A Time to Mourn

Our community is experiencing a time to mourn this weekend. Friday night our dear friends and colleagues John (Bush) and Veronica Businei lost their nine-year-old son Kelvin. Earlier in the week he was treated for malaria but failed to respond. The doctors were unsure of exactly what was wrong with him. He was started on strong antibiotics on Friday. Later that evening he passed away in his father's arms.

Kelvin was in standard two (second grade) at ELI's "Brook of Faith" school. He is survived by his parents, older brother, and over three hundred children who he lived, learned, and played with.

Today Kelvin's body was brought home from the morgue. The Children's Home and Brook of Faith students came together to hold a memorial service for him. Several children shared about how special he was. One girl encouraged his brother, Patrick, to be strong and to know that God loves him and his family.

As I looked into Veronica's eyes my own filled with tears. I held her tightly as we cried together. At the end of the children's service Kelvin's body was transported to his parents home not far from our village. Tomorrow we will gather to say a final goodbye and bury him at his parents' home.

Unfortunately Kelvin was just one of three deaths in our community this week. Tuesday morning William's aunt lost her son in childbirth. We also lost a 28-year-old single mother of two to heart failure. Then just yesterday I received word that one of our colleagues had lost a relative and would be going home to be with her family for a few days.

During times like this it is easy to become overwhelmed. Please join us in praying for our community during this time or mourning. Pray that the Holy Spirit will bring comfort. Pray that some may come to know Christ through these tragedies. Pray for wisdom and strength for our staff as we press on during challenging times.