamorous, but the gratitude from staff and the visible progress make it worthwhile. They’ve also enjoyed making new friends and experiencing local life, including thoughtful outings arranged by their hosts.
Service, they emphasized, has enriched both their marriage and their retirement years. “We couldn’t have done this when we were raising kids or in the middle of careers,” Dan said. “Now it’s a great fit.”
Easy to say yes
The couple praised the SOOP process. Working with program coordinator Stephanie Weaver and local site coordinator Bill Zuercher made everything simple. Arrangements for housing, service placements and meals were all handled before the Beachys got into their car for the long drive from Virginia to Kansas.
“[SOOP] is so seamless,” Tina said. “There are so many things to choose from. You pick your top choices, and they help find a good match.”
They also saw firsthand how much camps and ministries value extra hands. “When you volunteer, people are so grateful for help, and you build relationships quickly,” said Tina.
Their advice? Just try it
When asked what they would tell other retirees or empty-nesters considering SOOP, Tina’s answer was enthusiastic:
“Why wouldn’t you do it? Try it! You get to travel, be with people and do something worthwhile.”
They noted that placements are flexible — often two to four weeks — and accessible even on a limited income, since housing and some meals are provided depending on the location. “We’re not spending much money to do this,” Tina observed. “It’s a chance to use your time and skills in a meaningful way.”
The couple acknowledges that service involves hard work — both physically and emotionally — but the richness of the experience far outweighs the challenges. “You wouldn’t trade the hard for anything easy,” Tina reflected. “It’s rich in relationships and lessons.”
Dan and Tina plan to continue serving. Their next SOOP placement will take them to Baltimore to support a ministry house for asylum seekers. They look forward to new relationships and new ways to live out their faith.
“It feels good to feel like you’re doing some good in the world,” said Tina.
Interested in exploring SOOP opportunities? Learn more about service locations across the U.S. and internationally.
