immi

STORY
Januory 1969
Number

Volume 9

Springs of Water from the Rock"

by Don Stoll
"And God said . . . Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb, and thou shalt smite the rock,
and there shall come water out of it,

for God's people when trouble comes. Moreover, His people are scattered all over the world, facing and overcoming every imaginable obstacle in their march
to the Promised Land because of faith

where, obviously, the most critical

need existed.

Those were the days that hospital patients were seen carrying their own
water around in Coke bottles or clay

that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel." The 17th chapter of Exodus describes
a dramatic moment in the life of the

in Christ the Lord, the Redeemer whom

God sent.

pots. Those were the days that hospital

toilets and showers could be flushed

In 1966, Mashoko Mission was con

children of Israel as they journeyed in fronted with a critical situation, not the wilderness of sin. Having made camp entirely unlike that which the Israelites at Rephidim, they suddenly found them faced long ago at Rephidim. The entire selves facing disaster. There was no Matsai Tribal Trust Land, in which the water, cither for the people or for their mission is located, had experienced cattle. As soon as they realized their successive years of drought and sub predicament, the children of Israel normal rainfall and, as a result, the two complained to Moses, their leader, whose existing bore-holes which had supplied relationship with the Lord Almighty water for the mission community for made it possible for him to draw upon several years, were going dry. In order God's everlasting strength and supply. to prevent the pumps from burning out Moses followed the Lord's instructions, in a dry shaft, the pumps were shut down and a great miracle was accomplished. except for a few hours each day. The That was long ago, and today Moses little amount of water which they did is no longer around to make intercession bring up was piped to Christian Hospital

and cleaned only once or twice per day. Those were the days when the secondary students were forced to carry water in buckets from an old government well a mile away to their school kitchen so that food could be prepared; and then in the evenings, after classes, they had to go back to the well with soap and
towel to wash their bodies and clothes.

Those were the days when the mission aries used trucks, lorries, and private cars to haul hundreds of gallons of prec ious water to keep the mission work going. Those were the days that baptisms had to be postponed because there was no
{Continued on page 2)

I
Hi

Steam jiusIk's oiil ol ihe hospiial sicrilizing equipment,

a sign ol lh' almndaiu-e ol" *\alor al Mashoko.

Secondars' siudcnls onjoying ihelrn (mn shouers, installed with the eomplelion of the \valer system.

(continued from page 1)

water to fill the baptistry. Those were the days that saw gardens wither and die, the land become parched and dusty, nerves on edge, the strain beginning to tell, and some were asking, "Is it really God's will that His people camp here,

and build this mission station on a heap

of stone and sand?"

Then came the miracle! In June of

cessful installation and completion of the project goes to Mr. Smith. He was willing to assume this responsibility despite his heavy, demanding schedule with the educational program. He super vised work crews, ordered equipment west, contributions came from 19 states, and materials from Fort Victoria, payed from large congregations and small, from the bills, etc., until help came with the groups and individuals, from Christian arrival of the John Ross family in Oct business men and from Bible colleges. ober. John was able to take charge of The money was faithfully received, and the building and maintenance aspect of
three dozen people. But they knew that God was able if they would work as if everything depended on them and pray as if everything depended upon God. The response was exciting and gratifying. From the east coast to the
recorded and acknowledged by the class treasurer, Mrs. James Bailey. Early in September, a check for SI,000 was sent to Fort Victoria Standard Bank, Rhodesia and deposited in the mission's bore-hole account. Amazingly, in just nine months, the "Pumps and Pipes" campaign had raised well over the goal of S8,000. To
the Crusaders Class it seemed like a

1966, Emma StoH's parents, Mr. and Mrs.

Stanley Henderson of Lebanon, Ohio,
visited Mashoko and saw the critical

situation. They envisioned the possibil ity of challenging the Lord's churches in America to rise up and build a new
water system that could save the mission work. Soon after returning to the States, the Hendersons were contacted by the Crusaders Sunday-school class of the Traders Point Christian Church, Indiana polis, Indiana. This congregation had been supporting the Stoll family at Mashoko since 1963 and were deeply
interested in and concerned for the work.

miracle, especially when the record book

showed that the Traders Point Church had contributed one-fifth of the amount themselves!

the mission program, so Bob Smith breath ed a sigh of relief. In addition to the tons of sand, gravel, brick and building stone which went into the reservoirs, engine house and pump platforms, hundreds of bags of cement, reinforcing iron, one mile of two-and-one-half-inch polyethylene plastic pipeline, and, most important, two 15-horsepower Lister diesel engines
were hauled out from Fort Victoria. One

engine was installed to turn the monopump, pulling the water up 400 feet
from the subterranean river which flowed

Meanwhile, back at Mashoko, actual construction of the new water system was

Now the Crusaders Class, composed of young married couples, was looking for a mission project, and the serious water shortage at Mashoko was an irresistible challenge. Byron Young, energeticpresident of the class, along with Edward
Simon, teacher and minister, soon had

underway. A 500-foot deep bore had been drilledprevious to the fund-raising effort,
and as soon as the missionaries on the

field were assured that the money would be coming for the pumps and pipes, dhey
had contracted Heasman Engineers in
Fort Victoria to calculate the needs and submit recommendations for the new

a committee set up to promote a nation wide campaign to raise funds to meet the need. They called it the "Pumps and Pipes for Mashoko." The campaign was to commence in January, 1967, with the hope that a total of $8,000 could be raised by the end of the year. It was a big undertaking for a small class of two or

system. Actual construction of the 14,000-gaIIon reservoir at the bore-hole

site and a brick and steel house for the

quiet and deep beneath the earth and stone. The other engine was needed to push the stream through the mile of pipe up 350 feet higher to the giant stone reservoir on top of the kopje behind Christian Hospital. From there, the water could flow down by gravity into the hospital, school and homes. Total cost of the water project came to $9,000, just slightly more than the amount received by the efforts of the Crusaders Class.
As far as the missionaries and African

pumping station, was begun in June of Christians living and working atMashoko
1967, under the watchful eye of Robert Mission were concerned, it was a won-

Smith, principal of Mashoko Secondary

School. Much of the credit for the suc

(Continued on page 6)

mmV'

u
<7_^m

a
7 Cenfro/ Africa Story

Bob Smith is determined lo get the pipe line laid belore the rainy season comes.

Missionary John Ross supervises the eonstruftion of an engine room lor the new pumps

MUDUMBUS-GOD'S OPPORTUNITY
It is Friday afternoon and the long procession winds its way through the
main corridor of the Mashoko Christian

by Dorothea Parker
washed away. Finally one man comes
who admits to his sinfulness and tries

Hospital. It is reminiscent of the Pied

Piper of Hamelin, only the leader in this case is a nursing student dressed in pink with a new white cap on her
head. Behind her trail, not children, but
women with nice round tummies of

no other bridge but Christ's and succeeds in reaching the other side. The women are asked if they have all accepted
Christ and what this implies. One woman

nutrition peculiar to Africa. I have papers on weaning that explain in Shona what should be added gradually to the diet. Protein foods like nuts, flying ants, and beans are readily available. The
mothers themselves need to be encour

in the front says "no" and hangs her head shamefacedly. She is not ready to make a decision. Our little nursing
student is a Christian (Martha Mzizi), and she offers prayer for their souls. Class is over now, and the women

varying sizes. As they pass the duty rooms of each ward, heads pop out and voices inquire the purpose of this grand march. The smiling women chatter gaily and answer, "Bioscope!" The group turns right at the Male Ward veranda and
heads for the classroom. When all the

women are seated and half the room is

filled, the class begins.

The little nursing student interprets

as the Sister explains the slides. The
women see slides of their female

clap their hands and call, "Tatenda (thank you), Sister. Zvaka naka (very good)." Now the procession winds its way out through the main corridor and across the yard to the hut where the women spend their last month of preg
nancy.

aged to eat more protein foods as well as vegetables and fruits. Some of these women may deliver before the next week's class.They will have a different class. They will be taught in the maternity ward how to bathe their baby and keep him clean and free from illness. They will be taught

again how to care for the cord, burp the

baby, care for the "soft spot." To encourage cleanliness and thoughtful care of the new child, we give each woman who delivers at the hospital a layette. This layette consists of a receiving blanket, long gown, short gown or shirt, three diapers, two pins,
and a bib (hot weather) or booties (cold

Next week's class will be held in

anatomy, the baby in the third month, fourth month, and each month up to term and the changes in growth that it makes. They also see simple pictures of the
delivery, care of the cord, and care of

this hut. It is getting too hot to pack 40 or 59 people into the classroom. The
classes will concern nutrition and

general cleanliness with the aid of attractive charts supplied by the Public Health Service. Nutrition is important
because these women do not have a

the "soft spot." The latter are Important because bush women are often taught to put ashes on the cord with very un desirable results. They also put a mix ture on the "soft spot" or fontanel to
make it harden. The women are told

proper diet for themselves or their child ren. Many eat only sadza which is a
corn meal cooked to the consistency of corn-meal mush. They often nurse their babies until they are 18 months old. When the baby is taken off the breast (when the next baby is born), he may

weather). Only the women who deliver in the hospital receive these. We have 50 to 60 deliveries a month so you can easily see how fast they go. This year we have been short of baby things,
sometimes for a month or more. We had to ask these women to come back for a

what unusual signs they should tell the doctor about or come to the hospital for, such as unusual bleeding in their last
trimester.

only receive sadza to eat. The result is

kwashiorkor a type of protein mal-

The women chatter to each other

about each picture and are much more responsive than when the classes were first started. They have intelligent questions to ask and listen attentively when the explanations are made. They
want to know what it means when the

Sister has told them the previous day in Wudumbu Clinic that the baby is in the wrong position. They laugh at them selves easily and like to be teased. They laugh at the picture of themselves
with tummy pushed out and back caved in. Next it is story time. The little student wants to ask if any of the ladies remembers last week's story. One woman responds and briefly tells all the main

points of last week's story. Today's story is "God's Bridge." It is a little long and their span of attention is short, but they are very attentive. The story tells of a great and turbulent river with a man beckoning on the other side (Christ). The man has provided a bridge
(the cross), but each one who comes
Sister Dorothea Parker'and Mai

bundle, and then sometimes we still did not have them. During the winter it was expecially hard to turn them away. The layette has another interesting and useful purpose that illustrates how much the women appreciate receiving them. If they make a mess out of the PK (lavatory) or their ward, they are told they will not receive any more layettes. This has surprisingly good results even in the pediatric ward. Most of the women who are staying with their babies in the pediatric ward will eventually be maternity patients again. These women have babies about every two years. So they all are interested in layettes. It is a privilege, and a very satisfy ing one at that, to work with these natural and unaffected women. Our rapport improves with each new class. Pray that God will grant them not only know ledge for their physical well-being but understanding that will save their souls.

(Editor's note: A// parcels of baby

clothing should be addressed tolAashoko Christian Hospital, P. 0., Washoko, Rhodesia. Because of customs regula' tions in Rhodesia, they should not be addressed to Miss Parker or any other missionary individually. Sincere thanks
to all who show their love and concern

insists on building his own bridge and

Gwinji present new mother at Mashoko

with layette.

eventually falls into the river and is

January 1969

through the sending of layettes.)

Page 3

Attacked!!
by Kenny Messman
I remember the incident well. It has now been more than two months since

A YOUNG MAN
An African township (or location)
is an area, sometimes widiin the confines

by Robert E. Smifh

"Happy as Haile Selassie."

it happened, but my memory of the

experience is still vivid, for one can

never forget being attacked by a wild

animal.

of a city itself, but usually located on the outskirts of a large city, containing dwellings for Africans, business sections, entertainment spots (mainly
consisting of beer halls). In the vernac ular of our longhaired friends, these are usually "real swinging places." Yet here is where the churches are also, as

But Wednesday night there is prayer meeting, and Saturday night there is
Christian Endeavor, which he started

on his own initiative. Sunday morning there is a Bible class that he teaches, and on occasion he even fills the pulpit
of the Sakubva Church of Christ. Besides

1 had been living in the home of the Dr. Robert Walker family for two weeks and had been working pretty steadily with Dr. Walker in the Hippo Valley Christian Hospital. One morning after making rounds at Rufaro, Dr. Walker suggested that we tgke the afternoon off and drive to the Sparrow Ranch to see some wild game. What a great idea!
I had been in darkest Africa for two
weeks and had not even seen one wild

they should be. Umtali probably does not have quite as much "action" at Sakubva Township as there is at Harari Township in Salis bury, but it isn't exactly a secluded, quiet little spot either. There are plenty of places for a young man to go, lots
of trouble for him to get into, and more than adequate opportunity to get his head all twisted from being in a beer

that, he has to hit the books, and he really doesn't have time for this other nonsense that goes on around him.

Elected to the post of deacon by his fellow-Christians in this independent

Church of Christ (some of ours at home

animal, so I gave my hearty approval to the suggestion. By 2:30 Dr. and Mrs. Walker and I had set out on our safari for wild game. Oh, I must not forget little John. We took him along too I suppose for protection. Within forty minutes we had reached the gateway of the Sparrow Ranch. 1 was appointed to open the gate in order that Dr. Walker might drive the car through. I performed the duty quickly, not knowing how near these wild animals might be to the gate. I wasn't about to take any chances by lingering. We drove just a few hundred yards when we spotted some wild animals drinking at a water hole. I pointed my movie camera at the beasts to capture the thrilling moment for future reference. There were baboons, wildebeests, buffalo, impala, and waterbuck. We drove a bit further and came upon an eland that was very close to the road. Mrs.
Walker assured me that the eland was

pot too long, as the saying goes. Sin is present in its most deceptive and
fatal forms, and it isn't far away from the teacher's college that the young man attends. Many of his buddies come

have nothing on this one), James Mwadzingeni is quite a young man. Primary education at Mashoko; second ary at Dadaya: a Cnristian education does mean quite a bit, folks, and we are happy to say that James is not one in a million. This is a story that could be repeated quite a few times with dif

ferent names and different places. Praise

the Lord,and pray for James* continued

success and good work. And pray for

our work at Christian education at
Mashoko.

rolling in night after night with their

tummies full of beer, and as he puts it.

mi

Nip&;
it M

harmless, so I hopped out of the car and

walked to within 20 feet in order to

take pictures. I dashed back to the car, ready to drive on to the next wild beast.

