This is not a love at first sight story. This is a story of two people who's hearts were stirred to serve the Lord on the mission field short term. The first time Paul and Joan met was at a team meeting in preparation for an upcoming mission trip. Paul couldn't remember Joan's name. Joan remembered Paul's because, well, how could you forget a name like Paul Bang? Through serving on the mission field together and becoming friends over the course of a few weeks, something neither of them saw coming happened. Joan decided to ride a zip line twice on a retreat trip and that caught Paul's eye. "This girl likes to have fun!" he thought. Joan was clueless as usual but Paul had all he needed to know that she was the one. Ok. Not really. Through seeing Joan's character and lots of prayer, Paul decided to pursue the girl who did, in fact, want to ride a zip line twice. However, he was patient. See, Joan was preparing to travel to the Middle East on another short term mission trip. Paul did not want to be a distraction to Joan before leaving for overseas, so he waited. Upon Joan's return home, Paul talked with Joan's best friend and sister, Kelsay, asked permission from her parents and then finally asked Joan on a date. All within one week! Over the span of the next couple of months, Paul stole Joan's heart with his servant's heart, selfless character and driving four hours to surprise her with some really good cheesecake.

Along their entire relationship, the Lord has been restoring the broken areas of each of their hearts and preparing them not only for this new covenant, but ultimately to be Jesus's bride. Their desire and prayer is for the Lord to use their marriage to refine each other in order to become more like Jesus and as a way to share the good news that our God can redeem all things.