9 Robertson Street,
Bulawayo,
Zimbabwe.
17th May, 1980
Dear Friends,
For Missionaries, one aspect of Mission life is that of considerable travel over land and sea.
Already this year, Miss Shiela Macleod our auditor has visited our Mission with the purpose of auditing the Mission Accounts; and has returned after completing work which in the past has often proved difficult to accomplish but now, with our own auditor on the spot, it makes things so much easier for us all. For this we are grateful.
In April Rev. A. Ndebele and Mr David Ndlovu left for Holland and the U.K., as representatives of the Church here, and to do the useful work of keeping a physical and spiritual connection with the Church in other parts. A few days after they left Miss J. Cox arrived from New Zealand. We are glad to have Miss Cox with us after a two year absence; however on this occasion, not as a Nursing Sister but to take over the post of Miss J. Nicolson as Clerk/Treasurer. We are indeed grateful to Miss Cox for undertaking this responsible post and thereby relieving Miss Nicolson.
Miss Jean Nicolson, as you no doubt know, is long past the age of retirement, but nobly undertook to fill the post of Clerk/Treasurer when there were none to offer their services. On Monday, 19th May, Miss Nicolson flies home to Edinburgh. For us in a way it is a sad occasion, since we are losing a good and a wise friend. We wish the blessings of the Covenant-keeping God to follow her in time and into Eternity.
As regards myself and family, the time has come in the Providence of the Lord to move from Bulawayo to Laide Congregation, bringing to an end my work in Africa.
In connection with last year’s work in Bulawayo, I have already written to the Synod about Mgusa, a new station about five miles from Bulawayo. In the kind governing of God this came about by my meeting a white farmer in the course of Mission business. Getting to know the farmer also brought about my getting to know his workmen and having worship in their homes. This in turn, developed into building a small church where we now have regular services every Sabbath morning. Numbers fluctuate both in the church and in the Sabbath School, but in all a reasonable number attend, especially in the light of the dark times in which we live. In this particular area there are a considerable number of squatters; these are families of no sure abode who live in very poor circumstances. In such a situation there is ever a call to attend to the needs of the poor, and clothing from Holland has proved invaluable in helping the people. Also, the cost of building our little church at Mgusa was met by funds from Holland, and we feel that we cannot over-emphasise their kindness when it is so constant and overflowing. May God raise up poor lost sinners from Mgusa, to shine as the stars in the firmament for ever and ever.
In connection with development in Bulawayo, a further church site has been located and given to us by the City Council of Bulawayo. This site lies separate from the mainstream of African townships, and in a most industrial part where there are many souls. We have been given two years grace to complete a Church building on this site, to cost no less than $10,000.00. That however will fall on the shoulders of my successor, who I trust will be provided in the kind Providence of the Lord. Wonderfully the Lord has blessed us as a church with two African students for the Ministry; it may be that in the plan of God one of them may yet be in Bulawayo. It is hoped that they may be ready for licensing in April of next year. God surely has a purpose of mercy for lost souls when men are raised up to preach Christ, since He Himself has said, “How shall they hear without a preacher?”; and, “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptising them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you.”
The services at Methuen Barracks go on as in the past, but attendance is very low. What the future holds for services in Army Barracks is hard to say. But one thing we can predict is that if Governments are faithful to Communistic ideology, the worship of Christ will be swept aside to make room for the atheistic teachings of Marxism.
We pass on from Bulawayo to other sectors of our Mission work. Last week I visited Mbuma Hospital for the first time for two years. Surprisingly, little damage has been done; however, due to the war situation a degree of minor damage is evident. But white ants, termites which have been particularly bad this year have caused much destruction; and damp in the foundations is affecting the walls. The fact that the buildings have been unoccupied for such a long period has led to rapid deterioration. On a rough estimate, to bring all this property to its former state would cost between $7,000.00 and $10,000.00. Another added cost will be the erection of a security fence; this will be in the region of $13,000.00. This item is considered essential, since in the foreseeable future there will be an element of danger due to the possibility of armed bandits. At present we are proceeding with the suggested plan for the reopening of the Hospital at Mbuma.
As you know our Primary Schools under the Mission in the Nkai District were forced to close down due to the war situation. After much discussion and negotiation it has been decided to reopen those schools where the parents wish to comply with our supervision as in the past, and that emphasises the regular teaching of the Scriptures. Our Mission is not to be responsible for the financial running of these schools except as the Responsible Body through which the Government pays the teachers. Our great problem for hospital and schools is to know future government policy. True, the people have had the promise of free education and medical treatment in the Election Manifestoes, but at present they are not able to fulfil that; we at present are to continue as in the past, and this is in accordance with the advice given by the Medical and Educational Departments.
We need the continual guidance of God in these difficult problems, and look as in the past for the support of all our friends, by their prayers and tithing. This being my last letter as a member of staff on the Mission Field, I wish to thank all concerned who so graciously helped us in the past, and I take the opportunity of reminding you that the Church in Africa will need your prayers and practical help for the future; and perhaps even more so than in the past — the future alone can tell!
Wishing you every blessing,
Yours sincerely,
Donald A. Ross