Missionaries wear many hats. There are many opportunities to minister in many different facets. Almost five weeks ago it was the opportunity to be a grief counselor. Two families in our church here in Kaintiba, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea, lost their babies to death because of illness. What can I do to comfort them, I, who have never lost a baby? I, who still have my 6 month old baby. I felt helpless, yet to do nothing was not an option. I grieved with them. My husband built coffins for the two bodies. We gave food. We continue to check up on them. They have questions that are hard to answer. Why does God allow it to happen?
Our national pastor, Jorim, and his wife, Tabtitha, were one of the sets of parents. It was their first born child, Esline. She was such a chubby, happy baby and the delight of her parents. Her mom told me how happy Esline made her. She was smiling and interacting with them. Tabitha asked who would now make her smile.
The other couple, Steve and Jenny, lost their third child. His name was Emil. He was 9 months old. This family has only been saved a few months. They have questioned why it seemed many hardships have come into their lives since they became Christians. Mark shared with them from the book of Job.
We pray the Lord takes our feeble attempts and blesses it to bring comfort to these lives.
Jorim and Tabitha with Baby Esline already deceased.
Esline's "haus krai" (pronounced "house cry")
Esline in her coffin
Emil in his coffin
Emil grave picture. They don't bury the bodies straight down. They dig another hole and place the body in an earthen vault. We theorize they don't want to throw dirt on the top of the body but we haven't actually asked why they do it that way.
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