I rarely write about death maybe because I think about it often. It has "stared me in the face" several times, has shadowed and scathed me in no small ways! However, it does not scare me by God's grace.
Yesterday another beautiful soul had gone to be with the Lord. I've not seen my wife break down and cry at such sad news for some time, and I now had two girls to comfort as our daughter was also crying. Death really has a sting but no victory over God's elect children. Mrs Chishiba Shibemba Chibuta rests in eternal peace in the bossom of Christ. I may now not get the answers I wanted about Mr Mwamba Chibuta for my book project, but we shall meet on the other side by God's Will. If memory serves me right, I came to know the Chibutas between 1995 and 1997. I started relating a little more closely with them from around 1999 onwards especially through being friends with Lumpuma Olivia Chitambala (Mrs Kayombo now) and Mwansa Shibemba, Mrs Chibuta's young sister (now Mrs Kabwe) who stayed with them for some time.
What was most remarkable and attractive about the couple was their hospitality and love for God that worked out in practical Christian living. They were good and generous. I remember how, we young people "from church" would ransack their home almost at any time of day! Blessed was their maid too, MHSRIP. Well, by God's grace the Chibutas cherished and inspired, at least in me, family time not just through devotions and church attendance but holidays and outings consistently throughout their marriage. I remember them disappearing from our midst for holidays, Mr Chibuta driving the Suzuki Vitara, which I think influenced me in buying our Suzuki Escudo, because I had asked him some questions about theirs. Mr Chibuta was a role model for biblical headship and as provider; he was hard working. Mrs Chibuta herself was an inspiration for her submission, respect ,love, and support to her husband. She became a caring but strict mother and, fair to say, a mirror of the "Proverbs 31 woman" as she juggled the balls of homemaker, formal career in a demanding organisation, and reliable wife! I remember hearing sister Lumpuma say, 'balikosa bana Chibuta' when she was expecting to give birth to Mutale, their first born daughter, but going to the office almost until she was due! She was not just physically strong but spiritually and morally too. But of course she was no angel, not perfect at all and I can't speak about her negatives which I was not aware of. The couple were not just love birds, but sing birds too! They loved music and to minister through singing at Kabwata Baptist Church, and I'm pretty sure they were very instrumental in the music ministry recording and releasing a 12 song or so album. That was quite apart from the fact that Mr Chibuta was at that time a church elder, the role he served in to the end of his life, and while they both had busy jobs.
They really were a pillar in society by their faith and practice, more so as they excelled in their careers and entrepreneurship. They started an events management business that consisted hire of chairs, marquees (not sure of spelling) and decor, which Mrs Chibuta continued to run even after the passing of her husband in January 2014. His battle with cancer, at least with the love of his life always by his side, and subsequent demise, I suppose was one of her most trying times but she took it with grace. They had sought treatment abroad in India, and at home but at length to no avail. We were delighted to visit and see them back at home after their last India visit, hoping for the best. They gave my wife and I some valuable information during that time, and told us about a wonderful Indian Christian family since we were scheduled to travel there. We were assured of their prayers as they were of ours. They were one of the first people or couple we visited when we returned in December 2013, only to lose Mr Chibuta in a few days or weeks following. It was a terrible period for us, much more for our sister, aunt, and friend Chishiba Shibemba Chibuta and their family. That did not keep her down as she continued doing well: hosting Saturday breakfasts for the August Conference speakers, accompanied by pastors/elders from the organising Churches; progressing in her work and academics where she had meritoriously risen to senior management at CHAZ and bagged a Masters.
Now her own, literally lone battle with Covid19 or it's association, finally took her to glory yester morning, the 15th day of July 2021, leaving three wonderful children orphaned! What a blow to the militant Church and terrible loss to society, particularly to family and friends. Both in her and her husband's case, we prayed yet God in His sovereignty saw it fit for them to leave earth at the precise moments that each of them did. We are told in Hebrew 9:27 that 'it is appointed unto men once to die...' Mrs Chibuta was a rare jewel of mother earth and a precious flower of heaven; too precious to be irked by the incessant ills of this world while her tear-strewn face looked up to heaven, instead of singing the unceasing heavenly praises of her God and Saviour. He comforts her now and has wiped her tears to cry or suffer or die no more! Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hearty condolences again to Mwansa, Nkonde, Bunda, Dr Shibemba, Mutale, Kombe and Chishiba Jr, and the rest of the family. May God almighty, all-wise and Sovereign strengthen and comfort you; and may he undertake for you dear ones in the physical absence of the wider Christian family.
