Going to the chapel… gonna Get Married!
Read this exciting email update from our Missionaries in the Philippines:
“It’s that time again….Isla Bonita’s annual fiesta, Sept. 8, Mama Mary’s birthday!
Remember how last year we helped all those people to get the Sacrament of baptism? We thought there would be a few more this year…but our expectations were apparently extremely low!! The Holy Spirit is going out of control and convicting people left and right to get their Sacraments! So far, 4 teens/adults to be baptized/first confession/first communion. 14 babies to be baptized. AND……. FIFTEEN COUPLES SIGNED UP TO BE MARRIED IN THE CHURCH!!!!!
Praise God! I mean, these are couples we’ve been working with all along who we’ve been begging and praying that they would get married. GOD IS SO GOOD!! Fr. Suarez, the pastor at the cathedral, can’t believe it. He’s saying we will probably do it maybe the third week of September instead of during fiesta because there are so many! We’re meeting with him and trying to finalize the schedule tomorrow.
Of course, we already said YES to sponsoring all the couples (otherwise there would be no way they could afford it). We know God will provide!! Last year you mentioned that you knew someone who might like to help out with putting on some weddings. Is that still a possibility? After a few more days we’ll know more about what kind of budget we need. From what I can guess right now, $100 per couple might be about right: gown and barong (traditional formal apparel for men) rental, rings, paperwork, and reception for LOTS of people. So, maybe $1500? Again, just a guess.
I’m also racking my brain and praying about who we can ask for help also…even if we could ask folks to “sponsor a couple.” I just wish we had more time!! Again, we really didn’t expect this. We thought maybe 4 couples at the most! God is good!
The cathedral is pretty much giving us the baptisms for free. PRAISE GOD! That’s a savings of about $250 USD. 🙂
We’re sooooo happy that Breanne (an FMC Alumni Missionary) is here to help with all this and that Kring and Ramon are back! We’re planning a 2 day retreat with the adult catechumens. I think they will receive their sacraments Sept. 5…one week!! Busy!!!”
If you would like to help sponsor a couple’s wedding expenses for $100 please click below: Button (Write “wedding sponsor” in the space for comments.)
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