Wedding: Pastor Thomas & Betty

Two weekends ago, we had the privilege of standing alongside Pastor Thomas and Betty as they made a marriage covenant before God and the church. As with any wedding, the preparations and rehearsals, last minute errands and decorating all came to an end. The wedding began about 3 hours late, and continued well after dark. 

As Best Man and Matron of Honour, we were responsible to provide pre-marital counseling, demonstrate how to place the ring on each others finger, help cut the cake, wipe the sweat off the bride and grooms face, and basically never leave their side. Tim also assumed responsibility of driving the bridal party/ family to and from the church/reception as the other car cancelled the morning of due to a burial in the village. Tim, in a full long-sleeved suit and dripping with sweat didn't mind that part! I, on the other hand, prepared tea and snacks for 17 ladies in our house the morning of as they had weaves put in, make up put on and helped the bride prepare for her big day.

There were more responsibilities as the day went on, and most were learned on the spot: 
1. The wedding march included a long, slow "walk" across the compound and down the aisle with coordinated footwork. All said, it was about a 30 minute "walk" to get to the front of the church.
2. Cake cutting involved more than the bride and groom. 
3. After cake is cut, the bride and groom hand out pieces of cake to every person attending.
4. Smaller cakes are given out to the head of each family as gifts. I followed holding Betty's dress. 
5. Part of the reception includes the bride and groom changing into their changing
 clothes: matching traditional style clothing.
6. After changing, the bride searches the crowd for her husband who has hidden himself. 
7. As Matron of Honour, I held up the back of the brides dress following behind the bride
wherever she went. My responsibility was to never leave her side.

When Tim had encouraged Pastor Thomas to marry his "wife" a few months back, we didn't know we'd be as involved in the process. However, as a part of pre-marital counseling, we explained the 5 Love Languages and had each of them discover which ones they were. It was also interesting to learn the Acholi views on marriage. The next morning at church after Pastor Thomas had thanked family, church and us for our support, he looked over at Betty and said, "Now, I'd like for my sweetheart to share something." Betty blushed. A simple, yet very endearing remark made my heart smile. The overseeing pastor addressed Pastor Thomas and his new bride Betty as "official" pastors now that they had made that covenant before God. Betty was now encouraged to step into ministry as Pastor Thomas's wife and helpmate. It was such a blessing to join in the celebration as these two made a commitment before God to love each each other for the rest of their lives. 

We look forward to sharing life together as our responsibility to them didn't end on the wedding day. We are marriage support to them going forward. In fact, the night of the wedding they ended up staying at our home due to the number of out of town guests staying at their home. Through out the past few months, we've become one big happy family!