Father Joeker

By Fr Joseph Panabang SVD

In Nchiraa village, a Methodist choirmaster died. I was asked on the spot to give a homily during his funeral held on a stage in an open field. I was not prepared and my first thought was to look for an exit or, at least, an excuse. After struggling with my introduction, it began to rain heavily. The people began to disperse when I exploded: ‘Death is like the rain. When it rains, life comes to standstill. When death comes, life too comes to a standstill,’ and I ran for cover myself. I think that was the best homily I ever gave. When it rains here, especially in the villages, literally, there is no work, no Church services, no classes . . .

On my way to a village, I crossed a river and a woman was calling me in broken English but in a commanding way, ‘Carry me, carry me!’ ‘How can I carry such an amazona?’ I was asking myself. Coming nearer, I saw beside her a big bucket full of water. So, with actions, I said, ‘Oh, you mean you want me to help you put the bucket on your head?’ ‘Yes,’ she said to my relief. Perhaps this is what they mean when they say, ‘Use your eyes, not just your ears’.

Our big truck got stuck in the mud. After unsuccessful attempts at pushing it was still in the mud. Then I told the passengers to place more dry leaves, gravel and sand on the mud and commanded them to try again. Then I went and touched the vehicle. Luckily, it began to move. Excited, the people asked, ‘Osofo (Father), what did you do?’ ‘Nothing, I only blessed it’. From there, people said that the blessing of a priest was very powerful. It brings a stuck truck out of the mud.