emmanuel hidi ogonna - ripplesintl.or.keripplesintl.or.ke/eulogy.pdf · tutakase na utembee nasi...

16

Gave up his life for the poor and destitute!

Mercy’s tribute

To my dear Chidi, When two oceans meet, the thud of the roaring waters and the heights of the mighty waves and ripples are precious to behold. That has been our lives together. God made you just for me and us for His people. You lay down a giant, slain in service. Like every young girl, in a godly society where marriage is esteemed, I was prayerfully waiting though wondering whether I could meet someone who could understand what God had made me for, to genuinely compliment what I wanted to live for. Many nights I pondered how life would turn out since my passion for community service burned through my bones and my dream was vivid – something uncommon for a young woman in an African society where the kitchen remains the only place of influence. Meeting you was a great reward for my faith in Him. At that moment I knew that we were destined for each other and deep in my heart I knew together we would go places. It is now 17 years since you took my hand into a journey that turned out mostly special, ad-venturous and stunning. Tears fill me and fear grips me to imagine life without you. We shared our joys, achievements and health as much as our fears, poverty, sorrows and battles. Even in difficulties, I was always persuaded I was yours and you were mine. Your commitment to excellence, dedicated hard work and tireless sacrifice topped with a splendid sense of humor were jewels that adorned you for greatness. Your love and support far outweighed any differ-ences we suffered and the force of our united faith and purpose permanently impacts thou-sands of lives. You are the father of our wonderfully amazing children Ijeoma, Chidinma, Chidiebere and Chikanma - the most precious reward we received together this side of life and the lasting reminder of who you really were to me. I am scared of what to do as I join millions of wid-owed and single mothers in our continent. I desperately hold on the hope that God will not forget your labour of love and the kindness you have shown in service to His people. That our children and I will find strength to carry you in our hearts and pursue with precision the goals you have taught us to live for. Even at your weakest point, you still were strong since your strength was in God. I liken you to King David, a man who in pursuit of God found favour with man and did exploits for God in service to people. Time will surely tell the magnitude of the gap you have left behind. I pray that God who carried you will be merciful to us and like Jesus, may we see more fruit of the gospel from those you have entrusted the mandate of the noble work to the poor and desti-tute. I will never understand why things are the way they are but unless I accept that I am now without you, my friend, match and fellow soldier, I will delay to speed the hope as we did together. That itself takes grace from heaven. I loved you in life; I will love you in death and honour you and God. Words limit my expression of what I feel, my thoughts are scrambled and my heart is broken. Rest in peace my friend, my love and my husband. When I am done, I too by God’s grace will come home, the greater place where our treasure lays – the heaven of God – forever. Always yours, Mercy Chidi

Ripples International….Saving Lives, Serving Children! 1

EMMANUEL CHIDI OGBONNA January 17, 1956 - October 14, 2012

You Fought a good fight!

EULOGY

2


Program

Time Activity

Body retrieval

Arrival at Kithoka

Opening prayer

Praise and worship

Sermon

Speeches

Tributes

Photo Session

Laying of Wreaths

Vote of Thanks

Refreshments

Departure


Above: Chidi jigs at the opening of Tumaini Centre Facility - July 2012.

Below: Chidi the Chief Servant crushes stones at the laying of foundation

for RI Facility - September 2010

14


Above: Chidi plays with children at New Start Centre in June 2007.

Below: Chidi and Mercy with Kitsy Polaski and her daughter—Great

friends from GCI the prime sponsors of New Start Centre: March 2011


Songs

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE LAMB

I pledge allegiance to the Lamb

With all my strength with all I am

I will seek to honour his commands


I have heard how Christians long ago

Who were brought before a tyrant’s throne?

They were told that he would spare their lives

If they would renounce the name of Christ

But one by one they chose to die

The Son of God they would not denounce

Like a great angelic choir sing

I can almost hear their voices ring

Now the years have come

and the years have gone

And the cause of Jesus still goes on

Now a time has come to count the cost

To reject this World to embrace the Cross

And one by one let us live our lives

For the one who died to give us life

Till the trumpet sounds on the final day

Let us proudly stand and boldly say

To the Lamb of God who bore my pain

Who took my place?

Who wore my shame?