James Mvvad/ingeni
yards before finally giving up the battle. We drove until out of sight of the enemy before stopping to inspect the devasta
tion
was

We drovearounda sharp curve and spotted another peculiar-looking beast which ful legs into the metal of the hood. We stood sleek and graceful in the middle were stunned or should I say fright
of the road. We drove closer for some

ened at the spectacle of destruction

pictures, and the beast spotted our which was taking place right before our vehicle. Our animal advisor, Mrs. eyes. In a desperate attempt to flee Walker, told us to roll up our windows from the attacking animal, we drove in
because this animal had a reputation for charging cars. How could such a lovely animal do that? Nevertheless, I
heeded Mrs. Walker's advice. Dr. Walker

that had

befallen

us.

The hood

battered and bent and the fender

and proceeded to jump onto the hood. slipped off the hood, and we drove madly He began violently walloping his power- away. The animal pursued for a hundred
Page 4

ignored the warning. Then like a flash, in a twinkling of an eye, the beast began running full speed toward our vehicle

reverse but were pursued by the deter mined and obviously quite incensed beast. What a way to die, and I had been in Africa only two weeks! Dr. Walker put the car in first gear, put the accel erator to the floor, and drove full speed ahead. Finally, the ferocious beast

likewise. The metal grill in front of the car had two holes in it, marking the spot where the claws of the animal had penetrated. We were speechless, yet a
bit amused. How could we ever tell of

this experience? Would anyone believe

us? Would our fellow missionaries think

we had gone "off our rockers" to tell such a tale? Would you believe that
the animal was an ostrich!?!

Central Africa Story

IF BUIIDINGS COULD TALK . . .

If buildings could talk, I am sure they would have an interesting tale to tell. Many of the buildings at Mashoko, because of their design and construction, have been very versatile. 1 am going to let one of them tell its story in the first
person as an illustration. "Mr. Pemberton and his family came
to Rhodesia in 1956. He took over the

for me to have another family. Dr. Dennis

Pruett with his wife and four children

by Sy/v/o Menhinick
to the mission? The question was soon

moved in for a stay of 15 months. "They, too, had the same problems of a family living in one room, no matter how good that room was. And then when

guests arrived and had to be fed and

sheltered also . . .

"The Pruetts did build a house, but

schools that had been started by the

New Zealand churches of Christ.

Because of government requirements,

he had to build a domestic science class

room, and that is when I came into being. At this time the Pembertons were living

at Dadaya, and Mr. Pemberton traveled to Mashoko four days each week, living
ai Dadaya the other three.

they gave it to the nurses as they thought the single girls needed one more than theydid. Finally, however, theirpatience and hard work were rewarded, and they moved into their lovely home overlook ing the hospital. "Mr. Berry Kennedy was the next to
make use of me, and this time for a dif ferent function. The small area, pre

answered, and these have been my hap piest years. For the first time I had a ceiling. An extension with raised plat form was put in, providing a place for the choir. Yes, I am now the chapel of Mashoko Mission. My walls were painted a pale blue, with deeper blue drapes. Twice every Lord's day people enter to gather around His table, and every week night the secondary students meet for devotions. It is grand to be able to supply a place of worship, and I am content in the knowledge that I have
been able to fill such varied needs because 1 was constructed well and

"Fortunately, or unfortunately, there

was not a sufficient number of students

viously used by the families as a kitchen

was now turned into an office, and the larger section was classroom space for the Bible college. Mr. Gwinji made the
desks for the classroom. His wife was

studying domestic science, so I became a home for the Pemberton family when they moved permanently to Mashoko in March, 1957. It was my happy privilege to provide the first shelter for their young est son, Robert Lee, born during this
time.

strongly in the first place." Only too often we hear the derogatory phrase "only a mission" when it should bear the dignity of a proper title, because,
after all, isn't the mission field the

"Kven though I was strongly built and had a roof (but no ceiling), I do not think they could have been too comfort able, because, you remember, I was intended for a classroom, so they had to make room dividers with drapes, except for one small area blocked off separately for a kitchen. However, I was happy for them to remain with me until May, 1959, when they moved to their nice home
built on the hillside.

one of the first orderlies at the clinic, and is still a loved member of the hospital staff. Many anxious hearts and heads have struggled with examinations within my walls. "Almost a complete cycle went by.

further outreach of the Church, worthy of the very best, seeing that it is being
carried on in His name? One of the

"Besides providing shelter for the Pemberton family, I was called upon as a banquet hall and conference room during their stay, which was a bit much for a one-room building! "In May of 1959, there was great

On Mr. Pemberton's return from furlough he once again made use of my services, although not as a home, I am thankful to say. I do not think I could have put up with four grofr/i children, my sides would surely have burst! He took over the office from Mr. Kennedy. That is, until his secretary arrived, when another wall was put in, and I provided office space for him and his amanuensis.
"All this time, of course, the Bible college was still conducted in the main area. I was sorry to see these students leave in January, 1966, when the Bible college was moved to Fort Victoria. "What possible use could I now be

reasons for this phrase is that in many instances temporary buildings have been put up, perhaps through lack of funds; These temporary erections have the habit of becoming permanent and soon are a shoddy eye-sore, ever in need of repair. At Mashoko it has been our policy toconstructgood, stronghomes, schools, and hospital. Hxpensive at the begin ning, but this practice has paid off in the long run. It is a thrill to travel so many miles through the bush and come upon the sturdy buildings of Mashoko. Salesmen, government officials, visitors have all commented on this fact, and a new concept has grown concerning mis sions, gaining respect from all types of
individuals.

excitement as preparations were made

We have not done this to bring glory and honor to ourselves (and nothing could have been accomplished without your support) but to give praise to God. He gave the very best He could in His Son, Jesus Christ. Dare we give less, whether it be in buildings, service, or
our own lives?

The Central Africa Story is published

monthly for the Centtal Africa Mission, Churches of Christ by Mission Services Association at 509 West Jefferson, Joliet, Illinois. Second Class Postage paid at Joliet, Illinois 60434.

'

^
January 7969

Mashoko ChrisLian Hospital built lo the glory of Cod.

Volume 9

Januory 1969

Number 1 Page 5

^^0^ Suck H tk& iKmcjxiom

"And they brought young children
to him that he should touch them: and

cMeaif^"

by Martha Raih

his disciples rebuked those that brought

them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them.
Suffer the little children to come unto

ending,and in a few days there are new friendships to enjoy. Augustine Makuku, the chaplain, does a good work with all of the patients, but I am especially pleased to see him
take a genuine interest in the children. He teaches them Bible stories, English, Shona, and many songs.Sometimes they sing for our morning ward devotions. Augustine laughs and says, "Today we will have a message in song by the Mashoko Christian Hospital Primary
School Choir." One of his favorites and

me, and forbid them not: for of such is

the kingdom of God." Mark 10:13, 14.

Mashoko without children would be like sadza without relish! There is a

continuous stream of lovely children of all ages coming to the hospital. One does not have a great difficulty communi cating with them, for even with the language barrier there is always the "universal smile" tohelpgetacquainted. Sometimes the children stay for many weeks. Then when they are ready to leave, I find myself with mixed emotions happy that they are well and able to go home, but sad to say good-bye, know
ing 1 may never see them again. But
the line of beautiful children is never

one I like too is, "Walk in the Light of God." They sing it in Shona and English. Our days are made brighter by their smiling faces, and they make Mashoko a really lively place with their games
and singing. Jesus often called attention to the
contrast between what the world valued and what was of real value. He saw the

Binono. His mother was a T. B.

patient lor several months.

SPRINGS OF WATER

precious worth of a dear child and the need to teach him the way of life.

(continued from page 2) derful miracle. Now Christian Hospital

could have water around the clock. In

WANTED:
This is Rhodesia calling calling for nurses who perhaps want a change,
who perhaps want a little adventure out

NURSES
by Sara Sfere
At Chiredzi, where Mary Bliffen has been working since January, 1964, they
could use three or four American nurses.

surgery, the drug room, x-ray, maternity, the laundry, kitchen wherever it would
be needed, water was available at the

turn of a tap. Down in the secondary

school block, showers were installed

in each dormitory, the science and art

laboratory were connected to the water

of life, but who primarily feel that they want to do His will because they love
their Lord. If you want this, the mission

As it has been, they've had to hire three

Rhodesian nurses to do some of the

field is the place for you. I'm saying "Rhodesia is calling," for as Central Africa Mission is growing
steadily, there are more and more medical clinics being established, where nurses
are needed.

system, and better arrangements for the kitchen were made. No longer were the tiresome bucket brigades necessary. At

As Mashoko is the "mother" of the

medical work, I'll start with the need here. In December of 1969, Dorothea

Parker will be leaving to go back to the States. In early 1970, 1 am due to go for furlough. In August, 1970, Martha Raile is due to go home. When all three of us are to go in the near future, who is going to carry on with the nursing end of things? Do I hear volunteers? At Chidaraoyo Christian Hospital, Madonna Burget is planning her furlough in early 1970. She needs someone there
to carry the torch (shades of Florence

Nightingale) while she is gone. And I'm sure she'd feel a lot happier about going on furlough if there were two there to replace her (for Madonna does the work of two, constantly). Now since Chidamoyo's doctor, Dale Erickson, is over seeing the medical work at Binga (where Penningtons are located) I'm sure a
nurse could be utilized there.

the missionary homes, children and grown-ups could end the day in a tub of All this comes from an old hand hot water; gardens could bloom again; that's been around. I'm fifty years of life as a whole became easier; and mis age, now, but going strong, and I want sion personnel were able to concentrate to tell you that I've had more satisfac on the business at hand. The baptistry tion out of my work on the mission field was always full and in constant use. The than any phase of nursing I've done work of the Lord and His kingdom on and 1 spent almost ten years in the U. earth prospered. S. Air Force Nurse Corps. John Ross made a final inspection But I'm not saying to do as I did, of the pumps and pipes and then ordered and wait till you're past forty to come them turned on for the first time in to the mission field. I'm suggesting that February, 1968. Not nearly as dramatic if you want to see what it is all about, perhaps as the day Moses lifted up his sign up for a three-year term, and it rod and smote the rock bringing forth may be the most enriching three years water in abundance, but to the Christian of your life. You may want to return to people working for the Master in the the field; you may not. After your first rocky, sandy bush country of Rhodesia, tour, you may want to look for a mate Africa, it was just as significant. May in the States who would be willing to God be praised for His eternal concern return with you. Or you may be lucky and loving provision for the needs of and find one on the mission field, as His people.
some have.

necessary supervising at clinics, and this is expensive.

So, if you are not really satisfied in what you're doing now, and don't know why, search your heart and God's Word, praying that He will show you the answer. I feel that He will if you will just let Him. Then if it seems that He

is telling you to GO, write or call Dave Williams, First Church of Christ, Grayson, Kentucky 41143, or Marvin Mat thews, Mt. Healthy Christian Home, 8097 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45231, for information.

Cenfro/ Africa Story

HILDREN S ORWER

MISSIONAKY AODHeSSES AND FORVARDIHC AGENTS

FA ^ FonMediftf Ag^t or M On Jutlotnh

Articles

Children

H Necmil frrparlug to com lo fivld

Ul'LATAYO MI^ON
Mr. mai Mr*, ftoi 9$

SftPPO VAUBY MISSIO! AhMeiK M Mr. Jtck M. 6lklfin

8i 2iH

6ul|rayo, Rfiodtis
FA Mt. ana M($. EtAMl A. Bare*)

Reut 2

Kntuchy Chritllin Coltege

Mashoko Monkey Bars

by The four J. E. Rosses via Mom
Our daddy is superman! Aren't all took several weeks for our project to daddies? Since coming to Mashoko a take form. But, with God's help, the year ago, we haven't had much money beautiful African weather, and Daddy's nothing new for mission kids the world patience, we built a playground from over, eh? Daddy always says, "Wait and the timber around us. We have a sandwe'll see," when we ask for things. We pile dug 18 inches into the ground, a don't think God expects the "little set of monkey bars, a log teeter-totter, missionaries" (as we're called) to do and two big, big swings. The African without all kinds of toys, and neither children play with us in our shady play does "super Daddy." ground, and we can witness that you We all helped a few weeks ago as Dad began to hack away at some of the
trees away from Mashoko. Since free
time is scarce or rather non-existent

St. ;oepR. Illlnll 6U73 Mr. aad Mr. Bern

Or.

Qryser>. KtntuCky .41143 Kraoyer OF

637

P.O. B9K2C3S '

R^edtftia

FA H<. ja9 Mis. eobby J. UeBrh

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Qiayson, KAtvcity 41143

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FA Ml. n4 Mi. C. SchstU

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44$ VaMpalan' Diivc, Apt. J-

FA Hi. nd Mt. Ren Kaektct

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Rowie 1
L0&|0t, lll)nift (2857 Dr. iRd Mrs. A. C. aiirr Tne AricAoiage

Cloustat, Ohio 4S732

MASIIOKO MtSSIO^J P.O. Hashoho

SsuUi Fr|ua Plaet Kiikcftldy. Seolland

FA M/9. Bot 103 Nefitv

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dr. aad Mr, Urea Dnal^

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82B Hiioeen Onve

62 VftieMiough Mansions
4th Ava./Uain 3l

Bulanayfi, Rhodesia FA Mti. Flciance Htnty

3732 Ctastrroed Or. N.w.

Leiinfton. Ktnlwcky 40602 Dr. ud Mr. Jm Darr OF

FAMrs.Garold Dun

Canifin. Ohio 44701

rmoAwro mission

417 PhyDIa Avanue

can use the tools God gives for fun and for learning about Christian sharing and
love. All the Mashoko "little missioi>-

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on a mission the size of Mashoko, it

play in harmony thanks to God's supply ing the materials and our daddy's work.

