Punan believers Lea and Kema wanted their wedding to follow a Biblical pattern. Their families agreed to that and a whole new pattern began.
Lea and Kema are both baptized believers in the Punan church. When they expressed their desire to marry, the families quickly agreed that the couple would live with the bride's family until the wedding. Normally in Punan culture there would be battle for control of the couple. Family members on both sides often threaten suicide and other violent actions in order to manipulate and coerce the couple.
When Lea and Kema set their wedding date, the parents were charged with chaperoning the couple and Biblical pre-marital counseling began.
At 1 p.m. On Aug. 31, everyone gathered at the village center for the ceremony. The couple was escorted through the village to the beat of gongs and they were seated on gongs in the center of the village.
An explanation of the Biblical meaning of marriage was given followed by prayers and blessings. The couple then exchanged vows. Three sets of vows pulled from Scripture were used. First they gave a vow to God, then a vow to each other, and finally a vow to the community.
There was no fighting, no threats and manipulation of the couple -- a marked difference from a traditional Punan wedding.
Pray that Lea and Kema will continue to model Christian principles in their marriage.
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