…‘her shoes too big for us to fill in’
Rutendo Chirume
“The spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, he has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of prisons to those who are bound’’ reads Isaiah 61 verse 1.
The biblical verse would be the exact one which can describe the phenomenal Zimbabwean evangelist and preacher Elizabeth Mabhugu Chademana who passed on, on March 11 in the afternoon while observing a fast at Mangwandi Hills in Masvingo.
Chademana who died at 62 was the Director of Isaiah 61 International Church in Zimbabwe who survived as a widow for over 20 years and had two daughters.
Her followers and family remembered her as the greatest cheerleader of their lives who is irreplaceable saying her shoes are ‘too big’ for anyone to fill because her accolades can be compared to none.
Her only surviving biological daughter Trust Vimbai Chademana said the circumstances surrounding her mother’s death are befitting considering that she has always been a woman of prayer all her life.
“Timing is for God, but we wish she could have lived longer. She was called to be with the Lord during a time when she was doing what she is known for. My mom has always been a prayerful person and have also taught me to be the person that I am today. She was physically fit and fine, she was on my medical aid and the only time she used it is was when she wanted to renew her glasses or clean her teeth at the dentist,’’ said Trust.
She said her mother was a pure definition of a mother who loved everyone regardless of their status or where they came from; nationally and internationally the family and church has lost a mother.
“Mom was a gentle spirit but no nonsense kind of a person and would be aggressive when she is supposed to, a true definition of a mother. She would love, discipline, teach and caution you when necessary but she was ever smiling and very patient with you. She was a mom to everyone, a person who united the family together. My mom was a phenomenal person and the greatest cheerleader of my life who would cheer me on through thick and thin,’’ added Trust.
The late Elizabeth was entitled to many people who regarded her as their mother despite different biological relationships, some from church and many others being people she nurtured and mentored.
A local business woman Elizabeth Tshuma said the deceased was a leader and mentor who taught her how to be strong and prayerful.
“I met mama around 1999 and since then she touched my heart. I have always known her as a person of prayer. She was like a mother to me in terms of prayer because she is the one who taught me to pray. She was a leader who mentored me and taught me to be a strong woman. I met her the day before she died and she told me that every day is a class and each minute that passes is a lesson and every person that you meet is a teacher. She also taught me that a leader should be a strong person. We have lost a hero in prayer, a unique widow who lived for God,’’ said Tshuma.
Another lady she mentored Privilege Sibanda who identified herself as the deceased’s daughter described the late preacher as a woman of valour saying she loved her like her own daughter.
“I have no befitting words to describe the kind of a person mom was. She was a woman of valour who loved everyone. She treated me equally as if I was her own daughter and she never selected anyone of us as we were all equal to her. This house has fed so many people. We are saddened by her death but we are celebrating a well lived life,’’ said Sibanda.
A local pastor’s wife Sarafina Mutema who ministered the Lord’s gospel together with the late preacher described the deceased as a prayer warrior who died in God’s spirit.
“Mrs Chademana was a prayer warrior who would take back what the devil stole by fire or force. She did not care which denomination you were from; she would preach to you regardless of your church. She lived for God and she worked for God. She had a big heart, she was non-judgemental and had wisdom because to me her advices still help in my daily endeavours. I think she has rested to be with the Lord,” said Mutema
Her family and friends were gathered at number 23 Protea Avenue in Rhodene where they prepared for her final send off at Mangwandi Cemetry on Thursday, March 16.
