After careful consideration, we decided that Nariokotome Mission in Turkana, Kenya, would be the perfect place to celebrate our Golden Wedding Anniversary! The family could not come – that was the only drawback – but we would share the celebration at a distance. We had a trip organised with our friends, Jose Luis, Angelina and Chelo, to perform minor surgeries and to organise the new operating theatre at the mission and the dates coincided. It was a unique occasion!
And so, it has happened! We got married again in Turkana. The missionaries are refined GOLD!
The church at Nariokotome was decorated in its best! Flowers, palms, white tablecloths on colorful fabrics of the area! Such are the efforts of the missionaries who, after an exhausting day, find time and strength to please others.
Fr. Antonio Aguirre, with the homily on Mark 10:17-30 on the account of the rich, young man to whom Jesus says, “go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” Never a better gospel to describe the missionaries of the MCSPA!
The Turkana mass and feast revolved around this gospel, and also around the meaning of Catholic marriage. One couple, for life, with its joys and sorrows, with its bad times and good times, a difficult journey at times but with a very positive balance!
The church at Nariokotome was overflowing with people. Dressed in their best clothes; typical necklaces and multi-colored costumes; school children in their uniforms.
Angelic voices, magnificent choirs and rhythms with drum beats and clapping! Noise, emotion, illusion, flowers, colorful, incense and smoke, handshakes as a sign of love and peace. Enveloped in this atmosphere that embraced our five senses we renewed our wedding vows, for as long as God wants us to be together.
At the end we were given the most precious title here: “Elders of Turkana” they dressed us up in the traditional style, giving the scepter and to Emilio the cap and “ekicholong”. Photos, laughters and reports! Dancing and shouting to celebrate.
Then we shared with more than 400 children a juice, a bun and candy and they were happy! Those innocent little faces with smiles of white teeth, black eyes and joy, are also worth gold! I left the bouquet on Paco’s grave! He would have loved to be at this ceremony, I am sure!
At Scholastica and Lydia’s place, we made the paellas, and at Patrizia and Lenny’s place, we shared them together with 35 other persons.
We did not expect more details and celebrations …. but yes, Lenny made a wedding cake with candles marking out “50” and brought out champagne to toast.
In the evening, looking back on the day, I thanked God again for the good fortune of having a husband like Emilio and for having met Fr. Paco Andreo, the founder of MCSPA, who taught us how he loved the people of Turkana and their spirituality, and introduced us to a missionary family, whom we continue to love and are increasingly united.
Special thanks to our missionaries at Nariokotome who made possible the renewal of our marriage vows on our Golden Anniversary! Thank you for being so generous and for showing us an example with your actions!
Thank you!
Ana Mañas Rueda,
Doctor of Paco, an “Elder of Turkana
