Living For Eternity: A Tribute to My Father

Today marks 15 years since my father passed away. His death and subsequent other family deaths have forced me from a young age to wrestle with the reality of death. It has left me with an awareness of my own mortality and the fleeting nature of this life (Psalm 103:14-16) and realising that the material things we often spend our time pursuing will end when we die.

This has prompted me to be at times zealous to make a difference in grand and ‘significant’ ways in a desire to build not just for the here and now but for eternity. This also in part stems from seeing the significant influence my Dad had in life and in death on others. But as I reflect on his life, it strikes me that for the Christian, the reality of building for eternity often looks mundane and ordinary at the time. However, because God is at work in and through us, there is nothing ordinary about a life lived for Christ.

Jen Wilkin in her book ‘None like Him’ helpfully summarises this:

“Here is a remarkable truth: God is able to bring eternal results from our time-bound efforts. This is what Jesus intimates when he tells us to store up treasure in heaven rather than on earth. When we invest in what has eternal significance, we store up treasure in heaven. This side of heaven, the only investments with eternal significance are people”

This reality shone through when I asked people that knew my Father who was a Christian, to share their favourite memories of him and to share what impact he had on their lives. What was shared were mostly ordinary moments which have stuck in their minds. And from what I remember of my father who loved Jesus so dearly and spoke of him wherever he could, I know that these actions were well and truly shaped by the gospel he believed and empowered by Christ. 

There were many comments shared but I just want to highlight a few to demonstrate what it looks like to live for eternity:

I also remember going to his house after church in that green car. The entire Sunday school would be invited for lunch.

“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favouritism” James 2v1

He didn’t care if you were young or old, rich or poor – in a culture where people cared about status he treated everyone the same. Friends, do not show favouritism/partiality even to those whom society may reject. Live for eternity!

He always had that signature smile on his face. Always looking out for ways to encourage others in the Lord. When he came home, he found time to share something inspiring with us and to read bible stories to the kids. The boys still remember the story he read to them about Eutychus who fell asleep while Paul was preaching, and he fell down from the windowsill.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10v24-26

It may seem insignificant, but many remember the encouraging words you say to them long after you may have forgotten them, so encourage and build others up. Live for eternity!

I knew him as a good committed friend. His passion for his wife and children was never doubted. Once a friend, always one. We Miss you Br Wamundila Siluka. Even his passing and funeral drew many believers together. Sleep well friend, bro, co-worker.

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God… Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Ephesians 5v1-2, 21

In the home as a wife, husband, sister, brother, daughter, son live in obedience to God’s good pattern in self sacrificial love. Live for eternity!

Whenever he showed up, be it at our home, at church at YP or just anywhere, it was all smiles on all of our faces. I remember one day I banged the door on the Peugeot and then he came to me showing how it’s done. He did this three times while he was smiling aaaaa we miss him.

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4v2

In the small seemingly insignificant things, patiently bear with others as you reflect Christ to them. Live for eternity!

He was selfless, jovial, loved the word of God, he was hard working and he made me to be where I’m today, his death was unbearable.

 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2v4-8

In a society which says ‘me first’, say others first. Live for eternity!

We worked together at ZCCM Nchanga Division in Chingola but above that a great Christian brother, very mature and ever cordial! He always carried this same signature smile as in the photo. The Christ in him was evident in the way he related with all of us, he loved everyone regardless. May he rest in God’s peace. Each time we met he like using the term bamunyina (means brethren)

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,  knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3v23-24

In your work, whatever it may be, do it well. Work hard, work honestly, faithfully and diligently for it is Christ you ultimately serve. In how you relate to others, colleagues or classmates, serve and love them as Christ would. Live for eternity!

I remember how he encouraged us to sing on Sunday morning services. So full of life, he made the song service very cheerful.

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with you faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” Romans 12v6-8

In the Church, continue to faithfully use the gifts that God has given you, however ‘seen’ or unseen your work is. Serve joyfully, serve sacrificially and serve persistently. Live for eternity!

On my part, the memories are too many for this blog. But one memory I have is him forgiving and rehiring a worker who had stolen from us. We were all dismayed as a family but where we wanted the man to reap what he sowed, he chose to not only forgive him but restore him. 

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3v13

In the way you relate to others, reflect the Christ way, the way of humility, grace and forgiveness. It may appear weak and foolish, but it will stand out in a world intent on vengeance. Live for eternity!

