Haiti Part Twa - The Marriage Proposal

"Open my eyes to see what You see. 

Use my words to speak what You want to say." 

I had no idea when I prayed that prayer on that boat, in my quiet space surrounded by other people, that the Lord would make this the prayer of my life. Since I've been home, I consistently pray this prayer and the Lord consistently uses it for His glory. 

But...it happened in Haiti first. 

This is a picture of cheesy me with Rose Marthe and her "husband", Lahens. I will call him husband because here, in America, they would be considered common-law spouses. They have lived together for about 13 years and I believe have 3 children together. They never married but a few years ago gave their hearts to Jesus and became Christian. 

Since then, they have been very convicted to do as the Bible says and get married. 

But, there are a few obstacles.....

The first day we were in the village, Rose Marthe was one of 3 ladies that invited us into their homes. Very neat, with a twin bed, dining table with 4 chairs, a couple shelf units and an old singer foot-pedaled sewing machine! To say it was a tight fit would be an understatement.  Then add about 10 of us to the mix and we were very cozy. She invited some of us to sit at the table, so we did, and she began sharing her story. You could see the agony and guilt on her face from not being married. She explained that she and her husband lost their birth certificates in the flood of 2016 that wiped away most of the village. Without the birth certificates, they could not get the legal documents to marry. That was when I heard it again "Use my words to speak what you want to say." Really Lord? Here, in a room of strangers? And the answer to that is YES! So, through the interpreter, I encouraged her. I let her know that God could see her heart and knew she wanted to do the right thing. But, He also knew the struggle. Because she was striving to do the right thing, one day God would bless that. 

After that, we got up and left. As I was walking back to our workstation, it hit me. What in the world?? I didn't even offer to pray for her! What is wrong with me?? It bothered me all day long. So, the next day, I took the interpreter back with me to pray for her. I believe it was all God's plan because that afternoon, her husband was home as well. After praying for them, Lahens said he would like for Evens, the interpreter, and me to stand with them at their wedding. Oh, how that blessed my heart but blew me away at the same time. I eventually convinced him that Rose Marthe had many close sisters in the village that I'm sure she would rather have stand with her. She agreed!

So, if you would, please pray with me that they find a way to get these documents. It's a 3-hour walk to the town where they get them. Pray God show them a way there. Pray they get their documents and can do the right thing. Pray immense blessings upon their wedding, their home, and their family.

I also challenge you. Pray for God to open your eyes to see and give you words to speak right where you live and work every day. I can testify, He will do it!!

Loveson update: The mission has the money, so now we are waiting for his uniform and then he will go to school!!! Keep watching for picture updates!! And keep praying this all go quickly...