::the story::1::

I have been wanting to share the story of how Leon and I met so I think I will do it in pieces to keep you coming back for more. :)

Really, our story starts years ago when my Pastor started a church in the town where I have grown up. Then, a bus route began picking up boys and girls for Sunday School through which Mrs. Gordon [wife of the first missionaries to Africa from our church] was reached. Then, a college was started. Here, Pastor and Mrs. Gordon met and were called to missions. They obeyed God's call and went to the country of Zambia, first to the villages and then to Kabwe over nine years ago. Leon was saved through the influence of a godly friend named George.  The Staal family gradually came to know the Lord over a few months time and have been at Independent Baptist Church of Kabwe since the beginning.

My parents came to Indiana in 1977 and have remained as active, faithful church members which greatly influenced my life to serve the Lord and follow Him.  My brother, Geoff, was called to missions several years ago and took a missions trip to Zambia in October of 2009.

Geoff absolutely loved his time there!  When he came back he said, "Rebecca, you would love it there." My response:  yah, right.  And, he said, "There's this really great guy in the church there."  To which I said:  whatever, that will never work.  A white guy?  In a church in Zambia?  Yah, right. 

But then he showed me a picture of this guy.

 Wow!!  He looks normal [and he's really good looking!!].......