Marichu grew up in the mountains deep within the interior of Negros Oriental Philippines. (It takes 1 hour to access her home from the nearest town. The first part of the journey consists of a 30-minute motorcycle ride. The second part requires a rigorous hike through the mountains on foot.) There she enjoyed a pure and radical simple life, by US standards, with a deep connection with the Lord and nature. Her love for Christ led her to study and graduate from a Bible college in the Philippines. William grew up in Bartlett, TN, graduated from Harding University, and has served as a minister at Main St. Church of Christ since 2017, preaching and serving the homeless community in downtown Dallas.

When we first talked, we had an instant connection and quickly found many things that we had in common. We immediately discovered that our first love was for Christ. Both of us had studied the Bible in college. We both love music, guitars, and Marichu enjoys singing. We both love nature and look forward to being able to start our first garden together soon. Marichu has experience growing sweet potatoes which is one of William’s favorite plants to grow in the garden.

Marichu arrived in the USA February 4th, 2025 through a fiancee visa. Several weeks before this, Marichu had gone to bed in tears crushed in her heart as we faced yet another barrier in the immigration process. We had already experienced, on two separate occasions, several month delays. It seemed as though we were going to have to undergo another setback. It's not easy when the person that you love is over eight thousand miles away and you don't know when you will have the opportunity to see them again.

However, the Lord heard our cry and answered our prayer at our lowest point. This is of course how our God often works. Though Marichu went to bed in tears, she woke up with the news that she would be flying that very day to Manila to finish her visa requirements. From that moment forward she experienced unusual favor. This was to us a clear sign of the Lord’s presence and an assurance that He, the one that is truly in control of our lives, had opened the door for her to come to the US.

The visa process was difficult. However, through it we were taught to have a greater dependence on the Lord and trust in His faithfulness and sovereignty over our lives.

We are excited to be able to walk with the Lord together, and are deeply overwhelmed with God's kindness in bringing us together. We are excited to be able to share this special moment together with friends and family.

~Marichu & William

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