Joy mixed with grief

DonDon,

(Jubab’s brother)

and his bride,

Nayumi here

with Paul.

It was a 7 hour

journey to reach

Nayumi’s  village.

But what began as a joyous family bridal journey became a journey of joy mixed with grief because two hours into the journey, we received news of death in the family. Jubab’s birth grandfather had gone to be with the Lord at the age of 70, which was great joy for him but grief for us. Some of the family turned back to go and prepare for the funeral while the rest of us continued on. The wedding guests were already gathered, the bride and her family were waiting expectantly, the wedding feast was being prepared and the wedding could not be postponed.  

This is minutes before

the wedding ceremony

began.

Jubab was a very 

proud brother

of the nervous

groom.

Just 24 hours later,

joy turns to

raw grief as

Jubab holds

his distraught

birth Mum in

his arms at

Grandpa’s

grave-site, 

while we said

our goodbyes

to Grandpa’s

earthly body.  

Paul’s message at the gravesite was this:  “Brothers and sisters, do not grieve for Amay like people grieve who have no hope.....for we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus, all those who have died, who believe in Jesus. This is our hope! We weep now as we say goodbye to Amay’s earthly body but one day soon, we’ll hear the shout of the archangel and the trumpet of God and we’ll be swept up together in the clouds, and Amay will be there.......so encourage one another with these words!” 

Praise God for this wonderful hope!!!

Please pray for Bubuy and Wila (Jubab’s birth Dad and Mum) and our whole family during the days of grieving for Wila’s Dad who lived with them and is very missed.

Pray for DonDon and Nayumi, our family newlyweds, who are here with us right now in Lapoc. Nayumi’s first day of married life was at Grandpa’s funeral with a house full of strangers and in a place many hour’s travel away from her childhood home and her family. She is a bright, beautiful girl with a strong faith in Jesus and we are looking forward to many years of serving Him together with these children of ours.

P.S. If you would like to read more about DonDon and Nayumi's wedding or of Grandpa's funeral, please click on the link to Ben and Leonie's blog as you will find much more detail!