What an interesting weekend we had.
Friends... that had been placed in our lives in such unexpected ways were brought together in still more inexplicable (at least in physical terms) ways. Two Burundi young people found each other here in America by the steady and precise hand of the LORD both claim.
Who would have thought a chance meeting at a gas station with a young runner from Africa who had put more gas into her car than she had money to afford would turn into this day?
Troy would stand in for her family (many of whom had been murdered in the terrible civil wars of her home country) and the friends she'd made here in America?
Yes... that is Troy, and he is NOT wearing shorts, even though he IS wearing sandals.
(some things NEVER change)
There is a story here, and I'll only tell pieces...
In Burundi, the bride does nothing in planning the wedding... it is all up to the groom.The bride (after the arrangements with the Father have been made)
spends the entire week in the home of her family.
Her attendants all prepare her for the arrival of the groom...
everyone WAITS, and anticipates the expected arrival of the other participant in the marriage....
we waited on this day!
In her home country, the attendants and the bride would be prepared for whatever time the groom made his entry to the scene....today, this pretty bride was attended...
and we waited
In Burundi, no one would know the time he would come. It was simple, everyone was prepared, whatever time that would be...... so we all waited.... and then... we heard a cry from the front door....
HE'S HERE..... the groom.... HE's HERE....
What a flurry of excitement and joy.... we all gathered to attend the one for whom he'd come.
Everything was in color.... everything exploded with happy faces and oh so loud shouting and applause... until the moment he saw her.The groom came to take his bride to the ceremony... and the whole house erupted with their joy.
There was not a moment that the bride was alone... her every need was taken care of,
and every place she walked there was applause and the loud trilling typical of the
African culture and signifying their celebration of the day!
Before the couple walked to the altar, there were dancers who announced the ceremony with a jubilance that I'd never seen. As we, the guests, all took our seats, we noticed there were men stationed at every entrance of the building... another tradition we assumed....
Nothing would hinder this wedding...
it was meant to be, and there were those on guard to see it completed as it was ordained.
All the attendants watched the happy people dance before the altar of the ceremony, and I really think that our KG would have loved to have been part of this instead of the more demure attendance of "flower girl".
Three "choirs" sang praises in languages that fit the mood of the day. Swahili and the native Burundi dialect were both represented in two of the choirs as well as in the translations from the pastor who spoke the words of the ceremony.
The words were spoken, the vows repeated, and the ceremony ended much as our American weddings would. .... "and now you may kiss your bride"....but I must tell you......
this day was anything but familiar to this very small town American family who lives out here in the middle of West Texas!
There is so much more to be said, but, for now, I'll leave it at this...but,
I must say this....
I think I saw something in this ceremony that makes me think of the day our Bridegroom will
appear to take His Bride to Himself.
She will be prepared.
She is waiting,
He is coming,
and..... WHAT A GLORIOUS DAY THAT WILL BE!
