When it comes to pickleball, Amy and Joel's love for the game was a slow burn.
"A couple of my friends started playing, and I'm like, yeah, this is kind of dumb," said Joel.
"I thought it was for older people with a Wiffle ball!" said Amy.
After winning a few dinks, they both changed their tune.
"It's just a great game, you know, social. You can actually improve at it," said Joel. "We just thought, wow, there's something here."
That same thought led them to pursue another passion.
"We were doing a ministry opportunity in St. Louis, and I saw these difficult situations," said Amy. "We were in a skate park, and drug deals were happening. It just broke my heart, and I'm like, most of these kids are bored."
The sport that moves Amy and Joel would soon serve as a part of their mission to move it.
"We were like, if we can reach those boys and help them get off the streets, maybe we can build community that way," said Amy.
With support from ministry organization Iris Global, Amy and Joel packed their paddles to teach kids how to play pickleball in six countries within six months.
"You can buy portable nets, so you don't necessarily need a court, per say," said Amy. "Once the door opened for us, we just kept saying yes."
Amy and Joel's determination would pay off in places like Mozambique, Egypt, Tokyo and more.
"Many of the kids that we played with don't have shoes. They are wearing donated clothes," said Joel. "Yet when you put the paddle in their hand, and you see them, it's like their smile ... they had so much joy for just doing something new. When you're sitting there and you go and visit a village, and the people give you the equivalent of half a month's wage as a welcoming gift to you, it's very humbling."
Crossing cultures to form connections feeds more than just this couple's competitive side.
"The Bible says the joy of the Lord is our strength. That holds meaning for me. I can read it and recite it, but I just witnessed it," said Joel.
So whether it's faith in ministry or pride in the paddle, Joel and Amy will play on to spread joy.
You can learn more about Amy and Joel's story on their ministry website, The ForGiving House, here .