It is a saddened heart that I want to inform the BB readers of the sudden passing of Gerhart, son of Presiding Elder Elder, Dr A Biwa in the Namibia Annual Conference. He was killed in a car accident while on his way with his father, Rev. Willem Hanse and their Conference Lay President to the Africa Jurisdictional Conference in Kimberley. Rev. Hanse is still in the hospital - he has suffered fractures to his arm and leg.

On behalf of my family - Gerhardt was a house-friend and well loved person in my house, and the congregation of Vinton Anderson AME Church, we want to express our heartfelt sorrow. We will pray that our God will comfort the family in their time of bereavement. We also pray for the speedy recovery of Rev. Willem Hanse.

God Bless You

-- Anonymous, August 14, 2003

Answers

I too am saddened and devasted to hear this news regarding the passing of Dr. Biwa's son. Dr. Biwa has been a friend and family to me and my daughter. We at St. Paul Community AME church, bozeman, montana are grieving the loss of our family member. We are praying for a quick recovery for our brother and friend Rev. Hanse.

Oh, Holy father, their is no loss greater than that of a child. We ask that you comfort, love and keep the entire Biwa family close to you. We pray that the faith of Dr. Biwa and Rev. Hanse will sustain them as they grieve and heal. And father God, let us know what we can do to help our family members in Namibia. Amen

-- Anonymous, August 14, 2003

On behalf of the Dickens Family I wish to extend our heartfelt sorrow about this tragic news. We pray for peace, strength and comfort for the Biwa family during this difficult period of adjustment. QED

-- Anonymous, August 14, 2003

We can but only express our sympathy with Rev. Biwa and family, and lest we have walked down that road, we will never really be able to share that kind of feelings they are experiencing now.

We may feel that we have passed the tests and trials that came our way, yet this is the kind of valley of shadows that makes us what we profess to be. How we handle, interpret and move on from this point onwards, is the mark that will distinguish us from those who only profess Christ with their mouths. Use this dark moment to your advantage and say ... yet will I praise the Lord.

One of my favourite saying from the Deuterocanonical book Sirah 38:16: Mourn when someone dies, weep and wail to show how deeply you feel the loss. Mourn for a day, may two, a week or a month. Then regroup your thoughts, and reconcile yourself with the loss. Grief can undermine your health.. Grief lingers on after the death of a loved one, but it is not wise to let it lead you into dispair. Don't lose yourself in sorrow; drive it away. When the dead have been laid to rest, let the memory of them take its rightful place. Once they are gone ... take courage.

We pray for Rev. Hanse and the others involved in this unfortunate incident.

We are with you.

The People of New Hope Wesbank, Cape Town H.B. Senatle Fellowship Macassar

-- Anonymous, August 14, 2003

I am truly saddened to hear of Presiding Elder Biwa's passing. I pray God's blessings to his family and for the speedy recovery of Rev. Hanse.

-- Anonymous, August 14, 2003

May our God comfort & give peace. In the Name of Jesus we pray healing of Rev. Hanse.

Peace In God

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2003