Faith, patience led us to our dream wedding

Three years passed before fate decided to speed things up. One day, Chemusto escorted Balayo’s cousin home, only to find herself at his house.

“She was shocked to see me there,” Balayo chuckles. “I welcomed her, and from that day, I knew I had to take a step forward.”

Too shy to approach her directly, Balayo encouraged his cousin to make the first move for him. To his delight, Chemusto responded positively. And so, their story truly began.

A promise to wait

From the beginning, Balayo was determined to do things the right way. “I did not want us to keep interacting unless I had met her parents,” he says. “It was a huge step, but I knew I had to take it.”

Chemusto lived with her mother in Sironko District, while her father resided in Kapchorwa Town in eastern Uganda. Meeting her mother was the first hurdle, but Balayo’s fears quickly melted away.

“I thought she would see me and think, ‘This is an old man,’” he laughs. “But she welcomed me warmly. When I expressed my interest in Chemusto, she asked if I was willing to wait until she finished school. Without hesitation, I said, ‘I will wait, as long as she is patient with me too.’”

True to his word, Balayo waited. Their love grew in patience and faith, with their bond strengthening through shared conversations, visits, and church activities.

Faith and commitment

As their relationship blossomed, Balayo took Chemusto to his church and introduced her to the congregation. She was an active member of a youth choir, and he saw this as an opportunity to bring her closer to his faith community.

“There was a church crusade, so I invited her. Watching her sing and jump with joy confirmed what I already knew; she was the one,” he says.

After the crusade, Balayo approached his pastor. “I told him, ‘I have an interest in that girl you saw singing.’ He just smiled and said, ‘You are receiving a good gift from God.’”

Determined to make things official, they proceeded with a traditional introduction ceremony. Chemusto’s parents gave their blessing, and the couple started their life together in 2011.

Life, love, and challenges

Over the years, their love has been tested by financial struggles and life’s ups and downs. But through it all, they stood strong, raising four beautiful children and deepening their commitment to one another.

“We had our moments of lack, but we always supported each other,” Chemusto shares, adding “Above all, we had faith that our future would be alright.”

Though they had been together for over a decade, the dream of a wedding lingered. About two years ago, Balayo brought up the idea again. Chemusto hesitated, practical concerns clouding her mind, but he reassured her.

“I told her, ‘God’s plan is bigger than our fears. We just need to take a step of faith.’”

Finally, with the blessing of their spiritual leaders, they set their wedding date as September 28, 2024.

A love worth the wait

Looking back, Balayo and Chemusto marvel at the foundation of their relationship.

“What attracted me to her was her beauty, but more than that, her work ethic,” he says. “If she was not fetching water, she was studying or working in the garden. She had a purpose.”

Dorothy, on the other hand, was drawn to Balayo’s intelligence, unwavering faith, and kindness.

“He was different from the other men I knew,” she smiles. “His love for God made him even more attractive.”

The proposal 

Balayo chose the perfect moment to propose; on a day Chemusto was escorting his sister home.

“I told her how I felt, and she agreed to walk this journey with me,” he says. “That was the happiest moment of my life.”

With their decision made, they shared the news with their friends and formed a wedding committee. Despite financial constraints, they stepped out in faith, trusting that God would provide. And He did.

“Our budget was high, but everything fell into place,” she says. “God made a way where there seemed to be none.”

Counselling

As a professional counsellor, Balayo had always guided their relationship, but they also sought external advice. Their bishop offered invaluable wisdom, emphasising the seriousness of their vows.

“He reminded us that marriage is a covenant before God and breaking those vows would bring a curse upon us,” Dison shares.

Chemusto learnt the importance of communication and being in fellowship with other couples.

“We discovered that putting God first in everything is the key to a happy marriage,” she says. “Prioritising each other and working together makes all the difference.”

Memorable moments

For Balayo, the most emotional moment was placing the ring on Chemusto’s finger.

“Tears rolled down my cheeks,” he admits. “I realised the weight of the promise I was making; to love her forever.”

For Chemusto, it was the exchange of vows and stepping into the reception area that was filled with joy and celebration.