Going To The Chapel

On the 6th of August GVI and the surrounding communities had a very special day as one of our current volunteers Chris Reed got hitched. Everyone in the GVI household was anticipating this day for weeks. Kongowea market was flooded with us trying to find the perfect wedding attire.

Ultimately the wedding day was upon us, the GVI house’s filled with excitement and flustered feelings. All thirty of us rocked up to the church on boda boda’s (Motorbikes) getting masses of stares along the way. People pondering where all these are muzungu’s (White People) are going.

En route to the Chapel

One of Chris’s best men a current volunteer Craig wore his traditional Scottish kilt which caused bemused questions such as “Why are you wearing a skirt”. The ceremony was filled with dancing, singing and even rapping but most importantly the wedding vows. Chris’s bride Caroline looked beautiful. In true Kenyan manner the ceremony was protracted perhaps due to the translators which amused quite a lot people.

Chris and his two Best Men

We also had children from Olives, the caves (Local youth group) and teachers from Precious and Olive’s aswell as our friendly askaris and boda boda drivers. It was wonderful for Chris and Caroline to share this magnificent day with everyone from GVI and our local communities and friends.

Chris and Caroline

After the ceremony we moved to the reception area and the “Cake Song” transpired. This entailed the Pastor singing “Eat the cake eat the eat the cake” in Kiswahili. We ate like kings and enjoyed some wonderful entertainment from the Olives children, a local acrobatic group and the cave children who also did an acrobat performance. I can speak on behalf of everyone by saying that it is a day I and no one will ever forget. GVI and I wish Chris and Caroline a long and happy marriage.

Aoife, August

Going To The Chapel