A sobering moment

This afternoon as we were working in our office on the third floor of the university we heard some beautiful singing outside our window. It seemed as though many people were singing, and the sounds were beautiful. We all went over to the window and looked outside. What we saw was very sobering and somber. There was an ambulance, and they were loading a casket into the back. What we were hearing was a Christian hymn, sung by hundreds of students. We stood in respect as they finished loading the casket, and as a ministry said many prayers. About six other people then climbed into the ambulance, and as it drove away, the singing continued. It was a beautiful show of respect by all of the students, and very sad.

Later in the day we asked one of our hosts what had happened. He explained that it is not uncommon to see deaths - often medical treatment is not available, or not sought or advice not followed. He then seemed to suggest that this particular loss was due to an act of violence. I'm not sure we will know what did happen, but what we learned was important. The losses of life in a country at this stage of development, with so many limited resources, are not uncommon. It is certainly something to think about.