Wedding Update!!!

Hello Everyone!

I know that many of you have been eagerly anticipating this newest update and I’m sorry for the delay. I am writing to you, a very happily married woman!!! Douglas and I really saw God’s hand at work in the weeks just before the wedding. I was given enough strength to finish those final preparations and was completely healed by the Healer himself.

Sunday, before the wedding, Douglas and I woke up very early to pick up my brother, Joe, from the airport in Nairobi. Joe flew in for the wedding from Taiwan where he currently lives. I hadn’t seen him for about a year and a half. I was so happy to see him, that I burst into tears. We came back to the YWAM base with Joe for the day and that evening we took our second trip to the airport to pick up my parents. We had this great plan to have Douglas hold a sign saying “Mom and Dad” so my parents could pick him out of the crowd (they had never met before). But we waited for them for so long that almost the whole crowd was gone. Just as I was going to investigate where my parents were, we saw them! Immigration was terribly slow and then, three of their four pieces of luggage didn’t arrive with them in Kenya. But all of that was forgotten with the joy that came to have them there with us. As we were nearing the base, we spotted something big crossing the road: a giraffe! We got out a torch (or flashlight) and shined it on the beautiful creature. It was a very creative welcome gift for my family from God.

During that week before the wedding we were able to have some quality time with my family. The first day we rested, Mom and Douglas went back to the airport to retrieve the luggage, and I took Dad and Joe into the bush to see the giraffes, zebras, and other animals. That evening we had time to unpack the luggage (which the majority were things for us from home) and we were overwhelmed with many blessings. A special thanks to Mom and Dad for all that they blessed us with and to everyone else that sent cards or gifts with my parents!

On Tuesday, we set out for a safari. We rented a vehicle and went to Nairobi National Park for the day. We got to see lots of animals: baboons, zebras, giraffes, gazelle, wildebeest, ostrich, and many more. After our safari, we went to downtown Nairobi and took everyone to an internet cafe. Then we finished the day with a filling meal at the famous Carnivore restaurant with all you can eat meat.

During the week we also took a walk to the nearby town of Makutano, visited Machakos, played with children on the base, visited with the base staff, and did final preparations for the wedding. A few days before the wedding, Douglas’s immediate family and grandmother came from his home in Narok. Immediately the ‘dads’ got to talking and our families finally had the opportunity to meet! Those last few days before the wedding were very busy and seem like a blur as we ran up and down getting things together. Before we knew it the wedding day was here!

I spent the night before the wedding at the base director’s home and I got ready from there. My mom and some friends came that morning to help me get ready and prepared themselves from there as well. An hour before the wedding was to begin, my dad and brother came to the house. We rode together as a family to the base. As we were coming to the base, the cars hooted (or honked) to let people know I was arriving. We were a few minutes early, so we hid until the time when I was to walk into the dining hall for the ceremony. The wedding started on time, which is almost unheard of in this culture. Douglas was the first to walk down the aisle, followed by the wedding party, and then I came on Dad’s arm. The dining hall was full of friends and family; including many colorful Maasai from Douglas’s home.

The ceremony was a bit different than an American wedding. I was prepared for most of those differences, but still there were some surprises. Some of the differences were that instead of the pastor officiating the entire ceremony, there was a master of ceremonies. The atmosphere is much more relaxed and fun; so there is much more open laughter and shouting for joy! The pastor had us both stand to verbally confirm that we were ready to get married (a surprise to me). We had a time of praise and worship in Swahili led by friends from the base. During the sermon and scripture reading the wedding party was seated. When we put the rings on each other, we had to hold the other person’s hand up in the air (another surprise). We signed the certificate in front of everyone. And I’m sure there were many more. The ceremony was concluded with a presentation of Maasai song and dance by people from Douglas’s home (including his sisters). It was a wonderful ceremony and we all had fun. We planned for the ceremony to only go for two hours, which again is very unusual and we did it. After, we went to a neighboring location for pictures, came back to the base to eat, cut the cake, and had a time to receive gifts (Douglas and I stood while guest brought their gifts to us). The final event was unexpected, but fun, as Douglas’s relatives presented my family with some very special Maasai gifts. By mid-afternoon, we left the base and headed off to our secret location for the night. Okay, so it wasn’t exactly a secret because we brought my parents and brother along to take some more pictures, but eventually we found ourselves done with the wedding and finally we were Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Kileteny!

