| Dr. Simon Mphuka goes to be with the Lord |
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 Dr Simon Mphuka, one of the elders at Kabwata Baptist Church, went to be with the Lord at around 01.00 hours today after a sudden illness that took the whole church by surprise.
Just before my departure for the USA, we had an elders' prayer meeting on Saturday 5th July which ended with breakfast. Simon shared about his recent failing health. He had been to see a doctor who found nothing wrong with him and sent him on a week's holiday. He returned feeling much better but not yet quite himself, he said, and asked for prayer. On Sunday 6th July, he participated in the prayer times we spend together as church officers before each service and even in the worship services. After that, on Thursday 10th July I left for the USA only to arrive on the other side of the Atlantic to find that, back home, Simon had been admitted in hospital with an excruciating headache. That was the beginning of the end. He was never to walk out of hospital again. One complication led to another until, having been evacuated to South Africa for further treatment, he entered the immediate presence of God early this morning. We are all still recovering from the shock!Simon has been part of Kabwata Baptist Church for the better part of the church's life, having been part of the initial outreach efforts into the Kabwata residential area in the early 1980s when he was still single and a medical student. He was the fledgling-church's second librarian in the days when the entire church library used to be carried in a plastic bag as Simon walked from the Ridgeway campus of the university to church every Sunday. In 1986 he was chosen to serve the church in the office of deacon. He faithfully discharged his duties, until he left on attachment to a rural health institution in 1988. When Simon returned to Lusaka, he was very burdened about the Zambian Reformed Baptist churches' lack of appropriate response to the problem of AIDS in the country. This led him in 1996 to spearhead the formation of an HIV/AIDS counselling ministry in the church called "Hope for the Afflicted Ministry". This ministry put out adverts in one national newspaper inviting those who needed counsel to get in touch. Through this avenue this ministry counselled many people right across the country. In a book written to commemorate the first twenty years of Kabwata Baptist Church's existence, Simon eloquently testified to the great fulfilment he found in this ministry.  Thoughout Simon's membership at Kabwata Baptist Church he played a teaching role in one form or another. He was either teaching a Bible study group on Sunday morning, or a mid-week Bible study in one of the home cell groups, or preaching during one of the Sunday services. He was also very supportive to the missions work of the church and spent a lot of his Sundays visiting or preaching at one church-plant or another. Missionaries benefited immensely from his generous heart because he never saw a financial need among them without wanting to meet it. The next major role that Simon played in the church was in 2003 when the church's eldership disintegrated. The church chose him to provide leadership during the phase in which a team was put together to help the church back on its two feet. He played this role with great maturity and wisdon, and thus the church was able to begin rebuilding its eldership a year later. It was partly because of the leadership mettle that the church saw in him during this period that he was asked to join the eldership in 2006. Simon accepted this challenge, despite his very demanding job as the chief executive of the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ), which coordinates the activities of the medical institutions in the country run by churches. These medical institutions provide 60% of all health care in rural areas. (For Simon's national and international work related to CHAZ, just type in his name in any internet search engine and see for yourself). In the two years he was in the eldership, he carried out his oversight work with a great sense of conscientiousness. From the time I first met Simon during my undergraduate days he remained a dear friend in the faith and so I have appreciated his friendship over the last twenty-five years. I had the privilege of conducting his wedding some eighteen years ago, and have seen God bless his marriage with children over the years. His life was marked by consistent humility, wisdom, generosity, hospitality, integrity, hard-work and love for the cause of Christ. He had no personal pocket agendas. He was outwardly what he was inwardly, and so what you saw was what you got. I valued his friendship because of all these traits, which commended the beauty of Christ's saving work to those around him. Dr Simon Mphuka leaves behind a wife, Lillian, and three wonderful daughters - Wankumbu Veddrunna (16), Dhozinta Zewelanji (14) and Wankunda Venna (12). |
Comments (3)
I look at many widows and orphans and especially those who just lose their loved ones, my heart just bleeds with them. It is not an easy road but the Lord's presence and His soft whisper in our hearts and lives just assures us. He is on the throne and He reigns. He knows the number of our hairs on our heards and therefore, our lives are in His hands.
The Lord gives us the strength to go and makes all things beautiful in His own time. He gives us the hope and faith to go on. It is not easy but we know that in all things God works for the good of those who have been called according to His purpose.
"Was it just a year ago when the summons came from Heaven, and God called to His side as you entered the Father's home? When you heard a whisper through the clouds of anguish, pain and suffering, And the veil removed, you stepped through gates of splendour into that celestial dome.
Simon, what has it been like, your first year enveloped in Glory? To view so clearly that which we mortals here on earth cannot see. In amazement, awe and wonder to finally fully grasp the truth and realize, That all you had ever believed in, hoped and lived for, is now glorious reality.
Knowing Heaven is a real place, far greater than you could ever have imagined, Where the cares of life, consequences of sin and all earth's limitations are not known. To exist in an eternal state of perfect joy and peace; unreserved love and worship, To Him who made it possible, Our Lord the Lamb who sits upon the throne.
We confess we felt it was too sudden and did not want to say goodbye, Oh how reluctant we all were to let you go, we thought we couldn't cope. To part so soon, long before we thought your work on earth had finished. That's why, it was with tears, we sorrowed, yet but not as others who have no hope.
Simon what have you seen since that day we saw your spirit leave us, And wing its way up into that place prepared for those who love the Lord? Have you met and talked with Peter, Paul, Abraham, Martha and Joseph, Have you gazed into the face of Him our loving, caring precious Lord?
Your loved ones here, family and friends they still do miss you, For from that day a husband, father, a gracious kin has gone before. At CHAZ, your work continues, cherished memories help them daily, valiantly to struggle on, To fulfill your vision for better health in Zambia, for the poor we know you would implore.
Simon, we here on earth are still limited, by all earthly constraints of life, Time is still daily measured, for our faith has not given way yet to sight. But with God's grace we hasten onwards, waiting, longing for that day. When the trumpet blast does all us, He says; "Arise my child and come this way".
Then with joy we too shall enter, meet you and with rapture we too shall gaze, On that wondrous place of splendour, where our songs shall endless echo out His praise Simon, soon our souls shall linger at Heaven's portals as we also shall hear the call, Yet for this past year, we still press Onwards, trusting, leaning on Him who is for us our all in all.
"Then Lord shall we fully know, not till then how much we owe." "
Mr. Gordon Hanna
I do know that as close and spiritually unified as Kabwata Baptist Church is, he will be missed dearly. I give thanks to the Lord upon my remembrance of you and the family at Kabawata, and will be praying for Dr. Mphuka surviving family.
By His Grace & for His glory,
Mitchell H. Jones,
Pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church, Elgin, TX