Today was an incredible day at Church! We had the privilege of witnessing a beautiful wedding ceremony for two refugees. An Iranian man who grew up in Iraq, now a refugee in Nepal, and a beautiful woman from Myanmar (also a refugee) were united in marriage in front of hundreds of Nepali and foreign believers. An American who has lived most of his life in Malawi and a man from Ghana officiated the ceremony, while friends and Church family from Pakistan, India, America, and Somalia stood as witnesses and acted as translators for the ceremony. Talk about an intercultural wedding! The joy and excitement in the room was palpable – and the faces of the bride and groom were so full of joy! A little background on their lives: The groom’s entire family was murdered in Iraq, and upon escaping and arriving in Nepal, he was immediately imprisoned by the Nepali government. The International Church has a ministry to the refugees who arrive in Nepal each year, and they visited and ministered to this young man while he was in prison. Through the care and Christ love of these Christians visiting him each week in prison, the groom became a believer – and now, three years later, is happily married to his stunning, Burmese bride! The bride had also lost all her family in the violence that has shaken Myanmar over the last years, and upon arriving in Nepal two years ago as a refugee, was led to the Lord by Christian women ministering to refugees.
How beautiful to see how God multiplies His blessings on His people! This bride and groom, who have both lost their entire family, home and country, have been given to one another as a gift from our Lord – to start anew together in Nepal as husband and wife, and lovers of the One True God. How good our God is to those who love him! As I live in a country that serves and worships stone idols and lives in such fear of the spiritual realms – and as I celebrate the Advent of the Christ – do I truly understand what a GIFT God gave in sending His Son to Earth so many centuries ago? He has given us the greatest gift: the worship of a GOOD and HOLY GOD. A God, who in His goodness AND holiness made way for us to be reconciled to Himself. “Where is there another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of His special people? You will not stay angry forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love! Once again you will have compassion on us…you will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean! You will show us your faithfulness and unfailing love as you promised….long ago.”
I mean this with all my heart: there is NO one like our God! No other religion speaks of a God (or gods) who shows unfailing love and pardons again and again the sins and betrayal of His people. Abba Father Whom have I in heaven but You? You see the weakest and most despicable parts of me…of my heart….of OUR hearts, the hearts of Your people. Yet you still came….! A baby born to be crucified. O Holy God we are not worthy, but we praise you with all the gratitude our weak, fragile hearts and minds can produce. Without You we would descend into the chaos and horror of those without hope.
My Jesus how I love Thee!
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