Kenya Funeral

  Friends,
  Too much time elapsed since the last blog update. As they would say in Kenya, "More pictures are on the way coming." Who knows when that will be! We invite you on a photo journey of Lela church's first burial. Wellington Rachuonyo was an elderly man that was confused at the end of his life. He died on July 7th and the burial was on the 22nd. This time frame is fairly common with the Luos. The body is kept in cold storage to allow the clan time to arrange for the burial. Thank you for your prayers on our behalf.

A number of church members and attendees went to the home to sing and pray on the Sunday after his death. We prayed over the place where the grave would be dug, and I had the opportunity to mark off the spot.

Leaving on that first Sunday after his death

The homestead or 'Dala'

Tiffany

Church ladies with his wife Benter, (seated with light blue dress). The church had a time of sharing at the dala, Wed. before burial.

The clan is having a meeting. They are planning the burial.

Tiffany and Eda. Eda is a daughter of Wellington and Benter.

The day before burial we agreed to go pick up the body at the mortuary. We waited for a while at the dala before going. There was a bus scheduled to carry people to the mortuary. It arrived a little early and was not willing to wait for us. We were "on the way coming" but it still left. The reward was.... we needed to wait! It was good to have Bishop Wayne back from furlough. It was a blessing to have him show me what is expected of me at the mortuary and burial.

waiting....

Church ladies waiting.... We carried the casket on top of the van.

Waiting....

While waiting we were able to see this.... Preparation cost the life of a bull or cow to feed people.

Finally, at the mortuary

Another body being transported that day

The coffin of Wellington. We sang, prayed, and had a time of viewing before loading the body.

Weeping and wailing over the deceased

We were escorted by this piki.

The body is being carried into the house where we sang and prayed. I witnessed the silent tears of Seth, a young son of Wellington. At the burial I had him come and stand with me and told the story of Morris Yoder. Morris lost his father at a young age. He told God that he would need to be his Father. Morris has been used by God in a mighty way. 

Benter, his wife, is seated.

Digging and measuring the grave

A beautiful sky the night before the burial

This burial made an impression on Tiffany. She wanted to keep looking at the man in the box. She wanted to watch as they covered him. 

Students from Lela Primary School sang through testimony time.

Preparing for burial. Below are a number of pictures of the burial.

Wayne had the committal. 

Joice Andawa was helping Elliot walk this morning. Another note about church today.  It was a very small group. Church members put a lot of time into the burial. Pray for Lina as she is facing problems at her dala. Pray that she would show God's love to those who are being rude to her.

P.S. We managed to witness a rooster fight at the beginning of the service!

Be Blessed as you serve the King!