My mother went to be with the Lord on 29th September 2023. Her sudden passing on that Friday night ushered in moments that will forever be branded on our minds as a family. “Mummy” or “Jajja” as we always called her was born on 5th December 1955 and so, every year we always looked forward to celebrating her.
It was the legendary writer Mark Twain who wrote, “There are two most important days in your life; the day you were born and the day you understand why,” and I must say that throughout the course of her life, my mother greatly understood why she was born. As a Christian, she had earlier in her life submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and every day of her life she yielded herself to the Holy Spirit who worked in her hope, joy, love, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) and to be able to live as an effective witness of the Jesus she so dearly and faithfully served. As one who was very close to my mother, I would like to share with you some of the lessons from her life;
Unwavering commitment and devotion: One of the things I will always remember mother for is her unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ and the ministry of intercession. When her husband, our father, died in 2001 this experience didn’t leave all of us the same including mum. The Lord handed her an assignment to pray and intercede for His people. I say with profound confidence that since that time till the last few minutes before her passing, mum committed to praying for her children and for everyone whom the Lord laid on her heart. She did this with so much commitment that one time while we were in South Africa in 2016 she asked me to change her watch from local time (South Africa) to Ugandan time so she could keep in touch with her rhythm of prayer. There was not any physical condition that kept her from her prayer time. A few days after her passing, one of our neighbors told me he always heard her voice at 4am everyday pierce through the quiet estate where we live and now that she’s gone, he notices the difference. Sometimes he eavesdropped her prayers, and so, he was confident that there was someone whom God had positioned in our community calling on Him for the safety and protection of our community. When mum prayed, she knew there was a God who listened and would answer according to His will!
Her testimony, her weapon: Just like everyone else, mum encountered several untold challenges that no amount of ink can fully describe. However in every situation, physical or spiritual, she came overcame (Romans 8:37). As she grew in her faith she began to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to boldly use her testimony to tell whoever God brought in her space about the love of God and the forgiveness that God offers us all through His Son. She would always tell her life story with bright eyes, passion and remarkable illustrations. Mother was never ashamed of talking about her past mistakes and failures because it was through this that people could both identify and learn from her story. As a result, people from all walks of life, young and old, sought her advice and wisdom. Our house was frequently visited by people who wanted to know more about God through her life story and as she witnessed to them, many lives were forever changed! Now, mum was far from perfect however she delighted in the fact that Jesus Christ had transformed her life and given her a new song to sing and so, it became her new mission to proclaim the praises of Him who called her out of darkness into His marvelous light (1Peter 2:9). As her children we were no strangers to the pain, hurt and some of the disappointments that mum faced which in return gave us the opportunity to witness firsthand what God can do in the life of any person who truly surrenders his or life into the Hands of The Author of life (Acts 3:15). I affirm that when mum gave her life to Christ, she gave all! It was evident that Jesus Christ was her refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1). And at this I ask, where do you turn to in moments of trouble, pain and confusion? From Mum’s life story I learned that we can count on God and rely on His presence with us even in some of life’s most difficult moments.
Loved all and welcomed all: In John 13:35, Jesus told His disciples, “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” This is something that mum evidently demonstrated to us as her children and in her community. We live in such a hurting world and love is the most sure way we can break through some of the coldest and hardest of hearts of people. Our mother both preached and exemplified this virtue which the Holy Spirit had cultivated in her life as a Christian. Her love for people was made manifest through sharing Christ, giving of material things and being a listener to those who needed someone to talk to. How do we speak of the love of God and not show how He cares for the needs (physical and spiritual) of the people we are trying to reach?
Godly mother: As an evangelist always on the move to reach youth and children with the gospel of Jesus Christ, I was confident that no matter where I was in the world my mother was praying for me – and this, on a daily! Billy Graham once said, “Only God Himself fully appreciates the influence of a Christian mother in the molding of character in her children.” This is true of mother! I can never imagine what we would have become as children if God had not placed in our lives the kind of mother that mum has been to us. In fact, if we were to choose a mother we would choose our mum all over again! She taught us how to pray and give thanks to God in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). As a parent, what seeds are you sowing in your children? The inheritance that a parent leaves for his or her children, I perceive, goes beyond mere land, cows or houses; a godly heritage curved on the hearts and minds of children is what eventually makes a difference in their lives, guides them in the way they should go and then enables them make the right decisions for their lives. Invest in their education, show them the way of Christ, teach them morals, pray over them and encourage hard work. This, no one can steal from them!
