Friday afternoon we heard that a big family chief (king), Chief “Only-See”, has asked us to come and pray for his mother: she is very sick and they are afraid she does not have long to live.
So, after the Bible teaching (the 2nd last of this cycle!) a group of us got in the car and drove to our partners’ village (about 8 km away). We found the family keeping vigil around their beloved mother.
(Photo: Chief “Only-See” during a believer’s meeting, sitting on Francois right). Chief “Only-See”and his mother both have come to the Bible teaching in 2011 and continue to come to the believer’s meetings on Monday afternoons. But frankly, their faith has been a little bit like potatoes: We could see that there is life, but we had no idea what was “underground”. (To quote the South African evangelist, Angus Buchan!).
(Photo: Shar). We all found space on the floor inside the hut. Shar took the leading and explained to the family that those that believe in Christ do not have to fear death as it has no power over us anymore. Through all of this, I gave Old Mother spoonfuls of water with sugar and salt. She was very dehydrated – it was a scorching hot day! (When I explained how to make hydration fluid before we prayed, her one daughter immediately got up, made it and brought it me. Although Old Mother’s eyes were closed, she knew we were there).
(Photo: Old Mother before a believer’s meeting, sitting in front facing the camera). So after we all prayed (about 6 of us), including chief “Only-See”and another chief from our village, Shar moved closer to where Old Mother lay and shared again about that day’s lesson: about heaven and what Scripture says it would be like. He encouraged her not to be afraid. God is near and Satan and his angles do not have any power over her anymore because she has put her trust in Jesus.
It was time to go and the guys began to file out. Her two daughters and her son, the chief stayed behind. I shared with the family some on how to take care of Old Mother, that she needs fluids constantly; how they can sponge her body off; that they need to let her know that they are there and that she is not alone. I believed that Old Mother does not only know we are there, but that she can still hear and comprehend what is going on. She clearly indicated that she wanted more of the hydration fluid during prayer. I encouraged the chief to hold her hand and tell her all that is in his heart.
Old Mother tried to say something. No-one could understand what she wanted. I asked: “Mother, do you need more water?” She feebly shook her head: no. Suddenly I understood! “Do you want your son to talk to you?” She immediately nodded her head: yes!
There inside that mud hut, on that hot summer afternoon, I witnessed one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen: The big and strong Chief “Only-See” moved closer to his mom’s pole-and-lath bed, taking her old gnarled hand in his own sturdy one. The moment he did, her face relaxed. He did not mind me being there, in fact, I think he forgot everyone and everything else. He was about to share what is in his heart with his dying mother, he said:
“Mother, my mother, it is me. I am here. Remember Jesus, Mother. He is our Saviour. He paid for all our sins and took away our punishment. And Satan, Mother, he is defeated! He cannot touch you anymore! Don’t be afraid. Jesus is here.”
I silently left after a while, tears in my eyes! Francois says that I came out of that hut, beaming! Yes, Old Mother’s body may be tired, but her spirit is alive! The witness of her son touched my heart in places that I would never have thought possible. She may be leaving this generation and this earth, but the new generation through her son believes and they will meet again one day…