“The Lord is with us”
It is rarely that the press give headlines to such an expression as “The Lord is with us,” but this took place during the recent hijacking of the American T.W.A. airliner. The Captain of the plane, Captain Testrake warned against any attempt to rescue the passengers and crew by force and then sent the following message through the newspaper men to his family:— “I’d like my wife, family and friends back in Missouri to know that the Lord has taken very good care of us. He’s seen us through some very trying times and He’ll see us through to the end.” These were certainly words of encouragement to his family at a time when he was held captive at gun point. In the event they did not prove vain words as the Lord was pleased to give deliverance from out of the hand of their enemies. It would be good to hear others speak in this way when in such circumstances.
The Middle East at present is a hot-bed of violence and strife, and it appears beyond the power of Western or other Governments to prevent such incidents of hijacking. The hijackers are men of violence and the Governments concerned will no doubt do all in their power to prevent such incidents. Only when the Gospel prevails in the earth will the world become a safe place for men to travel in.
Separate Schools
At a meeting of the Educational Institute for Scotland early in June, the retiring president, Mr Kenneth MacLauchlan, attacked religious segregation in schools and urged that it be consigned to the dustbin of history. He commended to all his colleagues, and most especially his (Roman) Catholic colleague’s and friends, the urgent necessity of hastening E.I.S. policy on this matter. The conference also rejected moves to postpone a policy of multi-cultural education and agreed to set up a special committee with a strong role for anti-racist organisations.
While wholly sympathetic with the E.I.S. in its wish to get rid of the R.C. separate school system, yet it is not so clear where education is heading in relation to Christianity. We fear that what is in view from many quarters even within the present educational set-up is to consign Christianity also to the dustbin of history.
Our Mission in Zimbabwe
By the time these notes are read, there will be a few changes among the European staff on the Mission.
We trust that, D.V., Mr and Mrs Neil Murray will have arrived in Scotland, to the pleasure of many relatives and friends. Miss Jessie Coote will have returned to Zimbabwe, carrying letters from home, and many good wishes to all. It is providential that Miss Coote is free to help at the hospital so soon after Mr and Mrs Murray’s departure, and her long experience of the work will be an asset.
Mr van Woerden will also be in Zimbabwe, D.V. It will be a moving experience for him to visit the Mbuma Hospital, which he did so much to establish, following upon the work done by the late Rev. and Mrs James Fraser, many nurses from overseas, and African assistants.
It is expected that the Rev. A. B. Ndebele and Mr van Woerden will proceed to Malawi. This visit will entail much careful negotiation, and consideration, as it is with a view to beginning work there. The prayers of the Lord’s people will be very much valued.
Miss Etta MacLennan expects to join the Ingwenya Secondary School staff, as a teacher of Religious Knowledge and other subjects. Miss MacLennan spent three useful years at Ingwenya, some time ago.
It will be difficult for those who have never visited the mission to visualise the arrival and reception of visitors and staff from overseas. It is always an occasion of much pleasure for the Mission folk.
After a warm welcome at the airport from African and European members of staff, who have been able to get there, the party proceed to Mr William Campbell’s hospitable home in Bulawayo, a pleasant bungalow, formerly the Manse where the Rev. and Mrs D. A. Ross lived. This is where Mr Campbell works as administrator and treasurer, and is in constant touch with the four main Mission Stations.
After refreshments the party usually proceeds to Ingwenya Mission, a distance of 28 miles, 22 miles of which consist of the main Harare highway, and then six miles across country, passing through African villages, on a rough road, pot-holed and criss-crossed by ditches and river beds, exceedingly hard on vehicles and drivers. There are also the hazards of children, chickens and pursuing dogs as we pass through the villages.
If travelling after dark, it is a pleasant sight from a hill-top, near the Mission, to see the array of lights in houses, and boys’ and girls dormitories, and to know that one has arrived. To arrive in the day-time, one feels one has reached a small oasis. The car passes through the Mission gates, with a friendly salute from the watch-man on duty. The large indigenous trees, the colourful shrubs and small gardens in front of each home, make a pleasing picture.
No one would imagine that behind the scenes, during school hours, there are over 600 pupils in the Primary and Secondary School engaged in the classrooms in various activities, with 16-20 teachers in attendance, and 20 to 30 workmen building or repairing existing buildings.
The fine church, in the centre of the Mission, and the long lines of school buildings can be seen in the background.
There is a great deal of hard work done in every department, but nothing will be of lasting value unless supported by earnest prayer there, and overseas.
“Pray that Jerusalem may have peace and felicity.”
J. N.