Getting Ready

Two days before the wedding I am on the right catching up with
Michaela, Mrs. Donna and Blair

Can I just say that it was a complete delight to see the Chesson family here in Kenya! I have known Mr. Doug and Mrs. Donna ( Also known as Loli and Pop) since Jason and I got married in August 2005.(Jason has memories of the Chesson kids selling lemonade as children on the corner of Unity road over 20 years ago) Mr. Doug took some wedding pictures for us then and when he and Mrs. Donna came to visit us in the hospital after Righteous was born- he took pictures of those precious moments too. We have had so many instrumental people throughout the different seasons of our lives and Mr. Doug and Mrs. Donna helped to shape us as newly weds just by giving us a godly example to look up to. What I admire most from them is how they open their home to others and provided a delicious southern cooked meal with flavored sweet tea followed by a Bible study afterwards. They raised up amazing children who are firm believers as adults now. Their oldest is named Blair, second born Adam, and third born Tyler. Blair and I became close friends in the States. After we moved to Kenya she came to visit us 3 times for short term trips (her brother Adam has come twice- once with his beautiful wife Michaela). Blair has always been on fire for Jesus. She is ready to tell anyone and everyone the gospel. She is ready to lift up prayer requests to the Lord. I was ecstatic when the Lord called her to come to Kenya longterm.

Blair met a godly Kenyan man named Collins. We were so glad to be able to meet him in March just before traveling to the States. This past Sunday they made a covenant before God and their loved ones by joining in marriage and I want to share my reflections of their wedding. 

We started by having a time of worship singing songs in Swahili and English. Michaela (Blair's sister in law and a good friend of mine) played the guitar while her daughters sang these words into the microphone:

"What an honor to be invited to

The marriage of the Lamb, to come and worship Him

Celebration, it's the joining of

The Bride and the Son, the two becoming one

All the prophecies fulfilled 

In a moment,  so we sing

Like the roar of many waters

Like the sound of rolling thunder

Hallelujah,  give Him glory

For the marriage of the Lamb is coming

We're getting ready, 

We're getting ready 

We're getting ready for you" By Maverick City

We were all sitting in groups of 10 in a circle. After a prayer to open our time up we took turns sharing our highs and lows from the past week and prayed for one another. Blair's brother Tyler read Ephesians 5:21-33. 

"Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husband's, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her" verses 24 and 25

We went around to summarize scripture in our own words and then explained what it says about God and what it says about humans. When every group was finished the wedding ceremony began. First the groomsmen went dancing down the aisle. Then us bridesmaids followed. I wish I had rythym to spin and dance like a Kenyan but unfortunately I don't, I did my best. The children threw out the flower petals on the ground and Daphne (Tyler and Erin's daughter) did not stop until her flower basket was completely empty. Finally Blair's parents both walked her down the aisle (Kenya style to have both parents). Blair's parents hugged Collin's parents and then Mr. Doug placed Blair's hand into Collins hand. The vows and rings were exchanged and finally they were husband and wife, Collins kissed his bride. They danced down the aisle to "He reigns" and the bridal party followed. 

"It's the song of the Redeemed

Rising from the African plain

It's the song of the forgiven

Drawing out the Amazon rain

The song of Asian believers 

Filled with God's holy fire

It's every tribe, tongue, and nation

A love song born of a grateful choir

It's all God's children singing 

Glory, glory, Hallelujah 

He reigns" By the Newsboys 

Next we took photos of the family and bridal party. Then we ate pilau, cabbage, and chapati. Blair and Collins presented a cake both to her parents and his. They fed each other cake and pieces were distributed (there were 6 cakes in total and all were eaten with nothing leftover). There was lots of dancing Luya style. The bouquet was throne. Speeches were made. And Collins and Blair left to start off their honeymoon. 

The Wedding overall was a beautiful picture of multicultural beauty and a picture of the coming wedding feast to come.  It pointed to Jesus, displayed the Gospel verbally and tangibly ! It showed how the church is to function and operate as a faith family! We truly are getting ready for Jesus! 

Jason catching up with Mr. Doug, Tyler, and Adam 2 days before the wedding. 

Blair getting ready in the morning. 

Blair's niece has her first look at Blair all ready.

Michaela playing guitar while her daughters (and a friend) sing in the microphone. 

Blair's brother, Tyler, reading from Ephesians. 

Blair's sister in law, Erin, all the way on the right in orange. I'm in the middle in orange. 

Little Daphne made sure every flower petals was out.

Collins standing in between his Dad and Mom.

Blair Hugging Mr. Doug.

Blair Hugging Mrs. Donna.

Mr. Doug placing Blair's hand into Collins.

Pronounced Man and wife. Collins kisses his bride.

Mr. Doug took this for us- so grateful for him.

Mr. Doug took this at rehearsal the day before the wedding.