Being relatively young, the Monkolé churches are still trying to work out how to do things as Christians within their culture. A good example of this is a question which arises whenever one of the Christians dies: “Pastor, how do we deal with this?”
The tradition here is to bury someone the same day they die. The Christians usually have a short ceremony at the graveside (which may be in the cemetery or may be within the family property in the village) with prayers and a brief message. Then traditionally people come and visit the family to support them in their grief. Far-flung members of the family must be lodged and fed, and all visitors are fed too.
Recently an old man from the church died, and Marc attended the burial and visited the family during the week following their bereavement. A week after the death, there was a notice in church saying that on the Monday (8 days after the death) there would be a service in open air in the village to mark the end of the time of mourning.
We wanted to be present for this, and went down at 9.30, since we had been told 9.15 … and even so we were still far too early! The service got started at about 11, and lasted a little over an hour. There was a lot of singing from the choir – deliberately chosen songs about the joy of knowing Jesus – some readings from the Bible, and a sermon from a visiting pastor. During this time and throughout the whole morning tens of women were hard at work preparing a meal for everyone around (our boys got a foretaste to keep them quiet when they got restless during the service!).
After the service there were instructions about who would eat where. Being missionaries, we got sent off to eat in the local government representative's house with the pastors. Pounded yams (the “best” food here, reserved for parties), chicken and spicy sauce were served to us, and we could have had rice too, if we'd had any room left!
We didn't remember the pastor having told us about such a service after the week of mourning, so we asked him about it. He told us that it can be difficult for a bereaved family because no one knows how long the time of mourning should go on for, and sometimes members of the extended family hang around for ages afterwards (requiring food and lodging). The Christians here asked their leaders how long the mourning period should last, and they asked a more established church among a neighbouring people group what they do. They said that it lasts for about a week, and then they have a big service to mark the end. Not only does this give a signal to family to leave (!) but it is also an opportunity to witness to the Christian hope that death is not the end, and that within the sadness of losing someone is the joy of knowing that they have gone to be with Jesus.
Speaking of which, Simon has learned the lesson well. Here is a recent conversation we had:
Simon: Why we can't eat the mushrooms in the compound but we can eat the mushrooms on the pizza?
Mummy: Well, the mushrooms in the compound might be poisonous.
Simon: And they can make us ill?
Mummy: Yes.
Simon: And they can kill us?
Mummy: Maybe.
Simon (looking happy and excited): And then we can see Jesus!
Mummy: ?!?
Sometimes applied theology gives unexpected results!
The tradition here is to bury someone the same day they die. The Christians usually have a short ceremony at the graveside (which may be in the cemetery or may be within the family property in the village) with prayers and a brief message. Then traditionally people come and visit the family to support them in their grief. Far-flung members of the family must be lodged and fed, and all visitors are fed too.
Recently an old man from the church died, and Marc attended the burial and visited the family during the week following their bereavement. A week after the death, there was a notice in church saying that on the Monday (8 days after the death) there would be a service in open air in the village to mark the end of the time of mourning.
We wanted to be present for this, and went down at 9.30, since we had been told 9.15 … and even so we were still far too early! The service got started at about 11, and lasted a little over an hour. There was a lot of singing from the choir – deliberately chosen songs about the joy of knowing Jesus – some readings from the Bible, and a sermon from a visiting pastor. During this time and throughout the whole morning tens of women were hard at work preparing a meal for everyone around (our boys got a foretaste to keep them quiet when they got restless during the service!).
After the service there were instructions about who would eat where. Being missionaries, we got sent off to eat in the local government representative's house with the pastors. Pounded yams (the “best” food here, reserved for parties), chicken and spicy sauce were served to us, and we could have had rice too, if we'd had any room left!
We didn't remember the pastor having told us about such a service after the week of mourning, so we asked him about it. He told us that it can be difficult for a bereaved family because no one knows how long the time of mourning should go on for, and sometimes members of the extended family hang around for ages afterwards (requiring food and lodging). The Christians here asked their leaders how long the mourning period should last, and they asked a more established church among a neighbouring people group what they do. They said that it lasts for about a week, and then they have a big service to mark the end. Not only does this give a signal to family to leave (!) but it is also an opportunity to witness to the Christian hope that death is not the end, and that within the sadness of losing someone is the joy of knowing that they have gone to be with Jesus.
Speaking of which, Simon has learned the lesson well. Here is a recent conversation we had:
Simon: Why we can't eat the mushrooms in the compound but we can eat the mushrooms on the pizza?
Mummy: Well, the mushrooms in the compound might be poisonous.
Simon: And they can make us ill?
Mummy: Yes.
Simon: And they can kill us?
Mummy: Maybe.
Simon (looking happy and excited): And then we can see Jesus!
Mummy: ?!?
Sometimes applied theology gives unexpected results!
2 comments:
Ah, precious moments... :) Death-defying MK in the making!
Aaah, mon filleul's the best.
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