Weddings are such joyous occasions. No matter where you are in the world, weddings are a sign of love and commitment. Yet in Haitian mountain villages like Bail, marriage is not the norm.
For those outside the church in Haiti, marriage is uncommon. Many men and women do not commit to just one person. For those inside the church, marriage is a beautiful way to reflect God’s love and be set apart. Yet for those Christians who do want to marry, Haitian culture places many heavy expectations on the couple.
It is customary in Haiti that a couple own their own home before they marry. They are also expected to hold a formal wedding ceremony, host a large celebration and feed guests. Add in the cost of a marriage license, and getting married is often out of reach for those living in poverty.
Last month, thanks to your support, five couples were able to stand before God and commit to one another in marriage. They were thrilled to say “I do” alongside their new church family in Bail, Haiti. It was a beautiful way to bring glory to God and stand out from the cultural norms.
For some of these couples, marriage was a first step in their Christian walk as they recently started following the Lord. For others, marriage was finally possible despite their struggle with poverty. For all these couples, their love for one another and their love for God was on display in a beautiful way during the group wedding ceremony.
“But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” Mark 10:6-9
To God be the glory for marriage is beautiful in His eyes!
