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A beautiful wedding celebration at the Sabah Goducate learning center

Recently a couple decided to exchange their vows at the Goducate community center in one of the kampungs. After 8 years of a rollercoaster love story, they finally joining their hearts. This is the first wedding event that happened in the community center, after over a year it was built.

The mother of the bride before the wedding asked if they can use the center and we said why not. Most of the people in kampong helped the couples’ families to prepare their food and decorate the place. A Filipino culture of bayanihan, whether they are different in doctrine and beliefs.

It’s Sunday morning and the weather was hot, most people was excited and asking what time are we going to the wedding because it will start around 3 o’clock in the afternoon. We went to the wedding with a few mothers. I was surprised that to see our simple Community center was turned into a beautiful garden with two seats at the center. As I saw the couple, the bride was so beautiful that made her as a princess for today, she changed her dress 3 times. Then after we ate, we took some pictures from the couple and the family.

Early that evening, we went home thankful for this event because it helps bind the relationship between the people of different cultures and traditions within that kampong. But then the wedding party was not yet over until midnight.

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Our Indonesian Goducate worker finds a beautiful bride!

Recently I attended the wedding of our Indonesian Goducate staff worker, Lekson. The wedding was held at our Goducate Learning Center in Batam. The hall that normally is full of noisy kampong kids learning English was transformed into a “grand” wedding hall.

It was a joy for me to see Lekson, in his formal suit, standing next to his beautiful bride Yuli resplendent in her native Batak dress. As I looked at this fine-looking couple standing before me, I couldn’t help reflecting on how much Lekson has been transformed in the past 3 years. I still remember the Lekson who used to attend our Goducate sessions with blood-shot eyes, smelling of alcohol and tobacco, looking bored and distracted in class. I remember the angry, ill-disciplined young man who wasted his hard-earned money on gambling. I remember how he was always late because he couldn’t get up on time.Today, Lekson speaks to me in fluent English. He even teaches English in our Goducate centers. When we opened a new Goducate Center in Batam, he was appointed to head it. Today, he is a model of diligence and discipline. I felt like a proud father at this wedding!

I dream of the day that this new Lekson will reproduce many more little Leksons, not only through his dear wife but also through his life-example to the hundreds of children who come to our Goducate centers!