We recently attended an ordination service for our good friend, Pastor Arsen.  We were honored to be there.  He considers us his parents.  He turns to us when he needs counsel and advice.  And we love him with all our hearts.

It was the first ordination service we had ever attended.  The invitation said it would start at 4 p.m. "precise" which is a very Cameroonian way to word invitations.  We intentionally arrived 45 minutes late, not wishing to be the first ones there.  While not the absolute first to arrive, we were among the early ones.  But the program was already underway so we sat down in the V.I.P. section and enjoyed the choir.  Or maybe Praise Team would be a more accurate description.  We occasionally chatted with each other as the music went on and on and on, and other guests were slowly arriving.  

At seven o'clock, when we were frankly quite tired of listening to the singers, there was a commotion at the back of the church.  Suddenly we were all on our feet as Pastor Arsen and Nadege were ushered in with a group of dignitaries.  They came first to us and warmly greeted us.  Then they moved among the other V.I.P.s and greeted each one.  When they were seated on the platform, we settled back in our chairs to "enjoy" more music.  By then I was wondering how long the singers could sing and dance without wearing out.  It was quite a marathon event!  

A half hour later we again rose to our feet as Pastor Arsen and Nadege were quickly removed from the auditorium.  We were told to remain standing.  And the singing continued.  Another twenty minutes passed and finally the head of their denomination was ushered into the auditorium with much fanfare.  Then came Pastor Arsen and Nadege once again.  And finally swarms of other pastors.  It was nearly eight p.m. when their denominational leader preached an excellent sermon.  This was followed by the ordination ceremony itself.  It was all very interesting and novel for us.  

At 9:30 p.m. the service finally ended and people began dancing down front to present gifts to Pastor Arsen.  We took advantage of that moment to quietly slip out the back and go home to bed!  We later learned that we missed out on a big feast, which we would have been way too tired to enjoy.  Cameroon events can go on for an incredibly long time.  As foreigners, we are forgiven when our stamina runs out.