Marriage and Honeymoon
On Thursday, April 13, me and Maria were married here in Santa Marta, Colombia. It was a great wedding, and we believe many people were touched and blessed by our story and union. Looking back on our eight months of knowing each other, we have been able to see God’s hand in so many ways! We had some fears and anxieties about marriage, but marriage truly is a blessing and a gift from the Lord. We are honored that God chose us to be husband and wife! It was a blessing to have my parents and aunt and uncle come down for the wedding and spend a week in Santa Marta as well.
While our honeymoon goal was to visit the coffee region, we were able to visit five different cities: Medellín, Manizales, Armenia, Salento, and Bogotá. It was a great time of experiencing many different things together as it was Mari’s first time in all those places. We were richly blessed by ECA’s wedding shower for us and for all the support we have received from so many people and for God’s provision. We also were given tickets to go to Parque Jaime Duque in Bogotá, which was Mari’s dream since childhood. She never thought she would ever get to go in her life, but God allowed that dream to come true! We also had the opportunity to meet and ask advice from several American/Colombian couples.
Ministry and Opportunities
My work in the school continues to go well despite its challenges. I will be finishing my commitment with the schools at the end of this month. At that time I will need to apply for a new visa. We are still not sure yet how things will work out for Maria to finish school, trip to the States, future ministry in Santa Marta, etc. I am still praying if God wants me to continue with the schools or focus in different schools or ministries. During the mid-year break from classes, we hope to serve in another city for a week.
Maria is currently not working and is focusing on finishing up college. We both continue to teach Sunday school classes (me 9-12 year olds and Mari high school). We’ve had some opportunities to serve together as well as share our story. Many females are curious about our story and experience. We are praying for more opportunities and that God uses Mari especially to share with many women. I also have gotten the opportunity to start a friendship with one of the guards in my neighborhood. I really feel God has a purpose for him. He really wants to learn English, too. On April 1, I had the opportunity to preach at the young adult service at my church.
Lessons of Marriage
We are learning many things about marriage as well about each other. We are realizing and learning that the goal of marriage is to be more like Christ, keep us humble, and to make the other person happy. We want others to really value marriage and purity and to encourage them in love and in God’s love. We want that we are always in the honeymoon stage. We will be reading the Love and Respect book together as well. Marriage really is a great opportunity to practice unselfishness and love. We are looking forward to many more years and know that God has something great for us as we walk by faith together.
“Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” – 1 Corinthians 13:7
In Christ,
Jonathan and Maria
On Thursday, April 13, me and Maria were married here in Santa Marta, Colombia. It was a great wedding, and we believe many people were touched and blessed by our story and union. Looking back on our eight months of knowing each other, we have been able to see God’s hand in so many ways! We had some fears and anxieties about marriage, but marriage truly is a blessing and a gift from the Lord. We are honored that God chose us to be husband and wife! It was a blessing to have my parents and aunt and uncle come down for the wedding and spend a week in Santa Marta as well.
While our honeymoon goal was to visit the coffee region, we were able to visit five different cities: Medellín, Manizales, Armenia, Salento, and Bogotá. It was a great time of experiencing many different things together as it was Mari’s first time in all those places. We were richly blessed by ECA’s wedding shower for us and for all the support we have received from so many people and for God’s provision. We also were given tickets to go to Parque Jaime Duque in Bogotá, which was Mari’s dream since childhood. She never thought she would ever get to go in her life, but God allowed that dream to come true! We also had the opportunity to meet and ask advice from several American/Colombian couples.
Ministry and Opportunities
My work in the school continues to go well despite its challenges. I will be finishing my commitment with the schools at the end of this month. At that time I will need to apply for a new visa. We are still not sure yet how things will work out for Maria to finish school, trip to the States, future ministry in Santa Marta, etc. I am still praying if God wants me to continue with the schools or focus in different schools or ministries. During the mid-year break from classes, we hope to serve in another city for a week.
Maria is currently not working and is focusing on finishing up college. We both continue to teach Sunday school classes (me 9-12 year olds and Mari high school). We’ve had some opportunities to serve together as well as share our story. Many females are curious about our story and experience. We are praying for more opportunities and that God uses Mari especially to share with many women. I also have gotten the opportunity to start a friendship with one of the guards in my neighborhood. I really feel God has a purpose for him. He really wants to learn English, too. On April 1, I had the opportunity to preach at the young adult service at my church.
Lessons of Marriage
We are learning many things about marriage as well about each other. We are realizing and learning that the goal of marriage is to be more like Christ, keep us humble, and to make the other person happy. We want others to really value marriage and purity and to encourage them in love and in God’s love. We want that we are always in the honeymoon stage. We will be reading the Love and Respect book together as well. Marriage really is a great opportunity to practice unselfishness and love. We are looking forward to many more years and know that God has something great for us as we walk by faith together.
“Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” – 1 Corinthians 13:7
In Christ,
Jonathan and Maria