We Are The Harringtons

An update to catch you all up on! Last time I shared in the previous blog I asked for prayers in the part two of negotiations on July 16 about figuring out a wedding date and where. Well, all went well! Amazing actually. A couple days before the 16th Nontobeko and I met up with my Pastor, the one leading the Harrington crew, and his wife to talk about what this next part of negotiations could look like. And to be honest it was quite scary. Sthembiso shared personal experience and tradition that typically the brides family has the full authority to choose where and when the wedding will be. Like stories of a wedding taking place right on the family property, with a tent. No disrespect but that did not fill me with excitement. Nontobeko and I began to share our desires for our wedding to our Pastor so that by the 16th he could present this option to the Mokoena family. Pulling up to the house wasn't as nearly daunting as the first part of negotiations but everyone still holding

Sorry for the update being so long but it has two stories combined the negotiations and the engagement sharing Nontobeko and Is experience through two different traditions. Hope you laugh and enjoy it! LOBOLA DAY On May 21 st I woke up with an excitement knowing Nontobeko will become my wife (traditionally) in just a couple hours! It didn't feel real though because of my cultural upbringing I wasn't prepared for this besides the advice, and jokes, I had received from fellow South African friends about lobola. Early that morning the A-Team arrived to my house, the representatives that would be present in the negotiations on my behalf. Typically having the people negotiate for you are your uncles and other family members but in my position my family couldn't be there. So my local pastor from Mbonisweni, Lennon and a few others from the church became part of the team. The coolest thing that I learned that morning was when a family cant attend the negotiations the p

I have officially changed the month of love to May. Wait, let me tell you why! For anyone who doesn't know, three years ago, in 2013, I took a long-term mission to South Africa. It was a trip I had never experienced before and that is why I am still here today with Ten Thousand Homes. But also, there was someone I met in 2013. Her name is Nontobeko; at that time I could only say her English name, Freedom. I practiced and practiced saying her name until I could say it correctly. Come to find out just last year I was still pronouncing her name wrong and she never hesitated to correct me. Cultural challenges. But let me help you pronounce her name. Nontobeko, (known-doe-bae-go). Did you get it? Sweet! Over these years I have fallen in love with this woman that is full of joy and laughter, who has a skill of leading, enjoys challenges and has a heart for helping others. It has been three years of learning a different culture. Yet there is so much more. I won't forget when