A Beautiful Beginning 💕

💕 Felicidades! That's how to say it in Spanish.  Congratulations Greicy and Nahun - newly married February 26! We are just so excited for this couple and want to share this good news. 

We have cheered on Greicy since she was in grade 6. Greicy met Nahun two years ago. She caught his eye as she walked past his place on her way home from her nursing classes. Nahun worked with Greicy’s mom’s husband. In his quiet way,  Nahun asked questions about Greicy - a few questions at a time - until he felt confident that he could talk to her. Greicy took it from there. 

Greicy and Nahun have lived together for almost two years. Both knew that God wanted to bless their lives together and they needed to be married. But, with work and school commitments, and Honduran bureaucracy, this seemed an  impossible dream. Thanks to some special donations, and a period without work for both, the impossible became possible.

Getting married for many people in Roatan, Honduras is a challenge. Many official documents still are not shared from one municipality to another via the internet so frequently people need to travel in person to get their personal documents. Payments for documents must be made in person. For people wanting to be married in Roatan but born outside of the municipality of Roatan, documents pose a problem.  

Personal documents, on official paper with stamp, stamp, stamp are valid for three months. One can not pick up his or her documents while on a trip to the mainland to use someday. Many municipalities will not allow relatives to apply for documents on behalf of a family member. Both Greicy and Nahun were required to apply for documents personally.

In early December, Greicy's final hospital social service work time finished. At that time, she inquired what would be required for their marriage. The list she received from the Roatan municipality was long. Most challenging and expensive was traveling to the municipalities where they each had been born to get their personal documents. This official document would state that each was who he or she claimed to be and that neither was already married. 

Greicy and Nahun decided to travel as a couple. This provided safety for Greicy as she traveled to her municipality, and also was an opportunity for Greicy to meet Nahun's parents in his town. 

In the February update, I gave examples of the effort required on this Mainland trip. Following a ferry ride to the mainland they needed to travel 6 hours on the bus to Greicy's birth municipality. The document was in her hands in a short time, but to pay the $10 fee for this document, the next day Greicy had to take a bus another hour and a half to a town with a bank. Payments can not be received by municipal employees, I guess. 

They returned the 6 hour bus ride and then added another 2 hours to get to Nahun’s town. Nahun's documents required much more time. Because the municipality where Nahun had been born did not have the official document paper in stock, they had to order it. Following a two-week stay in Nahun's father's two-room house, the document was ready and they could return to Roatan. 

Two stops - two municipalities - two personal documents. Check.✔

The money requirements were beyond what a family that lives day-to-day would have available. They are thankful for special support. Each step of the way required payment. At one point a document needed to be paid for twice - once on the mainland, and then again when it was received in Roatan. 

The effort was definitely worth it.  The personal documents, medical tests, police checks, payments of personal taxes and more were completed and documents and receipts were presented to the registrar at the Roatan municipality in late January. Greicy and Nahun received their official appointment - February 26, 10:00 a.m. Stamp, stamp, stamp!  

The worries and effort were replaced with joy! Greicy and Nahun were married as required by Honduran law in the Municipal building. 

Last official document - Certificate of Marriage.

For us - we are disappointed to have missed witnessing this event. But, we are so pleased Greicy and Nahun have made their lives together a priority and have committed to each other. We have enjoyed watching this love story unfold and come to this point. Their marriage is a beautiful beginning.  

A few family members and friends celebrated at Cruz' house
following the marriage at the Municipal. 

What will this beginning bring? Well, Monday morning Greicy will head out again, to try to find a nursing job. I have urged her to check back at the various clinics where she has left her resume. “Things change. Openings come. Show your face again. Somewhere is the job for you,” I encourage her. Nahun hopes for more than the single day jobs he finds. A new beginning might be a new house instead of the one room house they have now on the side of Greicy's mom’s tiny property. New jobs? A new house? A beautiful beginning. 

Felicidades, Greicy and Nahun! We'll continue to cheer you on as you enter your new life. The Lord bless you and keep you - Jehová te bendiga, y te guarde. 💕

Greicy and Nahun - February 26, 2021.