Salome and Isaiah were married yesterday, in Grand Rapids, MI, by Rev. Dr. Tersur Aben, from Nigeria, who has been Isaiah’s mentor for many years. The ceremony and reception were very meaningful and brought together people from many locations who had not seen eachother for a long time. Salome’s mother, Comfort, was able to come from Nigeria for the wedding. We hadn’t seen Comfort for 23 years, since she and Simon, Salome’s father, left Sioux Center, IA after his graduation from Dordt College (Salome was 10 months old at the time) to return to Nigeria. At that time, we had no idea that Salome would come to live with our family in 2000, when she was 15 years old, and call us Mom and Dad. We had no idea that she would eventually meet Isaiah, a doctoral student at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. Isaiah and Salome are from the same village and same tribe in Nigeria, but did not know eachother prior to meeting in the states. They asked Lloyd and I to join Salome’s Mother, Comfort, in giving Salome to Isaiah in marriage. We were humbled and felt very honored to do so. We wonder what God is going to do through this new couple. Their desire to serve God with their lives and marriage is strong and sincere.

Married at last. Salome and Isaiah Nengean

Salome’s Mother, Comfort, with the happy couple.

A close-up of Comfort and Mary Zinkand. Mary and her husband, John, are former missionaries to Nigeria

Brother Tim and Yvonne with Mom and Dad at the reception

The bridal party. Salome’s sister, Peace, was one of the girls standing up for her

Many Nigerians were present, most of them already living in the states somewhere. We met a family from St. Louis, MO, that worships at the church where our former pastor, Gil Kamps, is currently working. Gil married our daughter, Kim, and Paul DeJong in Grand Rapids less than a year ago. It’s a small world.

Welcome, Isaiah

What a great time to see our grand-daughters too! Here’s Emma and Claire.

Here’s Marley

And here’s Eden, showing a little back with curls

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