It is with deep sorrow that we write you this, but the night of Tuesday the 20th of November at 3 in the morning Lorikus wife mama Sofia died, due to her deep burns.
Yesterday afternoon we had a call from Loriku, he told us that his wife unfortunately was moved back into Intensive care as her situation once again was critical. We decided to drive down to the hospital and see Mama Sofia. It was evident that she was very weak and her strength was running out.
I, Tabitha, stood next to her bed and took her hand in mine and stroked her lovingly on the arm. I talked to her and suddenly we made eye contact and she was blinking at me a few times with the eyes as like to say that she could hear all that I was saying, even though she could not respond. This became a very special and blessed time for us where we got to say our goodbyes.
Loriku has taken faithfully care of her every day for almost three months and he has been by her bedside from early morning to late evenings.
The Funeral will take place tomorrow Wednesday where we will follow her to her last place of rest. All our workers have asked to come so we will all go together to the bush.
We had hoped till the end that God would do a miracle for her and heal her. But the Lord knows what was best for her and we find peace in that. Now Mama Sofia has peace and is home with Jesus where there is no more pain or sorrow. She is also together with her little boy who died 2 months earlier.
Their little girl who was also badly burnt was finally released from the hospital today and all glory to God we can say that she is healed. She can stay here in Arusha with her mother’s bother and wife, they have expressed a wish to take care of her so that she will not need to return to Maasai land now that she has just lost her mother.
We would like once again to thank you for what you have done for this family, especially your prayers for this family during this hard time. Thank you if you will still remember Loriku who is now alone and have to take care of the children. (1 boy and 2 girls).
Thank you for standing together with us through this very tough time.
May the Lord richly bless you.
With love
Tabitha og Torkild.
The father disappeared and they have had no contact with him for several years. Ruth is a bright girl in school. Her school decided to sponsor her schooling because they are really poor. For various reasons the school recently shut down and Ruth had to find another school.
The mother cannot afford to send Ruth to another school. Ruth’s grandfather is a Maasai and he wants to have her back in Maasai land. He does not want a girl to get eductaed, but instead follow the Maasai traditions for girls: to be married. Maasais think that only boys should get educated.
Ruth’s mother told me that Ruth’s grandfather had received an offer from an elderly, wealthy Maasai who wanted to pay a very large dowry in the form of many cows in order to marry Ruth. Ruth had been desperate because she wanted to stay in school, get her education and choose her husband when the time was ripe. For this reason the mother and Ruth came to our office asking for help.
We trusted God and sent Ruth to a good, Christian school where she is thriving.
We received a sponsor who will support her until Form 4 is completed. But Ruth wishes to continue for another two years and graduate from High School. If any of you would like to support Ruth for a few more years please write us or send a gift to our missions account. Please earmark it “Ruth”.
