The following as an excerpt from a letter written by Mrs. Edung E. Essien the wife of the late Rev. E. E. Essien, in which she describes the passing of her late husband.
When in April this year, he became weak and could no longer eat well, I tried getting him to eat, and he was not concerned about himself but rather kept telling me “I fell pity for you”. He sent for all the children, blessed everyone and gave every single child his/her role to play in the family. He elected the next head of the family, the secretary, the treasurer, and placed everyone in his/her right position. He told us that there are two songs that we must never fail to sing daily. The two songs are: (i) WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS (ii) THERE IS NOT A FRIEND LIKE THE LOWLY JESUS.
He did not stop with the family; he placed a high concern on the church. In the same April, while the children were still at home, he sent for the senior pastor and some other pastors. He instructed them about how to run the church and preach the Gospel of Christ exactly as the Bible instructs. His instructions to the church were documented by the Pastors he instructed. He told them he was not the one speaking to them but the Holy Spirit. He prayed with them, blessed them and finally said “I’M DONE”. With this last word he left them and went back to his room. He was never sick. He only lost the desire for all things as the scripture says. All the test ran by the doctors proved he was perfectly healthy in all aspects. Papa, as I fondly called you, I really miss you, but as you “LET THE WILL OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD BE DONE”. Your final word to us was “ETIM ETIE, KE AKWA ABSI AMANAM KPUKPPRU NKPO OFON AMA”, meaning “STAY WELL, FOR THE ALMIGHTY GOD HAS MADE ALL THINGS PERFECT.”
You came, you served, and you finished very well. My prayer is that the good Lord will make us finish well like you did.
Rest in the bosom of Christ.
-Edong E. Essien