Getting Married is a Big Deal!

Wessel is marrying Ut!  And if his marriage is anything like his engagement party, this promises to be another fascinating, cross-cultural event, full of humor and drama.  Ruthie and I were asked if we could stand in for Wessel’s parents as his closest foreign friends.  He also asked our mutual friends, Tongsa and Sipha, to be his Lao parents.  As his representatives, we were tasked with negotiating a reasonable price for the bride he had chosen.  “So, how high are you willing to go, Wessel?” we asked.  “Oh, that’s all been carefully negotiated for me by Ut in talking with her parents.  We’ve all agreed to a price.  But it can’t look that way in the ceremony.”  So, we met ahead of time to plan our strategy in striking the right pose.  “They’ll go high.  You go low—but not too low,” Wessel told us, “then we’ll arrive at a good compromise.” 

And so, when the time came, that’s exactly how it went.  Sipha and I, the stand-in “dads” took turns in the bargaining.  But when Ut’s family suggested a high price, Ruthie, not having been part of the rehearsal, was pinching me and whispering in my ear:  “That’s NOT WHAT WESSEL AGREED TO!”  “Calm your jets.  It’s going to be okay,” I told her.  “Just listen.”  At one point, Tongsa said about Wessel:  “He may look like a rich foreigner, but look how tall and skinny he is!  He can’t have that much money.  He’s a really good deal--our guy really knows how to work!”  And so we brought the price more down to the realm of reality.  And finally we were all in happy agreement.

After that there were a few speeches from the village head man, the parents, and anyone else who was deemed important.  Not having been warned, I was not ready with all of the stories I would have liked to tell on Wessel, but consoled myself with the knowledge I will have another chance before this marriage drama is concluded.  In one concession to Wessel’s western upbringing, there was unanimous agreement that we should witness a kiss on Ut’s rosy cheek.  Once, twice.  Arrgggh!  Stupid lagging digital camera.  “One more time, please, Wessel!”

Now comes the dogged work Wessel and Ut must do to get the official approvals from their respective countries, before their wedding sometime later this year.   Please pray for them as they experience the joys and challenges ahead!