In Memoriam Austin Adeyemi Smith

We had another death in the congregation, the first from COVID-19. Because it had to be a small, private funeral, I want to share some of Austin Smith’s story to celebrate his life.

Austin always had a big smile, and he dressed sharply. One of the things he enjoyed most was getting dressed up to go outside simply to go for a stroll. For me that sums up his enjoyment of life.

Austin, Elizabeth, and their family came from Sierra Leone, a country torn apart by civil war in the 1990s. Austin worked as a machinist and supervisor for a tobacco company there. Elizabeth was an accountant for the government. Everyone who worked for the government was at risk. In fact, the risk became so great that their family had to escape. They left at midnight to meet a boat that would take them away. But when they arrived, there wasn’t enough room for everyone in the boat. Austin stayed behind.

He put Elizabeth and their children on the boat and told them to go ahead. He thought he’d be okay since he had nothing to do with the government. They ended up being separated for 5 years.

While Austin stayed in their house in Africa, he had friends who were killed when rebels broke into their homes and shot them. Then someone got word to him that rebels were coming to burn down their area.

Austin escaped their house and went to hide in a church. After the rebels were done burning homes, they went through the church looking for people. Austin had to escape from the church and walk 10 miles to the other side of town where the government was still in control. He stayed there while Elizabeth worked in America for their family and for Austin too. She put money together to get Austin out of the country and into a refugee program. Finally, he got asylum to the United States and was reunited with his family.

After enduring all of that, Austin felt as though he couldn’t ask for anything more. He was satisfied and grateful to God that he didn’t have to bury his wife or any of his children. He’d say, “If I die, don’t cry. I’ve lived the life I was meant to live.” So Austin took time to enjoy his life and his family and the good gifts from the Lord. He’d dress up and go for a stroll.

One day Elizabeth got sick from her work as a nurse. She tested positive for COVID-19, this terrible virus that has killed more than 120,000 people in our country and 450,000 people around the world. Austin was so concerned about Elizabeth. He told God that he wanted to trade places with her so she could go home and be okay. Elizabeth recovered. Austin tested positive for COVID-19.

On the Friday Austin died, he told his daughter, Austina, that he was just about done with his medical care and he would be home on Saturday or Sunday or Monday. Even so, he told her the family knows well enough to care for one another.

Austina asked Elizabeth why everyone thought Austin was so sick. He’d told her he’d be home soon. And Elizabeth said, “The only home he’s going to is the one with his heavenly Father.” And that’s what happened, because Jesus went ahead to prepare a room for Austin in our Father’s house.

Therefore, we need not be troubled. Because of what God has done in Jesus Christ, we don’t have to say good-bye, perhaps just, “by for now.” That’s the farewell from Sierra Leone. It means, we’re going to meet again, in life or in death. We may be absent for now, but not for always.

Austin, bye for now.

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