The Rollout

Here we are guys, I am getting married. After a month of ups and down, lows and highs, we gather together with one mission this Saturday - witnessing the exchanging of marital vows between Eunice and Narshion. For those who know us, you agree that this is a major milestone in our lives. One that we couldn't have achieved were it not for the people around us that love us and know us well, even very well. This account is therefore our acknowledgement to you in advance.
The charity which sponsored me never left me yet for another time. I know I am a true child of the educate the kids charity. Starting with a news column in a monthly special release of the newsletter - the matatu extra, charity founder Mama Maureen describes my wedding in my own words in this ecstatic quote:
'We are delighted to announce the wedding of Narshion in Kenya.His own comments “The wedding will be on the 25th of February this year. It's going to be fairly simple. A modern wedding with an african touch. With the reception hosted in Kilifi, the celebrants will have the priviledge to tour the deepest village in the coastal town in hunt for the girl to what will be a christian-african service where the marital vows will be exchanged. Christianafrican in that the pastor is Eunice's uncle and their will be elders on board the service for clan-based blessings. After the service, the party will continue to a modern reception at my Kilifi residence”.' After her blessing remarks, mum Maureen gave a special gift a mother would typically have her son hold. With this sealing gift, we were able to embark on the journey. You can grab a copy of this newsletter here: http://gallery.mailchimp.com/dc8154e230a6446a35783890d/files/MATATU_EXTRA.pdf
Sooner than later my immediate manager spotted my struggle with preparations and decided to help in and pour his experience to aide and together we managed to set up a committee with the following members:-
Michael Kahindi - Chair
Boniface Jibendi - Treasurer
Charles Mwendwa - Secretary
Kenneth Magua
Nobert Kihuha
Gideon  Nyutu
Felix Kithinji
George Githaiga
Edward Furaha
Lucas Wambua
The above guys have worked treacherously over the last two weeks to ensure all will be well. They have co-rdinated the events and scenes on the Big day, brushed shoulders with service providers and went overboard to provide financial management and fund raising to fill in the missing gaps. Well done lads. Eunice and I are already happy and will be smiling all the way to the podium on Saturday.
We have had several newcomers and well wishers as well. From my family and friends, Ronny Franscis is the latest brother to help me big time after dropping his chores in Nairobi, grabbed two video cameras from friends and booked the next bus to Kilifi when I cried out in worry over a video expert for the Big day. Thumbs up in advance Ronny. Mr Lugo has been exceptional as ever. The committee got the chance to interact with this legendary helper in my life and were amazed at his willingness to help from transport liason to offering to drive himself. The latest assignment is that of the Master of ceremony. As MC, he stands as the family spokes person as well as the interface to the committee. Like a messanger, he will be passing information and decisions right from the groom to the public and will ensure the groom and bridal party at large are kept at zero stress. However, he will desperately need the services of one man - Mr Lucas. Lucas is going to be the lead cordinator. He has all it takes to walk with this title: experience, networks, energy and gestures. He works like charm - wittily.
As we celebrate the beginning of the roll out, let me update you what we have at bay. Looking forward, the next 48hrs are going to be the most important for me and Eunice. So many things are involved to make it success but we are confident and safe in the arms of the people I have mentioned here as well as all those that are involved in this work. starting with today:-
 - Tents and chairs await collection and set up.
 - Boniface will provide entertainment at Narshion's residence.
 - Samburu people will be transported to Kilifi
 - Shanzu (Utange) people will also be transported to Kilifi
 - Cakes will be collected.
 - Mats will be picked.
 - Decorations will be put up onto the tents and tables
 - Cars will be fueled and decorated.
 - Meals will be sourced
Saturday will be climax where:-
 - The groom will go to Dzitsoni for ancestral blessings - according to tradition
 - Bride, groom and party attend a church service where the marriage vows will be exchanged.
 - Photos and video will be recorded at a real time run up.
 - An estimated 100 people will be treated at a reception.
 - Cakes will be cut and shared to celebrate the merry moments
 - Gifts will be given, collected and received.

In a nutshell, the wedding is now rolling out. Thank you all.

Groom Narshion.