I pledge allegiance to the lamb

With all my strength

With all I am



HIDE ME NOW

Hide me now, under Your wings

Cover me within Your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar

I will soar with You above the storm

Father You are King over the flood

I will be still and know You are God x2

Find rest my soul, in Christ alone

Know his power in quietness and trust

ENDA NASI

Tuanomba uwepo wako uende nasi

Ewe Bwana wa majeshi tusikie

Kama huendi nasi, hatutaki kutoka hapa

Hatuwezi peke yetu enda nasi

Tuwatu wa shingo ngumu tusamehe

Hatufai mbele zako turehemu

Tusafishe Eeh baba,

Tuonyeshe uso wako

Twahitaji neema yako, enda nasi

Tuta vua mapambo yetu

Vitu vyote vya dhamani kwetu

Mioyo yetu twaleta mbele zako

Tutakase na utembee nasi

Tunaomba utuonyeshe njia zako

Kwa maana umetuita kwa Jina Lako

Twalilia eh Bwana

Utukufu na Uso Wako

Bila wewe tutashindwa

Enda nasi

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DESCENT & FAMILY

The late Emmanuel Chidi Ogbonna was born on 17th January,

1956 in the town of Abu, Abia State in Nigeria. He was the son of

the late Mr. & Mrs. Lazarus Ogbonna; the fourth of five children; a

brother to Mrs. Victorious Ajero, Mr. Kenneth Ogbonna, Mr. Ralph

Ihenyi Ogbonna and Mrs. Joyce Asikogu. The late Emmanuel Chidi

Ogbonna met Mercy Nyawira in Isiolo in 1994 and they got married

on 16th September, 1995 at the Deliverance Church Meru. They

were blessed with four children namely Victorious Ijeoma,

Chidinma Nkatha, Zawadi Chidiebere and Grace Baraka

Chikanma. He was the son-in-law to Mr. Ernest Kiumbe and the

late Inspector Jane Kiumbe; brother in Law to Jeremano Gikundi,

James Murithi, Pauline Musa and Sammy Mwongera.

EDUCATION

The late Emmanuel Chidi Ogbonna went to Aba Township primary

school, Government Collage Umaihia secondary and West Indies

University in Jamaica for his first degree in Business Administra-

tion. He also graduated from Pan Africa Christian University with a

diploma in Transformational Church Leadership. An ardent student,

who made time for personal development through reading widely

and academic pursuit, at the time of his passing Chidi was taking a

masters degree in Organizational Leadership from African Interna-

tional University formerly - NEGST.

MARRIAGE & FAMILY

The late Emmanuel Chidi Ogbonna was a loving husband to Mercy

and was not shy to display affection and care for her. He went out

of his way to coddle her and their children as he showered them

with unending love and dedication. As a responsible loving father

he, made time to create quality experiences and memories with his

wife and children, amidst his busy schedules. He worked hard to

make sure that he built a firm future for them and helped to lay

God’s principles in their lives.


Above: Chidi and Mercy with the children visit the relatives in Nigeria.

Below: Chidi and his in-laws in Meru. From Right: James and his wife, Karimi,

Sammy, Mr. Kiume (Father-in-law), Gikundi and Mercy.

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Snapshots

Numbered 1-6: Chidi and Mercy

before wedding, at wedding, with

first child Ijeoma, Chidinma added,

Zawadi added, grace added.

1 2

5 6

4

3


He instilled discipline and a culture of integrity in his children which

stemmed from his Christian beliefs. His wife and children loved and

respected him as the head of the home. Chidi was prayerful. He

made time to fervently intercede for his family, work and the calling

that God had placed in his life. He dedicated time and resources to

the service of the church, where he was a mentor to many and helped

young people discover their purpose in life for God’s glory.

LIFE PURPOSE

The late Emmanuel Chidi Ogbonna, like King David of the Bible had

the grace from God for lifting people from desperate situations to be-

come mighty warriors. His life purpose was to create a platform for

people to find their identity and experience God’s love. In the fear of

God and pursuit of excellence in service, the late Chidi did not waste

time at taking every opportunity to improve the quality of life for those

around him. He believed in a large life for all.

Chidi and his wife Mercy with their four children at holiday - Nov 2007

6


God had it that he would shine his light through him to the lands far

away. That, He did in amazing ways. At the age of 34, the late

Chidi Ogbonna left Nigeria and joined UN WFP Pakistan and Af-

ghanistan cross border operation from November 1989 to Decem-

ber 1992. He was then re-assigned to Kenya as the head of sub

offices in Isiolo, Lodwar and the Kakuma Refugee Camp till year

2000 when he and his wife Mercy left their lucrative jobs in answer

to God’s call and started Ripples International.

Ripples International first lived in the heart of God, was revealed to

Chidi and Mercy and in faithfulness, they joined hands with other

warriors of like passion, who were obedient to what God had said.

Since 2001, Chidi by God’s grace touched thousands of lives in

various projects. The most special to him was New Start Centre, for

the rescue of orphaned and abandoned babies where he became a

father to over 120 children who he gave the same quality of life as

his own.

