WHAT GOD PUTS TOGETHER
Article by Dr. Tunishai Ford
A Union in
Nigeria
Marriage alone is a challenge and takes a lot of special qualities in order to endure and maintain longevity, love, honor and respect, but what about if you decide to marry outside of your culture? Just being married to the opposite sex is a test of endurance. Just look at the number of marriages that positively survive in our society today and you will agree with my statement. Because marriage is not something that you enter into without some serious thought, you will find the story that I share with you quite intriguing.
I would like to tell you about a friend of mine who decided to make a life changing choice. The story goes back to the summer of 1992 when she and I had the opportunity to visit Lagos, Nigeria. She felt like she was home and it was a very sobering experience, in fact, for both of us. She vowed she would go back, and she did the following year. She was a missionary, and she traveled to many of the remote villages in Nigeria. During one of her visits, she met a gentleman who became very interested in her and he asked her to marry him. It was a very short courtship; a couple of weeks I
believe. This was a courageous venture, because she truly had to trust her heart and God. It takes courage to step out in faith and trust that you are making the right decision for your life, especially when you decide to marry outside of your culture. Most people may not be so impulsive when it comes down to marriage.
They married shortly after their courtship and lived in Nigeria for many years, which also took a lot of courage. She had only been to Nigeria once before when we traveled together. To make the decision to live in a native land away from familiarity takes courage, faith and maybe even a little craziness. I do not know anyone who would after meeting a man, have a short courtship, marry him and live in a foreign country. No one, unless you know in your heart that it is right.
"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee," (Deuteronomy 31:6, KJV).