"In the sweet by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore" - A tribute to Bro. Martin Mbende.

Yesterday we celebrated the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed. Today November 03 is the Feast day of St. Martin de Porres and tomorrow is the 1st day of my second semester in my 3rd year of theology. One person that comes to my mind on these 3 different occasions this year is none other than my friend, a brother, a fellow classmate, and a companion in this journey towards the priesthood. He is Bro. Martin Mbende, SX from Cameroon. He belongs to a religious congregation called Xaverian Missionaries. He passed away on October 21, 2013. I used to fondly call him 'Cardinal'.
 
I'm sure going to miss not having him around especially as I begin my new semester tomorrow. I first met him on June 06, 2012 when we both registered for our course, and since then we have been closed and use to hang out together in between classes. We sat next to each other for some subjects and I found him very intelligent and attentive at all the classes. In his simple little ways, he does some pranks too at class but this is only known by very few of us, his friends. Another friend, Berry from Indonesia can testify to this. 

Just 10days before he died, during the School 1st Semester End Party which coincidentally was also my Birthday, we had a great time chatting and joking and making fun of each other. He was asking Berry to repeat all the jokes to me. We had so much fun that never did I imagined that it would be the last time. In the period of our friendship we had made many plans together. Such plans were to visit each ones country, trying to be present for each ones ordination, celebrating the Eucharist together as priests and constantly keeping in touch especially when we leave for our own missions. This was one of his reason to activate his Facebook account which he kept dormant for sometime before.       

Haizzz Martin, we had plans but God holds the greater plan for each one of us. Your 'mission' has started bro, and I know you are now praying for us.
Ohh bro, I have two regrets, one for not taking the picture we took together from you and secondly for not being able to pay my last respects and attend your sending off to that 'beautiful shore'.
So bro, was Fr. Mario Francisco right about heaven?? Is his dog there? hehe. Bro, I'm sure you now have all the answers from the questions and doubts raised during our class on Eschatology. I will miss u bro, you are a good friend.
Here is a song for you till we meet again in paradise:

    In the sweet by and by

There’s a land that is fairer than day,
And by faith we can see it afar;
For the Father waits over the way
To prepare us a dwelling place there.
Refrain:
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

To our bountiful Father above,
We will offer our tribute of praise
For the glorious gift of His love
And the blessings that hallow our days. 

We shall sing on that beautiful shore
The melodious songs of the blessed;
And our spirits shall sorrow no more,
Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.