The following day, Easter Sunday, we took Joe to the airport. My parent’s flight didn’t leave until that evening so we went to Nairobi for breakfast, church, lunch, shopping, and to town. It was hard to see my family leaving after such a short stay, but we were all so grateful for the wonderful time we had together, especially as they got to know Douglas. I think they all enjoyed seeing the Kenya that I have come to love and call home.

After my family left, Douglas and I had our honeymoon in Nairobi where we had a relaxing time finally free from wedding plans. We rested a lot, went to see a couple of movies, ate wonderful food at the guest house where we stayed, shopped, and Douglas even had his first trip down a water slide! We were gone for a week and a half and got back to the base this past Wednesday. Since then we have been trying to organize the room where we are temporarily staying and wrapping up wedding things.

So far married life is going well. We still aren’t completely sure of what is next, but are praying and seeking God’s will for this new season in our lives. Next week we will likely go to Nairobi to the U.S. embassy to explore our options for a visa and go from there. Ideally, we would like to be in Wisconsin by August to meet the newest baby of my sister and her husband and Joe will be there at that time visiting as well. So please keep us in your prayers as we seek to get Douglas a visa and finally bring him to my home! Other prayer concerns that we have are: for our health; still there have been challenges and illnesses, direction for the future months, vision for future ministry, growth in our relationships with God and with one another, and overall effectiveness for God’s kingdom.

We love you all so much and wish that everyone could have been there on our wedding day. But I hope that you have got a glimpse of what the day was like. Thank you for your prayers that helped to bring us to our wedding day and that will continue to bless us in our daily lives. May the Lord bless you and encourage your heart today!

In Him,

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Kileteny

Healed...

Family and Friends,
Jambo! I apologize for the delay since my last update. There are numerous things to report about.
Thank you for your prayers when Douglas and I traveled to his home for a visit. It was so nice to see his parents again and also to meet four of his younger siblings. His two sisters and I had a chance to bond as we went for a walk to the family’s “shamba” (garden), ate roasted maize, listened to my MP3 player, and just chatting. Everyone in the family does speak at least some English; which is so helpful to me!!! We informed Douglas’s immediate family and many others of our plans for the wedding. They are planning to take a mini-bus from his village to come on the wedding day, so we are expecting many of them to attend. Overall, everyone is doing well there and very exciting for the upcoming wedding. Douglas’s father already considers me his daughter and the community (as the culture goes) is ready to accept me as well!
These last few weeks have been filled with trips to neighboring towns, the capitol city of Nairobi, meeting with individuals, and getting things ready for April 11th. We have found a pastor to marry us, who is very flexible to work with our program for the wedding. (He is a friend of Douglas’s.) The wedding committee has been meeting weekly for a while now to delegate tasks, give advice, and pray for the wedding. God has really blessed us with a family-like community that is very willing to help in any way that they can. I also found a tailor and the fabric that I like for the wedding party’s clothes. Douglas and I have also sitting down with the base director (a woman from Switzerland) and her Kenyan husband for counseling. It’s great to be challenged to discuss various topics of marriage and ask questions to another experienced couple (especially cross cultural). We only have a few more weeks until the wedding and things are really coming into place. Without question, I know that we have God’s favor in what we are doing.
When we aren’t planning for the wedding, we continue to help out at the base. We have gone for ministry to another girl’s high school, led worship together several times, Douglas preached in a local church, we cook one day a week (all three meals) together for the base, and doing other things to help when we can.
We have also been looking into the possibility of Douglas getting a visa to come to the U.S. We will be looking more into the immigrant visa for Douglas, even though we don’t plan to stay long-term. We really need your prayers in this area. We believe that God can do anything and that He will provide a way for us. Please when you pray, pray for favor with the embassy, clear direction, finances, and wisdom in the whole process for us.
Recently I wrote about my battle against malaria and typhoid. On Thursday we decided to take a trip to Nairobi to visit one of the best hospitals. They did some tests and there is no more malaria nor typhoid in me!!! I am still a bit weak, but I am recovering. Everyday I get stronger and stronger. So praise God! While I was sick, I really felt these verse to be so true for me:
8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. (2 Corinthians)
God is with me, He has heard your prayers, answered, and Jesus is being revealed in me! So thank you for standing in victory with me!
Some other prayer points that I would like to share are: for the final plans for the wedding to be done and done well by everyone involved, protection against illnesses, spiritual attacks, guidance and vision for our future in missions.
We love you all so much and appreciate your continued prayers, support, and communication. Feel free to write or e-mail anytime. We may not respond right away, but we will do our best to get back to you. It’s such a blessing to have you part of our lives!
Love,
Becky and Douglas