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FA Mr. an0 Mra. Veroen Ueerf
Route I

Sprinfilleld. Kanluehy 40069

SINOI A MISSION
P. 0. BK 207

SiAOia. Rhadasia Ur. utf Mrs. ]>a|cMai^a(1

FA Mrs. Noina Perry

2310 Grace Street

Bdise. ltf*^o 33702 Z.iMUtlZI MISSION

P. Bai
Oett, Rhodesia

Mr, sad Mrs. Ja<'L I'cnaii^ioa

FA Mrs. Eunice Smith
BO 36S

Laifo. Florida 33S41

The Central Africa Story

published monthly for the
Central Africa Mission Churches of Christ

by Mission Services Press Box 368, Joliet, Illinois 60434

Edited by Wendell Freeman

Treasurer
Mr. Fred E. Dunn

32 West Bellisle Drive Akron, Ohio 44319

Chairman Board of Directors Mr. David J. Williams

Box 747

Grayson, Kentucky 41143

Newly-capped nursing student.

Outpatients Mashoko

Nursing sludenl on ward duly.

Central Africa Story

(g
M
February 1969
Number 2

SINOIA: PROBLEMS AND PROGRESS

by Dale Marshall
A little boy climbs down from his high chair after breakfast and makes
he arrived at his new farm, 40 miles
from Mt. Darwin and about 200 miles

MANGULA. The church at Mangula

Mine started when some Christians

known his plans for building a house during the day. With his little hammer,
a few nails, some blocks of wood, and a big imagination, he goes to work to provide housing for the family. We are amused at his efforts, but he continues with all confidence that he is equal to
the task before him.
I am certain that before God we

from Sinoia, he found no church in the

area. He started preaching and teach ing the Word of God, and soon souls were being won to the kingdom of God
in that area. When Brother Ziden Nutt and I visited Brother Sithole for the

first time about a year ago, we were

thrilled. At that time there were about one hundred Christians and five

must appear as the little boy when we set out to do the work ahead of us, thinking that we are sufficient of our
selves. "So then neither is he that

planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. For we are labourers together
with God." I am certain that each of

churches in an area of about forty miles. Since that time we have enjoyed visiting the brethren there and seeing the progress of their work. Four mem bers of the cheif's family have accept
ed Christ three of them his sons

from Dadaya moved to Mangula to find employment. (Almost every church in the Sinoia area has been started by people who moved into the area from Dadaya and started doing the Lord's work.) The church had a difficult begin ning with lack of strong leadership. In the last two years, however, several different trained African evangelists have led in the Mangula work, and it has grown from five to ten in the ser vices to eighty to a hundred in atten

dance. Because Mangula is a mining

town, the church there has had some

God's labourers must realize how help

less he would be if he had to stand

and a group meets at the chief's village. The church at Noro Township, close to Sithole's farm, has been grant ed a lot on which they plan to build a
permanent meeting place for the church.

trying times. There have been problems in obtaining and retaining a room in
which to meet. The work of the church

alone relying upon his own strength and wisdom to accomplish the task be
fore him.

is somewhat under the power of the mining authorities, and this has created some problems because of a lack of

Four times in the eight chapters of I and II Thessalonians Paul says, "We give thanks to God always for you all." Paul was keenly aware that the help of
his "fellow-labourers" was an essen tial in the Lord's work. And more than

this, Paul knew that it was "God that giveth the increase." Even so we real
ize that our efforts would be as vain

and fruitless as those of the little boy

mentioned above were it not for our
fellow-labourers in Rhodesia and around

the world, and, above all, the blessing of God who gives the increase.
MOUNT DARWIN. Some three to
*

four years ago a Brother Sithole moved from his home to begin a new life farm ing in an area where he would be able to own and develop his own farm. When

Carrying sand for Number Four Dam church building.

cooperation. The mine works seven days a week, and this makes for diffi culties, since the Christians are never able to meet togethT as a group at the same time. In the past few months the growth in numbers has been small, but
there have been definite advances made

spiritually in the lives of the Christians

there.

Mangula is located 45 miles almost straight north of Sinoia.

TENGWE. About fifty miles north

west of Sinoia, in a European farming area called Tengwe Block, is another church resulting from the efforts of a
man who moved there to be the "boss

in

boy" on the European farm. The group

at Tengwe is small, about thirty-five, because the African population on a

European farm is made up of the farm labourers only. The "boss boy" is the
African who is set over all the African

Ml. Silhole, leader of the churches in the Mu Darwin area, standing

beside his new barn.

labourers, and this leader at Tengwe Block has done a good work for the
Lord there. NUMBER FOUR DAM. The church at Number Four Dam is one of the older

Number Four Dam has been small in

for the evangelist will be provided. In

the short time Cephas has been at Zowa there has been renewed zeal among the Christians there, and several have

numbers during the past year, but a good, solid foundation is being laid by
Brother Kwenda as he serves the Lord
there.

congregations in the Sinoia area, being about eight years old. Brother Miga Chikanda, an elderly African evangelist from the Dadaya area, lived at Number Four Dam and had a sizeable group of Christians meeting together there. But
when Brother Chikanda left Number

been added to Christ. There is great

potential for the church in the Zowa area.Cephas has visited nearby reserves where there are no churches, and he has been very pleased with the reaction
to his efforts. Zowa is 45 miles south
west of Sinoia.

Four Dam to live at Chidaraoyo, where he now lives and serves the Lord, the work at Number Four Dam began to go backwards, as no strong leadership had yet been developed among the Chris tians there. In December of 1967, wher. Brother Edgar Kwenda finished his

ZOWA. One of the main things African churches lack is strong leader ship a leadership with basic know ledge of the teaching of the Scriptures. This is one reason we have been willing to cooperate with the churches in help ing them to get African evangelists who
can then instruct the Christians. The

FARM WORK IN THE SINOIA AREA.

studies at the Bible College, he was accepted by the church at Number Four
Dam as their evangelist. A house has
been built for Brother Kwenda at Num

ber Four Dam, and a permanent meeting place is nc v just being finished at that place. The growth of the church at

church at Zowa has wanted an evange list since I first visited that place over two years ago. Through a series of events they were able to provide for one and then they were not able. Finally things worked out in a way that Cephas Bere was accepted as evangelist there. Now he and his family are living in the village of one of the Christian families at Zowa. The church has been granted a lot where a permanent place of wor ship will be built and where housing

There is a great opportunity to evangelize among the African labourers employed on the European farms in the
immediate Sinoia area. Within an area

of 25 miles of Sinoia we are working

with twelve Farm Schools. These are a

very poor quality school that are simply better than nothing. Usually the farmer gives his labourers permission to have a school, and they get and pay a teacher about five dollars to twenty dollars per
month to teach their children how to

read, write, do suras, speak English, and the very basic things that will be helpful to the children. These teachers have a poor eighth-grade education, so they are not able to do a lot. There are
many problems that are impossible to solve in the Farm School work, but we feel that the African people who live

on the European farms are educationally and spiritually the most neglected peo ple in Rhodesia. We see a real need, so we are doing what we can to help edu cationally and spiritually, with the main emphasis, as far as we are concerned, on the spiritual. Because of the many insurmountable problems in the Farm School work, we have been tempted to give it up many

Uaplism al Zo\va, 15 miles soulhwesi ol Sinoia.

(Continued on page 6)

Central Africa Story

ka^Rolyn AmmeRman Wpites 3^B0ut.

Growth Among the Women at Chidamoyo
One morning we were awakened at
where the church also meets each

6:00 by women singing hymns. As the

women approached our house, we looked

out the window and saw about fifty Christian women marching and singing
as they went quickly up the road. Our hearts rejoiced at the sound of the

music and at the realization that they had grown in their Lord so much. They and many others had been singing
hymns most of the night. This incident occurred during our three-day Christian rally when the
Reggie Thomas Team was with us.

Lord's Day. Mrs. Carol Kelley has two meetings. Madonna Burget helps with a group 38 miles from tlic mission. She also helps lead the meeting which is held at Chidamoyo, in which all of the missionary women share, Ola Marion, besides teaching our missionary child

C'hrist through these meetings. At Furechi, also, we learned recently that many of the women had been liaving another Bible meeting each Thursday for quite some time, 'J1iis kind of growth is certainly encouraging, A few days ago, on going to Badza,
I was told I was to have the lesson. We

ren, helps with three ladies' meetings. She also has two similar meetings with the Christian girls of our area, I am helping with four groups, one of these being 90 miles from the mission. Since sewing is a part of all of our

had been absent the week before, travel

ing with my parents from America, and the leader had forgotten to tell me that
1 was to give the lesson. My first reac

During this same rally, on Saturday

morning we held a women's session,

and once again I realized the great

strides these Christian women have

been taking in their faith. Also, we could see a growth in numbers as 400 women filled the building that morning. Three of the older women spoke to, exhorted, and inspired all of us. The meeting was one of the greatest joys I have had since coming to Rhodesia. Being sentimental, I looked back to five years ago and saw Helen Nutt and myself as we began our first meeting with a few women at Chidamoyo. I thought of the very few Christians then and compared the "then" to "now" with
all the wonderful Christians that are

meetings, we all find ourselves busy with bolts of materials, cutting, tracing designs for tablecloths, and so on. Cooking Is also being taught to many of the groups, and this is great fun (usually) cooking cakes, cookies, pud dings, and so on, in a big iron pot over
an open fire. Mrs, Sue Alice Erickson was very interested in this, and she

tion was, "Oh, I am not prepared." But in my mind I started preparing. When the
time came for the lesson, the leader

designed, changed, and created recipes to be used for this type of cooking. She spent many hours trying out the recipes and has willingly shared her results
with others.

stood up and said, "Since Mai Gay (as I am called, the mother of Gay) was not told about the lesson, 1 will teach today." I was so shocked, but overjoyed, because this is the growth in leadership for which we have been praying. This leader, Mai Charles, had not been pre pared to teach any more than I, yet was very willing to take the responsibility. This kind of leadership among the
women I had not witnessed before.

now a part of Christ's church in the

Chidamoyo area. Of course, we now have many more missionary women to help in our pro gram of women's meetings held weekly
or every other week. In this past year our ladies' meetings have grown from
two to ten, each in a different area

Again, the greatest impression received from the groups I work with is their tremendous growth. Five years ago when our meeting started at Furechi, no one would attempt any kind of lead ership. Now, two women lead jointly, and many women of the group are chosen to give the lesson. This procedure is followed in many of the groups. Con sidering so many are uneducated, they do a remarkable job. Many Christians are now attending the services on the Lord's Day, and many have been led to
f-'-i

Last Saturday the child of our head teacher died, and we were all saddened.

Within a few hours though, the house

was filled inside and outside with Christian women and men. And as we

witnessed their quiet serving that day, God was surely rejoicing over these Christians. No loud mourning and cry ing were heard, but only quiet singing
of hymns and soft crying with the mother. Now the signs of growth are becom ing evident: their ability to teach, to win others to the Lord, to call in the (Coti/ivued oif Poge 5]

Some ol ihe women with Karolyn al the meeting at Slop.

February, 7969

When Karolyii'w parents wesre visiting in Afritra, the Chidamoyo vvomen c-ame to express iheir joy at seeing her
mother.

Tender Loving Care

by Sara Stere
of age, that his mother had died, and the mother's relatives were caring for
him when he became ill.

in

He was given a routine examination our outpatient department, then

admitted to the ward for further studies

such as X-ray (chest), sputum studies, blood tests, and urinalysis. He was admitted to a private room on the male ward, and for several months we despaired for his life. He just didn't
seem to have the will to live. But

He is a leader of a group of child ren who arc in the T.B. Ward. Mr. Makuku, our evangelist for the hospital, has dubbed Hetasani "Captain." Sometimes the children will sing a special song during our morning devotions, and Hetasani is called the captain of the group. He smiles and plays happily with the other children all day long. As he goes home, perhaps in early 1969, please send a prayer up that those who will be caring for Hetasani will show
him lots of T.L.C.

Hetasani, when he was first brought to Mashoko Christian Hospital.

We first saw Hetasani in our

Hetasani's father stayed right with him, ever patient, ever loving his son. He helped the nursing students in caring for him, and when Hetasani first started to show an interest in food, he patiently fed him. The nursing students had been
told to show Hetasani a lot of T.L.C.

outpatient department in June 1968. He was carried in by his father, and looked
more dead than alive. He was so emaci

(tender loving care). And this they did, just doing little extra things for him, such as putting him in the sun on a nice warm day. The first day that Hetasani smiled, we all felt like crying for joy. It was almost our first inkling that he definitely would get well. Progress was slow at first, but now (almost six months later) he is about ready to leave the hospital.

ated that his arms and legs looked like sticks protruding from a swollen body. The history of Hetasani, given by his
father, revealed he had been sick for

several months before seeking help. He said Hetasani was around nine years

Hetasani, after six months of T.L.C.

!)4de^ed to.
My husband. Dr. James Frasure,

. . . A FRASURE FIRST
by Joyce Frasure
of pregnancy, but all my anxious moments were forgotten when I first
saw Michael Scott.

and I came to Mashoko in May 1968.

Since then we have encountered many
firsts in our lives. There was the first

day Dr. Jim went to the hospital to begin work, the first time I got to fill out the hospital food order, the first time Dr. Jim did a Caesarian Section at Mashoko, and many more. But out of all our firsts, there is one which holds a special place in our hearts. This was
the birth of our first child. Most mothers
remember the birth of their first child

I stayed at home for the first eight

hours of labor, and then went down to

and a local anaesthetic at delivery time. Nurses Sylvia Ross and Sara Stere were there to help, and that they did. At 6:15 p.m. little Mike finally
came forth and took his first breath,

the hospital. The Africans were all gathered at the door when I arrived. They wanted to see the doctor's wife
come to have her baby. Dr. Gloria Cobb, my sister, took me right away to the room where 1 would be staying after delivery and then about two and onehalf hours later I was taken to the

and I took my first sigh. Dr. Jim held Mike up so I could see him, and I knew it was all over. The labor and delivery
was all over, that is. The life of our

son had just begun and so has the changing, feeding, bathing, and nosleep routine for Mom. That day I prayed many times for strength to deliver Mike, and today I pray for the strength and wisdom to
care for him. Birth is truly a miracle! And the life thus produced is a miracle that only God could perform.

vividly. I, too, will remember this special event in our lives. On August 27, 1968, at 6:15 p.m. at Mashoko Christian Hospital I gave birth to my
first child.

operating

room (the

delivery room)

where Mike was born.

