As we wrap up our time here in the tribe and get ready for home assignment we have recently been reminded vividly of the reason why we are here and the urgency in getting back so we can continue with studying the language and culture of the Ga’dang people. This past term we were able to experience many cultural events, from all the aspects of planting and harvesting corn and rice to the daily grind of just living and surviving in this environment. We’ve also had the privilege of participating in some major events, including two ‘uli’ (engagement parties), a wedding and multiple births. These are all happy events, and one gets to see the lighter side of life here in the tribe.
With just a couple of weeks left before we head home for a year the Lord put one more cultural event before us. It’s not just a cultural event though, but also a spiritual one as well, and perfectly timed to be fresh in our minds as we share with churches and individuals back in Canada about why we are here. Someone in the village died.
Analyn, or Kiwara as she was known in the village was going to turn 40 years old this year. She hadn’t been really healthy since we first met her, and we suspected she was having trouble with her lungs. Despite her breathing problems and lack of energy she never hesitated to do her part as one of the community, going out to the fields during planting and harvesting time and playing an active role wherever she could. When she wasn’t out she could be found at home running her little sari-sari (convenience store).
Then it happened. Kiwara’s health took a turn for the worse so her husband, Danny (one of my language helpers) took her out to town for a check up. Kiwara was hospitalized for a week but her health quickly deteriorated, and then they were told there was nothing more the doctors could do for her. All they could do is come back to the village and wait for the inevitable to happen. As some men left here that morning to go and carry her back in, the word in the village was that she had a 50/50 chance of survival.
That afternoon my language helper, Gaton and I were watching Perfecto and Victor, two older men as they were making some ‘dongadong’ and ‘barambang’ (musical instruments) out of bamboo for me to take back to Canada. Suddenly one of the young ladies who works in the house came out, shook up and crying, and told us that she had received a text saying that Kiwara had died on the trail while being carried home. She then ran to tell the others in the village about it. Soon after, our neighbour ran home and brought out his rifle, which he shot into the air several times to inform the surrounding villages of the death.
When the men arrived in the village with the body, the village people quickly got to work preparing for the days ahead. They opened up the side of the house so visitors could see the body and erected a large tarp to provide shelter for all who be arriving. Firewood was gathered, a pig killed, and many other preparations made. Over the next 5 days, siblings and relatives came from many parts of the surrounding provinces to visit and pay their respects. 
For us, all we could do was observe and ask simple questions such as, “What is that?” and “What are they doing?” The body was laid on a bed and covered with a blanket, except the head, so that any who came by could view it. Danny, Kiwara’s husband sat beside the body with a shawl over him and didn’t move away from it until it was buried. Many came by and wailed and cried over the body. Several groups of men gathered around to play cards, and drink liquor and gamble. We were told that until the body was buried, people needed to stay awake through the night, and this was how they passed the time. (A portion of the winnings went towards the expenses of the funeral.) A small generator was borrowed and lights were set up to provide lighting through the night.
Over the next few days, a casket was made and then the body was put into it. The lid was fitted with a piece of glass so visitors could still view the face as they came to pay their respects. The men rotated turns as they stayed awake each night, playing cards, drinking and watching over the body. A burial plot was discussed, and due to the rain we were having everyday, it was decided to bury her near by the house. 
By the fifth day, there was a break in the rain, so the hole was dug, and the final proceedings took place. Kiwara’s family are members of the local Espirista group so a spiritual leader from a major town near by was called in to perform the service. The family gathered around the casket while they took turns talking about life with Kiwara, and people sang. Each member of the family then placed red flower petal on the glass part of the casket lid.
Once the hole was ready with a rough wood lining to protect the casket, several men carried it out and placed it over the hole where it was lowered down into. As the casket was being carried people either clapped their hands or banged sticks together, and one of the men fired several shots in the air with his rifle. We noticed that as soon as the casket was lowered into the hole all the family immediately left the site and went back to the house. Several planks were set over the wood box and then suddenly people started throwing dirt into the hole, even before the men could climb out. They were able to climb out ok and the hole was quickly filled in by everyone standing there. 
At that point things wound down quickly. Clean up began, and those from other villages left to go home. The generator no longer ran that night, and by the next morning clean up was done and the house put back together. Life as we could see it had gone back to normal, except without Kiwara.
That’s it, right? Or is it? Where is she now? Sadly, she hadn’t had the opportunity to hear the Gospel message. She hadn't been able to choose for herself where she would spend eternity, with or without Christ. This is the reality of why we are here, to tell these people this Good News of salvation through Him. But in order to do so, we must be able to communicate this to them in a way that they will understand. This means we need to understand who they are, and why they think the way they do so that we can answer the questions they will have and not be confused about why God would send his Son to die for them and pay the price for their sins. They need to understand clearly how that is the ONLY way to spend eternity in heaven.
I look forward with great anticipation to the day when a funeral here is a time of rejoicing for the one who finally gets to see their Creator and Saviour. I look forward to that day when we will see Ga’dang people in heaven and stand along side them before God Almighty. Oh what a glorious day that will be!
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