Our Marriage Proposal
Time passed, and despite our busy lives and the different seasons we went through, we continued to stay in touch. A year had gone by since that first meeting, and we still didn’t truly know what the Lord had in store for us.
Then came February 17, 2025—a date that would become unforgettable in our story.
That day, Brother Nephthali invited Sister Erica to a restaurant in Cologne, in a quiet and peaceful setting. Erica, somewhat surprised by the invitation, naturally asked him what it was all about.
But what she was about to hear far exceeded anything she had imagined.
With great seriousness and sincerity, Brother Nephthali opened his heart and shared with her the convictions that the Lord Jesus Christ had gradually placed in his heart regarding their relationship and his desire to build a life with her.
For Erica, it came as a huge surprise.
She hadn’t expected to hear such words that day. Touched and somewhat overwhelmed by what she had just heard, she simply stood there, quietly, with a smile on her face and, above all, a deep peace in her heart.
Then came a gesture that lent even greater weight to Brother Nephthali’s words.
As a symbol of his commitment and the promise he had just made to her, Brother Nephthali gave her a Bible that had belonged to his father, Pastor Jean Claude MIAKAZEBI.
For Erica, this gesture held a very special meaning. It wasn’t just a gift—it was like a silent testimony to the seriousness of his intentions and the importance he placed on what he had just entrusted to her.
It was a wonderful moment for her, filled with emotion and tenderness. ❤️
This Bible also gave her further confirmation of the sincerity of Nephthali’s words. She realized that this wasn’t just a conversation or a passing feeling, but a commitment he was making with conviction before God.
Thus, what had begun as an unexpected encounter on October 23, 2023, reached a new, much clearer stage on February 17, 2025.
That day was both their first real date and, for Erica, the day a promise of marriage was made. 💍🕊️
Two people, two stories, a path that God had gradually woven together… and a new chapter that was beginning to unfold.
The Lord still had much to reveal to us. ❤️
Thanksgiving for the Engagement: February 17, 2026, Cologne
A year had passed since that promise of marriage. During that time, Nephthali and Erica got to know each other better, discovering not only their qualities and strengths, but also their vulnerabilities, their differences, and their weaknesses.
Convinced that their relationship must remain under God’s guidance, they took care to establish clear boundaries and a well-defined physical barrier in order to preserve the purity of their commitment and honor the Lord in their relationship.
As the months went by, their desire to build something serious grew stronger. So they decided to involve their family and spiritual leaders in their plan to marry, so that this relationship could be guided, supported, and sustained through prayer.
This year wasn’t all good times. There were joys, challenges, misunderstandings, moments of exhaustion, and situations that required patience and maturity.
But through both good times and bad, they chose to stick together. They learned to move forward together, to listen to one another, to support one another, and to help each other get back on their feet.
They prayed together, exhorted one another, encouraged one another, and supported one another through the different seasons they went through.Little by little, they came to understand that love is not just about beautiful feelings or happy moments. Love also means choosing to be there for one another, to pray, to forgive, to encourage, and to support each other when circumstances become difficult.
This year allowed them to discover that God was not only preparing them for marriage, but also for a life together as a couple, grounded in Christ, prayer, respect, communication, and mutual support. 🕊️❤️
And as they learned to walk together, the Lord continued to guide every step of their journey.
What had begun as a simple encounter had now become a covenant that two hearts were preparing to live out before God and before their families.
