Our Wedding: This is Our God

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Life with Turi has been like a series. Season one: Dating. Life was filled with highs and lows, laughs and cries and it all led to a season finale that left everybody in suspense. Was he going to marry her? Season two: Courting. I guess we are a few weeks to the end of that season to usher in another. So I will fill you in on what you missed that God has impressed on us to share.

One remarkable thing I have observed is the learning process. I never seem to have come to the point where I now know it all or I have the right relationship formula. I guess Jesus plays his J part in the JET bond in such a way that he’s always teaching. We on the other hand have a choice, to miss class or to keep on learning. Missing class and going by what we think we know always proved to have a negative consequence since the first day I met Turi. I have experienced it. There is a way that seems right to a man but its end is destruction. Banking on the words of Christ even when I did not understand why, brought blessings beyond what I deserved. This is our GOD. That though he was rich yet for our sake he made himself poor that we through his poverty might become rich. This is our God. Christ’s words when obeyed in my relationship have always left me positively rich, nothing less. Rich is character. Rich in patience. Rich in attitude and even Rich materially speaking. He’s provided. The blessing of the LORD makes rich and adds no sorrow. Christ’s words ignored have left regret.

Turi and I are not blow-your-money rich. We drive a Toyota and use matatus very often. We cry foul when iMax is charging students 500sh for Spiderman after we have just graduated and we are regulars at flea markets. One important lesson we both have learnt is living within one’s means.

Every girl who desires to marry would want diamond chandeliers for her wedding and velvet draping that matches the maids’ dresses.  And every guy marrying that lady would want to give her exactly that. However, being in the process of planning our wedding, I kind of thank J that we had just what we needed. There was no excess to pour. There has been enough to spend and even enough to give away. I realized that God doesn’t give anyone a tithing-off season just because they’re getting married. But what I have also seen is that GOD truly honours and favours his children. Because they’re holy? No. They’re not actually. If they were, he wouldn’t have died for them now would he?. Because they’re worthy? No. They’re not that either. Because they’ve waited for sex till marriage? Not primarily, no.

Because HE is Good. This is our God

Where to start

At the beginning of the year, Turi and I had nothing but our savings. Venues were pretty much expensive. The cheapest best we got was 55,000sh. We had to add a further 30,000kes to have photography costs incurred. The total was 85,000kes. There were other cheaper venues but the standards were appalling. We settled on this particular one not far from the city. The day I went to pay the deposit, I was told it was already booked yet we had secured the date. I was frustrated. I called Turi. We had to start looking again. The previous day, Turi had an intuition about Brackenhurst. It came strongly and she kept wondering why. In my mind, I dismissed the idea. Brackenhurst was a lofty retreat centre with foreigners lodging there. The price was likely to be close to 200,000kes. Still, I trusted her intuition and we called Brackenhurst. Brackenhurst offered us their grounds for the ceremony, the reception, the photography and a nature trail for only 45,000kes! Boy was I glad the other venue was booked.

Lesson: Trust a godly woman’s intuition. This is our God.

Free is Free

We drove to Brackenhurst to see the grounds. What a beautiful place it was! It was too good to be true. We paid a deposit and secured the 45,000kes price. We were served by a lady called Mercy. Mercy had recently been married and had graduated from Samantha Bridal as a wedding planner. Seeing that we were getting married, she offered her services. She pulled out her tools: files, contacts, contracts, designs, fliers, cards et al. From the get go, we knew we couldn’t afford her. She was very professional and had top class information. We told her we were sorry. Mercy didn’t take no for an answer. Her response nearly ripped out my kneecaps. “That’s okay,” she said, “I will plan it for free.” I couldn’t help but ask what free meant. To my surprise, Mercy’s definition of free rhymes with mine. No charge at all. And she’s been planning ever since.

Lesson: God can use strangers. This is our God.

