A Tribute to Kika

Hello, guys, it's Benny,

Happy Easter to you all.

This week I lost a dear friend of mine and I am in so much pain. I can't believe it, I don't want to believe it but I can't run from reality. However, I am comforted by the knowledge that Kika knew God and gave her life to Christ, there is peace knowing that she is with God among the heavenly host singing God's praises.

I always called her Kikamma, no matter how many times she said that wasn't her correct name (mma in Igbo means good and Kika wasn't just good but was so godly as the true woman of God that she was). Two conversations with her standout in my memory now, Kika was so filled with the Holy Spirit and when she spoke of God, you could she the wisdom God had given her, and the genuine love she has for God.

The first conversation was just after we did our farewell video for those graduating in our youth fellowship. We sat in my room with another friend and I remember saying to her "Kika, I have to pick your brain oh. There is gist and it is time to spill. This time next year, by God's grace, me too I want to go for valentine dinner so give us your tips". We went on to talk about how she met her boyfriend, how they both made sure that the relationship was God-centered and Holy Spirit led. She told us how she took everything about the relationship to God first, how they are making sure that there is no temptation and how they are helping each other grow in their love of God. After this conversation, I remember telling some of my other friends how I admire their relationship and how I am proud of their growth together and individually.

The second conversation is the one that comes with a little bit of guilt from my part. This conversation happened after games night in our youth fellowship, when we were walking back home I noticed she seemed uncomfortable. I asked if she was ok, she said she'd been having pain, I asked if she had seen the doctor and taken something, and she said yes. I wished I had inquired further and not let the conversation go because I know the pain of appendicitis and can tell the general symptoms but I know now that God had a plan to call his daughter home so I find my peace there. That day when we spoke, Kika was telling me about discipleship and what it means to be a disciple. She complained to me a little about the stress that comes with being a leader, not just any leader but a leader in God's house and of God's people. Even though she was in pain, she took the time to talk to me outside in the cold and I could just see the joy and passion she had in serving God and it is still inspiring.

I write this in hopes that I immortalise my memories of Kika and tell you all about God's wonderful daughter that I had the honour of meeting, knowing, calling her a friend and a sister. I thank God for her life, the people she touched including myself and I thank God for using her. Kika was one of those people I call God's creatives, she was so talented: Kika was a chef, wrote spoken word, was a daughter, friend, sister and mentor. Kika was also a wonderful hypeman and supporter of others. In each of her callings, she ALWAYS glorified God and you could see that. Kika like us all had dreams to change this world for the better, she was selfless and such a beautiful soul.

Writing this is not easy and mourning her is not something I want to do but I know she is not dead. No, she has been reborn. Seeing as Kika was a poet, this is dedicated to her:

John Donne, Holy Sonnet

Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou are not so;
For those whom thou think’st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul’s delivery.
Thou’art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy’or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell’st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.

Right now my love and prayers go out to her family and friends. Matthew 5:4 "Happy are those who mourn; God will comfort them!". I pray for God to be our comfort in this period.

To Kika, you are loved and now you are with the source of love:

Sai wata rana abokina. 

Adieu, Kiks.

Goodnight, till we meet again to part no more Kikamma.