Our Wedding

I returned to Uganda the night of 17 March and after three days of recuperation from some serious jet-lag it was time to make the final plans and preparations for our wedding. With just two weeks before our BIG DAY the count-down had begun. For the next 11 days my fiancé, Rogers, my matron of honor, Liz, and I were all in wedding mode! We had suits to get for my boys (Rock & David) and grooms men, talks with the photographer, cake lady, venue, flowers, & decorator, final payments to be made, finishing touches with the brides maids dresses & jewelry. Of course no wedding goes off without hitches and we encountered them. There were issues with the band and one of my bride’s maids, but after conversations, prayers and forgiveness the Lord put everything back into perspective and set things straight.

I got up on the morning of our wedding day, 31 March, went out on the veranda of the hotel where I had spent the night and thank God for the glorious morning. It had rained during the night and washed everything clean. The cool morning was beautiful and as I looked out over Lake Victoria I knew in my heart the Lord had looked down upon us and set that day apart for us.

The ceremony was to start at mid-day, but in typical Uganda fashion it was hour and half late starting because the coaster carrying the pastor, two ushers and wedding guest from Masaka was late arriving. Oh well, I figured it would happen it is Uganda! We finally got called to come down to the beach at 2:30pm. As we ladies & Tom (my stand in brother) made our way down to the beach a crowd of hotel workers & guest gathered to watch. We entered to cheers and Uganda calls, “iehyaieyha”—it was great!

We were all promptly seated and the Pastor Author started the ceremony with a teaching from Ephesians 5:10. Besides the overall message from the verses, the key of the teaching was for me to have “ears” to hear Rogers and for him to have “hands” to make sure that he cared for and handled me well. The service was then turned over to Pastor Ezra and he talked to us about the two verses we had picked out; Ruth1:16-17 and Song of Songs 8:6-7. I really liked how Pastor Ezra elaborated on the verses and really emphasized that we were both from different lands, but were committing to be of one land. We than started the declaration to each other. Tom gave me away on behalf of my family—David, Patricia & Rob. It was so wonderful to say our vows to one another and declare to the Lord and the world, our Love for each other!

Following the ceremony everyone went down to the beach for pictures. It was such absolutely beautiful, sunshiny day! After many pictures were taken, people finally headed up to the reception hall in the Anderita Hotel. With me on Rogers arm we entered the reception to cheers, claps and Ugandan calls—“iehyaieyha”, I was all smiles. After everyone was introduced by the MC for the day, Dennis Byansi, my friend from Scripture Union, Pastor Author called us for prayer. Pastor blessed the lunch and the wedding party than adjourned to the food buffet, for our first meal together as man & wife. Proceeding lunch there was a few speeches by honored guest and then it was time to cut the cake. I have to say this was a special cake for 2 reasons; it wasn’t a “normal Ugandan” wedding cake because it was made with butter frosting & 3 flavors & second it had salt & pepper shakers on the top. Why? Well they represented Rogers (pepper) & I (salt) and they are also from my great-great Grandmother. In Uganda it is tradition for the woman to kneel down to the man and feed him the cake & drink. I don’t think that people were expecting me to do that but I did! And it was met by cheers from the guests! I was so happy! The next item up was the giving of gifts. Rogers and I then proceeded to do a non-traditional Ugandan thing and have a 1st Couples Dance to our song, From This Moment On. I have to say Rogers pulled out some dance moves that surprised me! People loved it and after our dance was finished the entire guests ended up joining us on the dance floor. It was wonderful and fun!

Well it was a magnificent day to kick off our new journey and a life spent together!