Faith in the present, hope for the future: As a follower of Jesus Christ, my mother was a person full of hope. She frowned at the evil and injustice that she saw on television and in the newspapers however she was also hopeful that in whatever situation people found themselves in, there was always an answer and a solution – in Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 15:19 the Apostle Paul mentions that, “If our hope in Christ is for this life alone, we are more to be pitied than anyone in this world.” Her hope was not only for this life but also for the next life. Whoever she met, she always asked them if they had made the decision for Christ and for the Christian, she would always challenge one to be ready at all times for “No one knows when that day or hour will come…” (Matthew 24:36).
A humble servant of God: My mother was a mature Christian not because of her age rather because she daily sought the Lord and all her life depended on the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures. However, whenever there was an opportunity to learn she would always have her pen and paper ready to take note of something new. I remember she always asked me to outline verses for her concerning particular situations and topics. Regularly I would share with her what the Lord had laid on my heart and she would with all humility write it all down and pray over it. I know of some people who pray for me and I always thank the Lord for them. However, I was confident and sure of my mother’s prayers. Since 2019 when I decided to move to Southwestern Uganda, I purposed to call her every day of the week at 8:00am something the Lord helped me sustain till that Friday morning when she passed into glory. And on each of these days, she always had a scripture or a number of verses for me to read and pray through! She was unique and a rare personality and in her I had my number one prayer cover. Whenever she talked to you and then realized she had offended you in any way, she would immediately apologize and ask you to forgive her. My mother was a giant in faith and her prayer life; the Lord always showed her what people were going through but she never at anyone time developed spiritual pride or considered herself more special than those who were weaker in faith! She treated everyone the same irrespective of where they came from. She had her prayer room in our house and everyday from 2am till the break of day, she prayed for different people, name by name and for me and my siblings. We are indeed going to miss this!
Her final moments: It is next to impossible to write in a single article what and how Mum’s final moments were! When the Lord called her home I was on a 14-day safari with a group of German tourists (alongside my ministry work, I work as a German language translator and tour guide). I talked to her that Friday as was always the custom to talk to her everyday, while we were in Murchison Falls National Park and she sounded so happy and excited. The words she spoke to me, now that I reflect upon them, were in a sense bidding me farewell. She sounded so confident in her voice, appreciated my love and care for her (she sometimes said some of these words) and prayed for me that God would elevate my ministry to higher levels. And then we said goodbye to each other promising to talk the following day. There was something strange about that day, that while I was waiting for my clients who had gone for a boat ride I felt weak and tired, and a sense of loneliness had gripped me. And then at 10:20pm I received a call that mum was suddenly not feeling fine. Within a short time I called back and I was told she had transitioned! This was the darkest hour I had ever encountered. What was life for me, my siblings and her grandchildren going to be like without mum? It is important to note that as mum walked to her bedroom minutes before her passing she said to my brother, “I have showed you people the way, and God will not blame me!” And she truly and faithfully did show us the way of Christ which we will keep by His grace.
Billy Graham was once asked what his attitude was toward death and he said, “I am looking forward to death with great anticipation because it will simply be a change of address!” He added, “The moment you read in the papers that Billy Graham is dead, don’t believe that because I will be more alive then than I am now!” And certainly that’s the hope we hold in Mum’s case; that she’s in much more better place and that she’s more alive now than ever before. I can only imagine what great reception she must have received when she entered into heaven that night, not because she was more special than anyone else but because another child of God had come home! She preached the gospel of Christ and also loved it out with boldness and hope. I look forward to seeing her again when the Lord calls me home. Death is not the end of one’s life, rather it is the beginning of a life in eternity- life without end!
Mum was a true fighter; she faced with confidence whatever challenge and opportunity that came her way. Indeed she fought the good fight and ran the race and guess what, she won (2Timothy 4:7-8)! I have not met anyone as courageous and hopeful as she was; always hopeful and optimistic because she knew God was in control!
I am thankful to God for my siblings; Kebirungi Judith, Mukiza Emma and Mugisha Joseph for loving mum and supporting her throughout the time we had her. Actually, Joseph spent the last three years with mum, ensured she was in good care and also witnessed her last moments. I count myself blessed to have these guys as my siblings. Mum’s grandchildren are lovely and as the Lord enables us we will show them the way of Christ just as mum did for us. To everyone, friends and relatives, who stood with us during this trying moment we are eternally grateful! May the Lord bless you all.
For us who are still here, may we sojourn this earth knowing that we still have an opportunity to decide where we will spend eternity. As a Christian, I hold that God offers us eternal life through Jesus Christ and this gift of life is free! I pray for you that you may reach out for this grace and life that is in Christ, today!
To God be the glory! Amen.
dusabepeter 