SINGLE-MINDED DEVOTION
John Kilaha and Jane Adhiambo inspire many in their singlehood and in their marriage

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

John Maleya Kilaha and Jane Adhiambo have long served God individually with a single-minded devotion, and now, in getting married, have continued to be a source of inspiration to many. When they said, "I do" on May 3rd 2003, they showed that it can be done. Both baptized in July of 1991, they showed that it is possible to remain faithful to God and be pure for as many as 12 years of being single in the kingdom. And it is the inspirational example of these two that made that wonderful Saturday afternoon so special.

John and Jane, evangelist and women's ministry leader for the West Region, are a tremendous example not only to the Nairobi congregation, but to so many disciples throughout East Africa. This was evidenced by the presence at the exciting occasion of disciples from Nairobi, Eldoret, Arusha (Tanzania), Kampala (Uganda) and Kigali (Rwanda). A considerable number of former members of the church also came to the wedding.

Herve Fleurant, in delivering the wedding sermon, expressed what so many felt when he said, "This is the day that we have all been waiting for - but no one more so than John and Jane." So many people paid tribute to John and Jane. John, said Herve, is "a good man." Many at his groom-honouring party pointed out that he is a loyal friend, who gladly sacrifices his time, comfort or possessions to see to it that those around him are happy. Many mentioned Jane's joy and laughter that have been characteristic of her even during the most trying of times. In pointing out that John and Jane have worked so tirelessly for so many years to help so many, Herve called on them to now give as selflessly to each other.

What kept John and Jane going when a number of people in the same situation have given up on trusting God to find them a suitable Christian mate? "I knew that God had a plan for me," says Jane, "and that since he chose me to be a disciple then he had the right man for me. At the same time, having observed marriages in the world, I was in no way attracted to what I saw in them and did not want that for myself." "I wasn't always patient," John shares honestly, "but ultimately Jeremiah 29:11 helped me understand that God had a plan for me. It also helped to have awesome, spiritual friends around me."

Like most singles their age, John and Jane both faced pressure from different quarters about being single for so long. For John, "It started two years after my baptism and intensified after I was appointed evangelist in 1995. But I also put pressure on myself because I felt that I was retarding the growth of the kingdom by not being a good example." "My aunt had different men in mind whom she would recommend to me," recalls Jane. And disciples would also put them under pressure at times, with comments, when John or Jane would appear in wedding line-ups, like, "we are waiting for you," "you next," or "what are you waiting for?" They were waiting on God for His timing.

But even after going steady, the road was not smooth, and the two of them broke up. It was potentially devastating for Jane, but, she says, Janet Fleurant (who was maid-of-honour in the wedding) helped her so much, with non-stop guidance, Scriptures and a book to read. "I practically lived at the Fleurant's while Janet helped me," Jane shares. "My conviction was that nothing would stop God's plan, whether God wanted us to be together or not, and so I was not going to blame anyone."

Through it all, though, John and Jane remained good friends, as they had been long before ever going steady, and even continued to lead a ministry together. Eventually God brought them back together again, and May 3rd became a reality. "We prayed that the day would glorify God," share John and Jane. "I wanted as many former disciples as possible to come to the wedding and to be impacted by God," says John. "It was my prayer that the wedding would help my family members become disciples," Jane adds.

The impact of the wedding has been incredible and far transcends the stellar organization, great attendance and wonderful weather of the day. A number of the former disciples who came to the occasion have set up to study the Bible and some of them have started attending church services again. A sister in the church who had been wrestling with the idea of getting improperly involved with a non-Christian man changed her mind after witnessing the wedding and hearing what was shared about John and Jane's faith, patience and purity.

Evans Mureri, a single brother in the Kibera region says, "John's example has been an upward call to me. When I would struggle with the thought of still being single, I would think of John and his walk with God and it would help my patience and trust in God. Short time or long I want to have a double portion of John's patience."

Judy Awino, a single sister on staff in Nairobi, shares, "Since I came on staff John and I have co-lead three different ministries at different times and it has always been very encouraging. Jane is a great friend of mine and in fact we came on staff in the same year, 1998. One of many things that has inspired me in her is that in 12 years she has only seriously liked two brothers, but most sisters in her shoes would, out of desperation, tend to go after many different people." And Judy says she also learned a lot from how Jane handled her break-up with John. "Jane continued to love John and to trust God. I learned that what is important is not what I feel, but what God's plan is for my life."

Jarrett Odwallo, who is single and is a long-time friend of both John and Jane, says, "What has really inspired me is John and Jane's ability to take advice. They sought to be helped and guided and in the end it worked for their good. I've seen many relationships in the kingdom and what is special about this one is not the fact they are leaders in the church, but the time factor. God used the time factor to show that short time or long he will ultimately work things out for our good." About the impact he feels that the happy couple's journey to the altar has had on many disciples, Jarrett adds, "The length of time that the two of them were single has allowed them to be an example of patience and endurance in a way they could not have been if everything had fallen into place quickly and easily."

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Maleya. As your individual lives have had such a great impact for so long during your single years, it is encouraging to see the impact that your wedding had and to look forward to the impact that your marriage is clearly destined to have as you continue to inspire many with your single-minded devotion.

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