Update Before Kenya

Dearest Family and Friends,
I am writing to you once last update from Wisconsin before I leave for Kenya this Saturday, January 31. The Lord has clearly shown me that it is time to return to Kenya for my wedding. My trip will begin on Saturday as I fly from the Twin Cities, and ends on Sunday, February 1 in Nairobi, Kenya.
These past weeks have been a time of great blessings in my life as I have been able to visit with many dear friends, give several presentations, organize my things to move to Kenya, was prayed over and released with my church’s blessing, and through it all, the Lord has confirmed to me that I am doing what He has directed me to do. It is not easy to leave the comforts of home and especially loved ones, but it is amazing how the Lord blesses those who obey Him and this is what I am experiencing now. Sometimes I think I must be dreaming as the blessings are just so awesome!!!
Douglas and I will be planning our wedding for April 11th at the YWAM Athi River base in Kenya. Of course you are all more than welcome to attend, but we will be sure to take many pictures to share with those who don’t make it!!! As I mentioned before, my parents will be coming from the U.S. and my brother Joe, will also be coming from Taiwan for the wedding. After the wedding we would like to live on or near the YWAM base in Kenya for a period of time. Our hope is to work on getting Douglas a visa to come to the U.S. to meet everyone, know my culture more, and work on raising long term support for our future in missions. But, first the wedding, and then we will see how God works out all of these things. Long term, our dream is to live and work in Kenya as family, likely with YWAM. We also know our connection and ministry will always go beyond Kenya, especially as my roots are here in the U.S. Many of the details aren’t clear yet, but we are trusting that God will show us and bring us to where He wants us to be in the right time.
A few prayer requests that I would like to pass along are:
-strength, peace, and joy for these last few days at home
-safety in my travels
-encouragement to my parents as they release me to go to Kenya
-focus to always be on God as we plan the wedding and begin our lives together
Once, again I want to thank you for your continued support, encouragement, and prayers. You are part of this story; it isn’t just Douglas and I.
I will write again soon to let you know how the trip went. Until then, take care, may His peace reign over you and keep you!
Praising His Name,
Becky Lawrence
P.S. Once again, if you are not a regular recipient of these updates, but would like to be, please let me know!

Quick Update!

Dearest Family and Friends,
Happy New Year! Since my last update, God has been really showing Douglas and I some new and different things than what we had planned. I had it set in my mind that we would get married here and refused to consider going to Kenya to get married. Obviously, with the denial of Douglas's visa, God had other things in store for us. God could have gotten Douglas a visa, but that wasn't His will. So I decided to let go and dream with God of the possibility of getting married in Kenya. And as I surrendered this to God, His joy and peace have been mightily upon me. I love being home, but these months away from Douglas have not been easy. Almost in the moment that I let go, life, in the form of God's joy, rushed into rescue my heart that was let down by my own plans. In short, I am planning to return to Kenya at the end of this month (January) to plan for our Kenyan wedding. And let me just say that things are coming together better than I could have even planned on my own. One thing that I really struggled with was the idea of not having my parents there on my wedding day. But when I surrendered, I let go of everything, even that. A day or two after I decided to return to Kenya, my mom came up to me with tears in her eyes to share that God had shown her that she and my dad were to come to Kenya for the wedding! Wow, isn't God awesome and so faithful to take care of everything?! That is just one example of how God is working things out.
I don't have a plane ticket yet, but am hoping to fly to Kenya in the very end of January. Douglas and I will be planning and preparing for our wedding, so that in early April, when my parents and brother come to Kenya we will have our wedding! There isn't a set date as of yet, but we are thinking the wedding will be sometime in the week before Easter (April 12). We are still working on locations, the exact date, and other details, but I felt it was time to update you all on this exciting news!
My prayer is that this e-mail finds you well and encouraged in the LORD as we begin another year of life.
In Christ,Becky
P.S. If you are not a regular recipient of my updates and would like to be added please let me know!