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| Christopher Mwasenga |
This year’s severe storms
have been unusually more frequent, with high winds, hail and lightening. On
Saturday, January 18, lightening struck our house, blowing a switch just a few
feet from where Joanne was working in her sewing room. Seeing the fire flash, I
shouted from the next room and to find out if she was alright. In the evening,
we found we had no power on campus and assumed there had been damage elsewhere.
That’s when we responded to
a knock at the door and found two of the lady teachers and their children,
looking very solemn. I assumed they were concerned that there was no
electricity and started to explain about the lightening, but Aziza interrupted
me and said, “Not only that, but our student has died. Babu, the students are
crying!”
We found that the fire ball
at our light switch was experienced by others in the houses and classrooms. In
the case of one classroom, student leaders had gathered. Students later shared
that Christopher Mwasenga, our newly-elected HP (student body president) was
standing near the switch when lightening struck, and it must have arced,
killing him instantly.
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| Christopher, on left in blue |
Christopher was an
exceptional student, frequently speaking in Chapel and constantly encouraging
and working with his fellow students to excel in their academics. He spent
hours in our home learning computer basics and honing his English skills. He
was meek and humble and led by example, participating in sports, directing the
debate team, and scoring high marks on all of his examinations. He won national
acclaim when he scored 100% on a Form Two national History exam. He always
scored in the 90’s, and frequently 100%, on my Bible Knowledge examinations.
Sunday morning found us
gathered on the lawn in front of our houses. The dump truck came from the
hospital at 9:00, bringing the coffin. The attending pastor, Christopher’s
father, and school staff met in our home for prayer and sharing prior to the
viewing.
Most of the students and staff would not be able to attend the funeral
service in Christopher’s village, so, there was a viewing time for all the
students and staff here. Close friends, some of the staff, some of his Form Three
classmates and student leaders packed into the back of the dump truck with the
coffin, and seven of us squeezed into the cab for the two and a half hour trip
to the home village
of Ipoloto, northwest of
Mlowo. The first and last hour was over spine-jarring, teeth-rattling dirt
roads.
The funeral process included
a visit to the home, followed by a procession through the village to the
church. After the church service, he was buried behind the church building. Our
Headmaster, pastors, the village leader, and visiting government leaders
addressed the large group that had gathered to pay their final respects to a
great young man. Rain clouds were gathering as we left the village.
Rain-soaked, we arrived back at Idigima at 7:00 in the evening.
In the days that have
followed, we’ve heard a lot of comments about Christopher. He will not be soon
forgotten. We tell his friends that there is no bringing him back, but we can
live as he did and see him again when we die.
Life is short; live to the
glory of God until you die.
Love and hugs to all of
God’s people,
Gary and Joanne Grenell
