Last night we heard sobering news of the death of our good friend KC from Nigeria. Emenike & Chidi Ukazim delivered the report last night while we sat in silence and disbelief. We spent time with KC while visiting Otampa, Nigeria in 2008. Many fond memories are present today as I look back on my brother’s life that was cut so short. KC was just 18 years old when he suddenly died in his sleep while visiting friends and family in Lagos this week. The cause of his death is still undetermined, but the shock of his untimely death creates in me the need to write about his legacy.
KC (far right) always at my side
My wife and I built a very strong relationship with this young man during our visit of two short weeks. Sometimes death comes at the ripe old age of 90 years, but often it seems to rob a flower of its right to blossom. This would be the case with KC. He was such a strong young man with an incredible gift of athleticism, good looks and a warrior courage.
KC also acted as our tour guide and bodyguard as we traveled into sometimes less than friendly environments with our cameras. At the time he was only 16 years old yet he stood strong as an oak and had a powerful cadence in his step that sent a message of confidence. With his incredible physique and shiny white teeth his smile was infectious. A still water that ran so deep, his presence brought comfort and security to all of us as we traveled the southern parts of Nigeria. In the mornings he would climb trees to pick fresh coconuts for our breakfast and then proceed to skin them with his machete. He worked magic with his machete! Pity the poor fool who would cross this still stream.
Machete Magic with KC
Words will never suffice in a situation like this as the heart cries WHY! No logic or sense can be made of why such a gem of a man is stolen from our company, only HE knows why HE brought him home to heaven. KC—-we will miss you. My wife Wendy and I dreamed that someday you would come to live with us here in America. Our plans to return to Otampa with our three small children were hinged on the peace and security we would enjoy under your all seeing eyes. We have told the children about you going home to be with Jesus, but it doesn’t make it any easier or less painful.
KC Singing and Praying over the land for ICEC2
KC, your spirit lives on in me today as I begin a new journey to find strength and courage of the kind you displayed at such a young age. A man among boys…………you were a hero to many and your memory will not be lost. Sometimes life seems so unfair, but I know that God has a plan for your arrival in heaven. Perhaps someday we will see one another again. Until then, may God Bless all those lives you touched so deeply with the knowledge of the Holy Spirit. Your legacy is a good one, my friend! Rest in peace! Amen.
In Memory of KC
