INGWENYA MISSION, Bembesi, 4th December, 1933. My Dear Mr. McIntyre,—As our schools are closed now for the Summer holidays and as we are nearing the end of the year you will wish, no doubt, to know what we have been doing during the last few months.
In September we had a visit from the Inspectors of both the Scholastic and Industrial work in schools. The Scholastic Report (a favourable one) is to hand; but the Industrial Report has not yet come to hand. The desirability of raising the status of Ingwenya School to that of a Boarding School was brought forward and following an application to the Department in this connection this has been granted. From 1934 Ingwenya Central School will be rated as Ingwenya Boarding School. You will realize that this is one of the first fruits of Miss Nicolson’s coming among us. We have already certain accommodation for girls but not enough and we hope to build a three roomed house for them early next year. This, of course, will be built of raw brick with a roof of thatch and will be what is called, “A Model Hut.” In it, about ten girls will live under an older girl who will act as “mother” under the teacher’s supervision. A good sized wash-house is already well on its way to completion. In order to bring our domestic equipment up to date and acting on Miss Nicolson’s recommendation we have purchased a new set of cooking utensils, etc., have added three tables, and some irons to the Laundry Department, and, also, two cupboards. Nearly all the above have been bought at the market, Bulawayo, and so were procured very cheaply. Last week we had our examinations and the results on the whole were very satisfactory. Classes 3, 4, and 5 were taught by Miss Nicolson and considering the fact that her medium as yet is English the children did very well. The girls who passed Standard 5 this year are keen on entering Standard 6 next year but so far we have not had a Standard 6 in the School and we are considering the advisability of opening a Standard 6 next year. As usual there was an examination in Bible Knowledge and one is pleased to see that the children have done well in this also. I enclose a copy of the Scripture questions set as I think these will interest you. Three of the bigger girls came forward for membership at last Communion and the elders were thoroughly satisfied with them and we are thankful for this Lord’s token from the educational part of our work.
We visited Shangani in September and stayed for the weekend finding things there as usual. Regarding Murray Farm out-station you will remember that early in the year you had a letter from Dr. McDonald saying that the people there were to be shifted. A number of them had to leave last June and, the teacher going with them, they opened a school. The place where they now are is about 20 miles north of Murray Farm. Dr. McDonald and myself visited them in September but we stayed one night only, our main errand being to find a road to the place. We found that the people had finished building a meeting house and were nearly ready with the teacher’s dwelling. There are over 70 children attending school and the Sabbath attendance is, I believe, good. This station is not officially recognised but on speaking to the Native Commissioner I found that there will be no difficulty in this when we make formal application for the opening of the School next year. Not all the people from Murray Farm left and we intend to visit them (D.V.). If there is enough children left to make another school we will make an effort to re-open there; if, on the other hand, there are no children we will keep Murray Farm as a preaching station. Thus the breach at Murray Farm results in an added station as preaching is still carried on there each Sabbath three male members being left in charge. The people at Stephen’s Farm are very eager to have a school and it is our intention to visit the proprietor of the Farm to see about the opening of one. For the last four years there has been preaching there and now that there is a number of members it is natural that they should desire a school for their children.
I think that you were informed that the Government intended sending the Fingoes off the Location and as this would mean the closing of two preaching stations and one school we were all anxious about it. Now, the news to hand is that the new Government does not intend to clear them off. It is in the Fingo location that we opened a preaching station last year at Mpenges’s Kraal. The headman of the kraal was so opposed to the Gospel that it was with difficulty that any of the office-bearers was persuaded to begin work there. But his mother being a member and an old woman and unable to come to church it was thought good to begin by simply holding worship in her hut each Sabbath. Gradually her son was reconciled to the preaching and ultimately became a regular hearer. He built a nice meeting hut, bought a table and stool for the preacher and showed other signs of a change of mind. Then, about two months ago he confided to one of the elders that he hoped a change had come over him; conversations followed and it became clear that the truth was working in him. Only six weeks ago he took ill and in three days he was taken away. On his death bed he was praising the Lord for having recorded the thief’s conversion as it was an encouragement to him seeing that he was not to have opportunity to serve the Lord on earth as was now his desire. He was one of the hardest of men and very rough, people in general being very frightened of him. But the Lord will not leave a “hoof” behind.
We have had wonderful rains during the last month but locusts are very plentiful in large swarms and these give ground for anxiety. However, we trust that the Lord will be favourable in sending a good harvest this year as on the whole many of the people are suffering. All members of the mission are very well and all send warm regards. We were very sorry to hear of Mrs. Day’s removal. She was a warm friend to the Church at home and abroad. Your sincere friend, J. Tallach.