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Pastor Mwamukonda Wrote:
When death strikes it is unbelievable. When my wife Tabitha told me the sad news I received it with disbelief that Pastor Joseph Onyango the gifted preacher,a person perhaps who has joined many couples than anyone in Tanzania is no longer with us. It was not easy to fit into his shoes when I succeded him as a pastor in Mwanza in 1970. He was then married I was single. He was a good good speaker I was not as good as he was. He was more experienced I was just fresh from College. He was far better than I was. Yes Pastor has ended his earthly pilgrimage. His works shall follow him. Though he retired he was still active. In fact he died when he was on a mission. May the good Lord uphold the widow, children, relatives, friends and the adventist church in East Tanzania Conference and in Tanzania Union as a whole at this time of bereavement.
Pastor Mwamukonda Wrote:
When death strikes it is unbelievable. When my wife Tabitha told me the sad news I received it with disbelief that Pastor Joseph Onyango the gifted preacher,a person perhaps who has joined many couples than anyone in Tanzania is no longer with us. It was not easy to fit into his shoes when I succeded him as a pastor in Mwanza in 1970. He was then married I was single. He was a good good speaker I was not as good as he was. He was more experienced I was just fresh from College. He was far better than I was. Yes Pastor has ended his earthly pilgrimage. His works shall follow him. Though he retired he was still active. In fact he died when he was on a mission. May the good Lord uphold the widow, children, relatives, friends and the adventist church in East Tanzania Conference and in Tanzania Union as a whole at this time of bereavement.
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Pastor B. Muganda Wrote:
When the untimely death of Elder Onyango occurred on Friday I happen to be in Morogoro on my vacation. I got the news within five minutes of his passing. This is another sad chapter in Tanzania Union, again another veteran giant is asleep in the Lord waiting for that glorious morning!
Yesterday I visited the family and offered words of encouragement as we reminded ourselves of the beauty of the "Blessed Hope"! At that time the family spokesman briefed those mourning with the family that due to late arrival of the beloved children from UK and other family members from Mara and beyond the borders of Tanzania and Kenya, the family has decided that the funeral will take place on this coming Thursday, September 23rd here in Morogoro.
I met Elder Onyango last week and he looked even younger than ever before. I joked with him if he would like to reenter the workforce and gave me his usual smile. Death is cruel!!!
Thursday night the late Elder Onyango gave a very powerful lecture on Family life at the ongoing Evangelistic program going on for the last two weeks. He concluded that evening's program with a very moving prayer.
On Friday, around 2pm Elder Onyango while crossing the road just a few hundred yards from his house near (White House bus stand - those from Morogoro in Kihonda) to catch a minibus to the main bus terminal for the bus to Dar es Salaam where he was scheduled for officiating a wedding on this Sunday was hit by a very fast moving motorcycle, and it appears he died instantly. Upon arrival at the Morogoro Regional hospital he was officially pronounced dead.
I thought it would be very unfair for me not to share the eye witness account when I am here in Morogoro.
Let us remember the family as they mourn the loss of their beloved Daddy and husband.
Hang in there ladies and gentlemen - we are indeed Wasafiri in this world - sooner very sooner we are going home! We are tired of seeing beloved ones leave us one at a time!
Yours in the Blessed hope!
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Elder B. Nyambita Wrote:
Pastor B. Muganda Wrote:
When the untimely death of Elder Onyango occurred on Friday I happen to be in Morogoro on my vacation. I got the news within five minutes of his passing. This is another sad chapter in Tanzania Union, again another veteran giant is asleep in the Lord waiting for that glorious morning!
Yesterday I visited the family and offered words of encouragement as we reminded ourselves of the beauty of the "Blessed Hope"! At that time the family spokesman briefed those mourning with the family that due to late arrival of the beloved children from UK and other family members from Mara and beyond the borders of Tanzania and Kenya, the family has decided that the funeral will take place on this coming Thursday, September 23rd here in Morogoro.
I met Elder Onyango last week and he looked even younger than ever before. I joked with him if he would like to reenter the workforce and gave me his usual smile. Death is cruel!!!
Thursday night the late Elder Onyango gave a very powerful lecture on Family life at the ongoing Evangelistic program going on for the last two weeks. He concluded that evening's program with a very moving prayer.
On Friday, around 2pm Elder Onyango while crossing the road just a few hundred yards from his house near (White House bus stand - those from Morogoro in Kihonda) to catch a minibus to the main bus terminal for the bus to Dar es Salaam where he was scheduled for officiating a wedding on this Sunday was hit by a very fast moving motorcycle, and it appears he died instantly. Upon arrival at the Morogoro Regional hospital he was officially pronounced dead.
I thought it would be very unfair for me not to share the eye witness account when I am here in Morogoro.
Let us remember the family as they mourn the loss of their beloved Daddy and husband.
Hang in there ladies and gentlemen - we are indeed Wasafiri in this world - sooner very sooner we are going home! We are tired of seeing beloved ones leave us one at a time!
Yours in the Blessed hope!
