The Sting of Death

William, our newest member of the elder board, lost his father today. He had been sick for a number of years and he passed away this afternoon. He was a believer in Jesus Christ and a great many people are expected at his burial. The problem is he died in Lugazi and he is to be buried in the north past Arua. This is an all night trip as he is to be buried tomorrow due to the lack of embalming. Someone has donated a truck and the church is helping with petrol. There will probably be 50 people on that truck as the man's entire village wants to go. That's the way it is here. The two most expensive things to do here are to die or get married. Of course it is better if you reverse the order! Families go into deep debt as they are expected to provide food for whoever shows up. For a week! But it is a sign of great respect and honor to have so many people so families do it gladly. Richard who is JB's assistant and Ryan's replacement is going to represent our church as it would look bad to the people for no one from his son's church to be there. We would send more but it will be a two day trip and most people can't be gone that long.

Ryan also lost his Grandfather today. It is tough on the mission field when your family member dies back home. Ryan is taking it well but can't get home for the burial so it bothers him that he can't comfort his family in person. That is one of the decisions that missionaries make when they leave home. But that doesn't make it any easier to not be there. Pray for Ryan that he will be able to console his family from a distance.

Death happens to all of us but it is when our loved ones die not knowing Jesus that we hurt the most. Don't miss the opportunities to share the reason for the hope we have in Christ Jesus. Take away the sting of death by sharing God's gift of life in Jesus.

May God bless you and keep you until we see each other again and keep praying for the lost of the world and in our families.