Rest Easy, My Child

On November 16, 2022, my family began an unimaginable journey of grief. Around midnight, my wife and I received a call that our 32-year-old son, Mwansa, had collapsed and was being rushed to the hospital. Despite surgery and the prayers of believers worldwide, Mwansa never regained consciousness. On November 19, he was pronounced dead. My heart shattered as I wrote the words accompanying his photo: “Good night, Son. See you in the morning.”

The past year has been marked by deep sorrow, countless questions, and moments of grace. Mwansa’s death has left a void in our family, yet God’s promises have sustained us, even in the darkest hours.

A Life of Faith and Ministry

Mwansa was not only our beloved son but also a passionate follower of Christ. At just 14, after months of wrestling with his need for forgiveness, he rested in Christ for salvation. His zeal for the Lord was evident from the beginning, as he devoured theological works starting with the writings of John Owen, which many adults find daunting.

Though trained as an architect, Mwansa’s heart belonged to ministry. He left his job to disciple younger believers at the African Christian University. His life overflowed with service: hosting youth events, mentoring young men, and writing blog posts and podcasts challenging his peers to think biblically.

Three years before his death, Mwansa married his love, Sonile, and together they created a home that radiated hospitality and joy. Their short years together were a testament to Christ-centered love, with their house often filled with singing, fellowship, and laughter.

Grief Meets God’s Sovereignty

When Mwansa presented himself to our church elders for church-planting ministry, we rejoiced at his commitment to God’s calling. His sudden death left us asking, “Why, Lord?” Why take such a gifted, faithful young man on the cusp of pastoral ministry?

Yet, as we wrestled with this loss, we found comfort in the truth of God’s absolute sovereignty. Like Job, who endured unimaginable suffering, we acknowledge that God’s plans are far beyond our understanding. Job’s declaration, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21), became our anchor.

God does not waste our pain. While we may never fully understand the “why” of Mwansa’s death this side of eternity, we trust that His purposes are good and eternal.

Shepherding Through Grief

In the immediate aftermath of Mwansa’s passing, I turned to social media to share my grief openly a practice my son called “digital hospitality.” My posts reflected the raw emotions of a grieving father but also the hope of a believer.

Soon, I realized my family needed me to shepherd them through this valley. I began writing daily devotionals on grief, addressing questions like, “Why has this happened to us?” and “How do we move forward after such a loss?” These reflections, rooted in Scripture, became a balm for our wounds.

Our church elders also recognized the impact of Mwansa’s death on the youth he mentored. They have been counseling these young men and women, helping them process their grief and find hope in Christ. It is our prayer that Mwansa’s legacy of faith will bear much fruit for God’s glory.

Stewarding Loss for God’s Glory

One idea that has profoundly shaped our journey is stewarding Mwansa’s death. Tim Challies, who also lost a son suddenly, describes this in his book Seasons of Sorrow.

• We’ve been called to a new task now, a new stewardship, and it falls to us to prove faithful in his death.”

This perspective has guided us. We’ve committed to supporting Mwansa’s widow, Sonile, in practical and loving ways, showing the watching world the power of God’s grace in our family. Additionally, we’ve worked to preserve Mwansa’s ministry by compiling his blog posts and podcasts into a book for young adults a resource we pray will continue his mission of discipling others.

Hope Beyond the Grave

While grief remains a constant companion, so does the hope of the gospel. Mwansa’s life and death remind us of what truly matters: preparing to meet our Maker. When Mwansa was a child, we often pleaded with him to yield his life to Christ. He did, and now he is with his Savior.

Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 4:13 resonate deeply:

• We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.”

Mwansa’s death is not the end of his story. It is a painful but temporary separation. We mourn, but not as those without hope, for we know we will see him again.

“Good Night, Son”

The thought that Mwansa is in the presence of his Savior brings us comfort. We continue to grieve, but we also press forward, stewarding his legacy and finding joy in the assurance of eternity.

My parting words to Mwansa that day were not “Goodbye” but “Good night, Son. See you in the morning.” And we will.

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