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Elder B. Nyambita Wrote:
He Was Coming!!
It is now a history brethren,
He is the Lord's servant sent about two months ago to bring back the lost flock of TEGETA. The solid week of revival full of inspiration and sincere prayers that he committed church members into, will now and forever ring into our ears.
It was his last great mission in Dar es Salaam. He was among the pioneers of the SDA CHURCH in town and surely he came back to complete the mission.
The day of his death he was traveling for our great visitor’s day at TEGETA. He did not make it, we only have his name in our bulletins.
Oh Pastor!!
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Doctor D. Sando Wrote:
He was a golden gift to a church that we could ask no more from GOD ! He was such a blessing and a prime example to our pastors and the church as a whole !
Its like sweet dream that is gone fast even before its morning ! And I started asking myself again this: Untill when my GOD !!! When is the end of this!
He was an inspiration to me and I have always liked his way of teaching and pastoring!
He is physically dead but will never go to seek him in his grave because he is living in our hearts. And we will always rejoice for he has fulfiled a bigger part of his eathly purpose !
I will surely miss him!
He is the Lord's servant sent about two months ago to bring back the lost flock of TEGETA. The solid week of revival full of inspiration and sincere prayers that he committed church members into, will now and forever ring into our ears.
It was his last great mission in Dar es Salaam. He was among the pioneers of the SDA CHURCH in town and surely he came back to complete the mission.
The day of his death he was traveling for our great visitor’s day at TEGETA. He did not make it, we only have his name in our bulletins.
Oh Pastor!!
----------------------------
Doctor D. Sando Wrote:
He was a golden gift to a church that we could ask no more from GOD ! He was such a blessing and a prime example to our pastors and the church as a whole !
Its like sweet dream that is gone fast even before its morning ! And I started asking myself again this: Untill when my GOD !!! When is the end of this!
He was an inspiration to me and I have always liked his way of teaching and pastoring!
He is physically dead but will never go to seek him in his grave because he is living in our hearts. And we will always rejoice for he has fulfiled a bigger part of his eathly purpose !
I will surely miss him!
See him in the new earth where the power of death will be no more !
My prayer that his family will celebrate for the life that has contributed a lot and touch the souls of many.
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Sister B. Makaranga Wrote:
I can still hear his voice as he used to pause during his speech -----"ndiyo.....mmmmhhh!"
The last sermon with our Church(Mwenge) was emphasing the sacredness of the Sabbath day...... He really touched most of us(members).
In the afternoon he gave us wonderful words regarding Child rearing skills and Communication skills in general
ITS SO SAD AND ITS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT He is no more!
My sincere condolences to all the Thisdaso Associates.
Lets be faithful so that we meet him on that great morning!Its a spiritual challenge though!
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Brother M. Masatu Wrote:
Many many years ago, I am told, the late Pr. Shem Onyango was at the jaws of death following a serious disease he was encountering. He gave this testimony himself at a certain crusade that was conducted around Mzumbe area in Morogoro. For more details on the story you may wish to communicate with Kaka Rweyemamu Barongo who was attending the crusade. The late pastor witnessed that he prayed to God like never before, sometimes he did it overnight. At the end, there was a good "in the end" from God. He harkened unto his cry, and his health was restored. Nadhani wengi wetu tunaweza kuwa mashuhuda wa afya yake ilivyokuwa njema, irrespective of him being many years "young."
Sasa hebu fikiria: Mungu akamponya na hicho kilichokuwa kikimsibu na kuhatarisha afya yake lakini akaruhusu alale kirahisi namna hii, oooh, come on! Anyway, God's ways are not men's, and vice versa is also true. We can NEVER know Him enough.
Hebu na tuandae mapito yetu. Mara nyingi matukio kama hayo yanapotokea huwa yananiweka karibu zaidi na Mungu (I think it is because of humanity's hipocrisy [or mine to be precise]). Mwaka huu tulipoteza kijana mmoja hapa ofisini kwetu kwa ajali ya gari (alikuwa akivuka barabara). He was a lovable guy to almost everyone. Following the incidence, I was greatly disturbed kiasi cha kwamba hata nilikuwa nashindwa kuvuka barabara (I was taking a couple of minutes just crossing the road). Mwaka huu huu pia alifariki rafiki yetu mmoja ghafla tu bila sababu yoyote huku akimuacha mjane wa mwaka mmoja tu. Kwa kweli tulisikitishwa sana! And here Onyango joins!
I am surely sorrowful for our beloved pastor. May God give us all the necessary strengh, hope, and let the Holy Spirit help us to prepare our ways in every fraction of a second of our lives, as far as it is possible with us.
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Sister P. Samson Wrote:
SO SAD
Dear all,I am just writing this mail with tears flowing down my cheeks,PASTOR ONYANGO IS NO MORE.
Please pray for me,he was my good friend.
God bless you all
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Brother J. Sanawa Wrote:
These sad comments cannot pass by unnoticed. The old adage goes: Like Father - Like Son! Those of us who can remember well, this great Pastor had a great son who went on to become our Union Treasurer: Mr. Maxwell Onyango - who like the dad was killed in a bizzare road mishap!
