So painful I never had a physical contact with him before he went home. Nevertheless, the knowledge of his lifetime makes an impression on me I will ever live to appreciate. I only set out to write a biography of a Christian worker in Africa as a project, being a pastor in training at AIU. I just chose to write about him only because I must pass my exam. Writing about Dr. Carew was more than an academic project, it was an unforgettable encounter. A critical study of his life is much more than what I would have learned while receiving a lecture in the classroom. Dr. Carew, I admire your lifestyle. I covet the grace upon your life.

I learned about your humility which reminded people and gave a practical demonstration of how Christ lived when He physically came to the world. In many occasions you were mistaken for a student within the campus of NEGST/AIU even though you were the Vice Chancellor. I’m so glad you were proud to keep the company of lowly people and was identified with your subordinates. I wondered why you would not only give a second chance, but much more than a second chance, when people failed you in one regard or the other. But I stopped wondering, having known you had chosen to follow the foot step of your Master.

Your mind was not a tape recorder, yet people’s names and birthdays were indelibly stuck to it despite many things you had to think about. This evidenced your love and care for people! I learned how much you could stoop so low in getting up the ones lying low. Helping people is your delight. Making them happy is a priority. It was never a big deal for you to give up all you’d got in order to achieve a goal that would benefit mankind.

You were a man who kept his words. I remember your son, Oluniyi, told me you had an opportunity to stay back in the US after your doctoral award, but you gritted your teeth and made your way back to Africa in order to fulfill your condition of scholarship. Your home country (Sierra Leone) wasn’t at peace when you finished this program; that could be enough reason for you not to return to Africa to fulfill your calling. You didn’t give room for excuse but by all means you found your base in Africa your fatherland.

Keep on resting on the bosom of the Savior. You played your own role well and were found successful. I believe by the time you returned home, the Savior would stand astride with His arms open wide. His face would be decorated with a big smile as He hugged you so tightly and cooed into your ears: “Well done my son. I have prepared a place for you. Welcome into your eternal joy.”

Esse quam vederi (rather to be than to seem) is the maxim of a famous Secondary School in Freetown, The Albert Academy, of which Bro. Douggie, as Dr. Carew was fondly known, was a very distinguished alumnus. It was here young men and girls (at the A ‘levels) were prepared for life’s journey.

Douggie’s live epitomized our school motor. He lived a life of humility with no pretentiousness. He was what he was, a deeply relational person and an excellent communicator. He was not just a good speaker but his words were gracious and full of wit and wisdom, even more soothing when he sang. Uniquely equipped for teaching; long before his theological studies he was already recognized as one of the best bible expositors in Sierra Leone. His entire working life was spent primarily as a teacher, whether this was secondary school science curriculum, basic discipleship program, preaching or teaching Hebrew or theology at the highest level of scholarship.

The scores of tributes that continue to pour in on the memorial website, managed by his daughter Seneiyah, are testimony to the fine life Douggie lived.

However, Douggie’s life was one of paradox but happily one not inconsistent with the life of our Master and Lord. This is dubbed ‘the tumbling down effect’ by theologians. The self-empting of Christ (Phil.2:7). Christ emptied Himself first to birth, then to death. Christ, though God, chose to hide His Deity in humanity- He hid his majesty in humanity.

By His coming in the flesh (his humanity) - birth, death and resurrection he withheld His divine powers. He wasn’t denied this nor forced to do so but instead He chose to do so. He did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped (Phil. 2:6). Christ was rejected by the very people he came to save.

Dr. Carew, mindful of the master’s call could identify with Saint Paul to have considered loss whatever was to his profit for the sake of Christ...to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his suffering....to attain the resurrection from death (Phil. 3).

Douglas had his bit of humiliation even when he gave his all to a people he gave his live and all. How I wished he smelled the flowers that are now being placed on his grave. Like his master in a borrowed tomb we lay the remains of our dear brother on a borrowed land.

Praise the Lord! Death and the grave do not have the last say. It is in His humiliation that Christ is exalted to glory and at the right hand of God (Phi 2:9-11). I have no doubt that our brother has been exalted to the high place with our Lord in glory. The most honour we can give him is follow his good example of giving our lives to the Lord Jesus, faithfully walk with the Lord in this world into eternity, where Douggie has joined the saints who preceded him, especially those from our own community notably, Byang Kato and Tokumboh Adeyemo.  They all now have their well deserved rest in heaven where all sisters and brothers in the Lord are sure to catch up with them sooner or later.

Jesus, life and hope to heal our land

Saviour, reaching out with your mighty hand!

Sing for joy, O Africa!

The Lord your God is risen upon you!

Sing for joy, O Africa!

The Lord your God is risen upon you now!

Jabulani! Jabulani, Africa! (Echo) (x4)

Jesus, river of life to our thirsty land

Saviour, meeting our needs with your mighty hand!

Sing for joy, O Africa!

The Lord your God is risen upon you!

Sing for joy, O Africa!

The Lord your God is risen upon you now!

Jabulani! Jabulani, Africa! (Echo) (x4)

Sing for joy, O Africa!

The Lord your God is risen upon you!

Sing for joy, O Africa!

The Lord your God is risen upon you now!

Jabulani! Jabulani, Africa! (Echo) (x4)

© Lionel Petersen – Rejoice Africa (by Integrity Hosanna Music)