A Special Day

Saturday we were invited to the ordination ceremony of our friend, Bonaventure Mumbi in Kanyama township. Mumbi is one of the pastors in our college and he had asked Tracy to sit on the ordination council. 

We knew the special day would be a typically long day, but I wasn't expecting it to be seven hours long. We got there in plenty of time to take pictures as the program didn't begin until two hours later. TIZ (This is Zambia). 

The inside of the church had an abundance of decorations hung~white sheer curtains against the wall, balloons, and crepe paper. Well, not really crepe paper. Pink and white toilet tissue had been draped throughout the building. Not sure which is more expensive, crepe paper or toilet tissue! Gives a whole new meaning to tp-ing! The good thing about using toilet paper is that if you have to blow your nose, you can just tear off a piece of it, which I witnessed someone doing! 

After about an hour of sitting in the church, visiting with friends, we were led to a house nearby where the ordination council met for the first time. Interesting. It consisted of going around the room and sharing words of counsel and encouragement for Pastor Mumbi and his wife, pictured here in blue. Heavy rain almost held us captive here, but thankfully it let up. By the way, there was a plastic parrot and small ax hanging up on the wall. Rather random I thought!


After we proceeded in and sat down

Tracy shared from his heart about our friend, Abusa (Pastor) Mumbi, who was soon to be a "Reverend". Mumbi is a great asset to ACTION Pastors College. He has a lot of wisdom and integrity. Of all the students in our school, he knows where anything can be found in the Bible. Several other people gave homilies and words of encouragment. 

The service reminded me of a graduation/wedding ceremony in many ways~caps and gowns; there was a charge to Mumbi and his wife, who sat in chairs near the front; there was a dinner and cake (made by moi); there was a knife girl dancing; the "bride" and "groom" fed each other cake; there were gifts brought to the front; and lots of singing and dancing.


Although it was a long day, it was a great day~a wonderful, cultural experience. Best wishes to Reverend and Mrs. Mumbi!