Being a registered nurse, I already knew about labor and delivery, but only from the "book" standpoint. Also, I knew about the possible complications. I cannot say that I did not think about these often during those last few months
page 4

I remember most of my labor and delivery because I had asked the doc tors not to give me any medicine that would "put me out." I wanted to be awake to see my first baby immediately after he was born. They did give me a shot to help ease my discomfort and help me to rest between labor pains.

As I sit here looking at this little blessing from God and thinking of the joy he has brought to our lives, I can only praise God and say "Glory to God in the Highest."

Central Ahica Story

SECRETARY'S HOLIDAY
Come with us on a Secretary's Holiday two days in Fort Victoria. Mary Margaret Grider and I take time to visit Zimbabwe and Kyle Game Reserve. We left Mashoko Mission on Sunday afternoon, after "Sunday Tea" where they buried the chief after cooking his body. They had special huts for almost everything. It was very educational as well as enjoyable, but it was soon time
to head back to town.

by tAarilyn Richards

thought that wc might have to spend the night in the rest huts. But the Lord
takes care of fools and women. Wc made

all of the missionaries join together to

eat and talk. We arrived in Ft. Vic at Alice Fishback's "flat" and unloaded

We arrived at the print shop, picked up Alice Fishback, and had lunch. That afternoon we shopped and looked until
about 4 o'clock. When we were in

it to the gate at the stroke of six. In the process of telling Alice about our adventure, wc discovered that wc had seen a few things that she had never seen, although she has been
there several times. You see, the

the van. We then piled into Alice's car

and went to church. After church we

made our plans for a Monday morning

visit to Zimbabwe.

The alarm went off, and we enjoyed a few more winks of sleep before we dragged out of bed. After making a few stops for the missionaries back at Mashoko, we started out on the highway to Zimbabwe. It is approximately eighteen miles from Ft. Vic over strip roads. We missed the turnoff, which was plainly marked, but for us that
wasn't hard to do. We drove on until

Belmont Press looking at books, curios, and enjoying ourselves doing nothing, Alice walked up and said, "Guess what? We're going to Enkeldoorn." Mary Margaret and I didn't have the slightest idea what she was talking
about and said so. She then told us

that Don Poorman, Bob Smith, and Mark Poorman had blown their gasket. After

fences of the reserve are marked, sup posedly so you'll know where you are: one with diamond-shaped markers, one with circles, and one with rectangles, with the lake bordering the fourth side. We had seen all four boundaries, but would you believe that Alice didn't know there were any markings other than the diamond shapes?
We made it back into town in time

we stopped laughing we got ready to for me to meet my boss, who was on his go to the rescue of the men. Enkeldoorn way to Chiredzi from Salisbury. After is approximately ninety-two miles from going over a few things with him, Mary
Ft. Vic. The men were on their way to Salisbury and needed the parts to get their car fixed. After driving there and having dinner with them, we gave the mechanics some "help" until we got them back on their way to Salisbury. Let this be a warning to all bosses: be sure to know where your secretary is in case you blow your gasket.

we saw Lake Kyle, and then the light bulb lit up, and I knew that something was wrong. After stopping and admiring
the beautiful lake and the sailboats on

it, we turned around and tried again to

find Zimbabwe. This time we were suc

cessful and made the proper turn off the highway. Zimbabwe is enchanting. The his

tory of its beginning is still being

"dug" for. No one knows how it came

to be there, who built it, where they went to from there, or where they came from in the first place. But from the structure of the city it is very evident that it was built by very intelligent people. We walked through the curio shop and, after finding out our purses couldn't stand the prices, we proceeded
on to the museum. There is a collection of articles found in and near the ruins

showing part of the civilization of that time. Things found there showed that the people traded with, or came from,
some of the tribes found in the northern

Margaret, Alice, and I went to see a bilingual flick (movie). It was in Afri kaans and English, Afrikaans being the language spoken in South Africa. Even though we do not speak Afrikaans, the actions and facial expressions made it very plain what was going on. We added our own words to go with the actions and laughed just as hard as those who The next morning Mary Margaret understood what was being said. A Secretary's Holiday may not and I slept in until 7:30. We did some more window shopping and had lunch always be what ours was, but you can always be sure to have fun and Chris at the flat. That afternoon we left Fort Victoria for Kyle Game Reserve. We tian fellowship with others of like got there at 3:45 and were warned that precious faith, whether you are a nurse, the park closed at 6:00 p.m. We started doctor, mechanic, printer, teacher, off, keeping in mind that we had no preacher, or secretary. So next time we map of the park but that Alice said she take a holiday, won't you join us? Just had never gotten lost there. Don't you make your reservations well in advance. believe it; Mary Margaret and I can any The van only holds so many people. time! I think we saw every animal that Love to have you join us on our next they have there. Did you know that an Secretary's Holiday! ostrich has brown eyes? Just ask Mary GROWTH AMONG WOMEN Margaret. We had one try to get a lift (continued from page 3)
into town with us, in the front seat.

After

going over Ostrich Loop and

parts of Africa,

China, and Egypt.

Reebok Drive, we found ourselves on

villages for various reasons, and to help others in need. These are some of

Carvings of the Zimbabwe Bird were

found here. No one knows if the bird

actually existed, but it is now the

national bird of Rhodesia. From the

museum we went to a model village. There they had replicas of huts of dif ferent people in the village such as the chief, witch doctor, and an average inhabitant. The people in that time
must have been quite short, since I had

what we thought was the way out. We saw another sign that said Buffalo Loop, and not having been on it, we made a sharp right. Sure enough, there were buffalo on Buffalo Loop. There were also zebra, gnu, hippo, rhino,
kudu, and all sorts of animals, even the

the joys we receive seeing wonderful Christians growing in Jesus Christ, and having the opportunity to grow with
them.

The Central Africa Story is published

monthly for the Central Africa Mission, Churches of Christ by Mission Services Association at 509 West Jefferson,

to bend almost double to get through the door. Mary Margaret, who is only 5'4", didn't have nearly the head prob lem that I had. Ihe display showed how
February 1969

human kind. At 5:15 we spotted a fence that bordered the game park. Since the park closes at 6:00 sharp we thought we had better start on our way out. The drive to the gate seemed to take hours!

Joliet, Illinois. Second Class Postage paid at Joliet, Illinois 60434.

The speed limit in the park is 26 mph. I was doing that, and that again. We

Volume 9

February 1969

Number 2
Page 5

evening at 7:30, and a men's meeting the first Tuesday of each month. We have been most pleased with the prog ress of the European church, and we
know that it is the result of hundreds

of prayers brought before the throne of

God in behalf of this effort. Twentyseven people have been baptized into
Christ. The roost recent was the wife

of the government compensation officer

in Sinoia with whom we have been work

A class at Angwa Farm School. SINOIA: PROGRESS (continued from poge 2)

times, but we are thankful that this
course was not followed. We decided

ing for almost the full two years. Just recently two of our most dependable families moved away from Sinoia. Some thing like this is always difficult when the group is so small. But we are most pleased to know that the one family is working with the church at Gwelo and is making a real contribution to the
effort there.

would like to close this article

added to the church each week. There

either to get In and try to do something or get out, so we got in. We called trained African evangelist, Vanga Sixpence, who was working at Mangula, and gave him the responsibility of over
seeing the work of the Farm Schools.

are about forty adults attending the Lord's Day services at present, plus a
number of children. There is an African

by again thanking God for all of you who arc doing your part to make these things possible, even as Paul was
thankful for the Thessalonians and

their faithfulness. Also we want to make

He is able to visit each one once every two weeks and several every week. He rides his bicycle two hundred to three hundred miles every week doing this work. Sixpence visits each place once
a month on Sunday to lead with the Sun day service. Besides the twelve farms where there are schools, we now have
three additional farms where there are

population in Sinoia of about six thou sand, and we look forward to seeing the church grow in numbers and in spirit. As a result of the two years of problems, those who have stayed with the church through these have formed a very strong foundation upon which the
work in Sinoia can be built.

the same request Paul made of the peo ple of Thessalonica, "Finally, breth
ren, pray for us, that the word of the

Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And
that we may be delivered from unreason
able and wicked men: for all men have

not faith." (II Thessalonians 3:12)

SINOIA EUROPEAN CHURCH.When

the

European effort was first being

made, we were concerned as to what this would do among the African breth
ren. We have been thrilled to find that

churches but no schools. Of course, our main goal is that souls be saved and everything that is done is done with this in mind. We have been very happy with the progress of the Lord's work in the farms under the leadership of Brother Sixpence.
SINOIA AFRICAN CHURCH. There

as the European work progresses, the African Christians are just as happy and thrilled about the growth of the

Lord's work among the white people of Rhodesia as they are about growth
among their own people. We did not anticipate getting into the work among the European people for a few years, but it was only a few
weeks after we moved toSinoia that we

have been many serious problems over the past two years in the Sinoia church. But we thank God for the change that has taken place in the last few months. Lyman Mlambo is the evangelist of the
Sinoia church. He is the oldest of the

were having home Bible studies with European people. Again the main lack

is strong Christians who are really dependable, and we are happy to report
that after almost two years we are able to see spiritual growth. Early in the

Stephen, Brenda, and Heidi MarshalL

evangelists with whom we work, being about thirty years old. Brother Lyman is a quiet but very firm man, and we have appreciated his efforts very much. Because of the many problems Cephas Bere had lived with in Sinoia, it was felt by all concerned that it would be best for Cephas to leave the Sinoia work as soon as these problems were relatively settled. For this reason Brother Lyman replaced Cephas in Sinoia in November, 1968. The atten dance is growing, and people are being

work we went many times for services just for our family, but now the church has grown in numbers to a Sunday morn

The

annual

meeting

of the

Central Africa Mission will be held

ing attendance of around forty. We started with a Bible study on Sunday morning, and now we are having Sunday morning Bible study at 9-00, worship services at 9-50, Sunday evening ser vice at 7:00, mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study at 7:30 Wednesday evening, youth meetings every Friday

on Tuesday, March 25 at Grayson, Ky. All forwarding agents, mission aries and interested persons are
invitedl

A special meeting for forwarding agents and recruits will be held Monday evening, March 24 at 7:30. Central Africa Story

"My Wish Is to Work for God"

A Biography of Timothy Hiambelo
by Vfendefl Freeman ,
Over fifty African children enjoyed drinking Cokes, eating candy, and sing ing songs at a Sunday school Christmas party. The man responsible for that very successful party, and, in fact, for
the thriving Ascot Sunday School itself, is Timothy Hiambelo. His constant wish is to be able to serve his Lord, and he has certainly done this in many ways throughout his lif'^. Timothy was born at Hillside, Bulawayo, in 1908. His father was an
untrained minister with the London

Gwelo, Timothy went out with them over the weekends to their preaching points.

Timothy

baptized

for

Mr. Gruver.

Wherever he has gone, he has said, "Why shouldn't I raise this place and
make it a Church of Christ center?"

Preaching is the most important item in

his heart.

At present,

Timothy

is working

full time at Meikles, but this has not

Missionary Society. The family's first

contact with the Church of Christ was

through F. L. Hadfield, the pioneer New Zealand missionary.

Further contact with the church

dampened his ardor for Christ. He is preaching at two locations in Gwelo, teaching a Sunday school class, and serving on the Church Committee in the capacity of secretary. He uses his own "pocket money" to travel, going by
train to Somabula, 20 miles from Gwelo.

came during Timothy's years at school. He was educated at Hopefontein, and then at Old Dadaya. He was under the influence of Mr. Phillips at Dadaya. After passing the sixth grade, Timothy taught at a night school in Bulawayo. Working men came to study first and second grade subjects. Next Timothy went to Salisbury for further education at Howard Training Institute. Here he passed his eighth grade work, a teacher training course, and an evangelical course taught by a nondenominational preacher. Upon com pletion of his courses, he taught at Plumtree under the Salvation Army. Timothy married Hilda Sitole in 1937. Today they have 11 children. The oldest is Davey, 20, who is work ing at a grocery and helping with Sun day school and preaching duties. After Davey come Duma, Lillian, Sabelo, Mpiyabo, Mbizo, Dadane, Senzene, Tokozile, Loyiso, and Jonathan. I had the privilege of naming Jonathan last
year.

Since he started there last July, he has baptized 22 into Christ. He has taken
other Gwelo Christian men with him on

these trips to encourage them in leader ship for Christ. Timothy has taken correspondence courses in Church Leadership and New Testament Doc trine offered by Robert Mills in South
Africa,

Timothy not only preaches about Christ, but he tries to know and help the people among whom he is working. As an example, one of the men at
Somabula had a child with an ear infec tion. The father took the child to be

treated locally, but the treatment was unsuccessful. Timothy then brought the child to Gwelo and kept him at his own house while the child was being cared for at a government clinic. The treat ment has been entirely successful, and the child will soon be home again. This is only one small example out of a life given to the service of Christ and
others.

We are
Hiambelo

happy
as a

to

have Timothy
in

fellow-labourer

In 1943, Timothy was working at Old Mashoko under the supervision of

Brother Garfield Todd. NIr. Todd made

Christ in Gwelo.

Timothy the supervisor of schools in that area and the preacher in charge of six untrained evangelists. There were plenty of opportunities to preach to large crowds of people. He used a bicycle for transportation over sand paths. He was paid $15 a month for his
work.

After

the work at Old Mashoko,

Timothy found employment in a depart

ment store and preached on weekends. He has been with Meikles, Rhodesia's

largest chain of stores, for many years.

When the Charles Gruvers were in

1 iniolliv iilambeio.

