Mbuma
4th January, 1977
Dear Friends,
There are now five months since I left Scotland to work at the hospital here at Mbuma. I left Heathrow airport on the 28th of July in a Jumbo Jet. The flight was very comfortable and pleasant. After a six hour wait at Johannesburg, I left in a Rhodesian Airways plane for Bulawayo where I was met by Dr Tallach, Sister Cox, Miss Graham, Mrs Ross and her two sons, Norman and Alistair. It was very pleasant to see them all. I stayed for a few days at the very hospitable home of Rev. & Mrs Ross. My stay with them was most enjoyable. It was also a pleasure to visit Mr & Mrs Van Woerden’s home. I arrived at Mbuma after a four hour drive from Bulawayo over roads and tracks through the forest which is hard to describe. It was nice to meet Sisters Lobban and Van Saane. There is reason for thankfulness to the Most High when one can settle down to the situation and work here, when it is so very different from what it is like at home. It is of Lord’s goodness that people do recover from their bodily ailments, and what a mercy it would be, if they were enabled to say like the Psalmist, “This is my Comfort in my affliction, for Thy Word hath quickened me.” Do continue to pray for the many who come in contact with the Word of God here.
On the 1st and 2nd of September I attended the Theological Conference at Ingwenya. It began with worship at 7.30 a.m. and the opening address was by Rev. Ndebele. The first paper read was by Rev. Mzamo on Baptism. After a very lively discussion, and a break for tea, Rev. D. Ross read his paper on Church Alms. There followed then a profitable discussion. Rev. Ndebele next read his paper on the Relationship of Free Presbyterians with other churches in Rhodesia. The second day began as usual at 7.30 a.m. with worship when Mr Van Woerden read his paper on Office Bearers in the Church and their functions. We concluded with a general discussion. It was pleasant being there, and having fellowship with one another. In October we had our communion here at Mbuma when many souls sat under the preaching of the Word. What we heard was indeed edifying, and some could say, it was good to be there and to be fed with manna from on High. We were pleased to have Miss Nicolson with us, also friends from Ingwenya and Bulawayo. In November Rev. Ross and I made a short visit to the Victoria Falls. It is a wonderful sight. It was a privilege to attend the first Bulawayo communion which was held in December. How wonderful it was that we were enabled to worship though surrounded by so much evil and dispeace, where it can be said that “Satan has his seat.”
The Political situation is very tense. Oh! for a day of the Power of the Son of God. The Government is upon His Shoulders. Do remember us and the work here.
Every blessing for 1977
Yours sincerely,
Neil Murray