In Memory of Mayden Mbewe

A little over six months ago, when we first came to Zambia, I went on a walk with five women. Over the past six months, these women have become friends and inspirations, people that I have grown to love, respect, and admire deeply. Amayi Phiri, Amayi Banda, Amayi Kahlua, Amayi Mbewe, and Amayi Mvula walked with me into the homes of people who were very sick, and sang with them, and prayed with them, and brought them food. These are not women who have a lot of resources; they, too, live in the compounds. They, too, have struggled with gripping poverty that has made 4 of the 5 of them widows, and most of them have lost at least one child.

Amayi Mbewe was a relatively quiet woman, but she loved to sing and dance. In fact, I remember attempting to have a conversation that kept getting interrupted by her breaking out in song.  She considered herself a "soldier" and even though her leg was very painful, she would walk for hours with us, going to visit others who were in even more pain than she was. Her very small house was decorated with a huge picture of Jesus, and she was very patient in speaking Chichewa with me, although my broken use of the language always caused her to double over in laughter. Making her laugh made me very happy.

When we visited her home, I met two of her grandchildren, double orphans who had only their grandmother left in the world. Mother, father, and grandfather had all died, and Amayi Mbewe was committed to keeping her granddaughters in school. She was fierce, in many ways, having lost so many people, but refusing to give up her hope, her faith, her generosity.

While I was in South Africa, Amayi Mbewe died. Some blood vessels in her brain ruptured and by the time she got to the hospital, her earthly life was over. That day, she had been at the church, meeting with the Women's Guild, faithful and loving, as usual. But that evening, her body gave out on her, and she returned into the arms of her loving God.

Amayi Mbewe's grandchildren have now lost their parents, their grandparents, every caregiver they have known. And I know that the church will surround them with love; I know that they will not be totally alone; I know that God is going to be with them, through this loss and pain. But I am sad, and they are sad, and the church is sad, for a wonderful, caring woman is no longer here, on earth, with us.

So, please pray for Amayi Mbewe, for her grandchildren, for her church, and for her work, that the flames of love that she kindled will continue to shine in this world, that her life might continue to be a testament to the powerful, generous, amazing love of God.