Dave and Amaine
by Oliver Carlos
It’s very rare to attend 2 weddings in a span of 32 days. But it just happened to me. My wife and I just stood as ninong and ninang to 2 pairs of husband-and-wife. Both couples are churchmates. Last June 22, 2021, Dennis and Marge tied the knot. Days later, on July 24, 2021, it was the turn of Dave and Amaine.
Dave Soltura and Amaine Camacho (photo by Taavi Films)David “Dave” Soltura is a full-time voice actor and voice coach. You can hear his voice in many television commercials these days. He also dubs movies and cartoons. Dave comes from a well-known family of medical practitioners. Dave’s father is an otorhinolaryngologist, while his mother is an optometrist.
Meanwhile, April Charmaine “Amaine” Camacho is a BS Biology (major in Microbiology) graduate from UPLB. She also has a Master’s degree in Development Communication. Right now, she’s working for the UPLB College of Human Ecology.
This couple first met years ago in a church event for young professionals. From there, their friendship grew, and soon they fell in love and got engaged. Because it’s pandemic time, the wedding ceremony had limited attendees on site, but it was streamed online for their friends, relatives, and churchmates who couldn’t be physically present. I guess that will be the new normal for weddings in this pandemic period.
Dave and Amaine, who are in their late 20s, remind me so much about me and my wife’s younger selves. We were around that age too when we got married. They, like us, were very active in our church’s praise and worship ministry. Dave is an eloquent speaker who serves as emcee in our online Sunday services and voice over in our video production ministry. On the other hand, Amaine is a passionate worship leader and pianist. When we were their age, we also did similar tasks.
I believe many people are blessed to see a young couple like them serve God. They use their talents and hearts to the hilt. How they dedicate themselves to the Lord’s service is exemplary and a good lead for the younger generation to follow.
In the Bible, there is also a married couple whom the apostle Paul commended for their valuable service in his ministry. They were Aquila (husband) and Priscilla (wife). We can read their story in Paul’s letter to the Romans:
“Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, who have worked together with me for Christ Jesus. They risked their own lives to save mine. I am thankful to them, and all the non-Jewish churches are thankful to them. Also, give greetings to the church that meets in their house.” (Romans 16:3–5, ERV)
In this passage, we can get the following clues about this model couple: (1) They were co-workers of Paul, meaning they were actively sharing the Gospel to others, (2) they once risked their lives in helping Paul, (3) the multi-cultural or international community knows them and finds favor in them, and (4) they opened their house to be a ministry venue.
I believe we too can be ministry partners like Priscilla and Aquila if we just decide to. Out of our great love for the Lord, let us dedicate our family to him, beginning today.
