Day Five, July 22nd Wedding x 5

“Whether we have food, or whether we go hungry. Whether we have a home or whether we are homeless. I love you and I want you.” These aren’t the typical wedding vows one hears in the United States, but in Haiti they cut to the heart and represent what people struggle with each day.
We had the opportunity today to see something rare in Haiti, a wedding. Not just any wedding either. This wedding had five brides, five grooms, and numerous flower girls and ring bearers. This wedding also had the special privilege of having two beautiful wedding cakes, thanks to a baker and his family who happened to be at the mission at just the right time.
Marriage is uncommon in Haiti due to the expenses of both people needing birth certificates and a marriage license; most couples opt to just live together and have children. I found that while in Haiti it was hard to explain that Micah and I were married. I would point at our rings and the Haitians would say “friend?” or “brother and sister?” The church in St. Louis du Nord has been working to re-establish the tradition of marriage and has found a way to issue marriage certificates for free, along with providing donated gowns for the brides.
These couples face hunger, homelessness, and numerous obstacles that couples in America would never dream of facing. The pastor continually emphasized that no matter what happens they are to stay together. He talked directly to the men, telling them to be leaders and to not run away when times get hard. Most importantly he emphasized the importance of relying on God throughout everything, knowing that He will always provide.

Photos taken by NWHCM on July 22nd