All is well
Hearts are grieving all over the Iringa Diocese and the St. Paul Area Synod with the news that our dear friend Benjamin Ngede died suddenly yesterday afternoon.
Benjamin was a pastor in this diocese, professor of theology at Tumaini University, a father, son, husband and friend to many. For those of in the Saint Paul Area Synod, he was one of the foundational members of this Bega Kwa Bega partnership. He had been the first Tanzanian pastor to come to Minnesota in the 1980s as part of a pastor exchange program. He befriended Rev. Don and Eunice Fultz, then from Faith Lutheran in Forest Lake, who later became coordinators of this partnership. In the early years, congregational visitors from St Paul frequently were accompanied by Benjamin as interpreter on their village visits, and many of us were honored to share a meal in his home--evenings which were memorable for the warmth of hospitality, good food, wonderful storytelling, heartfelt singing, and for the blessing of friendship in Christ that crosses cultural and geographical boundaries.
For Shepherd of the Valley, Benjamin was the translator for our first trip to Tungamalenga, and those us us on that journey remember his grace and good humor. He was a man who knew forgiveness, and extended the same to all of us.
On that visit to Tungamalenga, Benjamin received the news in 2002 that his daughter Lucy had died. I don't think any of us will ever forget the unshakable faith Benjamin showed on that day, as he affirmed over and over, 'it is well, it is well, and all shall be well again.' He had that confidence in the gospel and in the promise of the resurrection, both for his daughter and for himself.
It has been a difficult time here, as life and death interrupt plans and daily business. We heard the news a couple nights ago that Benjamin had been taken to the hospital, unresponsive. He never regained consciousness. Yesterday morning his family made arrangements so that he could be airlifted to a better hospital in Moshi, KCMC. Shortly after his arrival there, he was dead. His son Dennis called the BKB office at about 5:30 p.m. with the news.
As happens here, news spreads quickly. Within an hour, we had phoned Don & Eunice in Minnesota with the news, and then General Secretary Chavalla came. We filled a car with Tanzanians and Minnesotans and drove to the house, where women were already preparing the house and family and friends began to gather. We were welcomed to help with preparations, which involved clearing furniture out of two rooms, one for mourners to gather in, and another where the body will stay when it is flown back later today until the funeral.
Rev. Msigwa and Rev. Julie Rogness led prayers and singing, and after greeting family, we left. The funeral will probably be tomorrow (Saturday) if the body comes back today. Julie and I will be on a bus toward Dar, but the Saint Paul Area Synod will be represented by Pastor Kent Gubrud and ambassadors from Christus Victor in Apple Valley.
We know that nothing, not even death, can separate us from the love of God, and that is the thing I will remember most about Benjamin. His faith and strength of conviction at one of the darkest moments of life--and that his response was, all is well, all is well, and all things will be well again.
Please keep his family in your prayers---Anna, Dennis, Elizabeth, Rueben, Beatrice, Shalom, Derek, Don, Eunice, Gary, Lamont, and many, many more.
Benjamin was a pastor in this diocese, professor of theology at Tumaini University, a father, son, husband and friend to many. For those of in the Saint Paul Area Synod, he was one of the foundational members of this Bega Kwa Bega partnership. He had been the first Tanzanian pastor to come to Minnesota in the 1980s as part of a pastor exchange program. He befriended Rev. Don and Eunice Fultz, then from Faith Lutheran in Forest Lake, who later became coordinators of this partnership. In the early years, congregational visitors from St Paul frequently were accompanied by Benjamin as interpreter on their village visits, and many of us were honored to share a meal in his home--evenings which were memorable for the warmth of hospitality, good food, wonderful storytelling, heartfelt singing, and for the blessing of friendship in Christ that crosses cultural and geographical boundaries.
For Shepherd of the Valley, Benjamin was the translator for our first trip to Tungamalenga, and those us us on that journey remember his grace and good humor. He was a man who knew forgiveness, and extended the same to all of us.
On that visit to Tungamalenga, Benjamin received the news in 2002 that his daughter Lucy had died. I don't think any of us will ever forget the unshakable faith Benjamin showed on that day, as he affirmed over and over, 'it is well, it is well, and all shall be well again.' He had that confidence in the gospel and in the promise of the resurrection, both for his daughter and for himself.
It has been a difficult time here, as life and death interrupt plans and daily business. We heard the news a couple nights ago that Benjamin had been taken to the hospital, unresponsive. He never regained consciousness. Yesterday morning his family made arrangements so that he could be airlifted to a better hospital in Moshi, KCMC. Shortly after his arrival there, he was dead. His son Dennis called the BKB office at about 5:30 p.m. with the news.
As happens here, news spreads quickly. Within an hour, we had phoned Don & Eunice in Minnesota with the news, and then General Secretary Chavalla came. We filled a car with Tanzanians and Minnesotans and drove to the house, where women were already preparing the house and family and friends began to gather. We were welcomed to help with preparations, which involved clearing furniture out of two rooms, one for mourners to gather in, and another where the body will stay when it is flown back later today until the funeral.
Rev. Msigwa and Rev. Julie Rogness led prayers and singing, and after greeting family, we left. The funeral will probably be tomorrow (Saturday) if the body comes back today. Julie and I will be on a bus toward Dar, but the Saint Paul Area Synod will be represented by Pastor Kent Gubrud and ambassadors from Christus Victor in Apple Valley.
We know that nothing, not even death, can separate us from the love of God, and that is the thing I will remember most about Benjamin. His faith and strength of conviction at one of the darkest moments of life--and that his response was, all is well, all is well, and all things will be well again.
Please keep his family in your prayers---Anna, Dennis, Elizabeth, Rueben, Beatrice, Shalom, Derek, Don, Eunice, Gary, Lamont, and many, many more.
Prayers, Heart-felt condolences, the powerful presence of Christ's comfort present in community to all who morn Benjamin's death and give thanks to God's work of salvation. -Randy B
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