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)
We are going in the large two-seated spring wagon with a white canvas
top, sent out by the Board two years ago. One of the seats is removed,
and in the back part of the wagon is placed a box containing food,
dishes, and the like equipments for our meals. There is also put in a
large five-gallon can of good drinking water, two folding canvas
bedsteads, a bundle containing bedding, and a mosquito net, and
underneath the wagon in a framework is a tent which we have lately
acquired. There is also a small bag of cornmeal, a tin of ground
peanuts, some dried greens for the boys, and some whole peanuts for all
of us. Where the dashboard was originally is now a long box in which are
placed kettles and cooking utensils. And we do not forget to stow away
in the box of the seat a quantity of bananas and lemons, of which the
mission has an abundance; also some fresh vegetables. A small canvas
bag, in which the drinking water is cooled, hangs on the side of the
wagon. Four oxen are inspanned and one boy takes hold of the strap in
front to lead the oxen, and another, with a long, slender pole, to which
is tied a long, slender leathern lash, drives. He sometimes sits on the
box in front and sometimes runs along the side.
We remember the times, not so very long ago, when we were not so
comfortably equipped for traveling as we are at present. We walked many
weary miles to see the people, and thoroughly enjoyed it too, even
though the hard earth at times was our bed and the open canopy of heaven
our tent, and native food in part supplied our needs. Then it was not
possible to visit as many places in a day as now, and frequently when we
arrived we were too tired to do justice to the Word. Then also we failed
to reach many villages, because of the distance. Now it seems almost too
good to be true that we are so well supplied, for the Lord has again
wonderfully verified His precious promise, "to do exceeding abundantly
above all that we ask or think." Praise His Holy Name! Yet we would not,
if we could, do away with those early days and the blessings attending
them, and we are better able to appreciate present favors by contrast.
[Illustration: School at Kabanzi Village.]
Usually we endeavor to start not later than sunrise, so that we may
travel in the cool of the morning; for the sun becomes quite hot in the
middle of the day, and it is advisable then to be under shelter. At this
time, November, however, the morning is cloudy, so that we may have
rain; but the clouds make traveling pleasant and we start. We go north
and a little east. Where the roads are good the oxen trot off briskly;
but in many places there are deep ruts, caused by the heavy rains of
previous years, which make progress slow. In some places the ruts are a
foot or two in depth, and it is necessary to make a new road along the
side, for there are no government-built roads in the country.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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