Hope Rucyahana, member of St. Peter’s and daughter to Bishop John and Harriett Rucyahana married Stephen Rukundo, also of Rwanda in a week long ceremony. It began with the traditional Rwanda “give away” civil marriage on December 11, 2009. This was both a comical and somber occasion. Patriarchs of the Rukundo family had to plead publicly for Hope’s hand in marriage on behalf of Stephen. In an unscripted but well versed exchange, the Rukundos had to convince the Rucyahanas that Hope would be cared for adequately. The fathers of the bride and groom sat quietly as kings on occasionally authorizing the patriarchs to speak certain.
The church wedding took place on December 18, 2009 at 11:00 am. Various clergy including our own senior pastor and Archbishop Kolini officiated. The wedding was followed by a reception on the shore of Lake Kivu, over an hour away. The banter between families was revealing as how important families are in this culture, The Rukundos said that the Rucyahana could search the history.
They will find twenty generations have treated their wives well. Both families said again and again how grateful they were that Stephen brought their wedding and their pastor to Rwanda that family might be honored.
After three weeks in Rwanda, Stephen and Hope will return to Boston for graduate studies.
Sat, Dec 19, 2009
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