In a recent letter we learn that on 13th July the Rev. P. Mzamo and the Mbuma Hospital staff at Mbuma met in the new dining-room, to bid farewell to Neil Murray and Cathie Ann as they were about to leave, to take up residence in Bulawayo, where Neil will (D.V.) be engaged in full-time missionary work.
There were seventy-five present in the dining-room. The Rev. P. Mzamo read the 10th chapter of Romans verses 11 to 21. He then spoke appreciatively of the work done by Neil and Cathie Ann in the hospital and without, over a period of sixteen years, and wished them every blessing in the future. Sister Jessie Coote and several of the nurses also expressed their good wishes. Neil and Cathie Ann were presented with a copper plaque in the shape of Africa, surmounted with the figures of some of the wild animals found there, and everyone signed a large decorative card. In conclusion all sang the 121st Psalm and the meeting ended with prayer.
It was a happy and sad occasion as Neil and Cathie Ann looked back over varied experiences of light and shade, but they could both say, ‘Hitherto hath the Lord helped us’.
On a recent visit to distant Binga, when they were accompanied by Dutch friends, there were congregations of one hundred and of one hundred and fifty respectively at Samende and Lubu. All listened most attentively. At Lubu they were greatly encouraged to learn that the people there had collected among themselves three hundred dollars to build a church. One would have to realise what deprivation they have suffered after two years of severe drought to appreciate fully their efforts in collecting this money. Neil concludes his letter with a prayer that the Lord would bless his Word to the people of Binga. ‘Is anything too hard for the Lord?’
In a central place in Ingwenya grounds there is a small cemetery. The first to be buried there was the late Rev. J. B. Radasi, in 1924. There are a few other graves including the unmarked grave of MaMlotshwa, one of the wives of the last king of the Matabele, Lobengula. MaMlotshwa lived at Libeni, a few miles from Ingwenya, where in Mr Radasi’s day and since then there has been a church, and for many years a school. MaMlotshwa was a tall, handsome woman, but had a reputation of being rather wild and often the worse of drink. On one occasion, on her way either to or from a beer-drink, she lingered to listen to the preacher at an open-air meeting held by one of our elders. Many times after that she stopped to listen. Eventually she began to attend the local services.
After a time she came before the Kirk Session at Ingwenya, and the minister and men seemed to be satisfied with her account of her experience. However, the elders continued to question her. ‘Are you going to continue drinking beer?’ they asked. ‘I shall never go to a beer-drink,’ MaMlotshwa replied, ‘but I do not think there is anything wrong with drinking a little beer in my own home.’ ‘It is a bad example,’ the elders said. ‘Go home and pray about it.’ In three months’ time MaMlotshwa returned. When being questioned she rose up and raised her arms above her head. ‘The Lord has taken away all desire for beer from me. I never want to see it again.’ MaMlotshwa remained a faithful member at Ingwenya and when there was a dissension in the congregation for a while and some ceased to attend, MaMlotshwa was always present. When she came to leave this world her last words were ‘Receive thou me, Oh Lord of Glory!’
J.N.
Church Notes
Presbytery Meetings (D.V.)
Southern: At Glasgow on 15th September at 6 p.m.
Western: At Laide on 15th September at 6 p.m.
Canadian: At Inverness on 5th October at 9 p.m.
Outer Isles: At Stornoway on 6th October at 1 p.m.
Zimbabwe: At Bulawayo on 13th October at 2 p.m.
Australia and New Zealand: At Gisbourne on 23rd October at 2.30 p.m.
Skye: At Portree on 27th October at 11 a.m.
Finance Committee Meetings
In addition to the ordinary meetings in March and October, the Finance Committee will meet in future (D.V.) on the 4th Tuesday of June at 11 a.m. in Inverness and on the 4th Tuesday of December at 11 a.m. in Glasgow.
(Rev.) A. E. W. MacDonald, Convener.
Tomatin Church Opening
The opening of the Tomatin Church will take place on Wednesday 23rd September 1992 at 7 p.m. (D.V.). It is expected that the opening service will be conducted by Rev. A. MacPherson.
Committee Meetings (D.V.)
The following Committees will meet in the Inverness Church on Tuesday 6th October.
9.00 a.m. – 10.00 a.m. — Church Centenary Committee. Outreach.
10.00 a.m. – 10.45 a.m. — Training of Ministry.
10.45 a.m. – 11.00 a.m. — Board of Examiners.
11.00 a.m. – 11.45 a.m. — Church Magazines.
11.45 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. — Publications.
12.30 p.m. – 01.15 p.m. — Sabbath Observance.
02.00 p.m. – 04.30 p.m. — Finance.
03.00 p.m. – 04.30 p.m. — Religion and Morals.
04.30 p.m. – 05.30 p.m. — Dominions and Overseas.
07.00 p.m. – 09.00 p.m. — Foreign Missions.
Halkirk Communion
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is expected to be administered in the Halkirk Congregation on the 3rd Sabbath of September (D.V.).
Rev. Donald Boyd