INGWENYA Mission, Bembesi, July 23rd, 1946.—My dear Mr. McLeod, Many thanks for your letter of the 21st June. There are some things in your letter which I fear must await my arrival at home for explanation. We have just returned from a long visit to Shangani and I think you should regard this letter as some kind of supplementary report.
General.—Dr. McDonald, Mr. E. Radasi and myself went. As holidays were on at Ingwenya we were able to take Miss Nicolson and Miss McKay with us. We left them at Zenka while we went on to see schools in Lupami and Gwampa.
Inkai.—Communion was held. There were two tables, about fifty communicants. About a third, mainly from Zenka, were not present. The Kirk-Session meeting had forward proposal for the election of office-bearers at Shangani. These were five deacons to be elected to eldership and two others to the deaconate. We found that, according to our custom, all these will require to have instruction in the Confession and Questions before ordination. We found also that since Mr. Radasi and Mr. Fraser will soon be in Shangani (D.V.), it would be easier for these men to attend classes at Shangani than at Ingwenya and agreed to leave their election until either Mr. Radasi or Mr. Fraser is settled. This will eventually mean eight elders and four deacons at Shangani as distinct from Ingwenya.
Schools Visited. Inkuba.—46 children, all first year. Teacher, Leggie, Std. 6. A good girl who has taught for us for years. She made ant-heap blackboards. Building ample in room. Children quite well advanced. They could sing from memory Psalms vi., c., xxiii. After school, “service,” children and 20 adults. One of our Ingwenya members, Mafa, going there to settle, was introduced to people; he will take services. His wife, a P.L. teacher, will teach either here or in school further on. One heathen most helpful, Gumede to name. Mr. Radasi addressed children.
Zenka.—Paul Hlazo has done well here for the short time he has been. Good school room, ground well laid out, must be the finest layout of any kraal school in the whole reserve. Found he had built two huts for himself. That huts for Mr. Radasi were well advanced, expect to be ready for occupation by end of August. Built by community, no cost except nails and timber for doors and windows. The whole spirit of this community altered. Used to be most depressing, and only one man, a good man, used to take any interest. Now there is no doubt the school and the services have become a centre of general interest. I lay the credit for this great change to Paul Hlazo under the Lord.
An adult school is in full progress, over 40 on roll. One of the most moving sights I have ever seen. Women with babies on their backs attend and learn to read and write, a number of men too. Great opportunity for the Gospel. Opportunity taken hold of by preachers and teachers. Fixed on site at Zenka for Mr. Fraser’s temporal home. Bricks being made. Building we expect to be finished by November.
Lutsha.—Quite a good building. Teacher Roy, from Ingwenya, doing quite well (20 miles from Zenka). Children made good start. Much Bible taught and number of Psalms memorised.
Mapakama.—Good qualified teacher here.
Bengamine.—Building poor. People here seem fairly low down in every way. Met a number of them and had talks with them on things spiritual and temporal. Mr. Radasi addressed the children.
Petani.—A good large building and a large number of children. Very promising. Service held after school, 15 adults. Mr. Radasi addressed.
Majaha.—Teacher, Josuah. Over 50 children, clean and tidy. Splendid blackboards made of ant-heap. A good strong building in a fine site. Children addressed by Mr. Radasi.
Back to Zenka. Service held Thursday morning conducted by myself. Told people Mr. Radasi returning to be their native pastor. Then back to Inkai and from there to Sesemba. Isaiah Nyati there, old elder. I forgot to count him with elders already noted; this will make eight elders after ordination. Good building, very well-made forms, standard quite good. Mr. Radasi addressed children. Back to Inkai and Ingwenya. Over all there are five new applications from chiefs and others for new work. Not enough petrol to visit them. Left with Paul Hlazo to write letters to all these giving them encouragement and promising that if they build schools we will (D.V.) open them next year. (Left out one school in above report—Katasa, which was addressed by Mr. Radasi.)
