Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: MOURNING / MORNING (02/02/23)
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TITLE: From Death to Life. | Previous Challenge Entry
By Robert Rutaagi
02/09/23 -
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About ten years ago, I went upcountry to attend my uncle’s burial. One morning, I overheard a group of mourners discussing a living man who died and rose again.
“Has any of you seen the man’’? I asked, curiously.
“No,” they replied almost in unison.
“Is he still alive?” I probed further.
The man was alive, they assured me. Later, I was attending a convention by World Shine Ministries when the Master of ceremonies introduced a man who was seated in our tent, several lines in front of me. A word of knowledge came to me that that was the man I desired to meet. Unfortunately, because I was moving in and out, being one of the Convention leaders, before I could meet him, he disappeared in the large crowd. I did not see him again.
A few days later, while talking on phone with a friend who had attended the same convention, I asked him whether he knew the man who had died and rose again. He knew him. He sent me his telephone immediately. I rang my man. He was excited to receive my call and the reason I was looking for him – “his death and life testimony.’’
Even before I could ask him when and where to meet him, he volunteered excitedly: “Next week, I am coming to your area, let us meet.” I thanked the Lord.
One bright Sunday morning, we met at one of his son’s home. Shem narrated his story to me. As I listened, he could have put his finger in my eye without me blinking! Let me return to that later. On the following morning, I interviewed him on Lighthouse Television Transformed Lives Program for one hour. On the following morning, I hosted him at my house after which we bid him farewell.
Shem was born in 1912. He inherited witchcraft 'technologies' from his grandfather, through his father for which [witchcraft] he became famous. He married seven wives and produced thirteen children. In 1938, he miraculously received salvation. He, guided by the Lord, divorced all the six wives and remained with only one who was barren. After a while, his barren wife started producing and she did not stop until she had another thirteen children.
He became a local chief for many years and doubled as an Anglican lay Evangelist up to today. In 1971, Shem fell sick. In 1980, in the morning, he died. The family, relatives and friends gathered for mourning for three days as the culture demanded.
On the burial morning, mourning and wailing, a mammoth crowd gathered conduct the final Christian send-off ceremony.
“Anyone born of a woman is bound to die in accordance with the Scripture…Hear also what the word of God says…man came from dust and man will return to dust…” the Clergy exhorted as mourners listened in grief. Suddenly, the Clergyman stopped as he cocked his ears. Then a second time! And for the third time many people heard the same voice from the coffin!!!
“Juliet!!! Juliet!!! Juliet!!!” a clear loud voice came from the coffin.
All mourners, in a stampede, except the brave Clergy, followed from the grave area. ‘’Dangerous evil spirit!!!’’ every mourner thought, marathoning in different directions.
In Shem’s time, coffins were still basic – mere planks of wood nailed together unlike modern ones with sophisticated timber and sliding glass. When the coffin was opened, Shem’s eyes were wide open and blinking – a sign that he was alive. What a miracle!
That ended Shem’s burial ceremony. For six months, he lay on a mat without any movement. One day, an Angel of the Lord came, held his hand, lifted him up and led him outside the house. The Angel did much more. He healed him totally from toe to cranium. The old vanished and the new came – body, soul and spirit. 2 Cor. 5:17.
“Shem, how do you feel about your salvation, sickness, death, living again and age?” I asked Shem as we concluded the program. “I am proud of what the Lord has done for me” he joyfully answered. 2 Cor. 10:17.
Today, I talked to Shem. He is 111 years old, Juliet is 98 and they are blessed with many children and grandchildren.
NON-FICTION.
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