Taxing Tasks

At the beginning of the year, Turi and I went for the Samantha Bridal fashion show in Westlands. I had been jittery about buying my suit. I knew that I had money in my savings but the prices around town spooked me. I asked Christ to ease the burden expenses. I had no idea he was quick to reply.  We arrived just in time for the show. We watched breathtaking dresses and suits grace the runway. And in the process, it reminded me of my undue expense. During the show, the MC asked all the men to get onstage. Curiosity defied my shyness and I got onstage. She said that she would cast a white hat in the throng of men. We were to fight for it. The winner would win a prize. She turned and cast the hat. We scrambled and poured all over the runway. I emerged victorious getting 90% of the ripped hat. The prize was a full wedding tuxedo worth 55,000sh (designer shoes, shirt and socks inclusive).

Lesson: There’s nothing too big for our God. This is our God.

Food for thought

I was elated after the tux.  A lesson I learnt in the process is how man easily forgets the faithfulness of Christ. I had prayed for the suit and it came. Yet despite me having seen the miracle, I was worried about provision. I knew my job would have to sacrifice a lot for the wedding. I just did not imagine it would feel so difficult at times. But J was with me. And as if to prove it to me again, I experienced another peculiar blessing. My parents one morning during breakfast told me, “Ernest, we’ve been thinking about the food for the wedding and we have decided that we will take care of all of it.” And thus hundreds of thousands of shillings were cancelled off the budget.

Lesson: Christ feeds the birds of the air, how much more you his child. This is our God.

If he dresses the lilies, he will dress the bride

The next month, I focused a lot on growing Pen Strokes. I dedicated it to Christ and the outreach was overwhelming. We got readers from Kuwait, Qatar, Yemen, Oman, India, Alaska, Canada, USA, Brazil, Argentina, Spain, France, Germany, Latvia, Russia, Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria, Zambia, Palu, Indonesia and Kenya. One lady from Uganda by the name of Sandra found me on Facebook. She asked if I was the writer of Pens Strokes. I affirmed it. She asked to print a few to share with her friends in church. I gladly accepted. A few days later, Turi and I were praying for a wedding dress. Turi could not find one that she liked. The ones she liked were too pricy. I told Turi that J would provide like he did the tux. A day or two after that. Sandra writes to me a message on Facebook. She tells me she doesn’t know why she’s doing this but she ‘s giving me a wedding dress. All she knows is that God asked her to do it. And send the dress she did. And thus another prayer was answered.

Lesson: Be about God’s business and He will be about yours. This is our God.

God was taking centre stage in the wedding. He brought us to a point where he asked us to choose between to either have Him be the centre of the wedding or to have ourselves. If you ever get to this point beloved, choose Christ. Choose the cross and bear the loss. This life was never about us in the first place. Let him take centre stage and watch him move to bless not only you but others as well. We are not worthy people. We are not perfect people. We are not great and we are not better than others. We are just saved people. This is just a tip of the iceberg of the gospel of J. This is his grace that sustains those that follow him. It is the grace of our Jesus who being in the very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped but made himself a man and died on a cross for us so that we may stand right in the presence of a Holy God when we die someday. I pray that you may give him a chance. This is our God.

What more does this Almighty Maker have in store? I guess I will have to wait for September the 1st  2012 to discover.

 

Comments

Ernest is a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband, and a father. He has been married to Waturi since September 2012. They have three children- Thandiwe, Ivanna, and Theo. He is also the author of four books. The Wamboyes are passionate to see the Gospel of Jesus Christ clearly taught and understood in our post-modern world. They are champions of biblical discipleship and furthering the Kingdom of God by transforming one person at a time. They are the founders of The Relationship Centre Ltd (TRC), an organisation that aims to promote biblical family values in contemporary urban communities.

Discussion69 Comments

  1. This is so Inspiring… Indeed our God will always be faithful to us and we ought to be faithful to him. God bless you Turi and Ernest.