Both of these potential great sons of mother Africa - one siring the other, have lived a fulfilled life but too short to call it a shot. We still needed them. How I wished that I could renew my matrimonial vows with Pastor Onyango at the helm of the affairs!
The below message is Courtesy from Rweyemamu Barongo:
ReplyDeleteNimeguswa sana na huu msiba wa mzee wetu na mchungaji Shem Onyango.
Nimemfahamu marehemu miaka ya 80s tukiwa wote mtaa wa Misufini Morogoro.
Nilikuwa pathfinder lakini nakumbuka mengi, tulikuwa wachache kiasi cha kufahamiana vizuri na kutembeleana.
Mama yangu na familia ya babu Mzee Mwakalindile pia waliishi na kufahamiana vizuri na marehemu Pr. Onyango na familia yake DSM miaka ya 70s wakati babu yangu akiwa tabibu kwenye kituo cha afya cha kanisa na marehemu Pr. Onyango akiwa mchungaji.
Alichoandika kaka Mgune ni kweli kabisa, Yehova angependa angeweza kumuepusha mchungaji na ajali ya pikipiki maana pia alimponya kansa ya mauti wakati ambapo hakukuwa na matumaini yeyote. Marehemu alitoa ushuhuda katika viwanja vya shule ya Mzumbe mwaka 2001 alipokuwa akihubiri na kutoa masomo ya unyumba. Alimshuhudia Mungu kwa kumponya kansa miaka 25 iliyopita (sasa hivi kama 35 iliyopita), hali yake ilikuwa mbaya sana madaktari walikadiria kuwa angeishi kwa miezi kadhaa tu na kufariki. Alimlilia Mungu katika maombi na mke wake na alikesha katika maombi katika kisima kilichokuwepo pale kanisa la Magomeni. Yehova alimponya kansa. Siku ambazo madaktari walikadiria zilipita na afya ya mchungaji ikarejea na kuimarika.
Mchungaji amepumzika, lakini huduma aliyopewa inaendelea na itaendelea kubariki familia zetu kupitia redio ya media kama redio morning star na kanda za mafundisho yake kama ambavyo tunashuhudia. Heri ya wafu wafao katika Bwana... (Ufunuo 14:13)
Tuyakabidhi maisha yetu kwa Mungu kila wakati maana hatujui siku wala saa ya kufariki kwetu.
We shall meet at last when the stormy winds have past,in a LITTLE WHILE WE GOING HOME,WILL MEET IN HEAVEN,PASTOR ONYANGO
ReplyDeleteI am deeply saddened to hear about the death of Pastor Joseph Shem Onyango! I join with so many Adventists all over the world [who knew this great man of God] in offering my deepest sympathy on his passing. Though I left Tanzania almost ten years ago, I can still hear his soothing yet thundering voice pleading to Adventists youth especially, to cling to Jesus. And I can still remember how me and my friends [back then] used to imitate his unique voice ["AHHHH, WAPENDWAAAA... HALELUJAH!"]. My prayers and thoughts are with his family, friends,and church members at this very sad time. God bless!
ReplyDeleteEDWARD CHACHA,
4323 IRISH HILLS DR.
SOUTH BEND, IN 46614
UNITED STATES
To the family, friends, and the Seventh-day Adventist community in Tanzania and elsewhere, we offer our condolences for the death of our friend, Pastor Joseph Onyango. The vacuum he left will never be filled by any one else. May his death, sad as it is, lead us to fulfilling our mission that we believe we are here for. For the life we have fleets fast almost unconsciously.
ReplyDeleteAlex and Christina Mwakikoti
Sure!! In a little while we will meet again.The task is upon us now, to look upon Jesus so that in the new morning our happiness may everlast.
ReplyDeleteOh!It is real painful! Oh Our Pastor!!
May God comfort us.
GIDEON ELINEEMA LUKWARO
HANYANG UNIVERSITY-SOUTH KOREA
real sad,i get to know him when he came at mwenge SDA church,he was real tallented preacher,he changed my life in a very special way,i belive soon we shall meet our beloved pastor,one thing to take on as long as we are living letus abide under the grace of god and accept his divine nature to change our daily life before we get died,we dont know the day when our lives shall be taken away its better to be in the safe side.
ReplyDelete''bwana ametoa na bwana ametwaa jina lake na lihimidiwe milee zote''
AMEN
Modekai sanga mlowezi
thank you guyz for the condolences pastor was indeed a nice person,when i was from school and ma aunt told me that pst.Onyango had got an accident and died on the spot i couldn't believe it because being my uncle he had promised to visit us that december at our home in kenya and all of us were excited to see him since he resembles my dad alot,and he has good teachins,and we listen to his teachins on tapes.My dad upto date has never believed he lost a brother but when we listen to his teachings we know he is always with us .
ReplyDeleteR.I.P IN BLISS Daddy forever you remain in our hearts.
Belly Jullians Orondo.