MWR : Car crash kills Zambian church leader

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March 15, 2010 issue

Car crash kills Zambian church leader

CHOMA, Zambia — Esther Kalambo, a leader among the African Anabaptist Women Theologians, died in a car crash Jan. 21. She was 54.

Kalambo

Kalambo was a chaplain at the Brethren in Christ Hospital in Macha.

Also killed in the accident were Douglas Haadinke, a Macha employee; Edith Mwiinga, a former employee; and Doris Mudenda, Kalambo’s older sister.

Kalambo was a member of the continental committee of African Anabaptist Women Theologians since its creation in 2002. She attended the MWC assemblies in 2003 in Zimbabwe and 2009 in Paraguay and had close connections to Mennonites in many parts of the world.

Kalambo was one of the women featured in a documentary, Living Water, Living Faith: Mennonite Women of Color, produced by Pat McFarlane and Linda Christophel.

In the video, she reflected on the transitory nature of life experienced by the patients with whom she worked: “Everyone is journeying toward death, some more quickly than others. I am here now, but I know that I am on a journey. I am not here forever. All of us are passing by.”

Kalambo was trained as a peacebuilder. At the time of her death she had just returned from an assignment of training 11 BIC pastors and leaders in peace-building. She was scheduled to teach a course in peacebuilding to Sikalongo Bible Institute third-year students.

Known for her hospitality, Kalambo provided graciously for anyone at any hour.

She is survived by her husband, Mukuwa; sons Chilobe and Michelo, and daughters Mutinta and Sibajene.

Comments

Highly favored Woman of God. I love you with all my heart.

- Mutinta Kalambo (jul 7 at 5:16 p.m.)
We may never understand why, but we are content in this that the LORD knew, the sisters would end their journey this side of eternity together. Until we meet again, it's "bye for now!"

- Dean Mudenda (jul 27 at 7:54 a.m.)

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