Wedding ?

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Greetings dear readers!
The word "wedding" undoubtedly stirs a variety of thoughts for different people. For a widow, hearing the term may prompt both happy recollections as well as sadness for present loneliness. For a fiancée, there is likely the feeling of anticipated joy. Often in America, a young couple desiring to be wed, inform the parents, "set the date," and inform family and friends. All things are then set in motion; a countdown to the big day begins! Please allow me to share with you a situation our brother Charles is facing.

Charles and Editha are both Tanzanians. Each is a member of the Lord's church. I enjoyed having Charles as a student at the School of Preaching for two years. Last year these two "set the date" for a June 2010 wedding. Sadly, Charles' father died and this caused the grand event to be postponed. Then these two looked forward to a December wedding. Since Charles was scheduled to graduate at the end of November, this appeared to be a fitting time. Then the next hitch was made known to Charles. Editha's family, living in Dar Es Salaam, informed him that due to the expenses of another recent wedding, they requested a postponing of their daughter's wedding until the new year (2011). Our dear friend and translator has been counting down the days, again, as February 26th draws near. We learned just days ago, that Editha's aunt passed away, and the family is requesting yet another postponement of the wedding! Charles explained to us that it is customarily improper to have both mourning and rejoicing close together in time. That is to say, a funeral ought to have the focused attention of the family and likewise a wedding and the accompanying arrangements should receive its due attention.

What an unfortunate dilemma. These two desire to be wed. But the reality is that death and lack of finances are very much a part of this society. Charles' father's death, and now Editha's aunt's death resulted in the wedding being postponed. But people will continue to die, and Charles is already 32 years old.

Monday morning I arose at 5:00 a.m. and drove our friend to the bus depot. Charles was on a mission to Dar Es Salaam. He is poised to present the family with an unusual proposal. He knows not what their verdict will be. He would like to request the family to allow a private, legal, and biblically acceptable wedding to take place, and that later the newlyweds could be given a wedding celebration when the family is able to host one. I have asked myself this question: What would I do were I in his shoes? Would I have been willing to delay my wedding so many times? It reminds me of how Jacob worked for seven years in anticipation of being united with Rachel, only to be shocked that his desired bride was switched with her sister. Laban revealed the custom of the day in these words: "It is not so done in our place, to give the younger before the first-born" (Genesis 29:26). Over three thousand years later, Charles now finds himself "up against" customs which impede his wedding. Please pray that, if the Lord wills, he may soon be wed. He strongly desires to return here to Iringa - with his wife.

George

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Photos

Graduation
Luke, Charles, Jacob

Comments

[Evelyn Apple]

I'm praying for Charles and Editha.

[kup]

OIA Only in Africa. Sad story but one I pray has a happy ending. Good to read your blog brother. I miss you and your sweet family every day. Hope all is well and you are finally getting your new "digs" the way you want them. Just returned from FHU lectures and a lot of snow and cold weather but the lectures were good. Wish I was independently wealthy I wouild fly your bunch home so they could enjoy them as well. You are in Carolyn and my prayers often and we wish you God speed. as always, just ken

[Julia Parish]

Prayers
Poor Charles! That is a pretty incredible string of delays, even by Tanzanian standards! I pray that Editha's family will agree to his proposal and that he will be able to bring his bride home with him. Love you all!