These new schools are:—One just beyond Mapakama, on the Lupani Valley; one just across the valley east of Mapakama; one further up the Shangani; one beyond Sesemba, and one eight miles north of Inkai on the main road. There may be more, but the Committee can count on our opening 5-6 schools more next February (D.V.). This will make our number next year 18 in Shangani. I shall try to make it 20 if possible, or even more, as with Mr. Fraser’s return there will not be the same strain on us here to visit them from Ingwenya. The carrying of petrol is one of our difficulties. We were covered with kindness even although the people have had but very poor harvests. There were two sheep and two fowls killed; monkey nuts, pumpkins, water melons and eggs in plenty.
Mr. Edwin Radasi.—His addresses to the children and people were of a kind most suitable to the stage in which these people are. His personal contacts, too, were all on the side of presenting the Gospel. I hope he will long be spared to serve these people. He seeks, too, to interpret for them the work and mission of white missionaries and, in general, I feel that he is shaping to become a valuable asset to our work. I approached him on the question of buying a cycle, and he said that one congregation at home had given him money to buy one, but that he thought that with other money given him by friends he would put the cycle money together with these sums and buy a car. Cycling is heavy work in Shangani; not only are the distances long but there is much sand on the roads. Both the Doctor and I thought that if he wished to buy a car it would help his work much. The great need in Shangani is preachers. We have the men there, but they are so far from the places needing them. A car could ensure, by taking them along each Friday or Saturday, a much more regular supply. Mr. Radasi speaks of using the car in this way of helping out the supply question. In speaking of this together, Doctor MacDonald, Miss Nicolson and I thought that if this was brought before your notice you might wish to contribute something towards his petrol. As soon as his hut is ready I am sending up a 44-gallon drum of petrol to Zenka. His cousin, who is teacher in one of our schools down here is to go with him as housekeeper and, of course, she will teach at Zenka. She will be a great help in this way as she is a member of the church and a qualified teacher. I hope to visit Shangani in September. Mr. Stewart, inspector, is up there at present. If I find on his return that he is satisfied I shall make formal application for Paul to be deputy superintendent of Shangani schools; and if things still go on well, I shall later apply for him to become Native superintendent. Paul has a way of getting natives to help with buildings, etc., in a way we have not, and a way very few of his own people have with natives. In short, I cannot but feel encouraged in every way that your resolution to go on with the Shangani project is something that is under the Lord’s blessing and guidance. I thoroughly believe that the prayers of our home people have been answered. The way things have opened up and are now opening up has all the marks of His hands who is excellent in counsel. Much hard work awaits us, and many worries and burdens, but already one can see an altered tone in the people. A friendliness and readiness to listen and a willingness to confess their need of our help.
So far as a good site for a new main station is concerned, we had a good look round everywhere. We would fix on Petanis as the best. You may, if you have opportunity, pass this to Mr. Fraser. The site is high, the view one of beauty; plenty of water near surface; a new bus route from Bulawayo through Lonely to the East and North passes by the school, and it takes one nearer by 25 miles the centre of the work. This, however, is only a suggestion. When we open the new school just north of Mapakama, we will be up against the R.C. stations. We will look to your prayers, and we hope that if He himself is willing, the time of Mr. Fraser’s arrival is not too far off.
We are all well at Ingwenya. I have contacted two of the farmers I referred to in my report with a view to opening new schools and new work. Evidge will be closed, as the people are being sent to Shangani but we hope to open four new schools under Ingwenya by next year (see report—schools on farms other than squatters).
Kind regards and many thanks for all the kind things said in your last letter. We are unprofitable servants and the sense of that unprofitableness is a growing one. I forgot to mention that at all those places visited were those who came and asked and received medicines for minor troubles, such as bad stomachs and headaches from the doctor.—Yours sincerely,
John Tallach.
Arrival of Mr. Alexander MacPherson at Ingwenya. We have been informed that Mr. MacPherson, Glasgow, arrived safely.—Editor.