  2. I started reading the first few lines and found myself glued till the very last line. This is one piece that I know I´m not reading once or twice… because there is a greater story here. A story to keep our paths aligned to Christ even when we feel weakest beacause he is at work. Thanks for sharing your story Turi and Ernie. God is faithful!!!

    • I’m here in 2019!
      Found a blog that is speaking to me, encouraging me that’s it’s possible with God.
      Yeah Ernest, this is the God we worship
      able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the.

      This is such a powerful yet inspirational story.
      May God increase you more and more and bless your two kids.

  3. Am not planning a wedding, or thinking of the nitty gritty of one either, I just needed encouragement coz my heart was heavy with questions and i told God during lunch that He needs to speak to me, at the very least to see things from His eyes so i can continue trusting Him.
    Your message hasn't given me the answers I'd so gladly want, but this story has told me am in the right track trusting God in the midst of all am facing…

    This is where i say, thank you for allowing God to use u. Am grateful and wish you and Turi the most amazing of lives to come even and especially after your wedding. 🙂
    To God be the glory, He's to big!!

    Ngechi

  4. We are reading you loud and clear in Dubai as well….what a Testiment of God's faithfulness, an encouragement to us all….may this same God overwhelm you with HIs blessings in your Marriage guys!
    – Edith

  5. Ernest ever since I met you guys you have been an inspiration…..I always read you stories to my friends n you really help keep our faith strong

  6. Really? Like he’s holding the world in the palm of his hands? Come on. My mind can’t comprehend anything larger than the universe but God holds it? What? How big IS God?
    Nothing fascinates me more than the greatness of God because it seems like the more I lean in, the more my view of God expands and the more everything changes.

    How much does God weigh is a never-ending journey into the unfathomable greatness of God. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauw,wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!AM OUT OF MY SKIN JUST READING THIS

  7. AKI! What can I say? Where do I start? You had me at 'This Is Our God!' 🙂 And being saved myself, I completely relate to how we sometimes attempt to do things our way, and indeed, it ends only in regret.

    I am doubly encouraged by this testimony, and ministered to DIRECTLY! And how grateful am I to you? One day, hopefully sooner than later, I will be able to honor you both. Thank you Earnest and Turi.

    And thank you JESUS! 🙂

  8. wow!!!! this is a true testimony of what the Almighty God can do in our lives, as the Bible says, ask and it shall be given to you, knock and the door will be opened, seek and you shall find. May God continue to bless you and may this testimony inspire many more to seek Jesus, amen.

  9. When things happens in our lives we sometimes think that we are lucky or it was our hard work that has given us the fruit of our labour.But I thank God for you testament to the world that it was the almighty God who had made it possible. Keep writing and we will keep reading.

  10. Ernest and Turi you are an inspiration to many who have come to know you. one of them being me. to you Ernest you inspire may every time you bring pen and paper together, keep up n God bless you. Congratulations

  11. Congratulations to the both of you 🙂 I wish i could be home to give my congratulations in person. May God continue to shower the both of you with his bountiful blessings. Baraka Tele from someone half-frozen (even though it's summer) in Finland :p

  12. Ernest and Turi you are a blessing and i know u are yet to see alot more from God…blessings and am still waiting for my first copy:-)

  13. i'm reading this blog for the first time, and i'm just amazed at how you chose not to miss class:) For me, it's a reminder to keep on trusting God-be it in the big things or small things..to wait upon Him. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us and God bless and guide you guys as September 1st (and beyond!) approaches.

    Jackie

  14. I don't even have words, simply inspiring. We do have a Living God! And praise be to our God!! Congratulations Ernest and Turi!!

  15. Wow!!!!!!!!!! Is this JET????? This is our God. period.. Thank you God for using us as your vessels…it is your grace and Glory! Thank you all for the encouraging remarks… There is a great God!!

