Henry weds Regina…

Four days after the wedding and Rick and I are still recovering. It was by far the biggest and most intense wedding celebration we’ve been honored to be a part of. The planning began many months in advance and the actual preparation weeks before. Rick made countless trips with the truck collecting firewood, poles, grasses, tables, chairs, plates, pots and various other items that would be needed for the day of. It was a true community effort to get the event off the ground – the local town council, Adjumani hospital, several NGO’s, schools, neighboring churches, church members, family – everyone had a role to play. Here at Embassy North we had the honor of hosting the eight flower girls, matron of honor and bride the night before the wedding. Rick and I had the special privilege of having all eight girls sleep in the room next to us and share our bathroom. It was a combination of their excitement and small bladders that woke us up on the wedding day, very early at 5:00 a.m. and the excitement didn’t stop until we returned home late that evening. (see pics of wedding)



The day reminded me a bit of the county fair, with special areas designated for cooking, a courtyard for speeches, traditional dances, gift presentations, tents for providing shade for the band and invited guests, and to complete it all goats and sheep tied out in the back. Jaclyn and I helped some of the women prepare onions while Rick was in town collecting the bride and bridal party from the salon. The wedding procession could be heard and seen from far away, and we dropped everything and ran to the road to join in the excitement. Women were singing, dancing, waving flags, and sending out shrill cries “ayaaayaaayaaa” into the air. The closer the vehicles came to the church the more the crowd grew; it was like a crazy mob of fans awaiting their favorite celebrity.

Regina was a beautiful bride and Henry a handsome groom. It was interesting to see the way they interacted with one another during the day and with their guests. We’re learning that with such special occasions, there is a tone of seriousness that doesn’t take away from the joy, but emphasizes the importance of the event. After the ceremony, which lasted more than two hours, we were ushered out into the courtyard for the remaining festivities. Three cakes were brought out before the bride and groom, each beautifully decorated by our very own Michael Idha. In thick frosting, the words “Henry weds Regina” sat atop one of cakes that would be cut into bite size pieces in attempts to feed the 500 guests, a fourth of which were children. Cake was followed by food, then singing, dancing, speeches, gift presentations, and more singing and dancing that lasted well through the night. One of the most exciting events was the traditional Ma’di dancing, performed by members of Henry’s family. With bells on their ankles and horse-tailed sticks in their hands they performed a stomping rhythm that changed with each blow of the leader’s whistle. The air was thick with dust when they were finished, and I kept hoping for more.

We left for home as the sun headed toward the horizon, thankful for the beautiful day and slightly relieved that it had come to an end. The following day, Rick and I spent most of the day running here and there and everywhere returning the borrowed wedding items. It just so happens that the two days were two of the hottest we’ve had so far in Adjumani, so Rick and I have spent the last three laying low and recovering from all the excitement and heat. Wet washcloths, feet soaks in the wash basin and sleeping on the floor all seem to be helping. Once again, we’re thankful for some downtime this week and are looking forward to mid-March when promises of rain to come will be fulfilled.