THE first part of my report deals with the period April-July, 1933, during which time I superintended all the branches of the work of the Mission. The fears expressed in my last report with regard to the probability of a severe drought were realised, the last rain falling on the 25th January, and the Natives have had a very trying year as a result. Four bore-holes were sunk at different places in the Reserve and windmill pumps fitted, in this way the acute problem of water was solved but nevertheless a great number of cattle died through lack of pasture. We regret that as far as can be seen these visitations have not had the effect of turning the people from the vanities of their ways. On the other hand it is a matter of great rejoicing that our own people remain constant when others resort to heathen practices in the vain hope of getting rain, and that while the Gospel is to the many foolishness it is still the power of God unto Salvation to all who believe.
The Communion was held on the last Sabbath of March and some people were received into full membership as well as baptised. Two of the school girls came forward but the elders considering them too young they were asked to wait until next Communion. Both these girls, together with another scholar have since been received into full membership. Pending the arrival of a European teacher the Ingwenya Central day school was conducted on the old lines, the Government Inspector had been informed of the probable time of the teacher’s arrival and permission was given to carry on as before until then, the school being eligible for full grants as a Central day school.
All the out stations and kraal schools were visited in turn. Shangani and Murray farm had not been visited for nearly two years as the old Fiat car was not in a fit condition to do the long and severe journey to these places. The generosity of our people in Scotland has made it possible to procure another car for Mission use; a car was bought in April, second-hand but in very good condition, for £165, and soon afterwards Shangani was visited. The attendance there upon the means of grace still continues to be very poor. Communion services were held there but no new members were received. The school was very poorly attended the reason being that in that district swarms of locusts had settled and the school children along with others were called out every day to combat them.
Murray farm was next visited and Communion services held. Many of the people were under notice to leave the Ranch on which they lived, some indeed had already left and were living on a small Reserve some distance away to which place others contemplated following them. They were very anxious that the teacher should go with them, and they were very willing to build another church-school building. We set out to visit this Reserve but had to turn back, a wide sandy river bed proving impassable. Since then the teacher has also gone and a school has been built on the above mentioned Reserve.
The Rev. John Tallach, Mrs. Tallach and their family, arrived on the 2nd of July, all of them looking well after their furlough in Scotland. The Communion had been postponed for a week and Mr. Tallach began another term of work in the foreign field by taking some of the services, incidentally, it gave an opportunity to a large number of our people of welcoming back their Mfundisi (teacher). Mrs. and Miss Nicolson arrived three weeks after Mr. Tallach and his family. Miss Nicolson immediately took up the scholastic work into which she has thrown herself most enthusiastically.
In accordance with the instructions of the Committee preparations were made for building a house for Miss Nicolson. Considerable delay was caused in the making of bricks and in building through shortage of water and it was the third week in December before the house was ready for occupation.
The Medical work was carried on as in previous years. Attendances at the Dispensary was over 2,000, most of these being minor ailments. During the Winter and Spring months Scurvy was prevalent among the people, but with the coming of Summer and fresh green food this has disappeared. There were treated as in-patients over 100 Natives. Many of these were sent by the Native Commissioner for the district, others came from places at a considerable distance, one man and his family coming four days’ journey on donkeys. A few had been for a long time in the hands of Native “doctors” and only came to the Mission as a last resort. They went home cured and no doubt will play their part in breaking down prejudices against us.
The Scriptures are read to these in-patients and short services are held with them but as they often belong to different tribes and speak different dialects it is a question how much, if any they understand. Sometimes we find some who have been to Mission schools and who are able to read the Bible in their own language or even in English.