ZIMBABWE
AT the Synod in May, it was interesting and informative to hear the African deputies, Rev. P. Mzamo and Mr L. Ndlovu, present their Mission Reports. Mr Mzamo emphasised the great need that ministers of the gospel, and personnel for other departments of the work, be raised up.
It was good to hear in a letter from Ingwenya that the Form Four examination results in the John Tallach Secondary School were very good, despite the indiscipline of a few at the end of last Session.
Miss Norma MacLean had a welcome visit from her friends, Mr and Mrs. van Praag from Sydney, Australia, but they all had a frightening experience when on a sightseeing run one day, one of the tyres of their car burst, and the car rolled over three times, but mercifully their injuries were not too serious. After hospital treatment they returned to Ingwenya, full of gratitude to the Most High for His goodness and mercy in preserving them.
On the following Sabbath Rev. A. B. Ndebele took as his text, Psalm 124, verse 6, “Blessed be God who gave us not for a prey”. He addressed the young people in particular, with reference to the alarming accident which had taken place, and urged them to give earnest thought to the necessity of being prepared for such unforeseen trials.
Saul Ncube, one of the workmen at Ingwenya, and a communicant, had a terrifying experience while cleaning out empty petrol tanks. There was a loud explosion, he was thrown to the ground, and he sustained injuries, including a broken leg. However, after three weeks in hospital he has recovered.
It was sad to hear that the Superintendent of Thembiso Children’s Home in Bulawayo, Mr. Edward Sayi Moyo, has recently passed away after surgery. We hope that the Lord will provide a suitable man for this important and very pleasant work. J.N.
KENYA
THE Rev. John Goldby writes that there has been some increase in interest in Ogembo, the village next to Sengera, and that Sabbath services have been resumed there. (Mr Goldby has been conducting a weekday service in the home of one of the families). The people are keen to have the church in a more central location and have begun to build another building equidistant from the homes of the main families. There is a service held each Sabbath morning at 8.30.
Maiga and Magencha outstations have been joined together as they are reasonably close. A service is held in each place on alternate Sabbaths, and some of the people walk from one village to the other for the service each Sabbath. Between 40 and 60 people gather. In addition, Mr Goldby and the interpreter, Mr James Onwonga, visit Maiga School regularly on a weekday to give religious instruction to both primary and secondary children.
In Sengera, the usual services continue. Some further metrical Psalms have been translated into the Eke-Gusii language and are being proof read. Rianyakwara School, the local primary School sponsored by the Mission, is visited every second Friday by Mr Goldby, when he takes worship with the whole school, and then gives Catechism instruction to standards four to seven.
Mr Ian MacLean, the administrator, is in Zimbabwe for three weeks supervising building works at Ingwenya. Prior to leaving Sengera he was overseeing the building of a new 40,000 gallon underground water tank to replace the underfloor tank at the hospital. The material dug from the enormous hole is being used to repair the road from the hospital to the church.
Mr MacLean was able to visit the group of people in Kuria on 3rd May and conduct a service, at the conclusion of which there was a useful question and answer session, and the opportunity to give further instruction. ☐