It’s Good Friday

and I’m thinking about death.

I’ve been perplexed by recent deaths –

Franklin, a young man we admired

who was fighting kidney disease and

Benta, a young widowed mom we trained

who became our dear friend.

The last few weeks carry shock at youth dying

because simple medical treatments were not available.

These days bring grief of a teary-eyed boy and girl,

now orphaned by the scourge of AIDS.

I’m sitting on my bed, looking at tender flowers
climbing over the grey cement wall,

trying to make sense of disturbing sadness.

I knew when we came to Kenya we’d experience

life, raw and ugly.

I studied the research of 1.5 million children orphaned

by disease and destruction.

I read the stories of victimized widows

who sold their bodies to feed their babies.

I understood the extremely alarming statistics

on mortality rate, life expectancy, and per capita income.

But now I see poverty devour.

I hear anguish cry.

I taste the bitterness.

I feel the life of Kenya’s oppressed.

The recent deaths vibrating WHY, WHY, WHY…

It’s Good Friday

and tonight I’ll celebrate worship with Jesus friends,

sharing communion.

I’ll remember His sacrifice and

let these deaths be swallowed in victory.

Franklin told his mom he was leaving her in peace.

Benta created a ministry/business

to provide for her son and daughter.

The WHYs will fade because

I trust the Eternal WHO gave His life.

The grey hardness of suffering covered

with fresh blooms of hope.

I’ll place my affections there,

on the beauty growing before me.

It’s Good Friday.

His sacrifice is enough.

Resurrection morning proves it true.

Please pray for Mildred, Franklin’s widowed mamma

and Benta’s children, Seth and Winnie.

You can read the story Benta Shares on this blog.