Case and Gremar Van Wyk, CRWM. You may support us at crwm@crcna.org
We do not often experience joy and grief together but this time we grieve Samuel’s death and we rejoice that he is with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We were busy with Christmas preparations and thinking about New Year. We heard that Samuel was ill but were not terribly concerned about him. When Gremar went to see him his liver appeared to be affected by the traditional medicine he had been drinking, now his only option was the hospital. He was there for a day and returned somewhat improved. How and with what they treated him is not clear. Two days after Christmas he died. Before he died he called his wife and one of his fellow Christians and prayed to Jesus for healing but also confirmed his faith. He passed away peacefully, quiet and content. The others around him were amazed at how peacefully he passed on.
When we arrived that morning no preparation was made. Traditionally special people are appointed and paid to dig the grave. Sacrifices are made so that Samuel ‘s spirit would be received by his ancestors and not be turned away to go back to bother (haunt) his former compound. Samuel’s father wanted to consult with the Christians before anything was done. We had a lot of explaining to do because Samuel and his wife who were converted one year ago are the only Christians in this compound.
The Christians dug the grave but even then only a few actually got into the grave to dig. After, several hours of preparing the grave we had a traditional Christian funeral service. The only disruption was when his wife tried to get in the grave with him. She was restrained and literally carried away. Traditionally, that is not an unusual action on her part.
The next morning when we went to greet we had our hands full with questions. Wasn’t there something more they had to do? Did they not have to make a lot of food for us? Did they not have to buy a cow to sacrifice? We told them that the sacrifice was taken care of through Jesus Christ. There was nothing more or anything else necessary because Jesus is the sacrifice that God accepts. The next morning, Sunday we held a service there and again explained how God’s people in the past sacrificed but now we are set free in Jesus if we but believe. Sam’s wife will grieve for 30 days, after that she is free from mourning. This week we saw her at the chapel service. Traditionally, there is a levirate marriage system but as a Christian we are asking that she will be allowed to choose an unmarried Christian man. traditionally widows have very few rights not even over her children. Please pray for Ester and her two children and for us as we work with Christians and Traditional Africans. May Jesus be glorified!
Heavenhigh