February 1969

Page 7

The Central Africa Story

published monthly for the
Central Africa Mission Churches of Christ

by Mission Services Press Box 368, Joliet, Illinois 60434

Edited by Wendell Freeman
o

Treasurer
Mr. Fred H. Dunn

32 West nellisle Drive

Akron, Ohio 44319

Chairman Board of Directors

Mr. David J, Williams
Box 747

Grayson, Kentucky 41143

aft at Binga.

Edgar Kwenda, Minister.

wjfsy r - T

t.' UmJ*46*.

Dewure.

V
School.

Central Africa Sfory

Impala
Volume 9

STORY
March 1969

Number 3

SALISBURY
On the 11th of September in 1890, a small band of pioneers stood atop a kopje, or hill, and surveyed the sur rounding countryside. These men had traveled some 1,600 miles over rugged, roadless terrain inhabited by lion, ele
jobs to Salisbury from other parts of the country. This fact has emphasized a growing need in our mission work here in Rhodesia. As people come under the influence of our mission preaching in other parts of the country, many are
converted. From time to time some of
these new Christians have been trans

by Jerry and Marietta Smith

specific work in Salisbury. Dr. Owen Dunlap and his family have recently moved to Salisbury to help begin this work, and we hope in the near future to have a full-time minister laboring in this area. Again we see the age-old
story, "The Laborers are Few." One interesting recent development we'd like to tell you about has been the opportunity to teach Bible to handi

phants, and other wild game, and were

eager to find a place to settle. Robert Moffat had been the first white person to actually live in Rhodesia when he founded the Inyati Mission some thirty years before, but these men were to be
the first real settlers.

ferred to other locations, often to Salis

bury, and to date there has been little follow-up work with these new Chris-,
tians.

capped children in a government school.

The children are boarded at the school

Our weekends are spent working

with the Umtali church some l65 miles

and are taught according to their capa

As these pioneers looked out from kopje, they could see the Makabusi River and a beautiful green valley close by, and off to the north lay the hump backed Mount Hampden, which had been explored earlier and found to be water
less. It was at this time that the deci

bilities. Marietta and Mary Jo Dunlap

are teaching two classes four mornings
a week, and also Bible school on Sun

to the southeast of Salisbury and our weekdays concerned with "getting Jerry through medical school." Thus it has been that our family has not been able to answer the growing need for a

day afternoons. The Bible school classes usually number around 45 children. {Continued on page 2)

sion was made that looked upon was the they named the place the man who was then
Great Britain.

the valley they better site, and "Salisbury" after prime minister of
^

K- " l!
1^.

Today Salisbury is a beautiful city

situated at an altitude of 4,831 feet and having one of the finest climates in the world. One does not have to go far out of Salisbury to find hot (100 degrees and over) temperatures, but Salisbury itself has magnificent weather. In May through July the temperatures can go down to near freezing, and without cen tral heating it does get somewhat
uncomfortable, but after all, we must

L-. V 'T'.s'aI . I
I* ..V-.-- ; .

ii

have something to complain about! The population of Salisbury is today approximately 380,000, of which some 93,000 are whites. Since Salisbury is the capital of Rhodesia, as well as being the largest city, it is also the largest business center. So it is that people are often transferred in their

I i

I*

Rhodesia's capital cily, modern Salisbury. I^opulalion: 380,000.

SALISBURY (continued from page 1)

At the end of a teaching week, the
children like to dramatize the Bible

get about only by pushing a doll buggy.

In one of these Bible dramatizations

"King Herod" was a young boy who had lessons they have learned. It is fasci nating to watch these children as they only two short wooden stumps for legs. act out the stories. Some are so terribly When you first see these little crippled they can scarcely move about. One little boy can only move about by children, your heart cries out in pity. being placed in an old wagon, which he But after seeing them do so many things propels by pushing a wheel with one for themselves, and seeing the way they hand while steering with the other. help one another, even though so badly

For our Sunday afternoon Bible school we are trying to bring a bit of entertainment to the children by way of filmstrips, flannelgraph, puppet shows, etc. (We are always in need of more
visual aids.) These children have so

Many hobble about on crutches, and are handicapped, one feels very ashamed for further burdened by frail legs heavy with doing so little with a strong, healthy braces, while one little girl is able to body.

little variety in their lives from day to day that Sunday afternoons have become the highlight of their week. It has also given us much pleasure to be able to teach them God's Word and to put a bit
of cheer into their lives.

. f

f ^
>J'- V

A GIFT FOR MR. KUREBWA

Are you a careless reader? If you
are, I have by now received credit for something I did not do. From the title of this article, you may have gotten the idea that I have given a gift to Mr.
Kurebwa, but this is not the case.
Mr. Kurebwa is one of the most

active evangelists we have working for the Lord in Rhodesia. The days are
few and far between that do not find

him out calling, teaching, or preaching. Not only does he work at a furious pace in his own area of Gutu, but he is very likely to be found evangelizing most anywhere in the country. It is thrilling
to see someone as active as Mr.

I went with Doug to present the Let's hope Mr. Kurebwa doesn't watch to Mr. Kurebwa. Typically, he was not at home but had gone to a become a clock watcher now like so neighboring village to teach about many others. I am sure this will not happen, because, in spite of his blind Christ. When we did locate the evan gelist and Doug presented him with the ness, Mr. Kurebwa has an abundance gift, Mr. Kurebwa was so delighted of insight and vision. Nevertheless, that he grabbed Doug around the waist this was a very wonderful gift presented and jumped up and down. This presented to Mr. Kurebwa by Doug Johnson un a reasonable facsimile of two bears less you are a careless reader. dancing!

Kurebwa, and all the more so when you know that he is blind. Lack of eyesight
has certainly done very little to slow
this man down.

#>

Being so much on the go, Mr. Kurebwa frequently has to ask the tirae of day, and so he was naturally over joyed when Doug Johnson presented him with the gift. On his way back to Rhodesia from furlough, Doug purchased
a beautiful braille watch. This watch

has a hinged crystal, and has raised dots in place of numbers, enabling the
wearer to "feel" the time.

Doug Johnson presents a braille watch lo John Kurebwa.

It is not as simple a cask as it might seem. Most groups are simply building a roof shelter. To begin-with, permission to build must be obtained
from the headman of the area. Some

Rise Up and Build

by Charles Kelley
Just before the rains in Rhodesia, building becomes of primary importance to the African people. Every man becomes a building contractor, and the members of the family are the builders. Using poles, mud, and grass, new houses are built, and repairs are made on old ones. Repairs may be only a new grass roof. This is usually done every three years, depending upon the grass used. Because everyone is busy making these preparations, it is natural that at this time the church groups begin to think about building a shelter-protection from the sun and rains. Many tend to turn to the missionary to ask him for a building. It would be easier for us just to put out the money and hire someone to build these buildings, but we have not done this. The cost would be very
little, but we have endeavored to

Probably the easiest part is the actual

erection of the shelter.

times this presents difficulties if the headman objects for some reason. Then, the grass and poles must be gathered, and sometimes this means carrying the materials several miles.

And so, the church houses are built. They may not have steeples, or bells, or lovely educational plants, or any of the things that are so common to American church buildings, yet they are every bit as filled with God's presence
and with His love as the Christians

meet there to worship.

\yf s r hi

encourage the people to take the responsibility of building their own meeting places. This has proven to help in making the congregations
stronger.

One of lh<! worship sliciiers built by Clirislians in the (ihidamoyo area.

Page 3

March 1969

Muuon P(i)4Mkle
hy Charma Dunlap
How is a teenager's life different in Salisbury, Rhodesia, than in America? Until one can find employment or attend school, most of the time is spent doing small mission projects which vary greatly each day. It all begins early in the morning about 6:30 a.m. One is awakened by a bicycle bell announcing the arrival of the African milkman. He rides a bicycle with a front carrier holding the milk cooled only by the morning air. After one has purchased the glass-bottled milk for two tokens per quart, the morn ing continues on with a hearty break fast of Honey Crunchies (Africa's answer to Kix) lavished in unhomogenized milk and accompanied by a glass of fresh orange juice (in February). Then morning devotions are carried out to make the day go just a little bit bet
ter.

playing musical instruments, listening to Salisbury's one station on the radio,

and writing letters. The typical evening of home enter tainment may begin after a delicious meal of fish and chips (french fries).

in Your Facc?
by John Ross
What does it take to be a missionary?

Sometimes tape recordings are made to

send home, or maybe last year's re-runs
are watched on a friend's rented TV.

Outside entertainment consists of going to flicks (movies), visiting missionary friends, and attending few and far between sports events. Baseball, bas ketball, and football are greatly missed, and so far, cricket and soccer games
cannot be substituted.

Perhaps, the ability to lie still while grease drips in your face! This crossed my mind as I spent hours under the very tired and sick "big generator" engine at Mashoko these past weeks. The big Christian Hospital; our boarding school;
the mission homes for the missionaries,

African teachers, and workers, depend on this generator to supply electricity for the many facets of mission life after dark. The hospital especially must have electricity: the ill must be seen to be
cared for; the suction machines need to be available on call, as do the operat

Life as a whole is very much the same except for a lack of good outside
entertainment. This is where the mis

ing theatre lights. So if you are "the

Master's Mechanic," and duty demands, being a missionary means the ability to lie and let grease drip in your face. Some three months ago, we began to have serious problems with the engine that runs the "big generator." I nursed it along for several weeks hop ing to make it last until the boarding school holiday, so I could have time to tear it down and repair it. However, the 220-yard dash record has just been broken, for one evening the lights began to dim alarmingly and flicker (it's a bit over 220 yards from my house to the generator house, and Sylvia says I made it in about 20 sec onds). I made it just in time to see a big puff of smoke and a hiccup as the engine died, never to run again. I did tear it down, made a lovely parts list, and then the fun began. I ended up in Bulawayo for three days, running everywhere imaginable search ing for parts. Due to sanctions and the undetermined age of the engine, I returned to Mashoko in despair. I had not reckoned with the faith of my coworkers in Christ as our mission men

A daily two-mile bicycle ride down to the Picadilly Centre for a loaf of unwrapped bread and a newspaper, help stimulate the mind for a day's work. Work begins when the correspondence received the previous day is answered. Then plans for the morning class at Jairos Jiri Rehabilitation Centre must be reviewed. This could be tracing pictures for coloring or making puppets. The trip across town to the school is kept lively by many African pedes trians walking in every conceivable fashion along the roadside: some with babies on their backs, suitcases on their heads, and yes, even carrying
furniture.

sionaries can help to show young people that Christians can have fun. Interesting church activities are now in the planning stage. Religion has been so steeped in tradition here, it is thought of as some thing dull and stuffy. This preconceived idea can be changed by making Christ live again in the hearts of everyone. Mission possible through Christ.

For the next 45 minutes, the physically handicapped African chil

dren at Jairos Jiri are in complete bliss

as the Bible stories are told and acted out by themselves.

The day is broken at 10:00 a.m. for a tea break which one soon gets used
to becausc it is the custom in Rhodesia.

Any time during the day the African mailman may ride upon his bicycle and
ring his bell for someone to retrieve the
home-addressed mail. Until dinner at

1:00 p.m., one may turn out a master piece in the kitchen, sewing room, or study. Usually a good many books are
consumed at this time.

Carolyn Smith agrees that her life

decided to give it a decent burial, and like really good businessmen for the Lord, not to waste another penny on this obviously well-utilized but wornout engine. We ordered a new engine, and by the time you are reading this, the lights will be back on at Mashoko brighter than ever. The missionaries

After dinner a trip may be made in Rhodesia is much the same as in the downtown to pick up the mail at the U.S.A. only a few minor differences. post office box or to purchase some (This small difference is a poisonous
much-needed articles, like food. The puff adder. rest of the afternoon is spent bathing Carolyn is flea-bitten pets, babysitting, napping. amenity.)

are some $2,100 poorer, but the lights

of the mission are on to witness to our

African brethren, "Here lies a Christian

Please notice how much enjoying this Hhodesian

Mission, hence help for the soul, body, and mind." Who cares if a little grease drips in your face from time to time?

Centra/ Africa Story

- 'i
: *

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..,.

After. Gaza whitewash.

nr-^^ >>

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.:.:rC^^ ^ '<

!l5r>'3

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The no^v completed water tower for Nuanetsi Mission. Thomas Courtney at work.

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t

The Central Africa Story is published monthly for the Centtal Africa t^ission, Churches of Christ by Mission Services Association at 509 West Jefferson, Joliet, Illinois. Second Class Postage

paid at Joliet, Illinois 60434.

Volume 9 March 1969 Number 3

Makokoba Sunday School Bulawayo.

March 1969

Page 5

A Visit to the Medical Missions of Rhodesia

My five-month visit to Rhodesia began on June 10, 1968, when I boarded a giant TWA jet airliner. Two days and
10,000 miles later, I arrived in Salis

by Kenny Messman
ondary students was much like preaching to American teenagers, for the students all speak English. Most of these stu dents were already Christian and will serve as messengers of the Gospel when they leave Mashoko to return to the various parts of Rhodesia from which they have come. This is one of the major ways through which the Mashoko missionaries spread the Gos pel in Rhodesia. The Chidamoyo Christian Hospital,
under direction of Dr. Dale Erickson

bury, Rhodesia, where I was greeted by Dr. Jerry Smith and Dr. Gloria Cobb. The following day Dr. Cobb took me 300 miles to Hippo Valley (Chiredzi) where I was to spend my first month in Rhodesia working with the Dr. Robert Walker family. Hippo Valley is one of the more progressive parts of Rhodesia with its vast sugar cane and citrus fields stretching over many miles of wellirrigated land. Despite its progressiveness, there are still many diseases which ravage the African population of the Valley. By the end of my first week, I was able to say that I bad learned
more about tuberculosis than I had

Uif %

and Madonna Burget (R.N.), was my place of work during ray third month in Africa. I was most impressed with the

evangelistic efforts of Chidamoyo. In

Kenny Messman examines a patient at Mashoko Christian Hospital.

