Labor Day week-end five years ago was so exciting for our family. We were having a wedding! Our son had spent time in Africa in school and had fallen in love. Not something we expected when we sent him there for an adventure! She became his Swahili tutor, and soon became much more.
He came home and she stayed there for her senior year of college. He went back for her graduation and brought her to America. There is a very long story in between these two sentences, including the hiring of an immigration attorney, fighting with the American Embassy in Kenya, sending endless documents proving their legitimate relationship (that she wasn't just coming to America to "live the good life" and would divorce him shortly thereafter), struggling with more issues at the embassy, finally receiving a fiancee visa for her to come. They had to be married within 90 days of her arrival in the U.S.
She lived with us, he moved into an apartment on campus where he would attend school a few miles north of us. We spent many hours getting acquainted, planning the wedding, shopping for the wedding, and all of the things the mother of the bride normally does. Unfortunately, her mom didn't get in on any of it. They weren't even able to attend. Her dad sent a wonderful message that was read as my son's uncle "gave the bride away." They recited their vows in Swahili as my brother officiated the ceremony.
The wedding was lovely. The marriage struggled. They, and we, have been to hell and back in the last five years. We are so grateful to God that they are still married and that life is on its way up once again.
This is our prodigal that you have prayed for and welcomed home. He told me this week that they are enjoying each other so much again - they have literally had to start over.
Only the grace of God has brought them and us to this point. I asked her once if she wouldn't like to forget he ever existed and go back to Africa. She said, "Oh, no, I made a commitment!" She has stuck with him through thick and very, very thin. She lived with us, worked full time, and went to school while he was at Teen Challenge. She has another degree ALMOST under her belt - she'll graduate again later this month. He is going to school again, having maintained a 3.7 or above gpa in spite of all the trauma of his life.
Praise God with us!
14 comments:
What a wonderful and inspirational testiment of faith and how love concures all. Our daughter did a missions trip over in Ghana, Africa and she loved it.
You son and Daughter-in-law make a lovely couple, I am so glad to hear they are hanging in there. It sounds as if they are both making huge accomplishments...:)
God is certainly faithful and good!
I DO praise God with you, Dawn. This is an inspiring story. It's amazing how many young couples really struggle through the first few years. She's beautiful. I'm glad they're working it out. I can tell you're pretty fond of her.
Wow, that's quite the testimony! I love love love to see God at work in restoring marriages and strengthening relationships, returning prodigals, and blessing families, all to His glory.
Awesome!!
Happy Anniversary Kevin and Angie! I'm so happy you were able to celebrate it together this year! We love you!
That is wonderful. What a Godsend that she has remained...fully committed to marriage even through the prodigal time.
I pray God blesses this marriage fully in it's renewal and that they would walk hand-in-hand for the rest of their earthly time together!
What a beautiful wedding...and couple! I'm so glad you shared these photos with us--and so glad that Kevin and his beautiful bride are sharing their lives together! May God bless their every step!
Stunning!
Diane
Great story, beautiful wedding pictures. Sounds like your prayers really held things together. Praise the Lord. So glad to hear their marriage has stuck through it all. So tough. Prayer changes things! I truly believe this.
It's so nice to hear about your daughter-in-law honoring her commitment. That is very rare these days!
I hope things continue to look up for them :-)
Marriage is never easy and all the struggles they had to get through before they even got married had to be very hard on them! I'm glad to hear they seem to have rediscovered each other...I wish them many more years of happiness!! The pictures are wonderful and she truly is beautiful!!
When God puts two together, they will make it through whatever comes their way if they stay close to Him. Sounds like they are doing just that! Blessings
They are a beautiful, striking couple!
I don't know the details of the prodical time, but how wonderful that she remained faithful and that God is working on their marriage.
In my post of the weekend, I tried to be honest and touched on some struggles that we are also going through...even after 11 years. However, just like with your son and daughter in law, God is doing mighty things in us.
Thank you for sharing a bit of their story. Blessings!
I loved your transparency in this post. Our senior pastor tells couples he counsels before performing their marriage ceremony, there are no windows or doors when youre married. It's for keeps. Know that when you go in. Then you can make it through anything. I admire them for sticking with it through tough times, and you guys for supporting them. Likely they wouldnt have made it without your support and prayer.
That's a great testimony! Thanks for sharing that.
I was reminded early in the story of my own Grandfather, who went to Costa Rica as a young missionary to Central America, and came back with a bride -- my paternal grandmother!
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