Right now we’re in a bit of a frenzy working out all the details. We have two couples who are planning to get married at the end of this week. Tona and her ‘husband’ have been living together for many years, and have four children (teenaged and up into their 20’s). Alicia and her ‘husband’ are both in their mid-20’s, with one newborn son (and the bride has another older son).
Along with these two couples are two other couples who were married in the course of the year, but never got to have a reception.
In the D.R., many couples get married in a church, but the ceremony that makes them legally married is the civil one. And, the civil ceremony requires lots of documents, including birth certificates, copies of sedula cards (like a picture ID and Social Security card rolled into one), copies of the two witnesses’ sedula cards, and birth certificates of any children the couple has together. Not everyone is able to readily find these documents. Keep in mind that the people who live in El Callejon have very small, homes without a lot of storage. And, not all of them understand the importance of keeping important papers in a secure place. Trying to encourage the women to look for their documents has been a challenge.
Once all the paperwork is together, it is necessary to schedule an appointment for the civil ceremony. In the Jarabacoa area, there is one person who can perform that ceremony. One. Daisy has been to Nancy’s office downtown more than once in the past weeks. Today she and Kimberley went, and although some of the documents are still missing, Nancy told us that if we can get it altogether by Thursday at 11:00, she will perform the weddings! There’s still more to be found and signed and handled, but we are praying that it will come together.
Along with all of that, we’re trying to pull together the details for the reception at the Site. Chelsea and Taryn made lovely invitations. Each couple will be allowed to invite 10 people, along with their Padrino and Madrina (godfather and godmother, kind of like the best man and maid of honor, who also serve as the witnesses). When we add in ourselves and a few others from the SI staff, we’re looking at 70 people in our little backyard! (Yet another exciting thing about our new site will be much more room for wedding receptions!)
There were tables and chairs to borrow, a cake to order, decorations to plan, food to figure out, a small gift for each couple, planning for helping the brides with hair and makeup on their wedding day… whew! We also want to make the reception a God-glorifying time, and so we’re inviting the SI pastor to come and share a reflection with the couples. We’ll also gather around each couple and pray for them as they start this new chapter of their lives. Even though they have been living together, marriage can add new challenges – as well as new joy in living within God’s purpose.
We’re all a little breathless right now, but we are trusting God to carry out His plans for this time. We’ll try and post updates over the next days – and definitely pictures! Until then, please join us in praying for the couples, as well as for us.
No comments:
Post a Comment