“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die.” ~Ecclesiastes 3:1-2a
We can’t stop death from coming, but we can walk alongside those who are dying and who are losing loved ones. It’s one of the hardest ministries to be a part of. Our church has been in the midst of walking alongside Alex, Felix and their girls as they are preparing to say goodbye to Alex who has been in the final stages of renal failure.
Last Wednesday we held a church service at Alex and Felix’s home and Alex had an encounter with the Lord. The men from the church gathered around praying over Alex. Alex knew his time was short, but he really wanted to be baptized before his death. Figuring out how to do a baptism for a man who can no longer stand without help and becomes exhausted after 2 steps. So the pastors met at his home, set up a baby pool, and baptized him by pouring water over his head (baptism pictures below).
After his baptism, Alex said he was ready to die and be home with the Lord. He knew he only had days left to live. Alex went home to be with the Lord on Monday afternoon.
Now comes the second part of ministry in the midst of death- walking the family through the grieving process. The Word also says:
Right now is a time of mourning for Alex’s family. Felix has been so raw emotionally 
over the last several weeks. I have loved to see the women of the church come around her and comfort her. It’s been especially beautiful to see how the Lord brought Barbara here at a perfect time to walk with Felix through this painful time. Barb has been a widow for over 6 years now. She really understands Felix’s pain and has been able to hold her as she weeps and minister to her. (Barb and Felix pictured right).
Please be praying for this precious family as they mourn the loss of their husband and father.
So far Felix has spent a lot of time sleeping (after spending weeks on end tirelessly caring for Alex), her older daughter (Karla) has been taking care of all the people who have been coming for the wake and funeral. Wakes are different here in Nicaragua. The entire town comes to the house and stays up with the family all night. I love to see the way that the whole community comes out to support the family. However, the family becomes responsible to providing coffee and bread for all the people who have come. This meant that because Felix was completely exhausted, Karla (13) became responsible for caring for all the people who have come to be with the family. The youngest daughter, 
Esmeralda (5- pictured left), is too young to really understand what has happened. Right now she really believes that her dad is just sleeping. She even said to one of the pastors, “I know you are all here because you think my daddy is dead, but he’s not. He’s just sleeping.” I know the next couple of weeks will be extremely difficult as Esmeralda comes to realize that her dad is not coming back. I can’t imagine how hard it will be for Felix to watch as her young daughter slowly comes to this realization.
Right now is their time to mourn. We will mourn with them. We will walk with them, love them, embrace them as they weep, and pray the Lord’s presence and peace over them. And I know one day it will again be the time to laugh and to dance.
Praying for this family and for you as you walk with them. Praise God that this life is not all there is. Love you, Lisa.
thanks for putting a name and family to the strange enemy, “renal failure”. i love you and will pray for the family.