by Rev. D. A. Ross
Zimbabwe
On arrival in Bulawayo, Tuesday, 8th July, Rev. A. Murray and myself received the usual hearty welcome from mission friends. Our stay in Zimbabwe being of short duration, the visit was a rushed affair, however, with the advantage of new development on our mission field, namely the hiring of light aircraft, we were able to fly to Zwishavane and Mbuma. On the second day after arrival, we flew to Zwishavane where two services were taken and returned to Bulawayo that evening. The following day, till Monday, we assisted at the Cameron Communion, Mr A. Murray taking the action service. That same Sabbath I took two services at Bulawayo, returning to Cameron to take the afternoon service and going on to Ingwenya to take the school service. On the Tuesday we flew to Mbuma where Mr Murray took the morning prayer meeting going on to Lutsha in the evening and myself to Mpagama where services were held. On my return from Mpagama I took worship at the hospital giving a short address from the Word of God. The following morning we headed for Zenka, Mr Murray taking the service and we returned that evening to Ingwenya. Throughout our trip to the Mbuma and Zenka areas we were escorted by the police, these areas not as yet clear from trouble by various factions. After Mr Murray took the morning meeting at Ingwenya we headed back to Robertson Street, Bulawayo, staying there for the night in preparation for our flight next day to Malawi, on which occasion we were to be accompanied by Rev. A. Ndebele.
Our stay in Zimbabwe was pleasant. During our visit we stayed in the homes of Mr James Taylor, Miss Marion Graham and Miss Jessie Coote. Their kindness, along with that of the ministers, mission staff and others was overflowing. The affectionate welcome received, especially from some of the old christian ladies was quite overwhelming. I understand there is an increase in church attendance; this I noticed in some of the congregations to whom it was my privilege to preach. One of the elders remarked to me that whereas before they had to go out to the people constraining them to come to the means of grace, now people come to them requesting places of worship in their locality. Work in the schools and hospital goes on as in the past but not without many difficulties and concern as to the future. Those who devote their lives, whether in whole or part to that work, are to be admired and constantly brought to a Throne of Grace, and staff whether on a temporary or permanent basis are due thanks and appreciation from the church. May the Most High graciously bless and prosper all that is done in that part of His vineyard with a view to the extension of His glorious Kingdom.
Malawi
Friday, 18th July, we arrived safely at Blantyre Airport Malawi. This was the beginning of the principal business for which the Foreign Missions Committee sent us, namely to investigate a request from pastors in Malawi and Kenya that the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland be established in these countries. At the Airport we were met by Rev. J. Gonakumoto and some of his ministerial brethren. After receiving a warm welcome, Mr Gonakumoto took us to The Ryall’s Hotel which was to be our headquarters and dwelling place from time to time.
Much of our time in Malawi was taken up with travelling in our hired Nissan to the various places of worship and taking services. We took services in rotation and attendances differed from place to place from as few as 30 to over 200, but most of the gatherings were small. Some of the gatherings did not come up to the predicted size, but we would be told that for one reason or other the people were unable to congregate. We had three services in Blantyre and the rest north-east and south of Blantyre. We travelled north-east to Blantyre to take services in the Liwonde area which lies south of Lake Malawi, thereafter working our way south and taking services in the districts of Mulanje, Thyolo, Chiromo and finally Nsanje on the border of Mozambique. Generally the people listened well, and were outwardly respectful during the worship of God and seemed used to meeting around the Word of God. One particular gathering of people had the appearance of being steeped deeply in sin and seemed to lack the will to listen to the Word of God. However, from individual people and various groups there was sincere expressions of gratitude for the Word preached. There was an evident lack of appreciation as to proper Sabbath-keeping. The first Lord’s Day in Blantyre we were told that the reason for small numbers at the place of worship was due to attendance at Independent celebrations, and there were other incidents which showed an obvious lack of understanding in connection with proper Sabbath-keeping. The places of worship were mainly enclosures of grass, while the preacher had the privilege of a grass canopy or the shade of a tree. There were two church buildings made of mud bricks and thatch with tiers of brick for seats and the pulpit one mass of brick. Small openings in the walls which did not let in much light served as windows. One of the church buildings was badly dilapidated, part of which appeared to be constructed of pole and mud. One group took great pride in showing us burnt bricks which they had prepared in readiness for the building of a new church. On a number of occasions we had the privilege of the local chiefs attending our services who, after the service, would give a few words of welcome and express the wish that we establish places of worship among the people. In a number of places the people were extremely poor and uneducated, and little prospect for the children attending school.
