Grieving

My heart is grieved right now.  A family that has been through so much in the last six years lost their father a few days ago.  Sometimes you wonder how much grief one family can endure, but you focus on the fact that God won't allow us to face more than we can handle. 

Some of you may remember back in 2006, I shared a story in one of my e-mail updates about one of our Nursery teachers that passed away.  Teacher Caren died, leaving behind 5 children.  Four of them are a part of the CGA family.  Here is what I wrote about her death in 2006...

Christ’s Gift Academy suffered a big loss this past month.  One of our teachers passed away in the middle of the night.  It was totally unexpected.  Teacher Caren was so healthy that she didn’t even bother seeing the doctors while the medical team was here a month ago.  She had worked on Thursday and then went to the market place after school.  After preparing dinner for her five children, she went to sleep.  The next morning Victor, her 6^th grade son that attends CGA, went in to wake her up, but she was already dead.  He ran with his sister Violet (8th grade) to the school office and told us.  We were stunned at first and couldn’t even comprehend what he was saying.  A couple of our staff rushed to the house to check on the situation and petition God for her life, but evidently it was her time to go and be with her heavenly father.  Needless to say, the past couple of weeks have been difficult at school dealing with the loss of a friend and teacher, helping with the funeral/burial arrangements, and helping to console and care for her family and children (three of which attend our school).  All of this has been happening in the midst of final exams, sports tournaments and preparation to end Term 1.  It was a revelation to me when I realized that on one Monday during our morning devotions Teacher Caren was asking questions about Jesus; and the next Monday she was standing face to face with her Lord and Savior asking the questions directly to him.  We will miss her greatly but are comforted to know that she is in a better place.     

Back now to 2012... The children are now much older.  Violet has finished secondary school and is looking to join a college soon.  Victor is in his last year of secondary school and Daisy is in her 3rd year.  The youngest one is in 4th grade at CGA.  The father has really struggled trying to provide for his children and educate them since the death of his wife in 2006.  He is always concerned about them.   

Last year, Daisy had many challenges including having her dorm (and all her possessions) burnt down by an angry student.  Just last week the father's father passed away and the children went home for the burial last weekend.  Then last night I received a phone call that the father has also died.  I don't know the story or reason why, but my heart breaks for the children.

Sometimes it is hard to understand things in this life.