The second month of my visit to Africa was spent at the Mashoko Chris tian Hospital where Dr. James Erasure
and Dr. Gloria Cobb serve as medical

addition to the bedside witnessing of Dr. Erickson and Madonna Burget, there

is a hospital African evangelist named

Mr. Togarepi whose preaching has won many of the patients to Christ. On Sun days the Chidamoyo missionaries all travel to surrounding villages along with African interpreters to preach the Gospel, and it is not unusual to find that many of the Christians in these villages were won to Christ while patients in Chidamoyo Christian Hospi
tal.

learned in three years in medical school in the States. I watched many Africans
shiver with malaria and a few died with

the disease despite our best therapy. I examined many frail and emaciated African children who were suffering from malnutrition. 1 was soon appalled at the ignorance of the Africans with, regard to their physical health, for many of them presented themselves at the Hippo Valley Christian Hospital with far advanced, neglected diseases.
My work with Dr. Robert Walker was

missionaries. The Mashoko Hospital has 120 beds, but usually the inpatients
number in excess of 120, while the out

patients number over 100 per week.

There were exciting experiences at

filled with many emergencies. One night

we were called to the Rufaro clinic to

see a woman who had recently given birth to a baby, and was hemorrhaging. The wcMnan required eight units of blood (one of which was ray own) and three hours of surgery to save her life
from what would have been a fatal

Mashoko too, especially since I had assumed the roll of "baby deliverer" soon after my arrival. One night I was called to the hospital for a delivery and within thirty minutes 1 had delivered an African mother of a seven-pound baby girl. Soon after this delivery, an African girl ran into the room shouting, "There
is a woman who is ready to deliver in the hut. You had better come right

One phase of Dr. Erickson's work involves flying one day a week to Binga, a small town along the great
Kariba Lake about 135 miles from

Chidamoyo, and treating patients in the Binga government hospital. I found this to be an interesting flight each week while at Chidamoyo because the Africans around Binga are quite dif
ferent from the rest of the African tribes with which 1 had had contact. These

hemorrhage. One week later we spoke

with this woman as she walked in the

away." We quickly grabbed our neces sary sterile equipment and dashed 400 yards through the dark bush to the hut
where the patient was staying. I was

Africans are called the Batonga people and are known throughout Rhodesia as
the tribe which wears bamboo sticks

morning sunshine and she said, "I .hank you doctors, and I thank God for saving my life and making it possible for me to enjoy the sunshine again." This was only one of many experiences from which I received a great sense of reward
and satisfaction.

The Hippo Valley experience was not all medical. I shall never forget the day I went with the Walker family to see some wild game on a nearby ranch. Our game viewiilg was abruptly inter rupted when an ostrich attacked our car and nearly demolished it. The
other missionaries of Rhodesia still

acting as though nothing out of the ordi nary was happening. 1 quickly spotted the patient, who was lying in one cor ner with a frightened look on her face. Examination of the patient by torch (flashlight) revealed that there was

The Batonga are indeed among the most primitive tribes of all Africa. The Jack Pennington family serves as Christian missionaries to these people. One of our interesting medical problems at Chidamoyo was a teenage still time to take her to the hospital, so girl who had been stabbed in the abdo a stretcher was fetched and the patient men by her angry brother. The girl's transported through the bush to the intestines were protruding from her
Labor and Delivery Room. Within twenty stab wound when she arrived at the minutes, I had delivered the second hospital. Our four-hour operation to repair the damage was successful and baby girl of the evening.

greeted by about twelve women who through their noses and knocks out the four front teeth of their teenage girls. sat around afire in a smoke-filled room,

the girl

subsequently made a rapid

accuse Dr. Walker of fabricating the story, but his vehicle still bears the
scars of the encounter.

While at Mashoko I had opportunity on many occasions to preach to the African secondary students (ninth and tenth grade). Preaching to the 130 see-

recovery. This girl had only one week earlier become a Christian, and so we were especially happy for her return to good health. (Continued on page 1)

Central Africa Story

VISIT TO RHODESIA (continued from poge 6) Following my Chidamoyo visit, I returned to Mashoko for my final two
months in Africa. Mashoko was in the

Throughout my stay in Africa I was impressed with the eagerness of the

Africans to learn about Christ. When

middle of a measles epidemic and the

Pediatric Ward was full, with many

patients lying in the floor because there were not enough beds. The next few

weeks were frustrating ones, as Dr. Frasure, Dr. Cobb, and I watched many children die with measles despite the
best therapy that we could offer. The
resistance of the African children is so

ever the Bible was being taught or Christ being preached, there seemed to be undivided attention. Another quality which I appreciated in the Africans was their gratitude. I recall many times when an African mother would clap her hands as an expression of thanks for something which we had done for her
or her child. The five months in Africa were a

low and their nutrition so poor that measles overwhelmed many of them. To add to the problem, many of the chil
dren had been treated with African

witchdoctor medicine prior to being brought to us and by then it was far

too late. There were several occasions

when

the

mothers

misunderstood

the

great inspiration to me and served to strengthen my desire to return to Rho desia as a medical missionary when I have completed my medical training in July, 1970. It was truly a privilege to share in the great work for Christ that is going on in Rhodesia through medical
missions.

meaning of our medicine and accused us of killing their babies, who were usually near death when brought to us. Fortunately, however, most mothers were appreciative of our efforts in the
name of Christ. While at Mashoko the final two

About the Author . . .

Kenny Messman is a senior medical
student at Vanderbilt Medical School in

Nashville, Tennessee, and he will be

months. I was able to preach on numer

ous occasions to the secondary students and to go out to the African villages to hold services for the struggling congre gations. At one village, named Chimunhu, there were gathered together about fifty people weekly for services which I conducted on five Sundays. On one Sunday, there were 13 who stepped forward to accept Christ, and most of them had been taught about Christ at
the Mashoko Christian Mission School

graduated in June, 1969. He will then intern in Indianapolis or Louisville for a year before returning to Rhodesia as a medical missionary in October, 1970. lie is a graduate of Milligan College
where he received his ministerial train

ing. He was ordained to the Christian ministry in 1965 by the ^\ountain Chris
tian Church of Bel Air, S\aryland. Mr. Messman's five-month visit to Rhodesia ivas financed by a Smith, Kline and

for several years. There were amusing experiences, too. There was the day at Mashoko when an elderly African woman refused to get onto the surgery table because she feared the light hanging over the table might fall down upon her. There was the day at Mashoko when a lady arrived with a toothbrush sticking through her ear lobe. There was the day at Chidamoyo when an old chief refused to be discharged from the hospital because he enjoyed the food and bed so much. There was the day at Chida moyo when a woman took five minutes to open a door because she did not
know what a door knob was. There was

French Foreign Fellowship Award and by monthly giving of the Bee Tree Christian Church of Swannanoa, North
Carolina.

the day at Mashoko when a little girl tried to bite Dr. Cobb who was attempt ing to examine her. And, of course,
there was the day when the ostrich attacked the Walker's car in Hippo Valley.
March 1969

Kenny Messman.
Poge 7

The Central Africa Story

published monthly for the
Central Africa Mission
Churches of Christ

-V- , V-tl

by Mission Services Press Box 368, Joliet, Illinois 60-i3'i

Edited by Wendell Freeman
o

i.V.

r<'

Treasurer
Mr. Fred E. Dunn
V

32 West Bcllisle Drive

Akron, Ohio 44319 Chairman Board of Directors Mr. David J. Williams

Box 747

Grayson, Kentucky 41143

^1.

m
y
C_ U3 03 O O (D

fL Mg:
w H-

/ v'v Four generations; all adults

are Christians.

Don Stoll, Mashoko.

HO

-'.VntfaJTi

iiim r

Successful skin grafts by Dr. Walker.

Hospital chaplain teaching patients.

Central Africa Sfory

Q>

MoikeA.'6^ 2>(i^ - f969

Annual Medical Emphasis Issue
Will your congregation be one of the many who will gather a Mother's Day offering in behalf of Chidamoyo

Hospital? Last year the funds received helped to pur

chase a resuscitation bag, an anesthesia machine, an

operating table, portable surgical tights, some surgical equipment, and a steam sterilizer. Some of the contri
butions were used to construct a thatched-roof out

patient building to house the mudumbus (ladies waiting

to have their babies).

This year funds are needed to finish paying off the sterilizer, to purchase a large central operating theater light, and to help establish new clinics that will serve as evangelistic outposts some distance from Chidamoyo. We believe the hospital ministry here at Chidamoyo to be well worth the money spent. In the past fen months, Sam Togarepi, our hospital chaplain, has baptized 290 people - both patients in the hospital and people in the villages that have been contacted through the hos pital ministry. This number does not include the many others that hove been baptized by other evangelists, deacons, and lay preachers in the Chidamoyo area. A
number of new churches have been started as a direct

result of the influence of the hospital program. The Lord has greatly blessed our efforts these past 12 months. We thank each of you who has prayed for this medical ministry and contributed toward it. We need your help again this year. tAark all contri butions, 'Chidamoyo Christian Hospital Fund" and send to Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Murphy, 804 North 8th Street, Mt.
Vernon, Illinois 62864.

Agnes, a mother baptized in the hospital, whose village home provided the meeting place for a new church eight
miles from Chidamoyo.

Meditation

on a Night Walk
by Sue Alice Eriekson The The The The stars shine so brightly. moon is shining too. trees are waving gently; grass is wet with dew.

The mountains rise around us

To protect us, so it seems.

In hidden villages on the knolls Our friends, the Shone, dream. We walk these poths with joy tonight Safe with Christ the King, Knowing He is with us Making our hearts sing. It is good to live at Chidamoyo And feel God's presence still.
And know that He is with us

Dr. Dale and Mrs. Dale Eriekson,

Tears of misery

Erin Lee and Kelly.

malnourished.

As we try to do His will.

I wish you could be here tonight To walk these paths with us. And know God's presence very near And here renew your trust.

a . "tv

01
A patient before surgery on his The same patient after surgery eyelids. They turned in, scratching His ability lo see normally is in evi his eyes; he had to hold them up to see. dence, backed up by a happy smile.

Women's group led by Carol Kelley bring gifts for her new baby.

Madonna Burgel presents gift lo Karolyn Ammerman's mother on behalf of the Chidamoyo women.

Chuck Kelley keepingup with maintenance

of hospital vehicle.
Central Africa Sfory

CHIDAMOYO . . .
Progress Through Partnership
Chidamoyo Mission has experienced a steady and rapid growth since 1962, when it was begun under the direction of
Ziden and Helen Nutt. All of us who

by Bruce Ammerman

have been associated with this place

of labor have been thrilled with what

tember, 1967, as teacher of our mis sionary children and also worker with the African young people. This was a time of rejoicing for us all, as each of the existing aspects of the Chidamoyo

includes overseeing the operation of our four primary schools, working with teachers, government officials, and parents'groups, and providing adequate
facilities for the students' learning. We have about 575 children enrolled in school, receiving daily Bible training.
In connection with education, there is

program were now staffed and opera

tional.

has been accomplished for the Lord. In this summary-type article, we would like to share with you the various aspects of the work here, the gains
which have been made, and our convic

tion as to why these things have been accomplished. Seven years ago, though 1 was not present at that time, this section of the Urungwe Reserve, truly deserved the
name "The Bush." The Mission site

had a few thatched huts, unobtrusive

and wandering paths, a heavy concen tration of trees, and a thick undergrowth. The surrounding villages were lost back in the valleys, along the streams,
and even on mountain sides. These

Although we all have our particular responsibilities in this place, don't let us give the impression that our work has been to develop this attractive and efficient set-up, and that now we are sitting and watching the operation be ing carried on. That which has been done is only the beginning. Every build ing is now the site of the on-going of our goal. Each of us here is vitally interested in the further development of the area for the sake of the Kingdom
of God.

our Adult Literacy Program. Ola, Karolyn, and I are participating in this and experiencing great joys in seeing
older "students" learn to read and write.

Another big and unheralded aspect of any enterprise is its daily mainte
nance. Those of us who have little

Let me quickly share with you the

various avenues of our work the

people had little contact with the out side or "modern" society. The need was felt by those first Dadaya and Ameri
can missionaries. Here was an area

various ways in which we all keep busy. I have already mentioned the
medical work. Dale and the others

inclination in this respect are deeply grateful for the ones who are able and willing to assume this task. Chuck is our handy man. Besides his many other obligations, he sees that the vehicles are kept running, the grass cut, the generator functioning, the water flowing. We are too inclined to take for granted the many hours involved in such a work. Our evangelistic program is also diversified. At the present time there
are 17 churches in our immediate area.

untouched by the Gospel, with the doors wide open for laborers to enter. During the subsequent months and years, sev eral of us have had our part in witness ing for the Lord to this responsive group of tribesmen. The Nutts entered the door, doing the initial groundwork and much future building upon that foundation. They suffered many priva
tions because of a love for their work.

manage a 60-bed hospital, although last week there were over 80 patients in beds besides the many daily outpatients who come for treatment. A weekly flight is made each week to Binga

(where

Jack and Peggy Pennington

Four of these are very new, and one has been revived and re-opened. Al though I don't have absolute figures, approximately 400 were baptized through the combined programs last year. Three full-time evangelists are working in the
area. Various classes are conducted

labor) to oversee the Government Hos

pital there. Four well-baby clinics are conducted each month by Madonna and
Sue Alice.