  16. To God be the glory. I know what you're saying man. I'm at a point in my life that I needed to read that. Praise Jesus indeed.
    Kenn Biggie

  17. God is so so so so Faithful we have done nothing to deserve His love Yet He is Faithful to Us. I have been So blessed by this post. We (My loving Fiance PAUL and I) are planning to wed in April 2013 and after this post i refuse to live in fear and frustration of what we don't have.. J IS FAITHFUL HE WILL PROVIDE!!!

  18. This is our God!

    I have seen HIM being GOD to his intimates (Ernest & Turi)…and yes, that is the circle where I will be found!Thank you Ernest and Turi….and yet… No eye has seen, no year has heard, no mind can know what God has in store for you!

  19. This is just Awesome!!! Every single detail was carefully crafted by the Lord!!! I celebrate with you guys and for real…This Is Our God!!! Hadassah

  20. Ernest. I thank God for you. I thank God for the miracles for through them we believe even more!!!Lemme finish my assignment now…Whoa!!!

  21. Wow! He is Jehovah Jireh! Am in awe of your testimony! This is such great stuff. Obedience to God! Siriously…Ushuhuda na nusu hii! Congratulations to you! And may J walk with E&T now and forever more!

  22. wow hw amazing is our God!when He says wait be still and know i am God !!def hel prove exactly that that rly cool ha!!whn J is taking the lead be assured its going 2be a smooth sail and landing.congrats so far to u and Turi.baraka tele

  23. Am truly awed by God's provision for you guyz!! Indeed God provides, only if we trust Him. We are quick to take up the position as men and say we got this, well, He says He got us!! Totally amazed at our God!! Hata kama sitapata wedo invite, its sure to be a wonderful day!! Say hi to Turi! 😉

  24. Wow, Wow Wow indeed..i may not know u guys personally, but i know u well enough to have u as my role models. tnx so much 4 all the articles uve written, n Tnx 4 allowing Christ 2 use u 2 touch th rest of us who r still learning as we walk with him & in him

  25. One day….this or maybe even greater will be my testimony…He is A GREAT GOD…the lovely thing about Him is He works in the simplest of ways to achieve the unfathomable!!!Congratulations to you both!!!

  26. ur skills of writing r gettin better n better. well done Ernest. This is a great piece…the Bible says that the saints overcame satan with the Blood of Jesus Christ and the word of their testimony. This is Testimony!!

  27. Unto God be the glory unto Him be all the praise He who gave Ernest his Eve and Turi her Adam!!!!
    Nhu you guys please dont try and take the load on your own with the expenses and all please African weddings are a society's event if there are ways as friends we can chip in and help you all celebrate please hala!!! That's what friends are for!!! Am sure the little I may have received from God I can share to the best of my ability!!!
    Again I say congratulations to both of you and may God really continue to shower you two with His blessings and favor with the wedding and the marriage!!! AMEN

  28. wooooooooow ernest u blessed man………. indeed OUR GOD NEVER SLEEPS HE TAKES CARE OF HIS CHILDREN ALL DAY AND NIGHT

  29. " This is our God." You declaring who our God is through his goodness in your lives is so beautiful. What a testimony to his character a wonderful reminder of the anchor of our souls. May He continue to declare his majesty through you and as He is lifted up in your life, may He draw men to himself. Much love to you and Turi, Thank you for sharing you lives and your experience of God. I am blessed beyond measure!

  30. It's so true how even after asking God for something in prayer, we are quick to forget that He is able to provide more than we even ask for! God bless you…and to Him be all the glory…

  31. wow! am out of words…his mercies are new every morning, congratulation for today. i wish you both well and your such an inspiration so you know.

    Thank you.

    Winnie

  32. Came for the weeding, you guys are so mature. If young guys were as mature as you are, the world would be a better place. Considering the root of your maturity stems from the word of God, it goes on to confirm how rich our lifes can be by following the principles in the Bible.

  33. I'm new to your blog, and I just love your writing and honesty. This is such an inspiring story (the JET series), and I'm feeling blessed just by reading it. God bless you and your beloved!

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