Etched in my mind; The majestic Alps I see
And the sea of fog below; Oh how my heart overflows
Like ripples magnified on the surface of my heart
Astounded by the heights of love
The skyrocketing joy bubbling within
That’s how You make me move
Almighty Creator of the Alps and the sea below!
- mdc - 05.03.13
Orvin, Switzerland; 07th March 2013
Bonjour! My name is Alex. I live in Bienne in Switzerland. I know that a lot of people are wondering who this Alex guy is. Well, I’m going to introduce myself within the next few lines. Where to begin...??? I’m a financial advisor here in “chocolate land”, and I have a burning heart to bring God’s kingdom in the business world. I am also involved in the worship ministry, where I play the bass guitar in the band, at my local church.
How on earth did I meet the most wonderful woman on our planet? That is a very good question and an incredible story which God has planned in every single detail. But I’ll just give you the short version of it. It was the last day of 2012. I was invited at my cousin’s b-day party. At first I haven’t planned to attend that party, but then the Lord stirred my heart to go and put the this thought in my mind “You have to get ready for that party”. So I went to that party and “voilà” I saw Mary. My heart was stroked as soon we exchange our first look. It was like the French expression that says “le coup de foudre”. And the rest of the story, you’ve already read from Mary’s last update - the special edition :-).
I’m really looking forward to meet you all. And I did not mention every thing about me on purpose, so we can still have some great conversation the day I’ll meet you.
It’s Mary writing now...
Now, that you’ve read a bit about the man of my dreams, let me share why I entitled this update, the "Door of Unconditional Love."
04th March, the day I flew to Switzerland; I woke up a bit early and thought I’d read a chapter from the book I was reading - Compelled by Love (Heidi Baker). Two things God highlighted were: 1) the core of humility and love; 2) the hunger & thirst so vivid in the Western Church of Christ. I just had to stop and respond to that. Then I heard Daddy telling me, “Mary, it’s more than Alex. The door of romantic love, it’s more than that. You’ve walked into the door of unconditional love.” So then I continued asking God to show me what this means. He let me peer into how He sees Switzerland. What I saw next stirred my spirit into weeping over the nation. God showed me Switzerland as a wealthy, self-sufficient nation but the next slide was unbearable to look at. It’s worse than the starving poorest of the poor in Africa. Oh such hunger & thirst within! Then I began to sense it within the recesses of my heart, so much so that the Spirit started to put His heart for the nation into my heart. But the Father had to let me feel the hunger & thirst before I could empathise with the country.
I asked God how could He use someone like me from a developing country in Asia. And He said, “because you know how it is. - you’ve seen poverty at its worst.” I remembered hearing Holy Spirit praying through me, “Lord that You’d cause my heart to hunger & thirst for You, to be willing to go lower still. I want to see Your beloved nation through Your eyes. I want such hunger & thirst within would be so intense that the moment I set foot on the Swiss ground, that it would send cracks on into the ground, to crave for Your healing, mercy and grace.
That it will be like dry, cracked ground longing for water - - - for Your Living Water. Lord, that I drip with Your Son Jesus - that such very Presence of You falls into the cracks to satisfy such hunger & thirst. I desire for Your fragrant redeeming love to leak off me, onto the ground. That my very presence in a place amidst Alex’s family is more than the enough than the presents I’d give. Not to impress them but God, to stir their hunger & thirst within them for Your kingdom.”
I now understand a bit that it’s more than Alex... it’s about the Father’s heart for Switzerland. I don’t know how it looks like but I’ve asked God to do whatever He wants of me - either as a paint brush to paint His purposes, or use me as glove to be extension of His touch of love and healing.
Please understand that it took me a while to process this first before I could share it with you. I’ve let myself vulnerable because I want to be that extension of His grace and love. Alex & I prayed over this during my stay here and it has been wonderful how God has increasingly poured out His heart over this nation.
We both know that the road we’ve taken is costly - to be apart geographically (for the moment),and letting God take us deeper into His purposes.
I’ve mentioned this earlier but we would like to ask again that you’d keep us in prayers for protection, and for God to continue teaching us to love like He loves, to keep guarding our hearts. We’d greatly appreciate if you could email us if and when you get any impression or encouragements for both of us. Once again, merci, merci beaucoup!!!
Blessings galore,
Alex and Mary
To read more about our story (proposal & wedding), go to: A&M Wedding
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