Walking in faith
FROM THE BEGINNING….
“…Christ in you, the hope of glory…” Colossians 1:27
Few years before we meet each other, God has already planned something in South Africa for us.
First of all, Pastor Leonce was chosen among few people to go and pursue bible study in South Africa (2011). It was one of his dream to grow spiritually and get more knowledge on God. He wished to have an opportunity to learn Bible outside Madagascar. On this day, some people working at the radio where he ministered, were chosen first, but by grace, he was one of the person who got the equivalence of Matric to be able to go abroad. From there, God showed and opened doors for him. He arrived in South Africa in 2011 at Back to Bible training College – Baberton (Mpumalanga). He got his diplomas there in 2013.
At the other side, Noro was involved in the local church in many areas: youth, choir, branches, home cells…She enjoyed serving the Lord despite of any challenges she had to face on these days. Many times, she had to walk a long distance just to attend an evening service in town, or giving as offering her transport just to show faith in God. In 2011, her spiritual father, Bishop Patrick Andrianarivo, from SHINE Church, prophesied to her that she is going to do something in South Africa. At this moment, she just said: “Amen” with many questions on how, what, where….The next year, she got a vision of a place, an intersection where there was nice trees, a nice church, nice house….not knowing where was it at the moment. Two times, her spiritual father prophesied to her about South Africa.
Then, when the couple met, Noro was amazed to know that her husband-to-be is a learner in a bible school in South Africa. They became close and decided to think about getting married.
WALK OF FAITH
Ro 4:20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
Since then, begin the walk of faith. Pastor Leonce after his studies planned to come back to Madagascar and ask Noro’s hand to the family, as Malagasy tradition require. So they choose December 2013 as it was also the moment the family of Noro will gather to celebrate the 70’s birthday of her dad.
In between, Pastor Leonce has to renew his visa. After his graduation, he went to the home affairs, and there they said that they won’t be able to issue the visa before January 2014 as they were on holidays.
From this information, the couple decided to pray and ask God when will be the right time then. So, they get confirmation for February 2014, 22.
At the beginning of 2014, he went back to the home affairs for follow up but no positive answer yet. But they decided to keep on preparing the wedding….him in South Africa, and her in Madagascar. Challenges upon challenges they had to face then. And it was not easy to decide everything from long distance. But the mighty hand of God was there….
In the middle of January 2014, both of the family gathered discussing about the details. The couple decided not to ask any money from the family, but remained on God’s provision. From beginning…they did not have a special budget, every promises from people to whom they own money disappeared daily as much as the D-day was near…..
In South Africa, Pastor Leonce went back again to the home affairs, not getting a positive result. They said that it is in the process and it will be issued sooner.
“Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.” 2 Chronicles 20:20 b
During one Sunday service in Madagascar, Reverend Fara, the wife of the spiritual father prophesied that someone here is getting something that they were waiting. Noro received it by faith and send message to Pastor Leonce to go the next day at the home affairs and take his visa. This is what he did. When he reached the home affairs, they told him with apologies that his visa was already issued and it was sent to his address. Praise the Lord.
It was the end of January 2014, meaning few days before the wedding day. The family in Madagascar began to ask where he is, why he was not yet coming,….then, beyond any pressure, the couple decided to dispatch the invitations.
In South Africa, Pastor Leonce was waiting for his money now. The person who has to give him was facing challenges also causing the delay. From there, time was running but they kept praying.
One week before the wedding, they decided to trust only on God. He left the place where he stayed and began his journey to the airport, without air ticket or any substantial money. On Saturday 15 February 2014, he reached OR Tambo Airport, and straight went to the boarding desk. There, they asked him to present his passport, then they checked….and said that he missed his plane and the next plane to Madagascar will be next Tuesday. Wow…who did the booking for him? Since now, it stayed a mystery. Then they told him to wait in case there is a change….this is how he waited at the airport for 3 long days. And it was less than a week before the wedding…during his stay there, they kept on praying, God sent people to provide for him so that he did not have to be alone and hungry. God is amazing….
On 17 February, Monday, Noro and some friends went to check if they could do something from Madagascar but they arrived late and from Madagascar, they said they have to come back the next day, early in the morning. On 18th February 2014, he landed finally in Madagascar at around 1pm. From there, they did not have special time to rest as they have to run to accomplish any formalities before the wedding….
20 FEBRUARY 2014
Despite of the challenges faced at the municipality, as they have to be civil married first before the wedding, the person at the municipality accepted to married them, as normally the couple had to bring all documents one month before and at this situation, it was just one day before.
After the civil marriage, they had to go to see the venue and check every details also.
Meanwhile, God provided. God touched this friend who is a tailor and she made their suits and dresses for free. From there also, it was miracle upon miracle as they did not have any budget but God is still the great provider and the Lord of making things impossible to be possible.
FAITHFUL GOD
Another friend said that she wanted to bless them and offered them their gold wedding rings. Another one gave the wedding cake,….another one, gave a big discount on make-up, hair and car….
When they reached the venue a day before the wedding, it was raining a lot. And the wedding was supposed to be celebrated outdoor. They took time to pray again and said: “God, it is our appointment with You, the day You chose, so we do believe that You will work out everything”.
THE WEDDING DAY – 22 FEBRUARY 2014
We thank God that He is faithful for His chosen child. The weather was very nice and shiny.
Everything was sorted out in time and they were blessing beyond measure.
The family were witnessing the greatness of God, the power of love that can overcome any challenges and barriers 1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. They were married at 1pm and enjoyed with families and friends later on.
This day will be appointed as a blessed day for ever.
The following day, the weather was again raining. Showing the greatness of God as when you ask by faith, you regard not the thing that which was seen which was temporal.
They could have done it differently, with many other things but it was just beautiful, smart and enough to give glory to God.
Many couple plan their wedding long time ago, but they really chose to put everything unto God’s hand first. And when you do what God wants you to do, miracles and wonders follow you all the days of your life. Php 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. As we are not hearer only but doer of the word….Jas 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