Following them, in 1963, Karolyn and I came to the field, eager to use our meager abilities in any way possible. Chuck and Carol Kelley arrived at Chidamoyo in May, 1966, to lend their capable hands. The Dale Marshalls, now in Sinoia, spent several months here before moving into Sinoia. Nurse Betty Iddings was a real pioneer in opening up a medical work among these suffering people. Madonna Burget, who began her work in Africa at Mashoko
Mission, arrived at the Mission in

The African school program is a demanding one, with many opportunities. 1 am the school manager, a job which

weekly. Each Saturday I meet with the young boys from the school and villages who are interested in preaching. Also, I help with Scripture classes at the school on Thursday and Friday, Chuck
{Continued on page 6)

.x-f

January, 1967, to assume responsibil ity for the medical work, which was

rapidly expanding. The Hospital was in

the process of being built. More and more patients were finding their way in

from the bush. The facilities were being

prepared for them. Then in January, 1968, during the time of the Hospital
Dedication, Dr. Dale and Mrs. Sue Alice Erickson joined our team. Ola Marion

had taken her place among us in SepApril 1969

Brucc and Karolyn Ammerman wilh ohildrcn, Tod, Gay, and Amy.
Page 3

Tarisa Baba, Tarisa Amai

by Ola Marion
Tarisa Baba. Tarisa Amai. (Look

at Father. Look at Mother.) If you should walk past the school at Chidamoyo on a Monday or Thursday after noon you would hear students reading from their primers. Of course, you don't see anything so unusual about- that.
But there is! The students are teen-

Hence, our most important reason for teaching literacy classes. It is a pleasure for us, the teachers, to observe the progress of these eager students. Some of the girls are already

aged girls and women, even grand

mothers.

reading the Bible. They are so proud to share a hymnbook at church and really know what it says. One of the women began laughing excitedly and
uncontrollably
covered

when

she

opened a

Last September, Bruce and Karolyn Ammerman and I began to teach adult literacy classes for the first time in
our area. The African children these

hymnbook, and for the first time, dis

that she could read it. One

said to Karolyn, "Why didn't you teach

us to read before now? We could have

days are receiving a good education,

but what about all of those who did

not have that opportunity when they were young? Can we expect great growth toward Christian maturity when the people can't even read the Bible?

been reading the Bible already." Are we late? Maybe, but not too late. Many are learning to read and write, and many more want to learn. Here is just one more way of helping the African people and a way of teaching Christ.

Shona lady expresses learning lo read.

Higlit ii

"Speak Slowly Please"

by Karolyn Ammerman
Two years ago, while we were spending our furlough time in the States, many people came up to us and asked expectantly, "Say something to us in the Shona language." I would
stammer something or say some easy sentences I knew. Then I would quickly

perspective. Wc both felt we must learn to speak the language for several
obvious reasons: We wanted the people to know we loved them enough to preach to them in their language. We could not know them very personally if we could not communicate except through those speaking English. Finally, since our ministry was wholly dedicated to
the bush work, and since most of the

some women came to my house, and I told them that day: "This term I am
determined to learn Shona." Of course,

they agreed this was marvelous. Now, about two years later, Bruce and I have
faithfully studied each week, having
lessons with an African school teacher

give all the reasons why we did not need to speak Shona, adding that next term we planned to learn it well. As our furlough time passed, and as we thought of our work, we saw the chal lenge of speaking the language in new

twice a week. Having studied through two grammar books, we now find our
selves reading through the African school children's textbooks, writing compositions, and telling stories to
our teacher in Shona.

people in our area speak only Shona, it seemed the most logical thing to do. The first day we returned to Africa

One afternoon I went calling with our evangelist's wife to a village for prayers only, I thought. As the afternoon developed, we spent three hours with a woman who thought she was possessed with two conflicting spirits, God's and a spirit of her ancestor who was troub ling her. She wanted us to tell her how to get rid of the spirit. I had to commu
nicate in Shona and when the afternoon

was finished I certainly saw the need for further Shona study, but I had a deep satisfaction that I could commu nicate and that we were learning. Many, many times each week Bruce and I must say, "Speak very slowly

please." But we've never experienced

a frown, refusal, or a show of impa tience with our efforts. Always wc are rewarded with a smile and words saying,

Some of the Chidamoyo women and girls.

Pa^ 4

"Ah, you are learning very well." That encouragement keeps us studying and determined to learn Shona, the language of the people we love.

Central Africa Story

A BABY FOR ABIGAIL

by Madonna Burget
It was after midnight when I heard the sound of Chuck Kelley's motor cycle. I think I had been half-listening
for this sound for three weeks. Carol

However, since Dr. Erickson and I had both been up part of the night, we

section here.

On the morning of September 3>

1968, Dr. Erickson, Sue Alice Erickson,

was due to have had her baby three

weeks before this, and when I heard the motorcycle coiaing toward the house,

I knew why it was coming. I was up

almost as soon as Chuck knocked on the door. While he went over to awaken

Miss Ola to stay with Christine and Carson, I quickly dressed and went to the hospital to get the room ready for Carol. When I went to the maternity ward to get something I needed, there was Ricia Patsika standing by the
window wide awake. Ricia had been in

decided to wait until the next day to perform the Caesarean section on Abigail. The first time I met Abigail was soon after I had come to Chidamoyo. She came one evening to the hospital just a day after she had delivered a stillborn baby at home. She lived at Rengwe Township about five and onehalf miles from Chidamoyo where her husband was a storekeeper. This had been her sixth pregnancy, and she had only one little boy, named George. All her other pregnancies had ended in miscarriages or stillborns, most of them
stillborns. She and her husband wanted

Kenny Messman, one of our African nurses, and I were in surgery ready to do the Caesarean section on Abigail. As always, Dr. Erickson offered a word of prayer asking God's guidance before we began the operation. She had been given a spinal anasthetic, so was awake and heard the cry of her baby boy when he was born. How happy she was when she heard that cry and was shown her baby! Over and over again,
she said how thankful she was to us

the hospital waiting for her baby to be born for some time, and one day when Chuck Kelley asked her when she was going to have her baby, she jokingly answered, "I am waiting on Mrs. Kelley." Ricia lives near the mission
and used to work for Ziden and Helen

help. We did blood tests to check their blood type to see if the RH factor might
be the cause of her stillborn babies, but found that this could not be the
cause. I then advised her that when she

became pregnant again that she come

each month to be checked so that we

Nutt as a housegirl. Her husband is an agricultural assistant in this area. But Ricia didn't wait on Carol. Kenny Messman delivered Ricia's baby boy of 8 lbs. at about 5 = 30 a.m. on Septem ber 2, 1968. Cheryl Adele Kelley was
born about 10:00 a.m. the same morn

could watch her closely. By this time Dr. Erickson was here, and after get

for our help to her. After the surgery Sue Alice and I took her back to the maternity ward. As we got near the ward, Abigail's mother, her sister, and all the other women in the ward were singing Ndinorufaro niumwoyo, Ndakashamba tieropa rajesu, Ndinorufnro mtimivoyo, "I am happy in my heart, I've been washed in the blood of Jesus." As they sang this song, I thought of the song, "To God be the Glory, Great

ting her history and finding that about three days before her labour began she stopped feeling the movement of the

Things He Hath Done." It was with

God's help that we were able to give Abigail a live baby. It is with the help of all you Christians in America that we have Chidamoyo Hospital. But we must always know that "To God be the

baby. Dr. Erickson decided to do a

Caesarean section about ten days before the baby was due to be born. The only other live baby she had, had been born by Caesarean section. When Abigail was about six months

ing and weighed 8 lbs. 11 oz. Cheryl

was the first missionary baby to be born at Chidamoyo Christian Hospital and on a most appropriate day, as it was "Labor Day" in the U.S.A.

Glory." Abigail's mother, sister, and

the others in the ward were giving God the glory as they sang this song about salvation through Christ. Before Abigail left the hospital, she came forward during one of our worship services and asked to be a

Abigail Shava had also been in the hospital waiting for her baby to be born. But Abigail was scheduled to have a Caesarean section on September 2.

pregnant her husband was transferred to Sipolilo, many miles from Chidamoyo near the Mozambique border. But Abigail
came to live with her sister near Chida

moyo so thatwe could do the Caesarean

part of the Church of Christ. She also

asked us to pray for her as she went home, as there would be no church of Christ where she lived. I just recently had a letter from Abigail telling me that the baby was "well and fit" and that he weighed 15 pounds. But Abigail
was sick with glandular tuberculosis.

"t
in.

She again asked for our prayers. Won't you pray with us for Abigail that she might soon be well and that she will always remain faithful to Christ?
The Central Africa Story is published monthly for the Central Africa Mission, Churches of Christ by Mission Services Association at 509 West Jefferson, Joliet, Illinois. Second Class Postage paid at Joliet, Illinois 60434.

/ ^ f

Ricia Patsika (left) and baby boy, Duncan; Carol Kelley and baby girl, Cheryl; and Abigail Shava and baby boy, Samuel.
April 1969

Volume 9

April 1969

Number 4 page 5

PROGRESS THROUGH PARTNERSHIP

(continued from page 3)

has been particularly interested in leadership classes for the men. Each Friday evening he journeys to Badza for such a class, through which not only have men been trained, but others
have been won to Christ. TTic ladies'

meetings involve the missionary women each Monday and Thursday and some times Saturday; don't expect morning or afternoon tea if you visit us. The women spread themselves thin, but have covered large areas, and their
efforts have been rewarded with enthu

siastic Christian women's groups who love to sew together, and to sing and
exhort one another with Bible lessons.

Carol has two groups; Karolyn has four; Ola has three; and Madonna has one. Then the meeting at the mission is a company affair. From a beginning in 1963 with a handful of faithful
Christian women, there are now over

Dale Erickson with Cessna 180. Dr. Erickson flies weekly from Chidamoyo to Binga to oversee the Government Hospital there.

250 women in work and study groups each week, or bi-monthly.

Tomorrow is still many hours away, but we look to that time in our program with joy and hope. There is nothing which clouds our prospects for the con
tinuation of the work. The churches

A Note of Thanks
Dear Christian friends:

are growing. Further meetings and classes are in the planning stage to incorporate more of the indigenous principles within the churches. In an educational way, we are contemplating the addition of a secondary school (high school) at Chidamoyo. We would thus
be able to exert our influence over

young people for a further two years,

and this at a very vital stage of their lives. With furloughs approaching, and this hoped-for expansion, we are pray ing that other willing hands will be found to give assistance and relief in the coming year. Why has this startling progress taken place? I can assure you it is
not because of our abilities. I believe

We wish to thank sincerely each and every one who contributed to our plea of help for Madonna Burget's "Mission Mobile." Several months ago the Keystone Class of Normanda Christian Church (Tipton, Indiana) started a drive to raise $2,300 for Madonna Burget, medical missionary in Rhodesia, in order for her to purchase a much-needed truck to be used in her medical work as well as spiritual work. We are so happy to report that we received a total of $3,768.72. This money provided the truck ($2,300), a fjouse for an African minister, and a filmstrip projector for the hospital. Madonna Burget joins us in thanking you from the bottom of our hearts. Sincerely,

The Keystone Class,

Normanda Christian Church

it is because of a thing called "Partner ship." We here consider ourselves a team, each valuing the other's opinions
and efforts. We have determined to

work together toward our goal. Always it has been our intention to be partners with the African people. After all, this
is their land, their mission, their work. Furthermore, we consider ourselves partners with God. He strengthens, rewards, advises, enlightens, and blesses. But in a special way, our continuation here is due to our part nership with you folk at home. Without your assistance, we could not continue,

! 1
A 'iT--

and we sincerely thank you for being Partners in the Gospel here at Chidamoyo. Page 6

Madonna "loads'* Mission Mobile Ready to travel anywhere in the bush,

for calling in the villages.

Central Africa Story

WHAT PRICE, A LIFE?

by Dr. Dale Erickson

Alex

Moyo

entered

Chidamoyo

Christian Hospital October 9, 1968. The admitting diagnosis was pneu monia and dysentery, and he was placed on appropriate medications. Two days later on Friday evening Mr. Phani Tsuro, our head orderly, called me to the hospital. "That young man in the male ward is very sick, doctor." Alex was indeed sick. His body was hot, his abdomen was distended, and he was vomiting and complaining of severe abdominal pain. It was obvious that a surgical exploration
was necessary, and it had to be done as soon as possible. I explained all this to Alex so that he might under stand the seriousness of the problem. He was very scared and initially refused surgery because his father wasn't there to give his consent. He said that his father was at their home in Mudzimu, some thirty miles away. As patiently as I possibly could, I told him there
was no time to lose, and if we waited

was had get still distended; he vomited; he passed bloody stools; and green purulent material continued to pour out of the drain wound. Usually only two drugs, Colymycin and Kanamycin, are effec tive in such a case. Both are very expensive and dangerous to use because of their toxicity. What to do? A life hung in the balance. There was only one choice: Forget the expense and obtain the drug as quickly as possible. The medi
cation soon arrived, and in a matter of

But as the days passed it apparent that the antibiotics we were not working. The patient was ting no better. His abdomen was

days there was a remarkable improve

ment in Alex's condition. Less and

less pus came out of the wound, his

abdomen became less distended, he was able to walk, and was on the road

to recovery. In all, Alex was in our hospital for 53 days. Hundreds of dol lars of expensive medicine and equip
ment were used to save his life.

for his father to come, it probably

would be too lace. So, he consented to the surgery.

It was about 10:00 p.m. when I informed Sister Madonna Burget that we were going to be operating that night. She immediately began preparing the operating theater. Sue Alice Erickson, our anesthetist, began checking
out our new anesthesia machine.

There was no one happier about Alex's recovery than the doctor. I gladly would have spent more if it meant saving his life. For what price
is a life? How does one value a life? We know as Christians the value God

places on a life because He gave each of us individually, his Son, the Lord
Christ. The worth of a life, a soul, is found on the cross, where Jesus shed his blood as a final payment for our

Finally,

preparations

were

complete, a prayer was offered for the boy's life, and the abdomen was opened.
An examination of the small bowel

revealed

numerous

abscesses,

some

perforating and spilling pus, all along the base of the intestine. The appendix was acutely inflamed. I elected to do an appendectomy and to drain the peri

toneal cavity, hoping antibiotics would

clear the infection.

sins. No greater price could have been paid. He said, "I came that you might have LIFE and have it more abundantly." Alex Moyo left the hospital Decem ber 2, 1968. I shall never forget this young man who almost died but whose life was spared because our hospital was properly equipped, because we obtained the proper drugs, and because God answered our prayers.

Sue Alice Erickson giving ancsthelic at Chidamoyo Chris tian Hospital.

