On September 18 th 2003, David Odhiambo from Nairobi's Metro region was tragically murdered while on duty as a night watchman. But there was nothing tragic about the life he lived. Baptized in November 1999, David is well remembered for his joy, his consistency and his servant heart.

Onesmus Kyalo discipled David for three years. He shares that David was full of love. David's love for children and the impact he had on them was illustrated vividly, shares Onesmus, "the day we brought David's body to his house. Small children from the neighbouhood cried and insisted on seeing the body of their friend even though their parents tried to stop them from seeing the body."

David was also very open. "Every time we met for discipling, and even occasionally when David would come to see me at my office, he would share openly about his struggles." David's servant heart also stood out. Onesmus continues, "He would leave work early on Sunday morning, go home, and be at church early to help ushering and to organize his squad of ushers. David kept time and was always smiling and ready to serve"

Fred Arogo shares about the burial, which took place at David's rural home, 8 hours from Nairobi, that "the family was so impacted to see not only a large number of people coming from Nairobi for the funeral, but to see that they were from many different tribes." The love of the disciples for David and for each other shone through, and so did their faith. "The area chief," Fred continues, "rebuked local youth for using funeral occasions to go to discos, and called them to imitate the disciples, who instead spent the time at this particular burial singing all night." It was an honourable farewell to admirable brother.

Onesmus sums up the impact of David on his own life. "As I discipled David, he also discipled my life by his example in the way he lived."

Joyful in life. Honourable in death. David, we miss you.

Go to the "Loving Memory" Page