A Filipino wedding celebration
It was an exciting day for Al and Carol James. They were “sponsors” at a Filipino wedding.
The young groom, Jose, had been the security guard at some condo units where Al and Carol had recently lived for a few months. He had grown to become a friend and had extended to them the honor of asking them to be sponsors or ninong and ninang (godfather and godmother) at his wedding.
Al shares that it was a great chance to participate with their Filipino friends and to absorb more of the culture where they live and minister.
On the morning of the wedding, Al and Carol picked up the groom and several of the wedding party and drove to the house where the pre-wedding breakfast was held. Al shares, “They filled us with a delicious Filipino foods; rice, dinuguan (pig blood soup), chicken livers and other assorted delicacies.
Then they proceeded to the wedding, which was a civil ceremony with a magistrate. The wedding took place in the municipal hall in a hearing room which had been arranged especially for the ceremony. Civil ceremonies are the usual choice in the Philippines. Al explains, “Church weddings are very expensive here, but civil weddings are considerably less so.”
After the wedding ceremony, the wedding party and guests returned to the bride’s family house for another nice reception, with lots more food. Al shares, “It was a day spent entirely immersed in the Filipino culture and language, which was very enjoyable for us.”
To be a ninong means that Al will continue to take a measure of responsibility for Jose’s ongoing instruction and well-being. He and Carol see this honor as a great opportunity to share the Gospel as well as truth and wisdom from God’s Word with this young couple.
Please pray for God’s continued work in Jose and his young bride. Pray that God’s love will pour out of Al and Carol’s lives and that the Gospel which compels their ministry and love for their Filipino friends will grip their hearts with truth and draw this young couple to Christ.
While this is a true story, the names have been changed for the safety and security of the missionaries and the people among whom they minister.