At Nsanje, our last station and the most southern point of Malawi bordering Mozambique, two Mozambicans came across the border to attend the services. We were told that there is no freedom of worship in Mozambique. Times of worship must be short lest discovered by the soldiers, who when coming across worshippers scatter them and tear their Bibles. The dissidents who are opposed to the Government, we were told, encourage the people to worship. However, other reports coming from Mozambique speak of dissidents harassing those attending religious services.
During our travels public and Government resthouses were for the most part less than mediocre. The people showed us much kindness and made us most welcome in their homes and with an abundance of food placed on the table, each with a portion that would feed at least two men. Indeed the Malawian people in all our contacts proved to be a most friendly and helpful people.
Our preaching tour now at an end the time came for interviewing pastors, elders and students, 15 in all, who expressed their wish that the Free Presbyterian Church be established in Malawi and that they be taught the doctrines of the Word of God. Mr Murray then related the five points of Calvinism with which they agreed and expressed the wish that this was the kind of church they wanted. However, it became evident during interview that there was no proper understanding of Calvinism. Some had the view that what sin they fell into was by accident, and if to judge by the words of others they held to a kind of antinomianism and perfectionism. They do express the wish to be taught and that is a good starting point. One pastor who was formerly a Seventh Day Adventist and left because of error, expressed the concern that they do not hear basic doctrines, and that most of the churches do not exalt Christ and wished that the Free Presbyterian Church would come to do this.
In their former organisation EVERY HOME CRUSADE, they received regular salaries from America, but due to the misappropriating of funds, money ceased to come from America, and EVERY HOME CRUSADE was disbanded. Thereafter they set up an Independent Church called The Church Of Christ Groups, and which as far as I understand could be registered as an Independent Church, and had that been desired by the Malawians they were not in a position to meet the fee necessary for registration. The pastors do not receive support from their congregations apart from travelling expenses. It would appear not to be a problem for the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland to register in Malawi providing a given number of Malawian people express that desire. I have no doubt about the fact that we should endeavour to do all we can to bring the teachings of God’s Word to Malawi and with freedom of worship in Malawi, apart from Jehovah’s Witnesses, who are not allowed to operate in the country, we trust the Lord will open the way.
The little we saw of the country which was in the southern parts, impressed us with its natural beauty and fertility. The endless clumps of mango trees, banana and guava, especially around Blantyre and to the north-east of the country indicated an abundance of fruit. Travelling from Blantyre to Nsanje consisted for many miles of extremely steep downhill roads with endless hairpin bends to sudden and breathtaking views until finally gazing on the vast expanse of flat lands in the Chikawa area with the Shire River winding as if lazily on its way, these and such like views, along with fruitfulness, left us with no doubt as to the beauty and fertility of Malawi.
Mr MacDougall who in the first instance and in the providence of the Lord was the means of asking our Church to Malawi was in Scotland at the time of our visit, which for us was a pity since his help and advice would have been much valued. This approach resulted in the Church sending Rev. A. Ndebele and Mr J. van Worden to Malawi which developed to the present activity and we hope that together we will contribute to the setting up of the Free Presbyterian Church in Malawi.
