Zuru

 

Saturday we went to a wedding at Zuru about 1 hr.1/2 North of Mahula. We were invited but we were also asked to drive the groom and bride back to the groom’s place in Uva’di which is near Mahula. The wedding ceremony was to be held at the ECWC (Evengelical Church of West Africa) in Zuru. We were surprised at all the different churches in this average sized city. I was told that that most people in Zuru are Christians. Nothing starts on time in Nigeria but the first thing we heard from the ECWA pastor was that we were late and he had assumed we were no longer coming. Normally, one hour is not late. I think I got used to NCCN not starting on time. I was to go to the father of bride’s house to pick her up and bring her to church. The location of the house was not clear to anyone as far as I could see and if you have ever driven in the neighborhoods off the main road in Nigerian cities with narrow, partially blocked, and unmarked streets you know that I am talking about frustration. Finally, a couple of little kids eating mangoes showed us the way. The way was blocked by the vehicle that was to pick up her stuff. I parked off to the side only to be told by John and Obadiah the Evangelists accompanying me that we were being fined for being late, not us but the groom and that needed to be paid. Apparently, the bride refused to come out of her room. I made a comment about paying the driver. I  wonder if that was not a ploy for cash by an enterprising family member. However, when they pulled the other vehicle out of the way and I backed into that spot to pick up the bride, the father came out and declared my vehicle unfit to take his daughter to the church. I thought I had seen it all! Somehow this was all resolved in short order by John and Obadiah and we were off to the church; bride, attendants, and a whole lot of other people. The wedding was typically Nigerian; a procession by the bride, attendants, and father into the church. The groom and bride sit in front of the pulpit facing the congregation while every group in the church is given a chance to sing a special number. If people like the song they come up and drop money at the feet of those singing and I assume this for the couple. Then there was a very appropriate sermon by the ECWA  pastor (the bride’s pastor) on Proverbs 18:22. I was asked to pray for the couple; I had a hard time with it but not because of the Hausa language. Then it was Rev. Jolly Tonko’s turn, the Principle of the Bible School, to begin the official ceremony. He began with prayer, a declaration by the father, vows, exchange of rings, a demonstration of depending on each other, gave them the church’s certificate and a blessing. After the service we loaded up the bride, groom, and attendants for the hr.+1/2 ride to Uva’di. Matt. Lancer had also agreed to help out and he took all the Pastor’s, Evangelists, and wives back to Uva’di. What was amazing about that trip was that there was very little conversation but the maid of honor sang Christians songs for every bit of the hr.+1/2; We were impressed she knew so many songs from memory. Uva’di is about 10 miles from the main road and consists of many family compounds separated by each other’s fields. Compounds are far apart when compared to the city where they are right on top of each other. There will be a lot to get used to for this new wife but they both are Christians and the groom is a friend of Samson the Evangelist placed there. The bride is from a Christian family. The groom was a Muslim and married before with two kids but when he contracted polio and ended up with a severe limp his wife left him and took the kids with her. That difficult time opened up for him the way to become Christian  Now that he is married we wonder if he will try to get his children back since they are being raised as Muslims. After I heard the whole story Gremar and I were glad to be part of this very important event. Gremar is the one taking most of the pictures.