Chidi playing with children at Ripples Kindergarten just after his 56th Birth-

day on 19th Jan 2012


Of persons who were broken by hunger, disease, poverty and depres-

sion whose lives were re-ordered through him.

Like a treasure in earthen vessel, Chidi Ogbonna was not concerned

that he was earthen but that he had a treasure to share in a fallen

world. He is remembered as a warrior for dignified living.

DEMISE

The late Emmanuel Chidi Ogbonna died on impact from a fatal road

accident along the Nanyuki-Meru highway on the morning of Sunday,

October 14, 2012 on his way to pick his daughter Chidinma Nkatha

from school.

The late Emmanuel Chidi Ogbonna will always be remembered as a

bold, hardworking, God-fearing leader who tirelessly and sacrificially

served God, his family and the community.

Emmanuel Chidi Ogbonna - You fought a good fight! II Timothy 4:7

Girls from Tumaini Centre present Chidi and Mercy as the ambassadors

of hope during the opening of their new facility - July 2012

10


Timelessly, transparently and with precision, Chidi and Mercy with

support from their friends and family have sent ripples of hope

across the land with their project Tumaini Centre sending spasms

across the globe. His was a life poured out for the widows and or-

phans - which is true religion. God filled his life with goodness and

greatness.

Chidi with the support of his wife Mercy translated his vision from

God into hope for thousands and even in death his spirit will live on

to the glory of God. His life was full of purpose and meaning for

many. He is celebrated locally and internationally as a servant to

the poor and destitute, who since 2001 spearheaded the crash of

stigma on persons living with HIV, campaigned for the rights of chil-

dren, and empowered men, women and children to take charge of

their lives through dignified hard work. Eternity holds the stories of

people whose lives were saved and of the children who were

served through him.

Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka VP Congratulate Chidi and Mercy during the

10th Anniversary celebrations and official opening of the

New Start Centre Facility - April 2012


It takes a lot of resources to build a corporation of the stature of

Ripples International. It takes much more to transform society. For

Chidi and Mercy Ogbonna, the start of Ripples International as a

nonprofit religious trust and a Kenyan indigenous civil society or-

ganization, was purely a journey of faith in what God had decreed.

While he served at Kakuma as the head WFP Sub-office, God said

to him, “I will close this door and open another door to save lives

and give hope.” His wife believed him and the journey started six

months later with confidence that God would only take them to a

greater place.

They only had one thing assured, that God had called them to

touch and save lives for His glory. This was not without tempta-

tions, as the bills began to bite and offers of three international jobs

dangling, Chidi was to have his faith tested – he did not turn back –

he believed that God who had called him was faithful. In deep sac-

rifice, they chose to serve humanity rather than serve themselves

with huge monthly pay checks.

Chidi and his wife Mercy at the Office Ground - April 2012

8


After much prayer and fasting they registered Ripples International in

2001 based on a baseline survey which justified Meru as the place

where God intended for them to start the intervention. They then

steadily work hard to build it using various skills they had acquired

through education and work experience. As an astute administrator, a

great leader in the company of a hardworking and compassionate

wife, Chidi had grace abounding for the journey. After miles on, they

wrote in their news brief, “over the past few years, we have seen each

day open a different chapter of intriguing challenge but God has not

left us in suspense. It has been steady work of patience rooted in faith

in God.” This is the spirit of Ripples International - Faith in God.

In his life, Chidi Obonna empowered children in an empowered com-

munity according to what he came to understand as the purpose and

vision of Ripples International. This organization, in many ways makes

the highlight of his career life. Without the obedience of Chidi

Ognonna and Mercy Chidi, Ripples International would never have

been.

Chidi and RI Board of Governors (Kenya and USA) and Trustees in the

company of Kenya’s Vice President Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka - April 2012


The need for children to be rescued was petrifying. Since it was not

practical for him to take them all into his home, Chidi and Mercy

started a program, the New Start Centre for this purpose. It has

since been a home for over 120 children who had been left by a

roadside, in a toilet pit, hospital bed, in the bush and had no hope

of living. Most are now adopted into families. Why would anyone

carry a baby for nine months only to abandon them? They realized

that the root was deeper and decided to focus of transformation

rather than treatment. This led to other programs for holistic impact

on society for education, awareness’ creation, health, gospel out-

reach, community empowerment and leadership. Ripples Interna-

tional operates under the acronym HEALS: (Health, Education, Ad-

vocacy, Leadership, Shelters). Over 12000 children have gained

access to health, education, psychological care or material support

as direct beneficiaries while thousands of other people have been

influenced for godliness across the country through his works.

Chidi and Mercy honour their 60+ staff members during the

10th Anniversary Celebrations at Kithoka - July 2012

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