Tim and the other teachers at school were notified, and Madame Loice quickly left school to be with her colleague. During lunchtime, Loice returned and shared news the burial would be that afternoon. After school Tim was asked to contribute to a collection to give Eunice and her family. Each member of the school staff then boarded a piki piki (bicycle taxi) and headed to the main road. Then cramming in a matatu, they all traveled to Mambaleo, where there is a cemetery.
Madame Eunice and her family arrived shortly along with the pastors from the Lutheran Church in Kisumu. As the group began to make its way to the grave site, Pastor Joseph began singing a hymn in Kiswhahili. Everyone joined in. No hymnals, no bulletin inserts, no words projected on the screen. The family of Christians worshipped God in this time of trial.
The experience for Tim was truly culturally Kenyan. This afternoon he participated in the collection of money at the school, witnessed the matatu conductor paying the standard bribe at a police stop, enjoyed a warm soda, and contributed to a second collection of money following the burial.
However, singing those hymns created the most meaningful memory. We give thanks to God for honest, humble faith these Kenyans showed. May God continue to keep their eyes fixed on the cross of Christ, sustain them in their sufferings, and comfort them with the joys awaiting them in heaven.
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