4 November 2006

On Wednesday the Hunts previous house worker, Mary passed away. The Hunts were still in South Africa and so Helen and Tori felt that they should attend the funeral. I didn't really want to because I thought it would be inconsiderate for me to go since I didn't even know her. But Tori said that it would be fine because the family wouldn't even know her or Helen but we wanted to represent the Hunts. Mary was Catholic and the Hunts had witnessed to her for a long time but don't believe that she was ever truly saved. So to go to the funeral was very sad for us because we don't know where her eternal destiny is. It was really hard for us knowing that they thought she was in heaven because she was a good person and did good things and went to church. But we know that the only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ. There is nothing we can do to earn our way into heaven. I was reminded of God's amazing Grace, I don't deserve to go to heaven, yet by His Grace and His love he died on the cross for me!! It's so uncomprehensible, yet so amazing!! God has also been showing me the brevity of life. Like James says in James 4:14 "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." The funeral service was a lot like an american funeral. However, all the ladies wear cha-tengay's. They are pieces of material that you wrap around like a skirt. But most of them are bright so it is very different from the American tradition of wearing black. At the front of the church the daughters and others were gathered on the floor for the service. They were crying so loudly and even wailing. Its their way of grieving. After the chruch service everyone has to find transport to the cemetary for the burial. But only one mini-bus comes for about 70-80 people, so it is mass confusion trying to get on the bus. We had a car and we were able to take one of the daughters with us. There was also a truck that went and there were so many people crammed in the back! I think for me the most shocking part of the day was the cemetary. On the road in there were so many graves with fresh dirt over the top. There was another funeral taking place when we arrived. And then in the section we were there were 6 other graves already dug for more burials that day!!! Death is so evident here. Every week someone I know speaks of a funeral. People are dying here at an amazing rate. Their average life expectancy is 34 years old!!! It's remarkable.