I am not overlooking the flaws he had, am sure he himself would have been aware of his own sinfulness. My point is that how you live matters even if it does not seem so to you. People are watching you. Your family, co-workers, friends and even acquaintances are watching and you have an opportunity to make an impact that lasts for eternity through ordinary obedience in a life lived for Jesus.

So as you change the nappy, cook another meal, work, serve, speak with love and patience; as you do ordinary life, living out the implications of the heart transforming gospel and as you faithfully share the gospel, as you do those things, you will be living for eternity.

A tribute was shared by one of his best friends which you can read below.

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A tribute from a dear Friend – Ernest Mwansa

Wamundila Siluka, will always rank high among the few I call best friends. We met in the early eighties and remained the closest of friends until God our Maker decided to take him home 14 years ago. I remember him first as a tall young proud Lozi fellow who could hardly speak a word in Bemba and our communication language was English. He came to Chingola to pursue a career in mining while I was there to pursue a career in Chemistry, analytical Chemistry to be precise. We became friends almost the moment we met each other. Siluka was simply a great friend. It would take writing a book to describe how we enjoyed each other’s company. Just a few memories of him here. 

I recall how his love for Cerrien used to take him to Chililabombwe (the next town) after working hours. He would knock off from work after 17.00hrs, come to our Kasama Flats and we would begin to cook a meal if the young relatives we were keeping had not cooked or if we did not like the food they had cooked. After supper while we were enjoying fellowship together, he would just stand up and say: “I am going to Chililabombwe to see my girlfriend”, Cerrien who became his dear wife until he passed. That would be it. 

In those days there was a last bus to Chililabombwe. If you missed it that was it. You had to walk back to Kasama Flats from Mwaiseni bus station in Chiwempala, some ten or so kilometres away from our Kasama flats. To this day, I do not know how my friend managed to get on the last bus. The distance from Kasama flats to Mwaiseni Bus Station where he had to go to get a bus was daunting on foot and the few available minibuses stopped moving or at least taking passengers as soon as it was dark. To this day I am not sure I am certain how he used to make it to Mwaiseni in time to get on the last bus. But he always managed. 

You need to be reminded that whenever he did that, he needed to be back in Chingola early morning to go for work. He needed to get on the first bus from Chililabombwe to Chingola for him to be in time to go for work. His elder brother with whom he used to spend the night after seeing his Cerrien once told me that he could reach his home around midnight and by four in the morning he would be on his way to the bus station. 

He certainly had to wake up early to go to the bus station because if he missed that bus, or if that bus left Chililabombwe even a little late the chances of him getting to Chingola in time for work diminished. Going to work late in those days was a chargeable labour offence. If your supervisor showed leniency you could be sent home and lose a day’s wage, or you could be charged for late coming. Only those of us who lived in those days fully appreciated the risk he was taking as far as his job was concerned. But then that was Siluka. He was passionate about everything he did and Cerrien was the love of his life. Nothing stood in the way. 

Siluka was also passionate about his faith. I recall the moment he learnt about a small ministry I and Arthur Mulilo (before he backslid) we were involved in to help some needy pastors we knew on the Copperbelt (We used to call it Grace Ministries). Siluka immediately joined us and together we used to take photographs and sell them to owners and use the money we earned to help others, especially pastors. We remained the two of us when Arthur left us. Only my leaving Chingola for UNZA created problems for our small ministry.

Siluka was a jovial man. Siluka was a friendly fellow. For all the time I knew him never did I see him angry with anybody. If he rebuked someone it was always gently. Siluka had the ability to draw people to himself. I was the reserved one but when you were with Siluka you just had to learn to be friendly otherwise you just look awkward. He taught me to interact with people. Even when distance kept us apart our moments of reunion were memorable. 

When he arrived at our home in Lusaka, he brightened our days. And when we went to Chingola to visit him and his family it was all joy and laughter. By the time the Lord took him home he was not just my Christian brother. Both our families had come to accept us as true brothers. I still carry with me the privilege his family gave to me at his funeral. I was made the family spokesman at his burial. My friend is gone but no one and nothing can take away the memories of him which are embedded in my mind and heart. 

To Cerrien, his children and his surviving family I can only say take heart dear ones, our Siluka is with the Lord and one day we shall go to join him where he is. May we then trust in the God he trusted with more fervency and zeal!