/WHf Zl MrvilON

P. Bai 9 Dill, Rhodsl

TA OfrAilS r. Cee IH2 S.

Avtru*

SprtnifiA^O. UiDOv'i 6S904 Mt, AMd Mr. l'<'AAkafii<n

FA Mri. Eurxct %ntn Hi

Lario. Fleii9 3JS4I

April 1969

Page 7

The Central Africa Story

publislicd monthly for the
Central Africa Mission Churches of Christ

by Mission Services Press Box 368, joliei, Illinois 60434

Edited by Wendell Freeman
o

Treasurer
Mr. Fred F,. Dunn

32 West Bellisle Drive Akron, Ohio 44319

Chairman Board of Directors Mr. David J. Williams

Box 747

Grayson, Kentucky 41143

Main Enlraiic'C, Cliidamoyo ('hrislian Hospital.

c. -J- ^

33

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r

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PI >

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n

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05 CO Z

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cn

o c

w H

c> r >
OJ

I hoso packages Irom the States arc great I Chuck K;lley \N ilh Cheryl,
Chrisv, and Carson.

Centra/ Africa Story

STORY
Volume 9

Moy 1969

Number 5

J J

GREETINGS from the

BULAWAYO

CHRISTIANS
African Christians

STATISTICS:
Bulawayo: 230,000 Population
150,000 Africans 60,000 Europeans 20,000 Coloureds and Asians

HB ^J
r !

Churches of Christ:
7 Afrtcon

European Christians

2 European
1 Coloured

Christians: 820

Sunday School Attenders: 1600

Missionaries:

^ -Ss e

Mr. and Mrs. Berry G. Kennedy Mr. and Mrs. John N. Hoyt Miss Juiiy Landrey Miss Rosemary Swarms Mrs. Marilyn Nathan

m
Coloured Christians

An African Urban Ministry

by Berry Kennedy
Much has been said and written

school

is

located,

one

can

find

rent for a minimal standard of family

accommodation, other sources of income
must be found. Under these conditions

lately concerning the problems of urban living. Cities throughout the world are
in trouble, and the solutions to the

families, with six children each, shar

ing one room, size 7 by 11 feet. During the day the mats and pallets which
serve as beds are moved to one corner,

it is not surprising to find theft, gam

bling, and prostitution rampant in the crowded townships. Aggravating the sub-economic plight of the African is the prevalence of beer drinking in municipal-sponsored and controlled "beer gardens." These are often situated near the bus stops (prob ably not on purpose), and this serves to encourage men to spend their wages before reaching home. While one can not under any circumstances condone this inclination towards drink, there certainly can be seen in township life
much to drive a man to drink. The fact

problem will demand much effort, time, and expenditure. And what of the church in these high-density population areas?
Because of the multitude of problems affecting a multitude of people, the influence of Christ is desperately
needed. The Church of Christ cannot

withdraw from the cities simply because there is a complexity of problems, some of which defy solution. Love compels us to go where the people are and to assist them in overcoming the inherent evils of urban living. Christian princi

ples are applicable to city dwellers and

must be focused on the many inter-human relationships which city life creates.

and the room serves as a sitting and dining room. If guests visit the home during the evening, the children are chased outside and cannot go to bed until the guests have left. The result ing moral and social problems can only be fully appreciated by those who exist under such conditions. The housing problem is compounded by an influx of rural relatives seeking employment and schooling opportunities. Although the municipality does subsidize housing, low incomes necessitate the "taking in of paying lodgers," and this, too, simply
adds to the confusion. Needless to say,
our Christians have a difficult time

We have our "concrete jungles" in Africa, too. The city of Bulawayo has 230,000 people and thus qualifies as coming under the scope of urban prob
lems. There are definite racial issues

retaining

distinct

and righteous

character in such an environment.

involved, too. The African population stands at 150,000, thus is a large majority. The white population is about 60,000, and the Asian-Coloureds about 20,000. It is among the Bantu or Africans that one discovers staggering urban problems.
In the first instance, there is a critical housing situation. The 150,000 souls in our African town ships are packed into a radius of 10 square miles. In the Makokoba

Contributing to the inadequate living accommodations is the basic problem of insufficient income for the average large African family. It often happens that income is not sufficient to maintain a family as a unit living together. The wife and children are
forced to return to the rural areas, where the cost of living is much lower
and school fees for the children can be

must be faced that heavy drinkers fail to support their families. There is a high incidence of broken homes where the husband drinks heavily. In the beer gardens there is an indiscriminate mix ing of men and women, and there is not always the proper control over the ages of young people in such places. One can readily see that these problems, and there are many others as well, contribute to the breakdown of family life and parental control. Both of these are vitally important to the
maintenance of Christian character.

saved. The separation of man and wife for long periods of time is a morally

The size of families, family separation, child neglect, delinquency, and immo rality all combine to create staggering odds against the struggling child of
God. Into this situation the church has

explosive situation for both, but espe

cially for the man living in a loose urban society. Or if the man's income is not sufficient to pay an economic

Township,

where

our

large Sunday

been planted. She must somehow not only survive but manage to reach out to the multitudes floundering in a hostile environment. She must express, in con
crete terms, concern for and assistance to the masses. The task is of great magnitude, requiring men and women of courage, conviction, and wisdom.

1)^

Into this morass of complicated issues, we have planted six congrega tions. They are strategically located, so as to reach the greatest number of people. They are led by African minis ters, who truly understand the problems. They are assisted by the missionaries,
who are vitally concerned about the

urban church. More than this, they must be sustained by the power of God and directed by the Spirit of God. Those which are not thus dependent upon God will not long survive in the face of such
odds.

This congregation meets in a classroom at a Government School.

Page 2

It is an evident expression of God's grace that the African church is suc ceeding in areas of numerical growth (Continued on page 1)

Central Africa Story

A SEPARATE PEOPLE:
What do you think of when you think of Africa? Most people think of the black African in the most primitive
circumstances. This is the common con

The Coloureds of Rhodesia

by John Hoyt

congregation in February of 1968 and

have been privileged to see steady

growth and progress in the work, for which we gladly give the Lord Jesus Christ the glory. It gives us real plea sure to see the people maturing spiri tually and to watch their interest grow in taking care of their own church affairs. They are paying for an exten sion to their present building, which will put an additional 57 by 35 feet
under roof at a cost of S4800.
Their enthusiasm and zeal for the

cept, but we tend to forget that there

are other true Africans besides the black race. One of these is the Coloured

race, a truly separate people. They are squeezed between two races of people, not accepted by the one and not wanting
to be identified with the other. This is

the plight of the Coloureds of Rhodesia

a situation which has come about by the mixing of the European and the
African.

Lord's work has shown us the wisdom

There are untold problems which

arise as a result of this unfortunate

situation which forces the people to build their own separate society and
thus become a race unto themselves.

of entering this field of labour. Every area of the church program is starting to grow. Two youth groups are sponsored by the church under our guidance and that of five Christian couples. The
Coloured choir is also under the leader

They are appreciative of the privilege

of being one in Christ with all the other
Christians in the world. There are four basic areas of

ship and direction of the Church of Christ as a witness to the community

for Christ. The Adult Bible Class still

Four Christian men from Barham Green

Bulawayo which are considered to be Coloured areas, but the largest of these
is Barham Green, where the Church of
Christ is located. You will find the

averages around 25 each week,and there have been 13 additions to the Body of Christ during the past 11 months. The impact of the church is beginning to be felt in the community, but there is
still so much to be done. The new

We earnestly request your prayers

in behalf of this work for Christ. It has

settlement on the south side of town,

nestled between two low, sloping hills. The church building is located in the valley between the two hills. Glo and I began working with this

building will be dedicated to the Lord on April 13, and we anticipate a sub
stantial increase in the Bible school
after this.

been too long neglected, and it is a field that is already ripe and ready to be harvested for the Lord. We are doing our best to prepare the Coloureds as a people who need not be ashamed, either socially or spiritually, for they will be a separate people unto the
Lord!

Make a Joyful Noise Unto the ^ Lord'

This is exactly what the Coloured
Choir of Barham Green does each week

byCloHoyt

enjoyed it very much, but there was

leave; in fact, several times when I

at rehearsal! And what a pleasant noise

it is, not only to the Lord, but to me as

never the great enthusiasm or the pure joy of singing such as we experience
here among these f>eople. Some have said that any other meeting during the week they might miss, but never choir! And you won't believe this, but here we
have an abundance of men in the choir.

have been ready to dismiss them with prayer, they would beg to sing just one more number. Can you imagine?
The first big effort of the choir was to present a Christmas cantata last year for the community of Barham Green. It was presented in the Community
Center, and there were well over 200

director of the group. It is not easy to

lead 30 people, most of whom do not

read music, and end up with sounds

that are pleasing to the ear. But some how even the hardest pieces seem to present no great problem to them. Surely the Lord is directing in this work.
I have led choirs in the States and

They are really the enthusiastic ones! We practice for an hour and a half each

time, and there are never any complaints about time. Nobody gets in a hurry to

present on the final night. They also sang for the mayor's Christmas Cheer
Program.

Their next presentation will be in May when they sing, "The Greatest Story Yet Untold" at the Community Center. Next Christmas we plan to do "Born a King."
The whole purpose of the choir is

to bring Christ before the people in a way that will challenge and inspire. The choir gives pleasure and enjoyment
to these people and allows them to use
the talents with which God has blessed

Barham Green Coloured Choir

them. We feel that the time spent work ing with the Coloured Choir is time well-spent in the service of the Lord.

May 1969

Page 3

WE WOULD SERVE JESUS

When people love the Lord, their first thoughts are to draw nearer to Him
and to serve Him. Christian women have

Bible Knowledge Classes

by Amy Kennedy
at our mission hospitals, material was purchased and gowns made for both Mashoko and Chidamoyo hospitals. One woman who does not have a sewing machine made six gowns all by hand, in order to do her part. For the Makokoba Sunday-school Christmas party, each woman bought or made clothing for some of the children. One lady made twenty-some little dresses. Many of the women knitted sleeveless sweaters throughout the year for this purpose. In all love, flowers have been placed in God's house each Lord's Day. Several of the It was August 1967, when we here in Bulawayo received an invitation to teach Bible Knowledge Classes at the

a deep longing to walk close to the Master and to really let their lives count for Him. In working with women,
I found this true in both America and

secondary schools (high school level).

One invitation was from the Luveve

Africa. Our African women cry, "Teach

us how to live the Christian life;" and

our European women, "Help us to serve Jesus." I would like to share with you
our women's work at the Colenbrander

African Secondary School and the other from the Mzilikazi Secondary School. After much thought, Berry Kennedy, Rosemary Swarms, and I agreed to
finish out the 1967 school term at

Luveve. The Hoyts accepted the invi

tation from Mzilikazi.

Avenue Church, which is one of our European congregations. There are

around 15 women who meet twice each

month. Their request was, "Help us as a women's group to be more than a social group but one in service for

Bible Knowledge is an academic subject. Each grade meets for two fortyminute periods two days per week, and
the students sit an exam over the sub

Jesus." This is just what we are trying to do. We come together for good Chris tian fellowship, which helps us to have
more love and concern for one another

women helped in the calling program for the Reggie Thomas campaign. All did their part to make the Thomas team's stay a pleasant and successful
one.

ject at the end of a two-year period. At the beginning of the 1968 school
year, we were asked to continue in this teaching ministry. It was at this time

Indeed, Christian women have their

that Berry Kennedy, Rosemary Swarms,

and I committed ourselves to a two-

as sisters in the Lord. We plan our devotional programs with the thought of each one's gaining something to help her in her Christian walk. This past
year we have used a series entitled

part to do in the building up of the Kingdom of God here on earth. We would serve Jesus. To serve Him best, I feel we must first be like Mary and sit at
the feet of Jesus. We must be still and
know our God and our Saviour within ourselves. We must let Him fill us with

year schedule. Mrs. Hoyt continued teaching at Mzilikazi. Berry took the 10th grade students and later was

assisted

by

Mrs.

Peter (Marilyn)

"The Building of Our Spiritual Houses." As Christ has become more a part of each life, we have looked for opportu
nities to serve. We know that to serve

His Spirit and His love. As we learn of

Him we must listen to His still, small
voice within and let Him control our

Christ, we must serve others.

A young teen-age girl's legs were badly hurt in a motorcycle-car accident. She had to spend many months in the hospital. Though the women had not met this young girl, each one brought gifts for her. Flowers and fruit were
also sent. Several went to visit her. It

thoughts and lives. Then we can be

Nathan. Rosemary and I took the 8th grade, A and B streams. The 10th and 11th grade students studied Mark's gospel, the book of Acts, and the Ser mon on the Mount; while the 8th and 9th graders did the Sermon on the Mount,

Marthas and show our love by serving

in whatever way we can. We can serve Jesus in our homes, in His church, and in our communities. This is the longing

parables of Jesus, journeys of Paul, and the founding of the Jewish nation.
The beginning of the 1969 school

year at Luveve brought with it a change

of headmasters and also another S.O.S.

of our women here and what they are striving to do. I feel privileged to work
with these women and to watch them

brought much joy to Margaret because someone cared. Cheer has been brought to members in the hospital by gifts of
fruits and flowers and visits. When the

women heard that gowns were needed

grow in the Lord. For this reason I have shared this part of our work with you, and would ask for your prayers in this wonderful year of 1969.

We were asked to try to find someone to help teach the classes the former headmaster had been teaching or to con

sider adding some of them to our pres

ent schedules. Again after much thought, Rosemary and I both added
another class each to our schedules.

The 1969 school year is proving to be very busy, but we find happiness
in leaching these young people the Word of God. As we teach approximately 185 secondary pupils per week, we realize
the tremendous responsibility but at

the same time the great opportunity to

I /

influence lives for Christ.

The Central Africa Story is published

monthly for the Central Africa Mission, Churches of Christ by Mission Services Association at 509 West Jefferson,

Joliet, Illinois. Second Class Postage paid at Joliet, Illinois 60434.

European women at Colenbrander Avenue Church of Christ

Volume 9

May 1969

Number 5

Central Africa Story