The gift of love

Sarita Ladios found Christ in our church in the Philippines. She grew in the Lord, worked as my secretary for many years and then accepted a call from God to serve as missionary to Ukraine in a daughter church that we have come alongside. She established a powerful children’s ministry there and an outreach to youth. Serving as a missionary for many years has one great risk–never marrying. Sarita accepted that risk and served with all her heart.

She turned 41 this year and God had a wonderful surprise for her. Last Fall she attended a 12 week training in basic community development held in Alabama. In the same training was a man named Wade Robinson who was serving in Sierra Leone, the worst run, poorest country in the world. A spark was lit and they have carefully explored the idea of a relationship for a year now. Along the journey, with Sarita back in Ukraine, Wade proposed, she accepted, Uncle Sam also approved and granted her a fiance visa to join him in West Virginia.

Today I had the joy of performing their wedding ceremony as Sherry, my parents, Tess, Cy and Kat looked on along with Wade’s clan. It was a wonderful day and we congratulate both of them.

This is the second of these weddings we have performed this year. Earlier, Elsie Reyes, another missionary to India from Lighthouse was wed to Todd Cook. They now live in Monterey, California. God is faithful to his dedicated workers despite the circumstances.