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| A brother of a bride- dressed for the wedding |
“Yes,” I reply. “My sister is getting married. I am going to the wedding.”
“Your sister is getting married! Congratulations!”
Sometimes a small conversation can highlight the cultural values of a people. We’ve had this same conversations a number of times this week and every time received the same response. “Your sister is getting married! Congratulations!” That phrase actually carries a great deal of weight. In Island culture nothing is more important than marriage and the ceremonies that surround it. Marriage defines your place in society and passes on inheritance. Marriage rites are tied to the local religion, but often seem to become a religion onto themselves. Marriage is very important.
But there is more revealed in this simple conversation. “Your sister is getting married! Congratulations!” The eldest sister is of great importance. She holds the honor of the family. She holds the wealth of the family. For her to marry is at once a great honor and a great expense to her family. So for your sister to get married is no small thing. It is, in fact, one of the biggest things that can happen to a family. I think it is for this reason especially that no one asked why we would be going home for a wedding, or if it is worth the expense. For a sister’s wedding—no expense is too much.
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| Waiting for our next flight |
“Your sister is getting married! Congratulations!” The congratulations always surprised me a bit. Do we say “congratulations” in the States if a sibling gets married? I don’t think we do, because we think in terms of the individual. We would congratulate the one getting married perhaps, but not the sibling of the newlywed. But on the islands, a marriage is something that effects the whole family. It brings honor to the whole family. When a sibling (especially the first sister) is married the entire family is blessed and benefits from this great honor and so what better word to offer than “congratulations.” In fact, few honors are greater.
Thinking about these things makes me think of a different bride—a spiritual bride clothed in honor and riches and blessings, not because of anything she has done, but because of the sacrifice of her spouse. And the blessing and honor of this holy union extends to the very ends of the earth. It is for everyone who will accept it. Could this be one way to help islanders understand the wonder of the good news. “Your sister is getting married. Alleluia!”
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| Adjusting to the cold weather |
PRAYERS ANSWERED
We made it safely to the US. The kids did well on the planes. We were able to overlap for a couple days with our returning teammates. It was good to reconnect and it seemed like they were transitioning well. We were able complete our important to-do list before leaving the islands.
PRAYERS REQUESTED
Pray that we would get over jet-lag and adjust to the colder weather quickly. Pray for energy as we try to maximize our time reconnecting with friends and family during our two weeks here. Pray for our teammates as they finish their time away from the islands and start heading back. Pray for those teammates who are still trying to discern what their next steps will be.
