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)
In this mission field we found our beloved colaborers, Brother and
Sister Isaac Lehman, who had just come from Cape Town and were becoming
settled in their new home. A dear little girl, Faith, had come to bless
their home and cheer their hearts. Brother Jacob Lehmans also were
engaged in mission work here, as well as our dear Sister Swanson (nee
Hershey), who had left us at Cape Town to come to this place. As our
Board had no mission station here at that time, these were all laboring
in connection with an undenominational mission in charge of Mr. A. W.
Baker. All were actively engaged in mission work. It is a broad field
and is a great opportunity for giving the Gospel to the heathen.
However, one has the same obstacles to encounter as in the native
village, _i. e._, the indifference of the people. While we would be
having a service in one part of the Compound, other natives would be
dancing within sight in another part, and often be making such a noise
as to disturb the meeting. One difficulty with the work is that the
natives often remain at the mines only six months or a year, not
sufficiently long to get them established. Much good is, however, being
done; schools are established to teach the natives when they are not at
work, and services are held regularly at various places. Natives,
accepting the Light, carry it to other parts of Africa, and sometimes
become teachers of their people.
After spending a most enjoyable month at this place I again returned to
Matopo Mission, after an absence of three and one-half months. It was a
pleasure to get back to the old battle ground, for it was still the most
beautiful spot on earth and its people the dearest. Great changes had
taken place during our absence. Then the foundation of the house had
been laid and the brick burnt, but now an imposing structure met the eye
and the house was rapidly being completed. It looked as if the
missionaries had come to stay and were to have a comfortable place to
live in.
The school was progressing favorably under Matshuba's management, and
all parts of the work seemed encouraging. As there was continually some
difficulty about the stability of some of the industrial pupils, it was
decided to divide the school year into two terms of five months each,
with a month's vacation intervening in which the pupils could return
home if they so desired. This worked well and seemed more satisfactory
to all. The one who had been teaching was retained as pupil teacher and
was also permitted to take advanced work.
[Illustration: "Here lie the remains of Cecil John Rhodes."]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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