It has been found difficult during the past few months to supply the two Churches in Bulawayo, Nkulmane and Lobengula, owing to the serious illness of Mr Edward Zikhali, son-in-law of Rev P. Mzamo, who used to assist there. The congregation at Nkulmane has been brought to Lobengula by bus, and Mr Mziya, the administrator, has been taking most, if not all, of the services. This must have been very demanding on his time and energy. The young people who attend the services in Bulawayo have been very faithful and constant in their attendance.
The Communion was held at Lobengula this past weekend, June 26th, and we hear that there was one young male member received. There may have been others of whom we may hear later. Rev A. B. Ndebele, Moderator, was present and Rev P. Mzamo.
In Kenya Truus Ringelberg and Celia Renes are continuing with language study but are longing to begin nursing. They await final recognition of the Clinic at Sengera. Certain building improvements had been required by the Government, which improvements had been set in motion by Mr Dick Vermeulen before he left for New Zealand.
Miss Louise Leiper hopes to leave for Zimbabwe at the end of July. She will first pay a visit to her relatives in South Africa and then D.V. proceed to Mbuma, Zimbabwe. We trust she will experience the Lord’s blessing in her work there. Miss Margaret MacAskill expects to return to Mbuma at the end of August, and her return will release Miss Jessie Coote for her transfer to Kenya.
There are forty congregations in Zimbabwe, and three ministers to take services, with the valued help of elders and others. As one of our African ministers wrote in a letter some time ago: “But it is encouraging that it is when we are weak, that we are strong. The Lord can fulfil His purposes with one preacher as He would with ten. With one preacher, Peter, three thousand were converted, and with one J. B. Radasi the Church was planted at Ingwenya, and it is only Eternity that shall confirm the size of the influence that servant of God achieved. It was one John Mpofu that took the light of the Gospel to the dark Shangani Reserve, and the Lord used that service to His own Glory. Yes it is the Lord that makes a sinner useful in His own Cause. Oh, to be thus useful!” J.N.