How we Met...

Lieve took a leave of absence from her work to complete a one year program at Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, in 2005. A mutual friend brought her as a guest to the church, CIEFC.  James remembers from the first day how comfortable Lieve was in the church--quickly connecting with everyone. Lieve joined the small group James was in.  He regularly gave her rides to the meetings. In June James bought a house and Lieve helped him move in.

In October, a conversation between the pastor's wife and James sparked an investigative interest for a further step in his relationship with Lieve. In November, they met to discuss the possibilities of a deeper relationship. In December, James and Lieve agreed to spend time together to see where God would lead their relationship. The time was short as Lieve had planned to go back to Belgium by the end of the month. But Lieve had just finished her exams and James had most of the month off for vacation. At the end of December, Lieve went back to Belgium to resume her job. The contact was maintained through phone calls and e-mail.

As the months passed by, the relationship grew and James decided to take a trip to Belgium in April to meet Lieve's family.