Traditional Kamba Wedding

We left at 7:15 AM; got home at 8:30 P.M. This was a tradtional Kumba tribe wedding ceremony, the tribe of the bride. It was a day of family and friends, food and fellowship. No one was in a hurry. It was a day of celebration. (Official wedding in the church will happen in June...they are NOT married until then. The bride and groom went their separate ways after the celebration.) It was hard to capture the spirit and joy of the day. Here are a few attempts. Money could not have bought this experience.

Vickie and Sammy and in the SUV and ready to go!!

The groom's family ladies stayed up all night the night before cooking all of this food. It is the groom's family's responsibility to provide all food and drink for the wedding ceremony, which takes place BEFORE the official ceremony. It the food was wonderful!













Pastor John Gichinga welcoming me at 7:30 A.M. to his home where the caravan to the bride's grandparents' homestead begins. (The shirt I am wearing was loaned to me by JP...I may just forget to give it back!) I was recognized during the ceremony as being from 'America', and working with World Relief. JP and family were recognized also, as being from Rwanda, and with WR in Nairobi.











The groom's caravan from Nairobi is finally arriving!

Jean Paul, Sammy, Vickie, and Clementine...what a beautiful family!












The groom's family and friends arrive at the grandparents of the bride's homestead. (Note the pick-up full of food and supplies...it was one of two loads of food and drink)

Some of the bride's family:











Having tea upon arrival, served by bride's family















The groom's family's lunch is served...to all 200+ at their seats!
















The official service begins (I think; there were many speeches, introductions, stories...)

















Flowers and Fanta for the wedding party head table










Pastor John Gichinga and wife, the proud parents of the groom, Mwema.





group picture of the setting...it was beautiful. The blue cast to the picture is created by blue tarps overhead to protect from the sun).





The sun sets as we started returning home (2 1/2 hour journey)














This was a wonderful day. I went straigt to bed at 9 PM. It is now Sunday morning at 7:30 AM ....I had the most sleep since I got here. Today, Sunday, we leave at 10:20 to attend Nairobi Chapel, then lunch, and back home...I intend to just rest today, period. JP needs the rest too! Thanks for your comments on the blog, and emails. I will be away Monday and Tuesday at the pastor's retreat, not sure if I will be able to blog or not; keep praying for the people here, the churches are making a REAL difference in people's lives!!