Vern’s time in Uganda was busy, but quite fruitful and educational. He said he feels as though he learned so much this trip about the people there and also about the culture. There is so much that is different in their thinking. I think we are always surprised when we learn that someone (or a people group) thinks differently from us. But they were good things to learn. Vern is always very careful not to impose our western culture on them, but only to teach Biblical truth.
He spent many hours with Hassan and not quite as many with Juliet, as well, finishing up the pre-marriage counseling with them. I was able to call Juliet before the wedding and speak with her also. Although she didn’t say very much, Vern said when he saw her after the phone call, she was just sparkling. Honest, I didn’t say anything noteworthy as I would see it. Apparently, she did, though.
Vern stayed with Morris and Aidah Ogenga this trip. Morris is the pastor there and head of the presbytery. They took such wonderful care of him, looking especially to his special food requirements (he has food allergies). Morris and Vern were able to spend a fair amount of time together and get to know one another. This was very good.
Aidah is a busy woman! She has a bridal shop that she runs. Because this is a very poor country, she rents wedding dresses, brides maids dresses and flower girl dresses. She also has the accessories they need for their special day. This provides much needed income for them – Vern says there is a RIVER of people through their home, and they feed and house many of them.
Their home is well protected, so Vern was safe relatively comfortable (no air conditioning!)
The wedding started on Uganda time – about an hour late. It was scheduled for noon, but Vern and Morris and Aidah didn’t even leave their home until after 12:15. Then the wedding ceremony took about 2+ hours – including teaching by Morris, the ceremony by Vern, the signing of the marriage certificate, witnessed by the entire congregation and a receiving line during which monetary gifts are given to the bride and groom. We suspect, but don’t know for sure, that this pays for their honeymoon.
Then they all walked over to the reception area at a nearby hotel. While the bride and groom do feed each other cake, there is not a giant tiered cake like we have. Rather, they have many small cakes, which are presented to specific groups and then other for serving. Some examples are: A cake for the bride’s parents. one for the grooms parents, one for the church they were married in, and so forth.
There is much entertainment – singing and dancing. And the bride, groom and wedding party at some point change into a second set of clothing, which is all coordinated.
Earlier in the week, he taught 2 times at the church, then Monday through Wednesday he taught again at CBIT, the seminary. Several people came up to him who had been at his classes 2 years ago and recounted in great detail (correctly!) the things he had taught them. This was such a reminder that this is an oral culture. What is said is remembered and taken seriously. The written word has much less impact, as most are illiterate anyway.
Sunday Morris & Aidah and their son Glen took Vern to Entebbe. They all stayed overnight at a hotel and then Vern left Monday for London. Vern was given some hot sauce to put on his food at the restaurant they ate at and he amazed the Ogengas by using a fair amount of it. He said it was fairly mild stuff, but their diet is so bland they thought he was burning himself up!
In London he stayed at the Ibis Hotel in a room that was so small he was quite surprised. But it was a bed and he was able to get there and back to the airport easily. They even had internet access, which was helpful – though a bit awkward in set up.
this space is about 5 feet by 7 feet - that's his whole apartment!
Hassan and Juliet
The wedding cakes
