One matter which must impress every visitor to Holland is the beautiful and well-kept countryside. Tidiness appears to be the hall-mark, and everybody takes a pride in making their place, whether private home, busy shop or farmyard, look neat and tidy. However, although impressed with the beauty of Holland, it was nothing in comparison to our experience when meeting the various and many friends who show such wonderful and practical interest in our Mission in Rhodesia.
When my wife and I arrived at the airport we were met by Mr Nieuwenhuis, who took us to his home where for a good part of the day we enjoyed kind hospitality from Mr and Mrs Nieuwenhuis. In the evening Rev. C. Smits took us to his home in Buitendams, where again we received much kindness from himself and his wife. We had a few hours to spare before bedtime so Rev. C. Smits took us to see his Church, where every Sabbath he preaches to five hundred people. Then we paid a visit to Mr J. van Woerden’s father, who has failed since we last met him three years ago, but who nevertheless was very alert. To him the all important thing was, “what Christ did for him and in him.”
The following morning we prepared for the journey to Utrecht where we were to assemble for the Mission Meeting. After slowly proceeding through dense traffic, most of which was heading towards the Mission Meeting, we entered the enormous hall, where our meeting was to take place. Here we met the various friends of the Dutch Committee “Mbuma-Zending”, who over the years have taken such a deep and active interest in our mission work in Rhodesia. One member of the Committee, handed us the gift of a book “Historisch Overzicht Vande Zending in Rhodesië Door de F.P. Church of Scotland”. Much labour has evidently been put into the work, which consists of 237 pages and includes many pictures throughout the book with a large map showing the various mission stations on our Mission. The book deals with the history of our Church in Rhodesia from its inception until the present. It would be wonderful to have such a book in English.
It was time now to go to the speakers platform, and having assembled there, Rev. C. Smits opened the Meeting, and spoke from Matt. 28:18, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth”. There were three speakers during the morning session and four in the evening, and each one spoke from a portion of the Word of God. One remarkable aspect of the meeting was the sight of 7,500 people listening intently to each speaker.
Then again to hear these 7,500 people singing the psalms was no ordinary experience. The most moving incident for us, was when all the people stood to wish the blessing of the Lord upon myself and my wife. This they did by singing verses 7 and 8 from Psalm 121. It was most touching and a never to be forgotten experience.
Looking over such a vast multitude one cannot discern clearly the features of those furthest away. However of those whom we could see, always at all sittings they listened most attentively and sang sweetly and heartily. It was a wonderful sight. At the end of the meeting it was cause for much thankfulness that the people had contributed £51,000 that day alone towards the spreading of the gospel in Rhodesia. Then came the time to say our farewells and it was sad to leave so many friends. Thereafter for the remainder of our stay in Holland, we enjoyed the kind hospitality of Mr and Mrs van Waveren. On Monday his son Cornelius kindly took us to the home of Jantein van Saane. Here we received a royal welcome and were shown much kindness from her parents. Thereafter we proceeded to visit Mr Barth who does so much work in sending clothing to Rhodesia for the poor and needy. His barn had mountains of clothing, all contributed by our Dutch friends and with great diligence sorted out and forwarded to Rhodesia by Mr Barth. Here also we enjoyed great kindness. On our last day in Holland we had the privilege of being most kindly entertained by Mrs Doctor the widow of Mr A. Doctor, Delft.
The time had now come to leave Holland. Mr van Waveren took us to the airport terminus, and after a reluctant parting we travelled to Schiphol airport ruminating on our many and happy experiences.
As a Church we have reason for deep gratitude to our Dutch friends for their practical efforts to support our work in Rhodesia. We trust that they will receive a blessing in their souls while doing so. May we in Rhodesia, while we are enabled to continue our work by their liberality, also receive a blessing by seeing fruit from our labours; “in due season we shall reap, if we faint not”. Gal. 6:9.
“O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy”. Hab. 3:2.
Mbuma Mission
We understand that the European staff at Mbuma have been asked by the District Commissioner to leave for their safety. Armed terrorists have been operating in close proximity to the Mission. The prayer of the Lord’s people are asked for the Church in Rhodesia in these critical times.