South and South Central Africa: A record of fifteen years' missionary labors among primitive peoplesDavidson, Hannah Frances
History
South and South Central Africa: A record of fifteen years' missionary labors among primitive peoples
Davidson, Hannah Frances
Brethren in Christ Church -- Missions; Missions -- Rhodesia; Ndebele (African people); Tsonga (African people)
The time drew near when a decision must be made, either to move out or
to postpone the opening of the work for another year, and much time was
spent out among the rocks alone with Him. From a human standpoint it
appeared to be a hazardous undertaking to enter such a new country, and
many obstacles were in the way. I had been invited to spend the year at
Mapani Mission, and was quite ready to do so, providing that was the
Lord's will for me. On the other hand, if He desired that the work
beyond the Zambezi be opened this year, all power is in His hands; it
would be a small affair for Him to go before and prepare the way. The
more we looked to Him to ascertain His will the stronger the conviction
became that the time was at hand. Sister Adda Engle also expressed
herself as being ready for the work. The rest of the missionaries were
requested to make the matter a special subject of prayer. They did so,
and a few felt that an onward move was to be made; but the majority said
they did not have a clear understanding of the Lord's will in reference
to it.
It was hoped that Brother Steigerwald might be able to accompany us to
open up the work; but there were so many lines of work engaging his
attention at the time that it was impossible for him to leave. He,
however, fitted out the new wagon with a strong body and a fine large
tent, 6 x 13 feet over the whole, and as far as possible put everything
in readiness for the journey.
Our company included, besides Sister Engle and myself, the two native
Christian boys, Ndhlalambi Moyo and Gomo Sibanda. The latter was going
chiefly for the manual labor. They were both trustworthy and we knew
they could be depended upon. It was again the 4th of July when we
started on this northern journey, just eight years from the day on which
we had left Bulawayo for Matopo. Brother and Sister Steigerwald and
Sister Frey accompanied us as far as Bulawayo, expecting to aid us in
purchasing supplies and to assist us in getting started north. Mr.
Jackson, the English magistrate at Fort Usher, gave us letters of
introduction to the Civil Commissioner and the Administrator of Northern
Rhodesia, as the country north of the Zambezi is called.
Unfortunately it was found, on reaching Bulawayo, that much of the
business could not be attended to that week on account of holidays, so
that our friends were obliged to return to their station. The Monday
following was a busy and trying day on account of the many things to be
attended to and the long distances to be traversed. We wished to
purchase supplies for the greater part of the year, for we knew not what
awaited us and where the next would come from; and it was also necessary
that all the goods be sent on the same train on which we went.
Everything was finally accomplished, and July 10, 1906, found all our
supplies, about 2,800 pounds in weight, and the wagon, on the train
bound for Victoria Falls.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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