Mourning and Hope in Guinea
February 16, 2012
It is February 11, 2012.The coffin with Dr. Isaac Keïta’s body is placed in front of the platform in the People's Palace in Conakry. He was just 62 years old. On the platform, his five children, all in white, the color of hope. They talk about their father, literally: "We are proud of him! He didn’t leave us much money or property, but something more important: the word of God and awe for the Eternal One." Then they sing about the faithfulness of their heavenly Father.
It was the culmination of a full day program. Among the speakers is the Minister of Information expressing condolences from the president of Guinea. I was asked to deliver the sermon and felt incompetent, because the deceased was one of the best communicators I have ever known. Thankfully I could use an illustration which I heard from him: A woman with a heavy basket rode on a truck loaded with cement and she sat on top it. Another passenger said to her: "You do not need to keep your basket on your knees, put it on the cement. But the woman replied, “Oh no, the truck has already a heavy load, I don’t want to add to that.”
Just like Isaac, I could refer to Jesus, who invites all who are weary and burdened. No burden is too heavy for Him. Isaac's widow, Rachel, can go to Him with her grief. So can the Theological Faculty which he led and the international family of the AWF, in which he played such an important role.
In accordance to Isaac’s desire, the day was a declaration of hope in Christ, most vividly expressed by the testimony of his children. If they are the future of the church, then there is hope!
"It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting” says Ecclesiastes 7:2. Mourning in the People’s Palace in Conakry was transparent: through it the light of hope was visible. Let’s continue to pray Isaac’s wife and family and let’s praise God for their commitment to Christ, the risen Lord! Pray also for the AWF-Africa region. May God give wisdom as to how to proceed without our brother Isaac Keïta.
Arie Verduijn, President
Alliance World Fellowship
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