Gulu Wedding

Wedding Bells in Our Gulu Family

Written by Sister Fran

Posted by Sister Pat

Entering the Cathedral

We recently had a wedding in our Gulu family.  Esther Alobo, our cook, cleaner, shopper, and friend married John Ouma on January 16, 2016, at St. Joseph Cathedral in Gulu, Uganda.  Esther has been with the Sisters of St. Joseph since we arrived in 2008 and has helped us solve many a crisis that has arisen due to lack of electricity or fuel for cooking – even making emergency visits to our home!  In Gulu, many who employ people for domestic work provide housing for them on their property, but Esther lives in her own home and comes to help us for a few hours a day, 6 days a week.  When we first came she was carrying Babra on her back; later, it was Sonya, her youngest.  Esther would do all of her work this way -- cleaning, scrubbing, cooking, shopping in the market!  Babies stay with the mother for the first 3 years of their lives.  We have also been able to support Esther as she faced some personal crises of her own.

 

Alobo Esther arrival at stairs

Esther and John have three children together.  Years ago they were married in the Acoli traditional manner, but had been separated for the past 2 years due to the usual problems that surface here in Acoli-land.  Over the past several months Esther has been attending counseling and has also been meeting with a women's group to help her gain some skills in communication.  In addition, Esther and John participated in several weeks of premarital meetings and discussions as well as individual sessions with skilled marriage counselors.  All couples preparing for the sacrament of Matrimony must do this.  Those leading these sessions are usually not married couples, but are priests and religious.  One of them is our good friend, Sister Agnese (a Comboni Sister from Italy); we know of her care and skill in guiding couples such as Esther and John.

Almost at the Altar...

Maids & Matrons

Now Mr. & Mrs......

After the ceremony...."Peg Boys"

As you’ve already read, Esther and John were married at St. Joseph Cathedral, just down the road from us, but they had their wedding reception here in our own compound of the University of the Sacred Heart.  It was certainly convenient for us! (Just a short walk away for our own bathrooms… the latrines are difficult for us old-timers to manage!).

Special group of dancers waiting outside Church

Arriving at "Party Grounds"

The three of us were happy to see that Esther and John did not go to extreme expense for the wedding.  So often the extravagance is more than the couple can afford to pay.  As you can see in the pictures, the setting was lovely.  Everything was perfect, and it won't take the two of them 25 years to pay off the debt!  The weather was unusually pleasant considering this is the dry/hot season, and the tents offered adequate protection from the sun.  

 The wedding party "disappeared" for a short time so they could change into something more comfortable.

Watching the dancing done in their honor...

Apparently, both Esther and John come from large families for there was a large crowd! We felt welcomed along with everyone else from the time we arrived.  Scattered through the afternoon there were plenty of speeches and local entertainment.  Water and soda were served along with a table full of local foods… Rice, beans, white and sweet potatoes, and their local “breads;” sliced tomatoes, cabbage slaw, and greens; chicken, beef, and goat along with several gravies; …. You get the picture.  The food was wonderful and all had plenty to eat.

In the picture above note the lady on the top left carrying a large tote on her head! 

One of the musical groups -- sing, play, dance

The energy is amazing!

 

(Note:  There is supposed to be a short video of the dancing here, but it doesn't show up on the web! Sorry!)

 The beautiful cake was also there.  It was decorated in the colors of the wedding: purple, pink and white and was cut so all present shared in a small sampling.  The remainder, which is usually 7 or 8 more cakes, is shared with special people in the bride or groom’s life.  Esther graciously presented us with one of the cakes, and we carried it home held high.  It is like a spice cake – moist with really sweet icing.  Esther's neighbor made this one and did an exceptional job.  We forgot to take a picture of it! Sorry!

So we ask you to help us bless Esther and John as they start their lives united by the bonds of the Sacrament of Matrimony.  Help us to pray for the grace that God gives to earnest people trying to be faithful to the promises they made to each other, God, and in front of so many others.  Pray along with us for Esther, John and the rest of their family.