Jesusluvsall's Blog

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” Romans 12:15

Sunday afternoon I joined my Mandean friends in Lincoln for a memorial lunch. The father of two of my former students passed away in Iran. I wanted to go to show support for my former students. Losing a loved one is hard enough, but to lose a loved one and not be able to go back for the funeral is unbearable.

As I talked with one of his daughters, she teared up as she shared with me, “I couldn’t go see him” and “He was supposed to come here soon.” I could only listen and give her a hug.

I met her daughters who are young women. I also met her sister visiting from California and her daughters. We talked which was mostly me listening. There are no magic words to say in such moments, only a sympathetic ear.

There were maybe about 40 or 50 people there for the memorial lunch. I had a chance to see other former students and meet new people.

We had a traditional Mandean lunch when someone passes away of fish and rice. When they brought the dessert tray they told me which ones I could eat because one of my good friends there explained that I have Celiacs. With each food and dessert that came, they would say, “I heard about you. This is okay for you to eat.”

I did not take any pictures of my Mandean friends out of respect for them and their privacy in such a solemn occasion. I went to be there for them, not for me. I love my Mandean friends and former students.

As we ate lunch, the thought occurred to me that fish is what Jesus cooked for his disciples to serve them breakfast one day after his resurrection. We read in John 21:

^“Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.”

After lunch was finished, I had a chance to interact more with my friends. The little four year old girl of one of my friends came up to me to give me an apple. She was eating an apple and thought I should too. In the midst of the sorrow a little girl wanted to give something to her dad’s friend.

My Mandean friends came here as refugees because they were a religious minority in Iran and oppressed there for centuries. They are peace loving people who love their families and want opportunities for their children.

My hope is to show them the love of Jesus, help them with their new lives in America, and to be a good friend for them. I look forward to seeing them again.

Thank you for reading. God Bless.