More Death Strikes the Family at Idigima

Justin Halinga

Sadly, it is all too often that we hear of the death of loved ones among our students’ families: fathers, mothers, siblings, close relatives. One of our teachers recently lost his older brother, a father of two and financial supporter to Oscar’s education. Also recently was the severe motorcycle accident of the brother to our Vice Headmaster. Mr. Mgale was gone for over a week to the far side of the country to see him recover, thankfully. Prior to these, as you know, was the death of Ombeni’s 2-year old son just days after the birth of his second son, and on May 2nd, Gary lost his beloved brother. (Additional photos were recently added to the blog post regarding the death of Gary's brother - click on this link: In Memory)

On Monday, June 3rd, Justin Halinga visited our home, coming back during a break from his Advanced Secondary studies in Iringa. Justin, as you’ve seen in prior updates, was a 2011 graduate who stuck around and taught for a time until receiving his posting for Advanced, Forms V and VI, education. He’d been the student body president for three of his four years at Idigima. Everyone knew and loved Justin, who always seemed to be wearing a smile. He was a frequent preacher in chapel, a fervent prayer warrior, and reliable witness for Christ among his peers.

Justin, standing, left

Pictured, he was having a fellow student measure him for a new pair of trousers. Plans for the day were to make a quick trip to Mbeya town and return to his family in Idiwili. He was in a hurry, so we said, “Safari njema” (safe journey) and saw him off.

Two hours later my phone rang. It was the police wanting to know if I knew Justin. I said yes and asked if he was alright. The response was, “No, he is died!” Stunned, I handed the phone to a national teacher who was at our house to proof an exam we’d typed. Justin had me listed in his phone as BABU Philipo, so the police, looking for next of kin, had called me. We gave the Headmaster’s number to the police, who was able to inform them of the family’s contact information.

I was scheduled to go to Mbeya on Tuesday, which quite frankly made Joanne and I a bit nervous. The small buses are death traps on the highway, and I usually opt for the larger buses that charge a bit more. 

As it turned out, the funeral was scheduled for Tuesday and we entertained a number of returning classmates. I’d sent text messages to a number of our graduates and prior teachers about Justin’s death, and it was amazing how many returned with such short notice. It is a testimony to the importance in this cultural of supporting one another.

Although it was hard for all of us to grasp the reality of the passing of this young man, who had so much potential and promise and goals in life, the repeated comment I heard from the his friends and family was, “What can we do? Nothing. It is God’s business to take us when He wants us. We have no choice in the matter.”

Life is short. Don’t waste it.

Returning soon to see our supporters in America, Lord willing.

Gary and Joanne Grenell

(Editor's note:  Gary and Joanne have returned to the states for their summer break.  They arrived in late June, but have been traveling out of the Iowa City area, and in fact, out of the state, for most of the time visiting family.  They will be back in the Iowa City area near the end of July.  They will return to Tanzania in late August or early September.)