In recent letters we hear that there is a severe shortage of water in Bulawayo. Government plans are afoot to divert water from the Zambezi, which indicates the seriousness of the situation.
In Matabeleland South, where the Rev. Z. Mazvabo has his work, the situation is even more serious. Ninety per cent of the people are said to be on the point of starvation owing to the continuing effect of the drought, and 7000 cattle have died. In an emergency of this kind the Government usually comes to the assistance of the people. However, whatever the Government may do, there is bound to be much suffering among young families and among the old. A National Day of Prayer for Rain was held on 9th February of this year.
At Mbuma there were several showers of very heavy rain earlier in the year and their two bore-holes keep them well supplied. Dr Hak is now back after her short holiday in Holland. Miss Margaret MacAskill has also returned. She has mentioned in a letter that it is proposed to put certain simple books into Sindebele for young people, such as the well known ‘Mary Jones and her Bible,’ ‘Miracles of Jesus,’ by B. A. Ramsbottom, and the Mother’s Catechism. The last named was put into Sindebele by the late Rev. John Tallach many years ago. The new translation is being rendered by Melusi Mpofu, Assistant Head in the John Tallach School, and son of the late Rev. Alfred Mpofu.
To continue with the Rev. Z. Mazvabo’s recorded description of his first days at New Canaan:—
The memory of that first Sabbath under a tree in New Canaan is still fresh in my mind. One of the four women never returned. Perhaps the Psalm singing did not appeal to her. Mike’s mother has since departed this life, we hope to be with the Lord which is far better. The other two women have continued with us and are now members in full communion. When speaking to one of our office-bearers recently, I said to him, “you must have been aware of that first service we held under the tree. Where were you on that occasion?” He bent his head and was silent. After a minute’s pause he said, ‘I was at a beer-drink.’ That is how it still is with many whose behaviour and way of life have not been affected by the presence of the Gospel in their midst. May the Lord give them repentance of heart, that they may be enlightened and enabled to see that the way in which they go leads to everlasting death.
Next Sabbath Mike’s father offered us a hut in which to gather, and we continued there for a few Sabbaths. The people continued to come but not regularly. When the round hut became too small for us we went into Mike’s house, and some of the people sat on the verandah. Mike’s parents were very kind to us. His mother was a very kind lady.
Late in 1982 we had our first commemoration of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Rev. A. B. Ndebele and the late Rev. B. B. Dube were the ministers. We all stayed in Mike’s home. As if that were not enough Mike’s father offered to kill an ox for the people. A few words about Mike’s father. He has been very helpful in everything we wanted to do, and very kind, but he refuses to attend the services. Like Hobab of old while very helpful to the Children of Israel he did not wish to continue with them on their journey to the Promised Land.
I would desire the prayers of the Lord’s people for our people in New Canaan.
During the month of February a young doctor from Oxford, Dr Mercer, gave some assistance in the Mbuma Hospital. He is a friend of Tim Ramsbottom who helped in the hospital two years ago. J.N.