Sept 22, 2009

September 22, 2009 Tuesday

Life is full of many surprises some good some sad. Each week we have plans for our work but each week plans change as life and death change. It would be the same in the USA but seems here it happens so frequently. We are made aware of how precious each day is and to live it for the kingdom.

As we walked to work today ready to start a new week we passed one of the teacher’s compounds on our way. Eunice was there and not at work. We knew immediately that something was wrong. Her brother had died. He leaves 2 young children and a wife.
Eunice just lost her sister several weeks ago and her father a few months before that.
Eunice is the provider for this family that all depend on her. She is a single mom herself.
Please pray for her at this time because her heart is grieved and her resources are low.
We went inside to pray with the family and left heavy hearted for her.

As we arrived at school we learn of a 3 month old baby that died last night. They need to bury the child and want us to go with George and Daniel. This young father is there seeking someone to come and help with a service. The young father has been attending the church at Ring Road.

We walk to his house and see the mother and the tiny little body lying in the floor on blankets covered up. The shock on the young couples faces and grief is overwhelming.
John prays and reads scripture. We sing a hymn and then they uncover this beautiful baby for us to see. John reaches down and touches the baby and just sits and prays.

The father then walks us to his family compound and shows us the place to bury the child. Everyone begins to dig and then when the grave is deep enough we walk back to the house. A little wooden box is there and they place blankets in it and pick up the baby and place her in it. Every one begins to cry as the box is hammered shut. I know it must be more than the mother can bear as she calls out her child’s name as we walk back to the graveside. The baby hasn’t even been dead 24 hours and now she must bury it. There is no money for a funeral. John and George read scripture and pray again at the grave and then the little box is lowered and buried.



We go to the father’s mother’s home and pray again. They bring us soft drinks as appreciation so we must stay and drink them. The little mother just sits and cries quietly.

We plan to go and check on them again. Please pray for David and Violet as they learn to live without this baby girl their firstborn.

Each day brings blessings from God as we look where He wants to place us. The appreciation for the lives we have been given and the opportunity to give back.
Today is Emily’s birthday and she is 27 and all morning with that family I could not help but think how blessed I am to have raised my children to be adults and still get to enjoy them. They are truly gifts from God.