Okay, so I know this blog is way over due. I had this all typed out and was going to put the pictures on it and got interrupted. Well, I undoubtedly forgot to save it and all my work was gone!! I haven't had the energy to re-type it, so please forgive me!! The week of August 3 was a super busy week. One of our partnership churches came in, Arnett was busy delivering seed (more on that in another post), I was busy in language, we had a wedding to go to, we went out to one of the villages, and went to a baby naming ceremony. So, here's a little re-cap on three of the main events of that week...
My language tutor invited me to go to her niece's wedding. I was super excited and so nervous at the same time cause I would not know anyone there. Praise the Lord the day before the wedding she tells me that I can bring a friend. So, I called LaVerne who was just as excited to go as I was. So, Thursday morning, LaVerne and I get all dressed up, including makeup (the first time since we arrived here 7 mos. ago!). Here, the African women get all dressed up in their fanciest outfit, put on their fanciest shoes and jewelry, get their hair done and put on makeup! We meet my language tutor and off we went. First, we went to the bride's parent's house. We got there a little after 9:00 am. The bride was all ready to go, white gown, veil, and all. She looked beautiful. We were told that the groom had not yet arrived. Finally, at 10:00am the groom shows up. Then we all head down to the mayor's office. Once we get there there are people EVERYWHERE!! When our couple's turn finally came up we were all crammed into this tiny room with no ac or fans!! It was very hot!! The bride and groom sat down at a table across from the mayor. Along with 2 other couples!!! That's right, 3 couples were married at the same time!!! The mayor charged the couples like in America. Then he went down the line and asked each of them if they agreed and they all said "Awo" which means yes! Then they exchanged rings but none of the repeat after me stuff was said. After, they all had to sign some papers. Then it was finished. Then we all head back to the brides parent's house where the real party began. LaVerne and I decided to go home, eat lunch, and rest for a bit. We went back to the party at about 4:00, yes, it's an all day affair here!! When we got back all the women were sitting under a tent. There was people playing instruments, singing, and of course dancing!! Of course, they wanted the two white women to dance, so we got up and joined the party. Needless to say, we gave those African women a good laugh!! After the dancing, it was time to go home. Before the bride and groom leave for the evening they do a ceremonial washing - they wash their hands, feet, and face. Then the bride and groom are whisked away to the "wedding house" where they will spend a week together. Interesting facts: 1. The bride's mom stays in the house all day, she doesn't attend any of the functions 2. The bride and groom do not attend the dancing party, they stay in the house too 3. The "wedding house" is where they will spend 1 week, the bride is not allowed to leave this house, the groom may go to work after 3 days. LaVerne and I felt really awkward about going to a wedding of someone we didn't even know but here it was such an honor for us to go to this girl's wedding. My language tutor kept telling me, "It's so good to me that you came!!" I also have to apologize, but I do not have pictures. LaVerne and I were the only white people there, so I didn't want to add a camera to help us stick out any more!!
Saturday, Zeke, LaVerne, and I went out to T-village. It was Zeke's first time. We had a great visit. One of the ladies in the village told me, "I have never seen a white baby before!!" I have to say, for the first time since we got here, I felt like I had a purpose, like God really does have a plan for me here!! LaVerne and I were sitting talking with one of the girls (she was 18 or 19) in the village. I asked if she had children, and she replied, "No, but that she wanted some." Here, infertility is a huge issue, especially because a lot of men have more than 1 wife. Well, this was the case with this girl. She was a co-wife with a lady who had children. A modern day Hannah for sure! I asked her how long she had been married and she said "4 years". I was then able to tell her, "I was married 4 years before God gave me a child!" It was such a way to connect with this lady!! I felt like I was here, in Africa, in some random village, at this precise moment to share part of my story with her...God is so AMAZING!! Praise God with me, for allowing me to use my past to share with this woman and that I was able to do it in Bambara!! I don't think this woman is a believer, so please pray that she would accept Christ into her heart. Pray that in God's perfect timing He would give her the children she so desperately wants!! Pray that God will fill her with peace until that time.
Sunday, we went to a Den Kun Di, which is a baby naming ceremony. Our tailor's wife had a baby on Friday, July 31st. Here, they do not give the baby a name until this ceremony. So, this little boy was a week and 2 days old. The men and women go at different times. Arnett got up that morning and went to the men's part. By the time they got there all the religious activities had taken place but they arrived at the time they were told to get there, so they just sat around and chatted. Myself along with some of the women we work with, went at noon. Which was a little early but we had a meeting that afternoon. We got there, greeted the women that were there. We had all brought gifts so we gave those and then got to hold the new little boy. We were then told, "his name is Zumana but that that is long, so we are going to call him Zu." Then it was time to eat, so we ate some delicious food!! After we ate, we chatted some more and then they shaved the baby's head!! Yes, you read that right!! Here, they believe that the first hair on the baby is no good and that it can hold evil in it, so they shave it all off. We were then getting ready to leave when our tailor insisted we stay until the "jelimuso" got there. A "jelimuso" is a woman (can be a man) who comes to the ceremony (they also go to weddings), sings, dances, and gets everyone else up dancing. Well, the "jelimuso" arrives and start singing to all the white women. Then she makes us all get up and dance. Once again, all the African ladies got a good laugh at the white women! Our tailor talked for days about how good it was to him, that we all came!! It was definitely a week of cultural experiences for sure!! 
Arnett all dressed up in his African bu-bu!
Ryan, Mitch, and Arnett heading to the Den Kun Di.
Once again, I apologize for not posting sooner. Until next time...
