Monday, November 15, 2010

A POLYGAMIST'S FUNERAL

Lucas Odewa was a polygamist. He had 3 wives. His first wife, Mama Monica is a member of our church. In Kajulu's early days, Lucas, also was interested in coming but found it difficult to give up his wives and alcohol. He also was involved in witchcraft which makes it more understandable why his son, Thomas Oda, was involved. We would ocassionally meet Lucas with his walking stick when we visited the Kabonya mountains. He always had a friendly wave of his hand.

Recently, Lucas became ill and died. Since he had no church affiliation, his wife Monica asked us to do the funeral service.Typically, funerals are held at the home and the body is buried behind the house. Since some of the children lived a distance away, it took some time to get them together. The body was held at the morturary for almost 2 weeks. In this heat...... you can imagine...The funeral was on Sunday, October 24. It was also Monica's 18th birthday and Daniel's 16th. A memorable day.....




The home is situated at the rugged foothills of the mountains. A tent was set up among the bushes and small trees. For the first couple hours many friends and relatives give testimony mostly in Luo and it becomes long and boring. After our Sunday morning service, nearly ALL the church people traipsed the 3 miles up to the home. Mama Monica was rather overwhelmed with all the love and support.



Last of all, the remaining spouse gives testimony. Pictured is Mama Monica speaking and Joshua Ochieng interpreting.



Thomas Oda is the oldest son. Recently excommunicated for adultery,lying, witchcraft and theft, he is a miserable, dejected wretch. Pray for this man and his family! His wife, Joyce, wants to return to the church with their 6 children. Thomas has moved to town living a prodigal life. Millicent is the youngest daughter. She loves attending church with her mother and is a good friend of Myrna.



The burial took place behind the house. The grave wasn't very deep and there was no rough box. You just buried it and it didn't matter how. The sons of Lucas refused to help, so young ambitious church boys covered the grave.
Later the church people went to the neighboring home of Johannes andTeresa for a meal.

Last Sunday, we had Communion at Kajulu. Hearing a first-time communing member express himself was heart-warming. He just had never seen anything like this! The feet washing is truly a cleansing experience. The water really does get dirty.

Yesterday, the CBF churches entered a new phase of ordaining a native bishop. John Amondi was ordained at the Ahero Church. There are numerous native pastors but Merle Beachy had oversight over all 8 churches.

Sam's aunt Mary (95) passed away in Lancaster, PA. She and herhusband, Aaron King, would have celebrated 74 years of marriage this coming Thanksgiving. Aaron turned 100 years old this past August. Rather interesting becoming a widower at 100. May God give him grace to accept this change.

We look forward to the visit of Hosea and Bernice Troyer around Thanksgiving and Aaron and Esther Lapp the first of December.

Mattie Kauffman
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