The first thing that you should know about this proposal is that God is FAITHFUL! There is no way that any of this could have taken place without His divine love and orchestration, to which Stephen and I are both SO thankful!!!!!! I’ve dreamed of Kenya and safari since I was a little girl and Stephen was born and raised in Kenya absolutely loving game parks. Here’s our African Proposal story…

We went to Sweet Waters Tented Camp (highly recommend it) in Kenya to go on safari. The property is 400,000 acres that Jane Goodall Foundation purchased and it’s home to many wild life. I was in love with Africa and definitely in love with Stephen while being there. We got to go on safari with one of Stephen’s best friends, Sach and his wife Pauline, and one of their kids. The Equator runs through the conservatory and has a really great sign to stop and take pictures. When we initially pulled up to the sign, it was pouring down rain. I ended up climbing out of the car window to take a picture of a giraffe by the sign. I was drenched in rain but laughing hysterically. I was overwhelmed with the goodness of the Lord and His presence. Upon hoping back inside the car, I cried because I was so overwhelmed with this deep desire in my heart that was being fulfilled. Little did I know more would unfold in that same spot. We went to the Equator sign later that afternoon when the rain lifted some. Sach was being goofy and sitting on the line and jumping back and forth between the hemispheres. We tried to take a few quick pictures, but I didn’t get a great picture of Stephen and I at the sign. There were some black rhino at a VERY short distance from us, so we left that area for the day. The next morning we got up, went on safari, ate lunch and were about to leave. Sach, Pauline and Stephen had just exchanged a conversation in Swahilli, so I wasn’t too taken off guard when we went back towards the sign instead of the gate to leave the park. I assumed we were taking a family picture or something. Upon pulling up, Sach immediately jumps out and goes and sits on the Equator line again. I laughed out loud and called attention to him. Pauline took her 6 month old son out of the car remarking to Stephen, “If an animal comes, I want you to grab my baby and run back to the car.” I laughed and did not think it was odd. I got out of the car with my camera in hand hoping to grab a good shot of Stephen and I since there were no rhino, elephant, or lion in sight. I offered to take a few pictures of Sach and his family. Then I passed the camera to Sach hoping he’d return the favor. At this point, I had NO idea that Stephen was going to propose. He walked a little slowly but held my hand. I wanted to stand on either side of the sign, but Stephen told me to kneel down next to him. I thought that was kind of odd, but smiled really big and went with it! I was on safari!!!! :-) So Sach took the first picture *snap* and the second one *snap* (ok my camera doesn’t make that sound, but go with it…) Then I hopped up being bubbly Bailey and wanted to see if the picture turned out. Yet there was Stephen…still on his knees. I said, “What are you doing?” HAHA… Then Stephen reached behind the Equator sign and pulled out the ring box (that Sach so smoothly placed there while sitting on the line). I remember him saying, “What do we have here?” and “Bailey Seng will you marry me?” Then silence ensued.For the first time in my life I was speechless!! However, Stephen was not and began to ramble on asking me if the ring fit and so forth. All I could think of in my heightened adrenaline state (mind you there are wild animals around and strangers looking too) was “How did that ring box get there?!” I thought about how the animals were there and it was not wise to have the box there. Then I thought about how I’d been with Stephen, Sach and Pauline all morning and there is no way they placed it there. Did he trust a hotel staff to put it there…? Yes I know, absolutely ridiculous, but it’s good because I was surprised. I am SO difficult to surprise with ANYTHING so he did a great job. At this point of not having a response from me, Pauline rescues Stephen by yelling, “What did she say?! What did she say?!” My brain quickly came back and I realized I was hiding behind huge sunglasses and hadn’t given any answer. All of a sudden my built of responses flooded out in about ten screaming “Yes”s!!! I collapsed next to Steve on the ground. He began to explain how I was from the northern hemisphere and he was from the southern hemisphere but that he believed God would use us to go back and forth and bring His truth to the nations together!! We prayed together and eventually several minutes later I finally cried and could put together sentences again. Stephen said he was tired of doing ministry apart and it was time that we started doing it together. I said that I cried almost every time I hung up the phone with him. Even though the proposal story is unique to us and so exciting, it’s a small glimpse of God’s faithfulness in our relationship. So much has happened by His perfect grace and we wouldn’t be where we are today without His guidance, holiness, and loving mercy. His love is unfailing and we are so thrilled to walk out His plans together. Thank you for your love prayers and support of us! More to come!! :)