Kenyan weddings deserve their very own post.
When Maureen visited us in America in January 2013 for meetings and speaking engagements, a generous friend of mine secretly took Maureen and I wedding dress shopping.
Because we knew (hoped) this day was coming a few months later. I had the honor of being there when the big question was asked.
Over the past few years, Maureen and I have had many Skype conversations praying and talking about her future husband, someone for her to share her life and calling with. And so, we knew if we could arrange the delicate timing of our next trip, it needed to include one very special Kenyan wedding.
And after Maureen lost her beautiful mother suddenly in June and asked if I would stand in as Mother of the Bride, I knew we had to be there.
Y’all.
You haven’t really celebrated joy until you’ve attended a Kenyan wedding. The day started very early in the lasted until sunset. And there was a lot of waiting for the bride to make her special appearance. It can sometimes take a bride up to an hour to s-l-o-w-l-y walk down the aisle. Thankfully, Maureen has too much spunk for that.
Here we are waiting…
Here comes the bride (just a few seconds of what went on for HOURS):
Then there was dancing and singing and more dancing and more singing. And we repeated this about 27 times.
Possibly the world’s cutest flower girl and ringbearer (the two firstborn babies of Mercy House):
I mean, SERIOUSLY.
The Mother of the Bride got to take care of Precious and Travis. It was hard work! I might have fed them tick tacks and Pringles the entire ceremony. After Travis had about 12 chips, he started to lick the salt off and pass them down the row. Awesome.
The Mercy House babies loved dancing (as well as several hundred other guests!)
Maureen was a stunning bride. And her joy was evident.
Dear Maureen and Oliver,
What a day! Thank you for sharing your amazing day with us. You are an example of purity and faithfulness-a beauty for ashes story-to the girls at Mercy House. You’ve given them a fairytale to look forward to someday. We pray God blesses your union and His face continues to shine on you.
Love, the Welch family
The bride and groom presented a cake at the reception to our family and the residents of Rehema House.
And then we danced some more…
And just because, this needs to happen again:
Photos by my friend and photographer, Suzanne Box
A Wedding to Remember is a post from: We are THAT Family Coming May 1: Rhinestone Jesus: Saying Yes to God When Sparkly Safe Faith is No Longer Enough
