We are getting married!

It was 2019 Staff Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Rafael had just finished a month-long tour of the US to share about unreached nations, and Hanna had just returned from a missions trip in Iraq. The day before the conference, Rafael learned a valuable lesson: Don’t get your hair cut in Atlanta. Rafael was scanning the crowd to find familiar faces and old co-workers. In the midst of the crowd, there was one sister that stood out and caught Rafael’s attention. It was Hanna’s unmatched beauty that Rafael found too impossible to forget. Seizing the moment, during a short break time, Rafael went over and introduced himself to Hanna. Becoming extremely nervous in their first interaction, he stated his name and said hi and left in a hurry, fearing embarrassing himself and self-conscious of his haircut. Fast-forward about 5 years, at the end of 2022, Rafael and Hanna both returned from mission trips and both ended up in Korea. As they both attended church Sundays and Mission Camps, they passed each other in glimpses. One Sunday at church, Hanna held out her hand to Rafael and said “Hi I’m Hanna, I don’t think we ever met,” but Rafael clearly remembered her from 2019 but still shook her hand and said Hi. During those two months at a camp, one night participants split into their respective churches and ate fried chicken. That's when Rafael and Hanna had their first real conversation. Rafael was so nervous the entire time that he didn't even get to eat a single fried chicken. Rafael went to bed hungry that night, but with a smile on his face. Rafael made her laugh, Hanna made him smile, and it was a night that Rafael could not get out of his thoughts. After 2 months in Korea, Hanna returned to America to serve with the community there. Regretting not being able to say goodbye face to face, Rafael wrote out several messages that he never found the courage to send. Rafael would have to wait to see Hanna again. In February 2023, at the same conference they initially met at 5 years prior, they crossed paths again. Rafael shared his interest in Hanna with trusted leaders and he arrived at the conference venue with excitement in his heart, scanning through the people to find Hanna. With charm and persistence, Rafael continually looked for opportunities to win her heart over. On the first day, as Hanna was in charge of staff meal tickets, he approached her to ask if she was going to get lunch so that he could get time with her. Once they got their food, there were many seats but Rafael picked the seat right next to her. Since there were so many people, their conversation was short, but this was their first real banter: Egypt vs Türkiye . Both very proud and in love with the nation they served, they tried to convince the other to come to their nation while rolling their eyes at each other and sharing laughs. This was also when they shared MBTI personalities to find that they are complete opposites except that they are both extroverts: Rafael is ESTP and Hanna is ENFJ. Oh man hahaha As the conference continued, Rafael messaged her little jokes and got her coffee. At first, Hanna was cautious and drew her lines because she was unsure of his intentions. The last day of the conference, Hanna was serving with her laptop open in the back. She left the table to use the bathroom and returned to find a sticker of the nation of Türkiye flag sitting on her laptop. At first, she was confused and looked around to see where it was from since it wasn't hers. She saw Rafael pass by and asked, "do you know where this came from?” and he said "its for you, lets go to Turkey.” Hanna smiled but jokingly pretended to give it away to someone else.

After the conference ended, Rafael looked for Hanna, but couldn’t find her. He messaged “I guess I will see you next year.” As Rafael was heading to the airport to fly back to Korea, he received an honest message from Hanna stating that he should be clear of his intentions. Rafael was surprised by how forward and direct Hanna was and responded by telling her that his intentions are clear, and he plans on speaking with some people he trusts and move things forward. As Rafael sat at the gate for his flight, he saw Missionary Ishmael who also happened to be on the same flight. Thanks to the delay, Rafael had two hours to talk to him about Hanna. With everything from the conversation, Rafael took time in the prayer room to bring things before God, and within a matter of hours, he knew. He was set on her, knowing he wanted to marry her and build a life together. With counsel, they started getting to know each other through phone and zoom calls. To overcome the 14-hour time difference, Rafael would stay up until 2 every day even though he had to wake up at 6. After only 3 days, Rafael assured Hanna he was fully set on her. He would skip meals just to have even 30 more minutes on the phone with Hanna. Food and sleep were easy sacrifices when compared to getting to share life and grow together. Rafael would wake up eager to hear about Hanna’s day, and dread the afternoon, when Hanna would go to sleep. As evening time came around, you could notice Rafael checking his phone more frequently, eagerly waiting for Hanna to wake up, read the good morning text he had sent, and find a time to call. As their conversations got deeper, they shared testimonies and shared a common vision to live out their lives on the frontiers proclaiming the Gospel to the unreached. After a few weeks, they took 3 days to intentionally pray separately. On more than one occasion, God confirmed it was Him who brought this relationship together, and He gave His word for their future (which is another long story you can ask about!) The most crazy part was when they talked again after 3 days, Rafael and Hanna shockingly received the exact same verse while apart! Proverbs 16:9: “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” With this verse, God gave them confidence in His sovereignty for their lives. Within God's perfect planning, they then started officially dating in March, met families in May, got engaged in June, and now they are so grateful and excited to become one in December! Who knew 2023 would be such a special year for them? Guess God knew (and also Rafael too)! #ReadySetRamat

Rafael and Hanna continued growing their relationship despite the distance, through daily phone calls and zoom calls on the weekends. Hanna got to visit Korea to see Rafael & her family in July. On a Saturday night, Rafael went with Hanna and her parents to eat dinner. It was Rafael’s first time meeting the parents, and with sweaty hands, extra proper posture, and a few memorized Korean lines, he did his best to win their favor. Hanna excused herself to go to the bathroom and Rafael’s heart pounded as he looked at her father and said, “Over the course of the past months, I have fallen in love with your daughter. I intend on marrying her, I bought a ring and if it’s ok with you, I plan on proposing to her tomorrow.” Rafael had anxiously played the scenario over and over in his mind. Hanna’s parents gave the approval and Rafael was filled with joy and excitement as he began to feel the reality that him and Hanna were about to take the next big step in becoming one. He played it cool after Hanna returned, after they finished dinner Rafael took Hanna to the top of Seoul tower. Overlooking the city, they bought a white lock and Hanna wrote “The Ramats” on it before closing the lock together. The following day, after Sunday service ended, Rafael had the whole day planned to take Hanna to a perfect date around Seoul. The last location is where he had family and friends gathered at the beautiful "Nodeul Island" for a surprise. As the sun was setting, Rafael led Hanna to the swing benches overlooking the Han River, knelt on one knee, and popped the question!! With all friends and family hiding, Hanna yelled "YES!" After embracing in a hug, Rafael said "turn around" and she saw everyone gathered around her! We're so excited to celebrate this next chapter in our lives with you! See you in Houston, Texas! #ReadySetRamat