March 11, 2019
My beloved brother, Dr. Lawrence Awasum, there are many things I can say about you that will merit a book but I will limit it to some highlights of your value in my life:
What I am trying to say here is that YOU ARE MY HERO and there are many things I can say to substantiate that. I am proud of you being my BIG BROTHER. When we raced each other at home, I always wanted to be on your relay team because you were fast. You taught me how to play xylophones. You taught me how to bring down palm kernels, pears and mangoes from its tree with one stone throw or a piece of word—agibina!!! It was when I saw you and Dr. David Awasum go to college that I nursed the determination to go to college too. But as a child, I didn’t know money was an issue to go to college. And because I was on a scholarship, money became an issue only when I couldn’t come up GCE ‘O-Level’ registration fee. But then I appreciated the day you showed up from nowhere in Bishop Rogan to pay my GCE O-Level registration fees. I celebrated that day more than ever because of the fact that I had a big brother like you. I went to CCAST Bambili and struggled severely for one month and you showed up again at that critical time in my life after arranging with the Principal of Sacred Heart, John Phillips, for me to attend High School in Sacred Heart High School FOR FREE. I can go on and on. But I mimicked you in my youth. I always wanted to be like you, dress like you, walk like you, talk like you and wished I looked like you.
Your departure has left a void in my life that only God can feel. I will miss your counsel, your encouragement during the many difficult times of my life. I will also miss the debates I often had with you about heaven and marriage. I know that in one of those debates just a couple of years ago, I stressed and showed you in your catholic bible that heaven is a prepared place for prepared souls. I showed you most important of all, that you must be born again. I believe you followed the biblical instructions I gave you to prepare your heart to meet God and Jesus Christ the Lord. I can only be at peace now with your passing away because I know you are in a better place and that I did not miss the opportunity to share this vital truths with you. I will miss you and I am preparing myself and others to meet you in the presence of God Almighty. For me, life was well spent and it added value to my life. I am one of the legacies you are leaving behind. Thank you for sharing your life with me!!! I will forever remain grateful for your sacrifices of love on my behalf. With much love I say farewell and leave you in the hands of Jesus Our Redeemer who rewards those who deligently seek Him. Thank you again!!!Your baby brother,Toby Nji Awasum, from Lusaka, Zambia.