Date,
Although I am troubled by the fact that you did not say a word to me before leaving this sinful world, I am consoled knowing that you are seated in God’s presence.
This sad incident that happened on your way back from a retreat at church has shown me without any shadow of a doubt that you’ve gone to rest with the Lord. When the Lord calls me home as well, I pray that I am as ready as you were when He called you home.
I am taking your body home as it was your wish, to lay you to rest.
I thank God for the years we spent together and the way you took care of me, especially during the last six years since I had a stroke. Only the good Lord knows why he took you first and left me. But, I believe He will take care of me in your absence.
Farewell my dear wife, till we meet again.
Your husband
Esau Nji Ade
Mami, hard as it is to accept that you are gone, I have to accept the cold hard fact that I will never see you again.
The day after you went to be with the Lord, I met Joseph – the young man who lives in the basement of your house. I discovered during the course of our conversation that he had been staying at the house for the past three months or so. He told me the story of how he came to be staying there and how you had helped him enroll in the GNA/CNA program and how you had already introduced him to some potential employers. He also told me that you had scheduled to take him to another potential employer, the following week. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be, as God Almighty decided otherwise!
I remember the last conversation we had – you had called to find out if I was aware that the President of our CMF group had been admitted to the hospital and was in a critical condition. You also informed me of the passing of a Cameroonian that just happened earlier that day. Little did I know that four days later, you will be called home to be with the Lord.
The suddenness of your departure has left me in a daze and it wasn’t until I got word of the passing of my CMF brother that I could bring myself to write about our last conversation. It brought to the fore your concern for the welfare of others. I started recalling the multiple times you had called and encouraged me to call somebody we knew, who was sick or who was in some kind of predicament to cheer them up or pray for them. I also recalled the concern that you always showed towards others – even complete strangers! The more I thought about it, the more I realized that probably your mission on this earth was to help people and you did it with extra-ordinary favor.
From the time I was a little boy until the end of your earthly journey, I cannot think of any period when you did not have somebody you were helping directly (staying in the house with the family) or indirectly (sponsoring them). From my cousins - Walters and Therese, who grew up with me before the birth of my siblings, through Fidelis, George (the Bafwum guy), Fon, Titus, Pamela, Francoise (oohoo), among others, to the many nephews and nieces that you discovered after I had left Cameroon; and recently, Joseph- the most recent beneficiary of your generosity, who is still at the house in DC- you have been taking care of God’s children - relatives and strangers, alike, with whatever resources you had available.
It is just dawning on me now, that your divine mission on this earth must have been to help people, regardless of whether you knew them or not, even at the expense of your own comfort. I thank God that he allowed you to touch so many lives both in Cameroon and the United States and I pray that the Almighty should grant me the grace to apply this lesson that you tried to teach us throughout your life.
Mami, you served the Lord with joy and diligence. That is why I am praying that God Almighty should receive you into His heavenly kingdom where you will add that unique voice of yours to the heavenly choir.
Rest in Peace, Mami!
Willibrord Ade – Mami’s first child
Dear beloved in-law and my sister in Christ, I miss you and I am very sorry that I will not be able to talk to you face to face or even hear your voice. The last time I visited you in your house, you told me that you were going home to see your new house, little did I know that you were talking about the new heaven where there is no sickness, no pain but all happiness. I went back to your house and visited all the rooms, I called but could not hear you or see you. Where are you?
My dear best boo, you went for a re-treat and the Lord asked you to wash your sins under the cross and he called you to himself.
I remember how you used to give me medicines when I was sick; in our C.W.F group, you always helped me when I needed help, what is this death? All our plans together have failed now that God has called you home. I loved you but God loves you best, remember me while you are with the Lord and send blessings to your children and myself. goodbye...till we meet again.
Thank you again for everything you did for me.
Oh my mother! You never, never gave up on me even when I made my mistakes. I even fell sick in 1998 and it was very serious and yet you were there for me-moving me from one hospital to another to get help for me. You only travelled abroad after seeing that I was feeling better and that I would be safe with my younger brother (Arllen) who was then in Cameroon. While abroad, you never gave up frequently calling and encouraging me. You taught me a song- “God holds the future in his hands” (See 2 Tim.1:12). That song encourages me until today and I would like other people to also get encouraged by the lyrics of the song. The thing which really hurts me the most about your passing is that I wanted you to stay longer and see me live a complete, fulfilled and happy life. But in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thes. 5:17) . I have total peace about where you have gone-a good place-and I want anyone reading this to never stop giving thanks--even in times when hurtful things happen to them.
Dear mother-in-law,
your sudden passing away is confusive and very
painful, whom shall I turn to? I'm comforted by the fact that you lived within the realm of God's given frankness and sincerity. Dear mother you lived in the service of the lord.
You have gone to the new heaven, and the holy city where there is no death, no pain and no tears (Rev.21 :1-4). Dear mother, you will find peace and rest with the sovereign lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
Pa Tassi L.F (Father-in-law)
