Newlywed couple gets second chance at life |24 June 2016

The newlyweds on their big day

Living in a community where we always hear about social ills for a change it is nice to hear or read about positive occurrences. Although it is a fact that divorce rates are higher than marriage we seem to forget and neglect that there are those who choose the matrimonial life regardless of the taboo going around.

After meeting Liston and Anne Reginald, a young couple who have been married for six months now, I’ve realised that they have not only inspired and revived hope among others but they have brought a beautiful family together.

Liston Selwyn Reginald of La Misère, the place where he spent his childhood, was born on July 9, 1989. He is the second born from a family of four children and works in the engineering section at the Banyan Tree Hotel. He has a son and a step son and being a born again, his fellowship is at the Redeemed Christian Church of God.  Liston is also a well known basketball player of the National team and his club team is Baya.
Anne Gemma Reginald, née Oreddy, is a resident of Takamaka born on December 5, 1989. She also comes from a family of four children and she is the third born. Losing her mother at the age of five, Anne grew up with her grandparent. Currently she is working as a childminder. She has a son and a step son. Anne is also a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, since 2009.
In the following interview I got to know more about the newlyweds.

SN: How did you two meet?

LR: In August 2014 I decided to give my life to Jesus. I was introduced to the redeemed Christian Church of God Central parish at Les Mamelles by a colleague. The next Sunday I decided to follow my colleague at her place of worship at the Takamaka parish eventhough it is far. It is there that I saw a lovely lady (my wife) and she really captured my heart. The church organised a picnic in October whereby we had the chance to know more about each other and I was pleased with the outcome. The prize was not yet won, that lady was hard to get. I sent texts after texts and sometimes I did not receive an answer for one week. I am stubborn by nature so I kept insisting and at long last in mid November my prayer was answered. She accepted my proposal as I was not looking for a girlfriend but a wife. She was my fiancée by the end of December.

SN: How did this love story unravel?
AR: After we got to know each other better I found he was caring and understanding as he was there for me, he was a shoulder for me to cry on and someone to lean on. I shared my past life with him and truly he was a comfort to me and that is where a bond formed that drew us more together from friend to more than a friend. Then I realised that I had found the one my soul desired.

SN: Were you cohabiting before you got married or did you move in together after?
Both: As time passed, we introduced one another to our parents and from there on we started to court and went on a six-month marriage counselling.
We were not staying together at that time but we paid each other visits especially on weekends until we were married on December 26, 2015 and we fulfilled the word of God according to Genesis 2:24. However our civil wedding was on December 15, 2015.

SN: Why did you decide to get married? 

LR: My parents are my inspiration, they have been married for 30 years and I am a witness that marriage is good. If God is in control, there is love, faithfulness, patience, understanding and good communication. Those are virtues I had seen in my parents. Forgiving one another is a sanitizer in every marriage.
Marriage is not man's idea. It is God himself who realised man needs a companion and addressed it. To live a life of holy matrimony pleases the Lord. We want to make things right before God. Marriage is two persons with different characters and different family backgrounds living together. One must learn to know his/her partner’s temperaments, we cannot change each other but rather love, understand each other. Pray for each other and leave it to God to mould, shape and change us to better adapt to each other.

SN: Have there been any differences in your lives brought by marriage?
LR: Marriage has brought about good thing in my life; it has given me a sense of responsibility. Before that it was my parents that I had to answer to. But now it is my wife that I spend most of my time with. I have someone that I can share my secrets with and I have developed a deeper mutual affection for her.
AR: Now I can say that I have a home to take care of. A helpmeet to my husband; I feel secure around him for he provides me with love, a shelter and comfort which I did not have the chance to enjoy in my childhood.

SN: How are you dealing with challenges you face in your marriage?
We are not perfect. Frankly speaking sometimes storms erupt but one thing we are sure is that Jesus is in our boat to calm all the storms. We also had our Spiritual Leaders that are always there to use their rod of correction on us and gather us with their staff as our mentors.

SN: Would you encourage couples to get married and why?
Both: We will say that marriage is good and honourable; let God build your home. Always remember to have a vision in marriage, respect your vow 'till death do us part'. Although we do have an enemy called Satan that really wants to mess in the work of God, resist him and he will flee from you. Divorce is not an option. Prayer is the key to a successful marriage.
To the youth, do not be in a rush to get married. Marriage is for those who are mature. Take time with your studies, get a good job and then settle down. A family where both parents are still together is a healthy family for a healthy nation.

SN: Do you think love is enough?

Both: Nobody forced us to take this step; we did it because we believe in second chances whereby we can be better sharing our dreams, making it into reality, surpassing our differences and achieving our goals together through supporting one another, teaching and learning things from one another.

Marriage will work if you both take your responsibility, playing your part as a role model for your children and for those looking at you from afar, not keeping records of wrong but forgiving one another, moving on by not reproaching one another but through prayers and petition God can make things better and we are a witness that God answers prayers.
We will also take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed in one way or another to make our marriage ceremony a blissful one. As you have blessed us God will remember you.

R.H.