It seems that we have now officially entered wedding season. Much
like in the West where people get married during summer months to eliminate
weather issues, Nigerians choose the end of the year to marry. As I’ve
mentioned in previous blogs, weddings here are a very open affair, and it’s not
uncommon for people to come along to celebrate even if they don’t know either
the bride or the groom, which was the case with me last weekend! I knew the
brides brother and he said he’d be honored to have me come, so I went to pick
up some friends (2 of which were groomsmen for the groom - who they had never
met! He was from out of town and didn’t know many people in Jos) and I was
slightly concerned at 915am when the boys weren’t even in their suits for a
wedding that started at 10am. But in true Nigerian style we arrived (with the
two groomsmen) at 1020am and weren’t late at all. In fact, by 1130am when the bride still hadn’t
come into the church, one of the pastors had to stand up the front and apologize
that because of time constraints, the bride really did need to start her
procession! Only in Nigeria J
So needless to say, after assuming the wedding would be well and
truly finished by 1pm, at 1230am when the sermon had only just begun, I realized
I needed to leave to be on time for the graduation I was attending at 1pm. I went to get in my car only to find all the
bridal cars had parked me in! Nightmare. So then I had to try and find the
owners of the car to move them…. what a drama!
So after all that I ended up getting to the Widows Ministry for the
graduation an hour late, but as usual, they were only just starting the
programme. Sometimes Nigerian time has its benefits. Eight of the widows were
graduating from the sewing ministry and being honored for their effort but also
being given an opportunity to thank those that had imparted so much into them
over the last 2 years. They’ve become a real family, so there were many tears
shed. I even let a few slide down my face when one of the widows shared her
testimony and what had happened in her life up until joining the ministry.
These women have lived hard lives to put it mildly. It was a real privilege to
be part of their day. Thankfully only one of the widows that attend in weekly
class (I teach literacy and bible study to a group of 8 women each week) will
be leaving, so I’ll still have most of my usual group for fun, laughter and
learning each Tuesday.
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| Vicky, Sarah and I. The two graduating widows I teach. |
As I’ve spoken about before, as well as learning about the African
culture, this year has been a year of embracing American Cultural traditions as
well (because I’m surrounded by American missionaries). One of the biggest celebrations
in the American calendar year is Thanksgiving. So in usual American tradition
we organized a Thanksgiving meal, invited a big group around and tried to
recreate the original Thanksgiving meal as best we could in Africa. Instead of
turkey we had chicken, instead of sweet potato we had mashed potato, normal
bread instead of stuffing and some honeyed carrots and other sides including
jelly with the main course (who has jelly for dinner?)! I did a good old New
Zealand Chocolate Self Saucing Pudding for dessert, which went down well with
everyone. We went around the group and said things we were thankful for which
was encouraging and edifying, then played some fun games to end the night.
But the traditions didn’t stop there! According to Keesha,
Thanksgiving marks the start of holiday season, and in her family they give a
small gift the day after thanksgiving, which this year we benefitted from! We
got a cute Xmas mug with some yummy American hot choc and cider sachets. Last
night we all got together to put up the Challenge Christmas Tree. For someone
like me, who doesn’t get into the festivities in a huge way, who is quite happy
to put up a nativity scene and a tree a few weeks before Christmas, even I
enjoyed the ambience after the tree was decorated, stockings were hung,
nativity set out, Christmas carols were playing, all was dark except for the
tree lights glowing and Christmas smelling candles were burning in the
corner…..very festive indeed.
This Sunday I had the privilege of attending a licensing and
ordination ceremony for my good friend Bawa (a compound parent with his family
at Gyero orphanage) who was becoming a licensed Pastor. I was transport for him
and his family, or so I thought, but ended up packing my car with other church
members and children (a total of 9 people) and 3 crates of minerals (glass
bottles of soft drink), 2 huge sacks of rice in containers and a big metal tub
of Kunu and Zobo (both common Nigerian drinks made from local leaves and
berries). This doesn’t break my record of 13 kids in the car, BUT these were
big Nigerian mamas, so weight-wise I think it was my heaviest load! It
certainly felt that way driving down the bumpy dusty Gyero road! My poor
suspension.
The service was very long with many songs and ‘special numbers’ by
various groups and included the reading of biographies of the various men
becoming Pastors and Pastors becoming Reverends. I was the only white face in
about 500-600 Nigerians, and tried my best to hide at the back, but was still
spotted by one of the Pastors performing the ceremony, so got a special mention
and acknowledgment of my attendance. It was just a great time to serve a family
who have given so much to the Gyero orphanage and have loved so many children
over their years of service there.
