In Memory Of Comfort Nyamgbe Orjioke

Born 87 years ago to humble parents, mama worked her way from ground up, beating odds that would have brought down an average person, to honor her husband and to give her children the education she never had; the education that she was sure would give each of them a meal ticket in life. She engaged in everything from goods distribution to retail/provision stores trading, restauranting etc to ensure that earnings from her efforts complemented the revenues that dad brought home.

She insisted we each attend private Christian schools, despite the cost. She singlehandedly arranged for private tutors for each of us so we could each ace our University of London GCEs at the time. Mama was a unique individual...one who knew the place of hardwork and a good education and ensured that we her children be given the university education that she never had the privilege of getting in her time.

Ever the dutiful wife, she sojourned far and wide with our late father to Libreville in Gabon and to Buea in Cameroon and finally returned home to Mgbowo, Enugu State Nigeria where she lived for the last 35 years of her life

Mama received Jesus into her life thereafter and so began the second part of her sojourn on earth....the one for which she would want to be remembered most. The last 35 years years of her life were most trying; but they were years in which she learnt temperance and forgiveness through the challenges that she experienced. She also learnt humility and contentment in life and passed these virtues over to her children. Most especially, she learnt to trust the Lord Jesus in everything, even when every outward evidence was lacking.

Two days prior to hear passing, she went into a semi-coma state....one in which she saw, heard and understood everything that was being said and done around her but was too physically weak even to speak. She joined her daughter Vicky in reading the word of God by acquiescing with her eyes and the nod of her head and she continually moved her hand slowly to the beat of the worship songs being rendered beside her hospital bed. When it was time to go home, she finally spoke the words "Alleluia" and "Jehovah", smiled gently, tilted her head to one side and transitioned into glory.

I believe that at the time that she spoke, her heavenly escorts had come for her and told her that it was time to shut down her biological systems on earth so she could tap fully into the law of endless life which rules in heaven.

For we must all, one day, put off this outward vessel so we can fully glory in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ

What a way to transition into glory! What a way to return home! For precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints (Psalm 116: 15)

Mama, your 87 years on this side of eternity was a period well spent because of your committment to the work of the Lord. I remember the day you told me that the Lord Jesus appeared to you and showed you your file in heaven....and oh, how beautiful that file was.

I remember you making it clear to us that on the day that when the Lord Jesus calls you home, you would not want any crying ...neither would you want anyone wearing black since there is neither crying nor is there any shade of darkness in heaven.

We have chosen to respect your wishes Mama.

We want to let you know that we feel privileged to have had a mother like you who taught her children the ways of righteousness.

We know that you have joined the great cloud of witnesses in heaven who spend day and night proclaiming the greatness and awesomeness of our God.

And we pray that, like you, we will each also complete our race on earth and one day, when it is the Lord's time, join you in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ where we will meet to part no more.

Dwell in peace, righteous one and may the Lord Jesus remain glorified in your testimony of Him....for the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy (Revelations 19: 10)