Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Rafael and Greyce's Wedding
The wedding was a wonderful time at so many levels:
It gave some idea of what an eastern multi-day wedding can be like, with special lunches for three days in a row, including with the Bride and Groom present the day after the wedding. Much music and drink flowing, great sense of occasion and of hospitality.
It was a great chance to preach the gospel - formally, in the service itself, and informally, in many very good conversations. The 11 hour van journey with a mixed Christian and non-Christian group was a great opportunity.
The wedding itself was stunning - elegant, expensive, and yet also simple. The cost of a similar event in the UK doesn't bear thinking about. 170 guests: mountains of food, a number of animals slaughtered, beautiful decorations, excellent music, and a huge team of people working to make it all happen. And Andrew didn't get into any major tensions with the wedding coordenator, which is always a risk!
Finally, travelling with our "adopted children" was enormous fun. Cora was not at all well during the weekend: much love and care was shown her. We actually stopped on the way home at Elisa's parents' place in Lages - the van went on, and we spent the night there, coming home by bus on Monday afternoon. Great chance to get to know this couple whose daughters we have come to love so much.
Wind farm seen on route to wedding - one of very few in Brazil.
The town of São Lourenço do Oeste - beautifully laid out, calm and tranquil. About the size of Haywards Heath.
The RC church in the town centre.
Massive shield bug that dropped in to the rehearsal.
All dressed up - the University friends - a good number from the Peregrinos.
Corks popping - Bride, Groom and parents
The happy - radiant - couple.
Rafa sang to Greyce with great joy, passion, romanticism, and the occasional right note. Eric accompanied on guitar.
Cake and chocolates - one thing that didn't go perfectly - candles beneath the glass table caused a general softening and resultant avalanche of the cake.
Dancing the night away
The morning after - not so dressed up - Rafa and Greyce and most of the University group - at least those who were not too much the worse for wear to appear in a morning photo! (Thankfully, basically the Christians!)
Part of Sunday lunch - around 30 - 40 present.
The lunatics are on the bus...
Part of the group in the minibus - 8 hours to Lages.
The lunatics are in the lounge...
A stop in Lages at Elisa's parents', before the three hour run home. We stopped here, and were grateful.
The wedding was a wonderful time at so many levels:
It gave some idea of what an eastern multi-day wedding can be like, with special lunches for three days in a row, including with the Bride and Groom present the day after the wedding. Much music and drink flowing, great sense of occasion and of hospitality.
It was a great chance to preach the gospel - formally, in the service itself, and informally, in many very good conversations. The 11 hour van journey with a mixed Christian and non-Christian group was a great opportunity.
The wedding itself was stunning - elegant, expensive, and yet also simple. The cost of a similar event in the UK doesn't bear thinking about. 170 guests: mountains of food, a number of animals slaughtered, beautiful decorations, excellent music, and a huge team of people working to make it all happen. And Andrew didn't get into any major tensions with the wedding coordenator, which is always a risk!
Finally, travelling with our "adopted children" was enormous fun. Cora was not at all well during the weekend: much love and care was shown her. We actually stopped on the way home at Elisa's parents' place in Lages - the van went on, and we spent the night there, coming home by bus on Monday afternoon. Great chance to get to know this couple whose daughters we have come to love so much.
Wind farm seen on route to wedding - one of very few in Brazil.
The town of São Lourenço do Oeste - beautifully laid out, calm and tranquil. About the size of Haywards Heath.
The RC church in the town centre.
Massive shield bug that dropped in to the rehearsal.
All dressed up - the University friends - a good number from the Peregrinos.
Corks popping - Bride, Groom and parents
The happy - radiant - couple.
Rafa sang to Greyce with great joy, passion, romanticism, and the occasional right note. Eric accompanied on guitar.
Cake and chocolates - one thing that didn't go perfectly - candles beneath the glass table caused a general softening and resultant avalanche of the cake.
Dancing the night away
The morning after - not so dressed up - Rafa and Greyce and most of the University group - at least those who were not too much the worse for wear to appear in a morning photo! (Thankfully, basically the Christians!)
Part of Sunday lunch - around 30 - 40 present.
The lunatics are on the bus...
Part of the group in the minibus - 8 hours to Lages.
The lunatics are in the lounge...
A stop in Lages at Elisa's parents', before the three hour run home. We stopped here, and were grateful.
# posted by Andrew and Cora @ 1:15:00 pm 
