The Funeral
Well, I feel like one more post is needed for me to continue to process my thoughts, and maybe some of you have been waiting for an update... so here is a recap of the day:
Today started with my alarm set for 6 am. I met with a group of students from the UMC Student Center, and we all took the electric train to Stryi for two hours. The day was set like it was ready to be in the next Nicholas Sparks movie. It was raining- and everyone was dressed in dark colors, with tears streaming. Once at the church, there was a time to view the body. I wasn't expecting the casket to be open, but it was, all but Illyad's head was showing. It was hard. Lots of tears shed. Then the service began. It was a Greek Catholic service. Lots of prayers were said, and psalms sang, and the Lord's Prayer was repeated often. Then the procession started.
Today started with my alarm set for 6 am. I met with a group of students from the UMC Student Center, and we all took the electric train to Stryi for two hours. The day was set like it was ready to be in the next Nicholas Sparks movie. It was raining- and everyone was dressed in dark colors, with tears streaming. Once at the church, there was a time to view the body. I wasn't expecting the casket to be open, but it was, all but Illyad's head was showing. It was hard. Lots of tears shed. Then the service began. It was a Greek Catholic service. Lots of prayers were said, and psalms sang, and the Lord's Prayer was repeated often. Then the procession started.
A big wooden cross with his name lead the way, and this would serve as the grave marker. Flags were carried, as well as all the flowers people brought. Then the casket. Everyone followed, and we walked for awhile till we arrived at his family's home. From there, the casket was placed in a van, and everyone got on a bus to the grave site. There were around 200+ people.Now this is was the hard part for me. The grave was dug out, and the casket was laid across wooden planks. Some more prayers were sang, and then five men came with shovels in hand. Yes, we stood there, and watched them bury the grave. The sound of a shovel full of dirt, thumping the top of the casket, and hearing his mother cry out, mourning the loss of her child. Even now, typing, makes me cry all over again. Once they finished the grave, all the flowers were laid around, and one last prayer said, and that was the end.
Please pray for the family and for the friends. May God reveal himself in a mighty way.
On the way back, I rode with friends and went to the airport. We could say goodbye to David,the missionary,and his family. He was taken to Germany by a medical charter plane to have surgery. It will be a slow recovery, so please pray for his wife's strength and God's protection over them.
Please also be in prayer for the family of the American who lost his life as well. And pray for that mission's team, for God to work in their lives, and help them through this difficult time.
Death is not an easy subject. My degree is built around reading and analyzing death. I read books and articles after article about suicide bombers, wars, emergency disasters, but nothing can really numb you from the reality that death doesn't make sense. You can not put reason to the timing, or answer the question of why. When you see a mother weak, and crying because she has to bury her child, you weep for her. When you see a man carry his best friend in a casket, you weep for him.
All I can think about though, is this is a glimpse into what Jesus did on the cross. Mary weeping at the loss of her child. Death didn't make sense. Jesus didn't deserve to die. But he did, and that was so now, death is not an end. Illyad knew Christ, and even though his earthly body was laid to rest today, his spirit is now rejoicing and singing because he is with our awesome creator. And that is something to smile about. Even when this life doesn't make sense, we know that we are only here on earth for a moment, it is only our temporary moment, and our Father, the King of Kings, awaits us in heaven to embrace us home.
http://thegorans.wordpress.com/2012/05/10/illya-onopreyenko/
Please pray for the family and for the friends. May God reveal himself in a mighty way.
On the way back, I rode with friends and went to the airport. We could say goodbye to David,the missionary,and his family. He was taken to Germany by a medical charter plane to have surgery. It will be a slow recovery, so please pray for his wife's strength and God's protection over them.
Please also be in prayer for the family of the American who lost his life as well. And pray for that mission's team, for God to work in their lives, and help them through this difficult time.
Death is not an easy subject. My degree is built around reading and analyzing death. I read books and articles after article about suicide bombers, wars, emergency disasters, but nothing can really numb you from the reality that death doesn't make sense. You can not put reason to the timing, or answer the question of why. When you see a mother weak, and crying because she has to bury her child, you weep for her. When you see a man carry his best friend in a casket, you weep for him.
All I can think about though, is this is a glimpse into what Jesus did on the cross. Mary weeping at the loss of her child. Death didn't make sense. Jesus didn't deserve to die. But he did, and that was so now, death is not an end. Illyad knew Christ, and even though his earthly body was laid to rest today, his spirit is now rejoicing and singing because he is with our awesome creator. And that is something to smile about. Even when this life doesn't make sense, we know that we are only here on earth for a moment, it is only our temporary moment, and our Father, the King of Kings, awaits us in heaven to embrace us home.
http://thegorans.wordpress.com/2012/05/10/illya-onopreyenko/
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