The wedding scrum

Is there any institute that offers blogging courses and especially training on eloquence blogging? Well, looks like this is not my career guys. Anyway, today I have resurfaced with some info on how things are rolling out.
Over the past few days, I have been visiting my champs on various aspects - if I haven't come to your doorstep don't take it you are not my champ, I'll be coming tomorrow. I call these my champs because it takes everyone for something to happen. In the course of this time, we have been able to get ideas and contacts on various issues. To date, I find myself in an endless loop of calling people and forwarding this and that. The funniest part of this is that in everything we do, there is always something pending. I reflect on what's pending here and my list is like the tailor needs to call me on collection of my suite, Eunice is to lias with a brother in Nairobi for possible getting wedding rings at a discounted rate, we have not known where we will get decorations from, Ronny has disappeared into utter silence on where he is on him becoming a photo/video man and well, one of the best men hasn't sent their measurements!! At this juncture, Eunice is already fainting because it like everything is all pending. Well she is stressed, so am I but that is what it is. - a wedding scrum.
For those who are not familiar with scrums, these are short states of things during the preparation, design and development of something. The status updates of pieces here and there before the whole thing succeeds. Well, atleast I know this from our dev scrum meetings. Hehehehehehh - enjoy your evenings. 

Getting involved

"Msafiri ni aliye bandarini", goes the swahili saying to mean preparedness is vital for the traveler. Likewise, Eunice and I are not leaving it up for the day but are fully indulged into the issues and tasks required to accomplish our mission. I must admit I have been taking it easy lately until a few days ago when it was exactly one month to the date and we still haven't known quite some important facts and information. We have since been putting appointments - especially with the clergy men and influential elders - in getting to set what it will take to have the day a success.
We are calling on service providers at the moment. We have managed to set aside some amount that will go towards meeting the essentials, i.e. Food and drinks, transport, just to mention a few. Eunice has been articulate to the details of her dress, make up and utility clothing. She already has identified the official wedding Khanga (lesso), which goes with the saying "ndoa yenye furaha hubarikiwa.......". On my side I can only say it is getting exciting already. Its just that I can't get myself off my computer, but Yes, I am blogging here about it. I have collected some numbers of contacts that will help on that day i.e. photo man, video recorder, cooks, cake providers, and transport providers. I am still on the verge of making decisions on what we will get where and is it really what we need?
Well, help us with any ideas guys, contacts, suggestions, donations and anything that will help us.
 

Invitations

We usually say come one come all on such occasions as this one. In the African spirit, we would really have appreciated if we could have as much as the proverbial come all phrase but we do understand the current course of things and commitments. We have therefore come up with some nice to see invitation cards which we will send out to your emails (for those that we have your contacts). The card will look something  like the image below (am not sure if this is final):

 Well, we have gathered a few contacts and we will make an effort to print out some hand held cards and send them over but please we appeal for your understanding for the majority of you may not receive a card. It doesn't mean you are not invited. Drop me or my spouse a call and we will include you on our lists.

Enjoy!

The dawn of blessings

When I was planning out for my wedding last year, I knew I was going to have a web application (software) to help in managing some of the tasks that need done. This is because of the geographical challenge I face here in Kilifi as most of my friends, family and relatives live in other towns (Mombasa, Nairobi or even abroad). I also envisioned service provision was going to be a challenge in that getting things organized in time would call for extra efforts. Therefore, I started well my wedding preparations by building a small app to help with these  challenges but unfortunately my house was broken into in November and lost my code.
In an attempt to content myself with the loss, I looked around for a blog provider so that I can quickly put up something (this blog site) inorder to allow me and the people involved exchange information on the go regarding stuff like status updates on issues, emerging concerns and pending item lists.
Therefore in this blog site, we will be discussing what we need to do, what things are pending and our achievements as we near the big day. For those who may not be aware, the wedding is now scheduled for the 25th of February 2012.
Come around on this site for news, photos, events and other info about the upcoming wedding. Remember to hit the "join this site" link on the right under the followers section to be part of this experience. Obviously, its free to send in your comments and feedback on our posts here. Let's make it a dialogue as you read through and comment.
I will be posting photos of us soon... check out for the brides photos and Yes, I'll get her to blog here at some point.

Thank you.

Groom Narsh.

About Nahshon

Today Esther Yaa (my work mate) made my day when she narrated to me the history of my original name. Here is the account:
'"Nahshon" is the name of a captain of the tribe of Judah. According to the Jewish tradition, he was the first man who entered the Red Sea during the Exodus. Therefore, "Nahshon" is used as an appellation of a brave person who goes first in spite of any danger.'