In fair Lumakanda, Kakamega County, I lay my scene.

This has been a weekend of sorts. The backdrop of this weekend has been death!

On Saturday, I attended a wedding between Lady Jane and Rev. Ngereso at Likuyani. Mwana wa Lijondo, as he is commonly known, was wedding Lady Jane. Let me tell you the musings from this wedding: the bridal party was numbering over 40; the simplicity was in song and dance; there was no pomp; there was no Champagne but Krest for Ngereso and Sprite for Jane; the number of garlands on the couple was drowning. The vows were just the hallmark of the day. I loved every bit of the wedding. I did not see slay queen like makeup. May the good Lord bless this union.

But you know what, this wedding was part of the healing journey of Rev. Ngereso after the demise of his first love sometime in 2016. The Lord is wiping his tears.

Flash back. Ngereso is this vibrant pastor who did a lot in my countryside Mwamba PAG Church until his transfer in December 2017.

Back to Lumakanda. I am here to lay to rest Susan – the wife of youth to Pastor Solomon Omondi – the current pastor at Mwamba PAG.

Why is death this cruel? How do I (we) explain the death of wives to two pastors of the same congregation in such quick succession? This is too much to bear for this very community.

Solomon is such a humble man. His simplicity humbles me. Unlike the rivalry that is characteristic of change of leadership, he has openly confessed to build on the legacy that was Rev. Ngereso.

Solomon has done all to support the ailing wife. He has not spared any ounce of his little wealth to see a smile on his wife. In a remark at the requiem mass, he said, “I did everything to Susan in her sickness as per the vow I made to her”. May the Lord heal her in her resting. I pray for the 3 children left behind to find peace, strength and grace to bear life without mum. To Solomon, your dedication has been a sermon enough to many. May God wipe your tears.

And then Facebook reminded me that it is 4years since my beloved son Leon rested. I am hear reading “Leon Diaries – 9 Days in August” and I could not hold back my tears. Leon, I know you are looking down at me with smiles. I miss you son. You sister mentioned of you over the weekend. I did not want to break before her.

Life is this – that you may know Christ as Lord and Savior. Because then, there is hope beyond the grave!