[John 2:2]
Hi! Ako si Imelda Perez isa ko ka missionary. Pasalamat ko sa Ginoo kay naka visita ko dari sa pilipinas! Mahal ko ang pilipinas!
Ang kasingkasing sa Mindanao kay Bukidnon.
Ang kasingkasing sa Bukidnon kay Malaybalay!
Translation: Hi! I’m Imelda Perez, and I’m a missionary. I really thank God because I’m visiting the Philippines. I love the Philippines!
The heart of Bukidnon is Malaybalay!
And so it began, that as I befriended Blessie, we began to exchange prayers and phrases in English for phrases in Bisaya. Little did I know that in this blossoming friendship, I’d end up being a special guest at a village wedding by the weekend.
It’s amazing how Jesus still makes wedding visits with His disciples. As the door of opportunity opened, all things were worked together to make this possible by my ministry contacts.
We arrived on time, which ended up being early; and so I jumped right in to help with the putting on of make-up and finishing touches that every girl so frantically overlooks.
The mood was jovial, and casual, and reverent of God. I had the sense that Jesus was going to bring newness of life through this matrimony to paint a picture of His amazing grace.
The wedding colors were vibrant hot pink and lime green. Nestled down in a rainforest village, the fanfare was simple and beautiful. We were surrounded by natural greenery and flowers that would cost a fortune to procure for a wedding set back home – but here it was God’s creation decorating the ceremony.
Little girls with tight buns atop their heads twirling in princess fashion as they displayed their special dresses and held baskets filled with tropical flowers! Little boys fearlessly splashing in mud puddles absolutely itching in their collared shirts and slacks. Some things are the same no matter where in the world you are.
The bride was petite with glistening eyes and a bright smile, her veil flowing in the gentle breeze. The life now swelling and growing in her womb was covered with the bride’s wedding gown and sparkled with little adorning jewels. The groom also slight in stature wore a simple white shirt and black slacks, as he waited for his bride to make her procession.
This wedding was a picture of grace in the life of new believers. Although shame and disgrace were the reason behind such a small wedding party better kept at home, amazing grace revived the atmosphere with reverence. This was a pregnant wedding alright – pregnant with hope of a new life built on faith and grace.
I sat in the second row, and watched with great peace, these two people become one. That process of entering covenant was so symbolic that I noted the steps that they took before their witnesses which I’d never seen at a Christian wedding yet:
- The roles of husband and wife were Scripturally described, and then – the pastor called some people to stand up, and to commit to accountability for the newlyweds and hold them to their vows.
- The couple exchanged the traditional wedding vows in their language, but instead of taking communion, they held a bible together while standing face-to-face and the pastor then commissioned the husband to lead his new wife always in the word of God.
- The couple kneeled down side-by-side and all guests raised their right hand in prayer as the pastor laid his hand on the groom and anointed him to be the spiritual leader of his household.
- They then signed their marriage contract ceremoniously having been covered under one veil and collared with one chord that looped around them both.
- Next, a coin-bearer appeared and a satchel was opened with coins. The pastor poured out the money into the groom’s hands and exhorted him to accept the Lord as his family’s provider and to steward his finances well as a disciple of Jesus. He admonished him to steer clear from the love of money, for money was the root of all evil. The groom then apportioned the coins into the hands of the bride, and she was again exhorted to submit to her husband and steward their finances well. They were told that God have given them wisdom, brains and working hands by which to steward every good blessing from God.
- Then the parents of the bride and groom were asked to stand up, and to accept the commitment of loving the newlyweds and discipling them in a Godly marriage.
- Finally, the newlyweds were announced and a sweet peck on the lips sealed the deal.
I absolutely love how much the pastor exhorted them as they entered into holy matrimony. I also loved that a sense of great peace came for these new believers as their humble wedding honored God.
Photo shoots and then food followed. I sat next to Blessie and we held hands. Gifts were opened. Cake was cut. The bride tossed the bouquet – and I caught it!
I was so blessed to be a guest of honor on their big day.
Before leaving, I alongside two other missionaries laid hands on the new couple and prayed over them.
We prayed blessings over them in the name of Jesus because…
His disciples still get invited to weddings.
