We want to share with you dear friends and family that early last Wednesday morning, our precious little Indy (Ndishimiye), the youngest of the orphans, died of a stomach infection. The doctor was with Ndishimiye all night at the hospital and still didn’t know exactly what he was dealing with; lab tests and medicine are so limited here.
Our household is heavy and sad, as are Ndishimiye’s brothers and sisters. Joyeuse, the oldest (20) of the orphans, and another Nyota, (12 years old) were with Ndishimiye in a dark hospital room (no electricity there), holding him all night long and into the morning until his little body gave up the fight and he stopped breathing. Word was sent to us right away and Miles went to the hospital to confirm the message. Even a week later, I think we are all still in shock, especially anytime one of the other kids comes to visit, as they used to come to our house to get two bottles of formula from us three times a day. Ndishimiye had been to the hospital a half-dozen times before for stomach problems, but he had always been able to recover.
Indy’s little body was carried back to the children’s home; I watched as a of couple mommas carefully washed his body and dressed him in a well-worn but clean sweat outfit. The orphan boys asked me for $2 to buy wood, and in silence, and with so much love, they build a rough little box to put their beloved baby brother in, Some dear neighbors came, and a couple of pastors spoke sweet words about the Lord loving orphans. The other children sang two songs of worship to the Lord, most while fighting back tears.
In the corner of the children’s shamba (vegetable garden) a deep hole had been dug by the boys and some local men. We all walked the little box into the shamba; the pastor that had planted the first church here in our region spoke a few words about life, death, and trusting in the Lord. Dirt was shoveled over the little box and a small wooden cross made from the left-over scraps of wood for the casket was placed on top of the grave.
Little Ndishimiye… your name was given to you by the children who loved you. It’s meaning holds true… “Praise the Lord” for our short year with you!
-Lisa