Horatio Gates Spafford na Anna Spafford
Katika miaka ya 1860 Horatio aliishi na mke wake Anna Chicago,Marekani. Spafford alikuwa mwanasheria mkubwa aliyewekeza zaidi kwenye majengo (real estates). Maisha yalianza kubadilika mwaka 1870 ambapo mtoto wao pekee wa kiume alifariki kwa ugonjwa wa nimonia, Mda mfupi baadae janga la moto mkubwa wa Chicago uliteketeza sehemu kubwa sana ya mali zake.
Wakiwa na matumaini ya kupunguza maumivu waliyopata kutokana na matatizo yote,
Mwaka 1873 Spafford na mkewe walikubaliana kwenda Uingereza ambapo rafiki yake alikuwa ana hubiri injili.
Katika maandalizi ya mwisho kazi zilimbana Horatio, Akawaambia mke wake na watoto wake wakike wanne watangulie akiahidi kuwafuata haraka.
Ndipo jambo lisiloweza kufikirika likatokea, Boti aliyopanda mke wake na watoto wake ikapata ajali na watoto wake wote wanne walizama na kupoteza maisha, Mke wake pekee alipona nae baada ya kufika ufukweni akamuandikia note spaffors ikisema
"Saved Alone, What shall I do?" yaani "Nimeokolewa peke yangu, Nitafanya nini?"
Horatio akiwa njiani kwenda kumfariji mke wake, akipita eneo ambalo watoto wake walizama na kupoteza maisha ndipo aliandika mashairi ya wimbo uliopata umaarufu sana mpaka miaka hii,
Wimbo unaitwa "it is well with my soul" / "Salama rohoni mwangu"
Haya hapa mashairi yake
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
(Refrain:) It is well (it is well),
with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
(Refrain)
My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(Refrain)
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pain shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
(Refrain)
And Lord haste the day, when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
(Refrain)
Baadae Anna alibarikiwa na watoto watatu, Mmoja wa kiume ambaye alifariki akiwa na umri wa miaka minne, na wakike wawili. Na baada ya mda walienda kuishi Israel na familia yake wakaanzisha kundi la kusaidia masikini huko Israel.
Hakuna maoni:
Chapisha Maoni