John did the macro-level Uganda recap, but let me share my top five moments from the wedding.
#5: When it was time to read the Gospel, one of the attendants danced the Scripture to the front of the church. It was some beautiful, booty-shakin’ worship!
#4: Hearing old traditional hymns re-mixed with the trills and shrieks of the female guests and one seriously powerful choir. There was no mumble-singing and avoiding eye contact from this congregation! Global church, thank God for the new life He is bringing us from congregations like this one!
#3: After each side of the family made their toasts, the family members made something like a conga line to bring their gifts to the bride and groom. It was so fun to see them dancing as they carried giant presents, goats, mattresses, bags of millet, and even a matching arm chair and couch set to the front!
#2: At the end of the reception, the bride and groom presented cakes for each side of the family and the employers to take back to those who could not attend. As I watched each side of the family dance and trill their way to the front flash-mob style to get their cake, my palms started to sweat and I started cursing my African colleagues who had already left. When they called the employer’s name, my ONE remaining co-worker and I, along with John out of solidarity and sympathy, danced our way to the front in that very distinctive white-people-trying-to-African-dance style. The laughter was drowned out by the very loud music, so I call that a victory.
AND the #1 coolest part of the wedding is….
THIS!
Okay, I meant to upload a video here of the professional dancers at the wedding who did a dance with stacks of clay pots on their heads, but our internet is not cooperating. Instead here is a picture. You will just have to trust me that it was awesome!
So, Uganda, we were not impressed. But Ugandan wedding, you were awesome!
-Stephanie
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