Kenya
The next lap of our journey took us to Kenya. With a few delays on the way we eventually arrived at Nairobi and were welcomed by the Kisii men. We spent the following day, Thursday, 31st July, in Nairobi, and on Friday, with our hired mini-bus travelled about 400 km to the Kisii district. Forty kilometres to the west of the town of Kisii we arrived at the home of Mr and Mrs Richard Magara, where we lodged and were most kindly entertained as also in all the homes when invited for refreshment.
Our preaching tour began the day after arrival, and as in Malawi so here likewise the deputies took services in rotation. Sites of worship in country places consisted of grass structures with three sides and roof and in a number of places under the shade of trees. The gatherings were smaller than in Malawi, and were attended mostly by men, the women remaining at home to attend to the family. The people listened well and were happy to have us with them, and expressed the desire to be taught the Word of God. Prior to our arrival in Malawi the matter of psalms in the praises of public worship had been attended to by our former deputy the Rev. A. Ndebele along with the assistance of Rev. Gonakumoto; in Kenya there was no such preparation. On arrival this was one of our first tasks and Mr Murray and Mr Ndebele had to go to considerable pains to gather psalms from various sources. In all, seven psalms were rescued from a number of hymn books and the Kisii men, under the tuition of Mr Murray and Mr Ndebele worked hard to grasp the tunes, and appeared to accept what to them is an unfamiliar mode of worship. The people showed little understanding of a proper keeping of the Sabbath; for example, one preacher was busy on a Sabbath morning sorting a television mast for the purpose of viewing. This is only one example of a number of incidents. It was gratifying on another occasion to hear one of them say to a group of men who when rebuked for Sabbath-breaking, “We will have to change our ways.”
At one of the preaching stations we received a special welcome from the district chief. His concern was to show us a suitable site for the building of a church. We had to climb a pretty treacherous track with our mini-bus and, at times, such was the degree of side slope that one feared the throwing over of the vehicle. Once, when we came as far as the bus could take us we had a very steep climb to the proposed site and the chief then assured us of his desire to see us established in his area. It is cause for thankfulness to the Most High to have that kind of welcome given in connection with our wish as a church to extend our borders. May the Lord graciously prosper the matter.
There is the undoubted desire that the Free Presbyterian Church be established among them. The origin of that desire, began when seeking out a church in Nairobi with which to be associated, and in the process came across Witherow’s booklet, “The Apostolic Church”, which on being read it was decided to enquire further, and contact was made with the Bookroom in Glasgow. This contact resulted in Rev. A. Ndebele and Rev. B. B. Dube going to Kenya and, on the basis of their report, a further deputation was sent by the church. As with Malawi, registration of our church does not appear to be a problem, and providing a number of people in these countries apply, the Governments make provision for registration.
While the fertility of Kenya easily excelled that of Malawi it fell short in the variety of scenery. We had the privilege of a short visit to Lake Victoria in the Kisumu area. The lake accounts for the excellent rainfall in areas round about and no doubt contributes to the abundant cropping of bananas, tea and sugarcane which the people enjoy.
It is cause for much thankfulness to the Most High that throughout Zimbabwe, Malawi and Kenya, we as deputies were given strength for, and were enable to go about our duties without the least interference, and we trust have contributed some few steps towards what we hope and pray will be the setting up of the Free Presbyterian Church with its purity of doctrines, worship and practice in Malawi and Kenya.
During the interviewing of the Malawi and Kenya men the matter of conversion was enquired into and there was a sad lack of experimental religion among them. However, on other occasions certain of the men gave every evidence of a true sense of sin and knowledge of Christ as the only refuge from the terrible consequence of sin. For the founding of the Church true conversion is of course essential, and such as are converted we expect them to be the true recipients of the teachings of the Word of God, and our hope and prayer is that the Lord will open up a way whereby that can be done.
The Lord himself did give the word,
the word abroad did spread;
Great was the company of them,
the same who published.
Psalm 68: 11