Speech at Family Wedding Luncheon for Tuba and Masiye

Introduction

In my brief speech, I will seek to outline how God has led Masiye to this point where she is in life. I will do so by tracing God’s providence in her childhood, her school days, and courtship days. I have opted to use a written speech because as a former teacher, without a speech, I can speak on and on, as teachers are used to teaching for 40 to 80 minutes!

Masiye as a child

Masiye and the mother came to live with us in our early years of marriage in Kitwe when she was 2 years old. I remember Masiye always being where her mother was. One time, I went with Masiye to the Trade Fair in Ndola and she was not keen to go because the mother was not going to be there. But we went nonetheless and from then she was being trained for my wife and myself to take a leading role in her life. From her early days she went with us to church at Trinity Baptist Church in Kitwe now called Nkana West Reformed Baptist Church. She started her primary school in Lusaka at Rugambwa School and later moved to Eagle’s Nest School, where she acquitted herself well by performing well in her grade 7 exams. 

Masiye’s School Days

Masiye has always been hardworking in her studies right from primary school to University. She did her secondary school at St Mary’s Secondary School in Lusaka and Ndola Technical Secondary School. Due to health challenges she moved to David Kaunda Technical Secondary where she completed her secondary school studies. She then went on to study for a Bachelor of Public Health at the University of Lusaka where she recently completed her studies. In all this we give thanks to God for providing the knowledge and resources for Masiye to complete her studies. God has been faithful to her and to us. We stand in awe of him. We thank God that during the days of her youth, Masiye became a Christian when she came to know the Lord whom she loves.

Masiye’s Courtship Days

During the course of her studies, Masiye gave us some indication that there was a young man she wanted to settle the rest of her life with. Naturally as parents, we had our reservations. Our little girl should now want to become married like us? And to think of marriage while she is still studying? But with time, we became convinced of their seriousness and the fact that they were in good hands in terms of counselling from both KBC and LBC. 

I remember seeing Tuba’s car parked outside our gate in the early days of their courtship and would wonder what interest Tuba had in our home ☺. Off course, as a responsible father I did have some time to interview Tuba when we invited him for a meal at our home. The fact that he is married to Masiye today is proof that he passed that interview ☺! We also arranged for Masi and Tuba to visit one of our good friends at church (Kasote Singogo and the wife). They too said they sensed a readiness for the two to come together as husband and wife. We thank God for bringing together Masiye and Tuba as a young couple who love the Lord and love one another. 

A Note about the Parents
Judy and I along with Patrick and Lydia Chilumba the parents to the groom grew up together as youths at Lusaka Baptist Church in the 90s. If you had told us then that about 30 years later we would become relatives through our children getting married to each other, we would have thought that maybe you had taken leave of your senses! But here we are! From friends to relatives and still friends! God’s ways are amazing. 

Some Amazing Coincidences in the Wedding of Tuba and Masiye & Judy and myself
Masiye and Tuba have gotten married on 18th August 2018. Judy and I got married 22 years ago on 10th August! Their marriage was conducted at Lusaka Baptist Church and so was ours! Pastor Ronald Kalifungwa preached at this wedding and so did he at ours. Mr Sylvester Hibajene prayed for the couple. Mr Hibajene and Joyce the wife were our marriage counselors. The couple had photo shoots done at the Mwendafilumba’s home, where we spent a night (the groom and bestmen) and had our lunch from! Catherine Mwenya, Matthew’s wife and my young sister, was one of our bridesmaids, during this wedding she has also played a leading role! 

Conclusion

Tuba as I hand over Masiye's spending habits to you 😀, on a serious note we thank God for bringing you and Masiye together. Love your wife. Love her as Christ loved the Church and gave himself for her. Tuba and Masiye the Lord has brought you this far by His grace. Praise him for all that is past and trust him for all that is to come. Marriage is ordained by God. It is not society’s idea. You have not married to please yourselves, your relatives or friends. You have married to glorify God and to enjoy him forever! Love God. Love one another. Love God’s people. Love your families. May the example of your parents and couples in the Church serve as a model for your marriage. May yours be a happy home:

Oh, happy home, where Thou art loved the dearest,

Thou loving Friend and Savior of our race,

And where among the guests there never cometh

One who can hold such high and honored place!

Oh, happy home, where two in heart united

In holy faith and blessed hope are one,

Whom death a little while alone divideth,

And cannot end the union here begun.

Oh, happy home, where Thou art not forgotten,

Where joy is overflowing, full and free!

Oh, happy home, where every wounded spirit

Is brought, Physician, Comforter, to Thee—

Karl Spitta

The Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you.

Gabriel Konayuma, 18 August 2018