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24.11.2014 02:59:20 15443x read.
INMEMORIAM
Tribute to Late Bro. Nicholas Zumana, FIC.

TRIBUTE TO LATE BRO. NICHOLAS ZUMANAA, FIC.

FROM THE FIC GENERAL COUNCIL

(presented by Bro. Raphael Besigrinee)

Dear Brothers and friends, never before have the lives of so many been left devastated by the departure of a single person; never before have so many minds been left wondering by the  experience of the death of one person. The so many lives are those of ours; that single person is our beloved brother and friend, Nicholas Zumanaa.

It is difficult still to believe  that the man who drove himself from Nandom to Accra last September would become so  helpless that he needed  an ambulance to travel (to be flown) back home to the north of Ghana; in fact his wish to get to Nandom sadly, could not be fulfilled.

Why would a man contributing so much for so many suddenly take leave of them? Why would a person who meant so much for so many depart so suddenly, so suddenly that his so many friends were not even able to say a prayer for him during his sickness?

Such is the case with the untimely death of a loved one where sorrow is deep and the pain great. There are so many unanswered questions about Nico's departure, but there is no need seeking answers now. As people of faith, there is probably one answer: Our creator knows. Knowing that our loved one is now in the hands of God can help ease the pain. The event has left us with many lessons.

Life brings so much to people yet so much is taken away so suddenly. Certainly, at the time of death what we are left with is shared friendship and memories. That is why we are gathered here even though some of us have never met before. His death has created an opportunity never experienced before. Such is the life of a person who meant so much for us. One fact remains:

What we do for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others  and the world (no matter how little) remains and is immortal.  His death has taught us a lesson; a lesson on what to do with our own lives: whether we will live only for ourselves or for others. It takes the eyes of faith to see that to live for others is one of the beautiful things in life. That is what Nico's death has taught us.

Bro. Nico has  died, but his death cannot kill his name because of what he has left behind for us and because of the so many lives he has touched. As a brother, Nico  did all kinds of jobs both in the Ghana province and outside: he taught in various schools and later became engaged in religious formation of young FIC brothers. He became a General Councilor of the FIC Congregation here in The Netherlands from 1994 to 2000. After this period, he was elected Provincial Superior of the Ghana Province for another six year period. All this he did with passion and a deep sense of direction. His admirable leadership skills gave him the unique opportunity to serve as headmaster of Nandom Senior High School until his retirement last March. Indeed he was a great leader! Wherever he went, whatever he did and wherever he worked, he left a mark, leaving a lasting impression on people. I first met young Nico in Nandom Secondary School in 1979 where he became my Bible Knowledge teacher. I began to get my share of the goodness in life by having to share life with him since 1979 till March 2013 when I last met him in Ghana. Now I (just like most of you) will miss his encouraging and consoling words, sense of humor, smiling face and brotherly love. A journey of 60years, 7months and 1 day has come to an end.

Once again, as people of faith, let us take consolation in what the book of Wisdom said: The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God, no torment shall ever touch them. In the eyes of the unwise, they appear to die, their going look like a disaster, their leaving us like annihilation; but they are in peace. (Wis. 3: 1-2) The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21). If we believe this, then let us believe also that the greatest loss is NOT death, but what dies inside us while we live. Nico was alive during his lifetime; he is still alive at his death.

May the Lord whom Nico dedicated his life to serve for 36 years in the religious life welcome Nico in His kingdom with open arms.

May the soul of Nico, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.








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