In a recent letter from Mbuma, Mrs Neil Murray writes, “It is quite alarming to see how T.B. and AIDS are on the increase. The Isolation Ward is full. It often comes to my mind what Dr Pugh, the Medical Superintendent in Bulawayo, said about five years ago, that Mission hospitals throughout the country would soon be filled with AIDS patients. It is good to have Dickson Mhlanga to read and pray with them. (Dickson is the hospital evangelist.) Who knows but a word in season may be blessed to them.”
They had a pleasant Communion at Mbuma. On Sabbath morning the Rev. A. B. Ndebele preached from Zechariah 12: 9,10. “And I will pour upon the House of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of Grace and of Supplications.” Mr Ndebele said how much we needed, as a Church, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit — and when He comes a spear will pierce the hearts of sinners, and there will be a true mourning for sin each one saying, “We have crucified the Lord of Glory”.
They enjoyed the Rev. P. Nzamo’s Table address on, “Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her Beloved?”
The drought in the Berengwe area has been very serious. It is hoped that the seasonal rains have come by now. The Rev. Z. Mazvabo wrote in his last report of a very small church at Zungwi, so small that the preacher had to stand in the doorway. It was also the coolest place in the building. It was decided to build a larger church. Where would they get the necessary water? They chose a site which included a large rock. They noticed a large hole in the rock which seemed to contain damp gravel. They continued to dig and it appeared that they had discovered a source of water, perhaps a well of water. Someone remembered that some time before, an old woman had a house on the rock, and that she often complained that her house was damp. We await with much interest the latest news on the well in the rock.
The Missionary Aviation Fellowship, known as the M.A.F., are once more in the Bulawayo area represented by Jon Cadd, the Pilot, and his plane. It was hoped that Rev. John MacLeod would travel by this plane whenever possible, shortening the journeys, and avoiding the fatigue of travelling by road in extreme heat. For instance, the journey by road from Bulawayo to Mbuma, in the best circumstances, takes two and half hours, while the plane covers the distance in half an hour in perfect comfort. The Pilot always begins the flight with prayer.
Most of the pupils in the John Tallach School at Ingwenya would have gone on holiday before the Rev. John MacLeod arrived, which was disappointing. When speaking of Ingwenya, one is reminded of some of the dear old Christians who were once to be seen there, especially at Communion times. One very attractive little Christian woman was Ma Hlabangana, one of the chief wives of the last Ndebele king. On Sabbath mornings she used to knock at the doors of the huts near her at Induba, where she lived, and call, “Time for church! Time for church!”
Ma Hlabangana had a son in Durban, on the east coast of S. Africa, on the shores of the Indian Ocean. It was reported that her son had died, and as he received a small Government pension, Ma Hlabangana was asked by the District Commissioner to go to see if the report were true. This meant a journey by rail of two days and two nights. On her arrival it was found that it was indeed her son who had passed away. The late Rev. John Tallach went to see her on her return. After sympathising with her on the death of her son Mr Tallach asked her, “What was the most wonderful thing you saw when you were away, Ma Hlabangana?” She hesitated and then said, “The sea, the wonderful sea! It stretched so far before me, and yet it was always coming towards me. It was like the mercy of God.”
J.N.
Church Notes
Presbytery Meetings (D.V.)
Northern: At Dingwall on 21st January 1992 at 2 p.m.
Australia and New Zealand: At Auckland on 24th January 1992 at 2.30 p.m.
Outer Isles: At Stornoway on 28th January 1992 at 12 noon.
Skye: At Portree on 4th February 1992 at 11 a.m.
Southern: At Glasgow on 18th February 1992 at 6 p.m.
Zimbabwe: At Bulawayo on 13th March 1992 at 2 p.m.
Canadian: At Inverness on 20th March 1992 at 9 p.m.