Today is our 5th wedding anniversary. We got married in Nebraska, in Sonshine Chapel at Carol Joy Holling Camp, the church camp where I worked several summers during college and for five years as Communications Manager after I graduated.
We were surrounded by family and friends. It was a perfect day, except maybe for the 50 mph winds that were nearly blowing us over.
Our friends Sarah and Vicky were our wedding attendants, and my nephews, Clinton and Matthew, were the ushers.
We blended Tanzanian and American wedding customs, using Swahili hymns during the ceremony, and saying our vows in Swahili.
The reception decorations included a lot of Tanzanian handcrafts, khangas and baskets. Our wedding cake was decorated with Maasai beadwork.
The groom’s cake was a three-dimensional goat to represent what is traditionally referred to as wedding cake in Tanzania–an entire goat roasted and served whole (see this 5 Photo Friday post that shows an example of a traditional Tanzanian wedding cake).
One of my favorite memories of the day that also reflected a Tanzanian custom, was when several women–including our Tanzanian friends who drove all the way from South Bend, Indiana, to attend the wedding–sang and danced around my mom while they wrapped her in several khangas.
Like every couple, Kakasii and I have experienced lots of ups and downs in our marriage, not the least of which was spending the first two years of our marriage living on separate continents. But thanks to the love and support of family and friends on our wedding day and since, we are blessed to be together building our life and raising our children in Tanzania.
The Joy of Life is Love 
How wonderful! Congratulations! We just celebrated our 60th Ann. on the 8th of May. We wish you God’s blessings for many more years to celebrate together. Enjoyed the wedding photos. Don’t know if I ever told you but John Mkenda from Tanzania was a good friend of ours. Don’t know if you ever heard of him or not. He and his wife built schools there. One is called the MarLex school I believe.
Hi Janis, I knew John Mkenda. Met him on my very first trip to Tanzania in 2001 and also saw him a time or two on his visits to Nebraska. I also know Alex and Marlys Meyer (for whom MarLex School is named)–their son Trent and I were classmates at Midland.
Congratulations on your 5th anniversary. I enjoyed the pictures! God Bless!
Congratulations! I am catching up after attending a wedding in
Denver, Colorado and the Tri-Synodical Women’s Convention in Iowa.
The pictures are so wonderful. Great to hear how you combined both
cultures for your wedding.