Liberia: Marrying young: Bro. Diamond takes Sis. Sarah’s hands

On August 30th, Brother Diamond S. Aaron and Sister Sarah N. Johnson, both members of the Paynesville’s brunch of Christian Evangelistic Pentecostal Church Inc., got married before a record crowd which consisted of relatives, friends and fellow parishioners. Pastor Oretha M.K. Wheazor officiated this event, assisted by Rev. Krubo B. Kollie and Rev. Elizabeth C. Wreh.

Rev. Wheazor encouraged the couple to first respect each other, and learn to pray together as a couple, saying, “God has to be at the center in order to keep the marriage.”

Rev. Wheazor used this occasion to enlighten the audience about marriage itself in that many people of today, she maintained, appear to misconstrue the purpose of marriage.

“Don’t get married because you saw someone get married” she admonished everyone. “[Marriage] isn’t about the beauty of the wedding or the reception,” she continued.

 Instead, “It’s about love and commitment,” she observed.

For the couple, there’s something striking about both and Rev. Wheazor thought to share with her audience, in the hope it might help shape the future of other Liberian youths. Diamond and Sarah, she said, purchased a parcel of land as far back as 2017, as both planned their life together, and they now have a home.

But the good news did not end there: the couple is “working on building another [home]” she revealed. This news drew huge applause from the audience. 

The story of Diamond and Sarah deserves publication especially in this post-war nation, where most youths now think it’s okay to place “child-bearing” first in life before schooling, career or job training. 

As a result, babies are often born out of wedlock, in contrast to what Biblical doctrine says. Even more heartbreaking is the fact that these kids would most likely not enjoy having a real fatherly figure in their lives while growing up. Text & Photos by James Kokulo Fasuekoi, editor and publisher

May God’s abundant blessings follow Diamond and Sarah!