When we arrived in Ebeye in August one of the first things I noticed was how friendly the people are. Everyone smiles at you and says Yokwe when you walk by. Especially the kids! They will follow you around for a while, or just yell "ripalle!" (white person) and ask you for a "high five!" They are so cute and always brighten even the darkest days.
One sweet lady in particular really has made an impact on me. This little elderly lady always sat in the doorway of her house. She was always dressed nicely in her mumu, often wearing earrings, and holding her Marshallese fan, smiling and waving at everyone who went by. She was always there. Every morning before school, every Sabbath, EVERY DAY, she would sit there. I would see her there in her wheel chair, leaning forward, so she could see the street, with a sparkle in her eye and a smile accentuating her beautiful wrinkles from a hard but happy life.
For several weeks our conversation consisted of "Yokwe, Yokwe!" and then progressed very slowly as I picked up even a tiny bit of the language. Each day I would wave and ask how she was doing. I asked her name 4 or 5 times. I could never remember it - and still can't - so that is when I just began calling her Bubu. I would attempt to carry on short conversations with her which usually ended with a stumbled Marshallese apology saying "Sorry, I no language Marshallese...only little." She would always smile, nod, and say "Emman, komol - It's good, thank you!" I would continue my walk home with a renewed resolve to study the language and really practice it! But I never did take the time to learn enough to really get to know her or any of the others that don't speak English.
She was in a wheelchair because she had lost one leg just above the knee due to diabetes, but she still went to church every Sunday. When she would see me dressed up on Sabbath she always looked confused, so I tried to explain to her that Saturday is my Sabbath. I think she understood, but didn't really know why. I prayed for her each day, and then one day I prayed with her, even though she couldn't understand my English prayer. She thanked me anyway.
Her visits to the hospital became more frequent, repeated amputations were made to keep ahead of the infections, and she seemed to get weaker. She amazed me by continuing to sit by the door, and if anything her smile became bigger. I always wished I would do more for her. I'm not sure why I felt such a special connection with her, but she really was a little like a Marshallese grandma to me.
One Sabbath morning (October 19) she was not sitting at her post when I walked to church. She is ALWAYS there. Well, maybe she just has another hospital appointment. But usually they aren't on Sabbath...well, I'm sure she is fine. Sunday again. Of course, she is at church, right?
And Monday, still an empty doorway... something is wrong. I think I really knew in my heart the whole time.
Tuesday we found out that she had passed away Sunday afternoon at the hospital. I spoke with a teacher who has been here a while and said that she had sat in that doorway in her wheelchair for 4+ years. Making everyone's day just a bit brighter with her smile and cheery greeting. I was in charge of speaking at Wednesday night worship the next day which was a challenge, but good for me. God knew I needed to share a bit.
Her funeral was all the following week, and we did go by on Sabbath to greet the family and place our 1 dollar bills beside her coffin - Marshallese tradition. I wanted to say something to her family about the impact she had made on me and many others that walked by each day, but I didn't know who to tell. So I simply smiled at the family, cried for them in my heart, and went back to the apartment deep in thought.
I still think of my Bubu everyday on the walk to school. I regret not having made more of an effort to connect with her. To learn the language better. To stay there talking with her longer, even if it was hard and sometimes awkward. To share more about my Jesus with her. I miss seeing her each day, and I pray for her family sometimes when I walk by. I hope they are doing okay.
I feel like I have seen so much pain and death here. I know it doesn't compare to the "yokwe, yokwe" lady, but also seeing Angel die got me thinking about life and death and Heaven. There have been many funerals here we have attended, and I just wonder about my job here.
Is it teaching math? Yes...but definitely NOT just math.It's all about Jesus. God, His people, and His great love for them all! I hope, I pray, that I have helped my students and maybe others to have a more clear picture of Christ and His love. I pray that I will see my likatu bubu in Heaven and have a long conversation with her and a good laugh about our previous attempts at communicating. I pray that all of my 6th graders will be there to join hands together and sing again, "Lord, I need You" or "I'm a son" or "Do you love my Jesus?" and many more! They will meet my sisters, my family, AND my brother! I am so excited for Jesus to come and I pray they will all be ready. I long for that day! What a glorious day that will be, when we see Jesus face to face!
Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son." ~Revelation 21:1-7
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