Muslim Matrimony...

A few weeks ago when we started having car problems, we were introduced to a mechanic here in Arua town. His name is Yaser, and he's not only a mechanic, but also an aspiring politician & a public speaker. He's also Muslim, and he has quickly become a friend of ours. (Yaser is pictured left w/ John.) This past weekend, we had the privilege of being invited to his sister's wedding! It was definitely an event & an experience we will never forget!

Although we attended every event held throughout the weekend, we still do not fully understand how it all works, but I'll do my best to try & explain! It all started on Saturday night with "The Henna Ceremony." The Henna ceremony is held at the home of the bride-to-be on the eve of the wedding ceremony, and ONLY WOMEN are allowed to attend! The women all come with their hands & feet decorated with temporary tatoos made from henna. There were a few hundred women, and there was a lot of dancing, colorful dresses & beautiful faces! And then for the actual ceremony, the bride came out for just a short time, dressed with a veil covering her face, and they brought out the henna on a platter with dancing & the sister of the bride painted henna on the bride's hands. That all started at 8pm, and then around midnight we ate!

The second event was the actual marriage ceremony. It was held on Sunday afternoon at the Mosque. At this cermony, the father of the bride gave his daughter away to the groom. ONLY MEN attend this ceremony... This is so foreign to us, because not even the bride is allowed to be there! Her father represents her. And only those of Muslim faith are permitted to enter the mosque... so they set up chairs & a table just outside of the mosque for John & our friend he attended with.

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View Pernille in Africa's map Taken in a place with no name (See more photos or videos here)

After the ceremony at the mosque, the men went back to the father of the bride's home & met up with the women, but they still stay pretty separated. The bride was so beautiful! (pictured right)

My friend Vikki & I are pictured here with some new Muslim friends of ours, and Yaser's father, Gamo, is pictured with John & I. I really feel like this wedding has been a blessing to give us relationships outside of the Christian circle.








And the final event is "The Ring Ceremony," where the bride & groom finally come together & are seen together for the first time! This was held on Sunday night from about 8pm to 1am at a hall here in town, and it was again women only! Except for when the groom comes in with all of his groomsmen!!!!!! Then all of the women went crazy after going for so long without being in the presence of men! The bride was SO GORGEOUS~ she literally looked like a porcelain doll!

And finally... if you're wondering where I got my Indian attire... my friend Vikki (pictured with me above) took me to her Hindu friend's house here in Arua & we borrowed a few outfits! It really was fun dressing up & just showing these new friends that we really care about them and want to know more about their culture & their religion. We want them to know that we really are trying to identify with them and that we are expressing a genuine interest in their lives. Please pray with us as we step into "uncharted territory" for us, and we try to reach out to those of a totally different faith. Please pray they would see Jesus in us, and it would make them want to know Him!