F.P. Mission, Ingwenya, Bembesi, 11th January 1923.
My Dear Mr Cameron,
I am glad to inform you that the Bibles arrived this week from Johannesburg. There was no explanation given for the long delay in sending them. I was very glad to get them, and thank you very much for them. I have no doubt that the scholars, too, will be very pleased to have them when the School opens. We have a holiday at present. The help that our people in Scotland have rendered for food and clothing has been a great relief to me, and is highly appreciated by the people here. They wish me to thank you and our people most sincerely for your kindness and interest. It has helped our schools, too, as the number on the roll at Ingwenya for the quarter ending 31st December 1922 was 118; Bembesi, 52; Libeni, 53; Morven, 40; Induba, 24. About 36 of our school children from Induba removed with their parents with Chief Bitisane to Shangani Reserve. There is much to be thankful for to the Lord that we have not been all scattered by the famine. He has visited us less than our iniquities deserved. There are schools that have had to close during the year on account of the famine, as the attendances in some of them was less than 10. I was unable to obtain the bags that I wanted from the Native Commissioner, as only one bag is allowed, and as there are always many people waiting for their share; so I had to purchase just enough bags for those that had no seed. I have sent one of our elders to Salisbury with £30 to purchase mealies there. I understand that the mealies there are much cheaper than here, and in Bulawayo. The Government, too, is still doing everything it can to assist the people. It is charging them £1 a bag now, instead of 21s, and they get these mealies on credit, whereas the Stores charge £1 10s, and no credit is given, as cattle are not wanted at any price. You can see how much the Government has helped the people, otherwise many would have died of starvation. We have had early rains this year. It began to rain in October, and it is still raining on and off, which is a thing to be much thankful for to the Lord. The Elders and Deacons assist me in distributing mealies to our needy people. They know the people who are starving and in want in their respective districts. We carefully examine all cases before assistance is given. Also, in the matter of clothes, the most needy cases are selected. We do not in any way assist people who have means or could help themselves. I must now close, with kindest regards to you, Mrs Radasi and family joining.—Yours sincerely,
J. B. RADASI.
In a later letter, dated 12th February, Mr Radasi writes:—
I have received your letter dated the 11th January, and was very glad to hear from you again. I am very glad to inform you that we have had very good rains ever since October, and the rainy season is still continuing, which has enabled the crops to grow very fast through the kindness of the Lord. The rainy season began earlier than usual, so that the early crops began to come out in October instead of November, and so the people ought to have green mealies early next month. These ought to be reaped in May, and those planted in November ought to be reaped in June. The Lord has been very kind to us, in spite of our sinfulness and unworthiness. Oh! that He might pour down His Spirit upon us, and make us to realise our need of salvation and deliverance from sin. I was glad to hear that you were not forgetting us in your prayers.