Photo Credit: Anna Epp Photography
The marriage took place in a group ceremony where everyone laughed and cried and celebrated! Our final vows were taken during a Swahili song…with 300+ women swaying back and forth in sing song…while the man we married added his own interpretive dance, additional words, and funky tongue-clicking sounds.
At least I think that’s what happened.
I’m not sure.
He said it was a song about peace and the birth of the Lion King or something…except I’m pretty sure he bamboozled a room full of naive Canadian women and we’re bound to this tall, handsome, hilarious man from Kenya…for the rest of our lives.
Derreck Kayongo was the closing speaker at Blissdom 2014. We listened to his story of growing up well-off…ending up as a refugee…and finding himself in America where, much to his chagrin, discovered the amount of waste in, of all things, SOAP…thrown out from the hotels and replaced with newly wrapped bars the next morning.
With a story, a smile and a whack of charm, Derreck managed to convince a hotel to give him money to begin the Global Soap Project where millions of bars of soap are now gathered from hotels across the United States, reprocessed and shipped to Third World countries every year!
These soaps, help to eradicate disease.
Derreck’s story is heartwarming and full of inspiration…he’s a force to be reckoned with and while he serves as the face of Global Soap, he’s currently seeking out his next adventure.
From Derreck, I learned a great number of things but mostly, I learned that in the face of pain and adversity comes a story (although I guess I kind of knew that already). This story, when spoken, can change the world.
On top of that, I learned that there’s this place…this group…where women (and men) support one another, lift each other up, inspire one another to continue on their journey. To find their way…their purpose…their story.
These women, they’re beautiful, passionate, and full of energy and determination…and apparently, also my Sister Wives.
This is our marriage vow…
OH…also, because I know how sister-wives make each other jealous from time to time…here’s a note I received from my new husband.
He loves me.
Just sayin’!
I missed so much.
Congratulations! Where are you registered? 😉
So inspiring! Some people were posting to IG little video snippets. Really lovely.
Now, do you have a China pattern or no?
Sounds like you had a great time!!