tatu

Our third wedding was markedly different from the last two.  This one took place on prison grounds.  The prisons don't look so menacing here.  They are very open.  The inmates work all around the site.  I have mixed feelings about this as it smacks a bit of slave labor but it also rehabilitates as the inmates are learning skills and discipline.  Also, the prison workers and their families live on the grounds.  Nice houses, each with its own satellite either for television or extra-terrestrial research, line the bumpy road.  It presents itself as a surprisingly welcoming atmosphere.  The wedding itself was incredibly joyful.  We were first taken to the groom's mother's house for something of a miniature feast with ice cold soda.  All visits are getting so much better as we are able to understand much of what is said to us and respond at least somewhat appropriately, and this one was especially wonderful.  We were greeted by some familiar faces and guided from our seats in the back to special seats among the choir where we had quite the view of the action.  Like we never have before.  The choir draped in loose purple robes were dancing to the music and singing with an unmatched vigor when I suddenly realized that my friend malaria still had a little in store for me.  I quickly went to the vehicle and found the reserve roll of savior paper and clenched and ran to the self standing toilets.  Behind three doors were three holes in the ground with blocks on either side for comfort. I had actually been looking forward to conquering these beasts but when I opened he door there was a surprise beast waithing for me.  Out of fated door one there was a long thin green snake who took one look at me and moved very fast to the near corner.  No thank you. I magically had no need to use the hole any more.  So I stepped back a few feet.  Weighed my options with facing the snake head to tiny terrifying head just to ease a fair amount of discomfort and walked in dejection back to my seat.  When later described to Pr. Hafermann and Luka their guess was that it was either a green mamba or a tree snake.  I am content not knowing.

From our seats we can see the bridal party praying with the two pastors and some evangelists.  The party is bigger than we are used to.  It consists of the bride and groom, best man and maid of honor and a ring bearer and flower girl.  They slowly walk as their way is paved with boisterous cheers from the congregation, bride and groom with the traditional straight faces and unmoving arms.  The straight faces are apparently to signify that they are not happy to be leaving their families.  Interesting tradition.  It was a good thing that they were facing away from the family as there were a couple of occasions when the bride, faced forward, sweat being wiped off by her maid of honor, would crack a smile.  The service continued as normal, just more "professional" I guess, and louder.  When we sang a hymn, the pastor who is related to the groom would stand up and dance and speed the tempo up.  A nice favor.  I have noticed here that people are not afraid to make music sound better.  They have no problem standing up and speeding the tempo when the song has become an unnecessary dirge.  

Neither the bride or groom write their own vows but use the traditional hymn supplied ones.  The exchange of the rings is followed by the bride reaching over and intertwining her ring hand with his.  They stay clasped together for a while to allow the minister to place their hands in his for a blessing of the union.  

Now what I really like about weddings here is that there is still the ministry of the eucharistic sacrament.  The wedding serves as the service of word but the sacrament is not ignored.  There is a visible connection between the marriage and the community of faith as we gather around that table of holy hospitality.  After all, that is what the wedding is if it is held in the church.  It is a statement that this union is being made under the care and attention of the faith community.  The wedding is the work of the community and a gift from God.  Just like that meal.  What can I say, I'm a sucker for sacraments (in all their diverse forms).  The weddings here don't belong to the couple, they belong to everyone around and in this there is great joy!

After the wedding, the couple drove off together to the house about 300 feet away while the congregation played instruments and followed the car the whole way.  We mostly danced and watched this enormous baby sit on a motorcycle.  All in all a good day.