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Remembering Ray

It is almost two years ago that Ray Munsaka went to be with the Saviour whom he loved to sing and preach about. It seems just like yesterday that I and many others received the sad news we all wished was not true that Ray was no more. The memories of Ray while he walked on the earth still linger. 



 Meeting Ray at Campus

I first met Ray in 1987 at the University of Zambia in Lusaka where we both started our first year studies, him in the School of Natural Sciences and myself in the School of Education. We both entered varsity as Christians having been converted at secondary school. We both joined the University Christian Fellowship which was a great help in our Christian lives in helping us to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. Later we were to become leaders in various roles in the Christian Fellowship. I recall Ray being passionate in evangelism, being an avid reader of Christian books and one that easily made friends with believers from various denominations in the Christian Fellowship. Ray graduated from his studies five years latter with a Bachelors of Engineering degree. Later Ray and I did theological studies with the Reformed Baptist Preachers’ College where he was the best student.

Meeting Ray after Campus
After campus I would meet Ray occasionally and when we did meet it was always a fruitful time. Ray’s words were seasoned with salt and he always spoke the right words that were encouraging to one’s soul. At some point Ray and I lived in the same neighbourhood. We took time to visit each other and spur one another towards good works. When I got married to Judith in August 1996, and we were looking for a Master of Ceremonies for our wedding reception, Ray was our obvious choice.  He readily agreed to take up this role and he did a great job of directing the programme and making people laugh with sound jokes. 

Meeting Ray at Church & in the Workplace
I was later to meet Ray again in 1997 when Ray and his wife Martha came to settle in Kitwe. At the time I was working for Mpelembe Secondary School under the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM). Ray came to work for ZCCM. He also joined the then Trinity Baptist Church (now Nkana West Baptist Church) which my wife and I used to attend. He and the wife quickly settled in and became involved in the life of the church. Ray was active in the Men’s and Marriage ministries and also preached in the church. Later he went to study for a Master’s degree in Germany. I remember him sharing with the married couples at a Marriage Ministry meeting the assorted fruit teas he had brought after we had been served with some during the meeting. I also recall him renovating their house using the tools and equipment he had brought from Germany. 

Conclusion

Later, Ray moved to Chingola where he took up a new job. He and the wife joined Central Baptist Church, where he later became an elder till his home call. Ray served God and the church with distinction and passion. He loved the Lord and was a godly man. I recall making a long phone call to him a few months before he went to be with the Lord. He had the patience to listen to me and encourage me. Though Ray is gone, his memory leaves on. For a more detailed article on the life of Ray Munsaka I recommend the article by Isaac Makashinyi found here: Ray Munsaka .

As I conclude, suffice to say that Ray walked with God and like Enoch, the Lord took him to be with him 2 years ago.
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