So I
get a message:
“…we
talked about this and both agreed…we kind of want to redo the ceremony with all
our friends and family....because you know us both and are very special to us
we wanted to ask you if you wanted to do our ceremony?”
My
response… What? How? What do you mean?
So
after contemplating my fear of public speaking I said yes. Lis, (from Holland) a
very good friend of mine whom I met in Honduras and Levi, (Honduran) whom I
have known for years from here in Honduras, were to get married.
The
day arrived but I really wasn’t that nervous. Inside, maybe I was, but I had a
task to do and that’s all I could focus on. So we spent the morning decorating,
getting ready and helping Lis with her final touches.
Family
and friends began to arrive. All of a sudden something came over me and I
became the wedding planner, coordinator and officiate. Music was in order,
first look pictures were taken, guests were seated and the couple walked in. We
began.
It began with …“Welcome and
Bienvenidos a todos que han venido hoy. Good afternoon, Buenas tardes, amigos,
familia, from all parts of the world.”
And ended “With the ALMIGHTY power
vested in me, Catalina from El Porvenir, I now pronounce you husband and wife, ya
puede besar a la novia!”
Telling the story of how the two met
Saying vows
About to place the rings
New married couple!
Reception
First dance...Bachata of course!
Just playing MC for the night
If there was one thing to take
away from this wedding it would be what I learned from Lis. I know where Levi
comes from and I know where Lis comes from. I know their backgrounds and I now
know the trueness of their hearts. This is true love. To be completely honest,
this wedding was one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever seen. No, not
because of the extravagant venue (it was in a hotel conference room). Not
because of the thousands of dollars it cost for her wedding dress (she made it
by hand from fabric bought at the local store). Not for the wedding planner or
event rental/decoration company (we spent the morning hanging streamers and
hand-made origami birds). Not even for a hair and makeup appointment (we did it
for her in about 15 minutes before walking into the ceremony). No, it was not
for any of this. What was prevalent the entire day was that none of this
mattered. All she cared about was seeing her family and his family together,
celebrating this special day. She didn’t need to prove anything. She didn’t even
care if his family came in jeans because they couldn’t afford anything nicer.
What mattered was that her and Levi were getting married and that was being
honored in front of the ones she loves.
I felt like she was teaching me
a lesson. Reminding me of God’s love for me. That he loves me unconditionally.
No matter what happens. No matter my past. That is what she was showing. She didn’t
even know it.
So I just want to say thank you
Lis. Thank you for showing and reminding me that love can be true. That it’s
out there. Sometimes being a missionary is hard. Some days all you can think
about is “well what if I never find anyone” or “if I never came on the mission
field, maybe id be married with kids like all my other friends” or the worst
yet… “I could never marry someone who doesn’t have money”. But it doesn’t matter.
None of that matters. I know in my heart that doesn’t matter I just needed that
reminder. God’s timing is perfect and in that I am at peace.
Thank you Lis.
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