We hear that there have been heavy showers in Zimbabwe in November and we trust, if it is the Lord’s will that they will continue until April and ensure a good harvest not only in Zimbabwe but in other drought-stricken countries.
Last month it was noticed that the Zimbabwean government was not able to provide the money for the piping of water from the Nyamandlovu aquifer to Bulawayo, but we have heard since then that the Government has advanced 20 million dollars as a first instalment of 57 million dollars for this project, which is a great matter for thankfulness, as water has been severely rationed in Bulawayo for the past few months.
There were large attendances at Mbuma Communion at the end of October. There were thought to be about one thousand present at the morning service on Sabbath morning, less than half of whom could be accommodated in the church. However, with open windows and fair weather the preacher could be clearly heard. We trust there was a blessing on the Word preached. The ministers, the Rev P Mzamo and the Rev Z Mazvabo were said to have been in a happy frame of mind. The addresses given at the Lord’s Table were based on — ‘I have loved thee with an everlasting love. . .’ and ‘Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end
of the world.’
I quote from a circular letter written by Miss Anna Zekveld, who is one of the Sisters at Mbuma Hospital, and who had been in Bulawayo with her sister, who was visiting the Mission:—
Umguza is a little place a few miles from Bulawayo which I got to know while doing language study in Bulawayo. The church is actually on a farm, and close to it are many homes of people who are just squatters on the farm. Some work on the farm but most have no income. A lot of beer-drinking goes on in the homes. It is the children that really attract one to the place. There are so many of them running around, and they are so poor.
Church services were begun here some years ago by the Rev D A Ross while he was minister in Bulawayo, and they have continued since then on Sabbaths and Thursdays. Quite a number attend, mostly women and children. My sister and I attended the Prayer-meeting on Thursday afternoon. The speaker on that occasion was our Administrator, Mr Budhi Mziya, who is an elder in the Bulawayo church. He spoke from Exodus 16. Mr Mziya spoke on the manna. A comparison was made between the manna in the wilderness and the Lord Jesus Christ, the Heavenly Manna. As the manna was given to the Children of Israel in the wilderness to satisfy their hunger, so the Lord Jesus was sent into the world as the Bread of Heaven, the Bread of Life, by God the Father to satisfy the hunger of those who hunger and thirst after Him. As the Israelites did not see the manna until the dew had lifted so the mist that is on our understanding, the dew of ignorance, must be removed so that we might be given to behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world, and then to behold Christ in His beauty.
On this occasion we had brought food for the people. I had received money from Canada for that purpose. After the service Mr Mziya asked the people to sit as families. Then 20 kg bags of mealie-meal were handed out to each family and each family received a couple of scoops of beans. The children ran home to fetch utensils for the beans. They were very happy with the food. After everyone had received his portion we went over to the home of the old Mnyathi who has not been well and has not been able to attend the services. We all gathered round sitting on the ground or on low stools. Mnyathi himself was sitting outside and seemed a little better than the last time I had seen him. We sang a psalm together and had a word of prayer, before we all went our separate ways.
There is another old man there who is blind. His name is Mathe. Every time I have gone to Mguza he has been sitting patiently outside his hut,
listening for the vehicle to arrive, and then he gets up and makes his way with the aid of his cane, to the church building. He seems to listen very attentively, and a couple of women are also noticeably attentive. May the seed of the Gospel find entrance into well-prepared hearts and bring forth fruit unto righteousness amongst those poor people.
There was a prize-giving at the John Tallach School at the end of October. The Assistant Secretary for Education and his wife attended. Many parents and friends were also present. Among other matters the Assistant Secretary referred to the good results secured each year by the pupils of the John Tallach School. Tea was provided for all and lunch for the official party.
Mr Neil Murray is anxious that Binga should not be forgotten in the prayers of the Lord’s people. There is a great need for the blessing of the Lord on the Word, for the people are in great need of instruction. Mealie-meal is being carried regularly to the needy people. The temperature has reached 40 degrees and is very trying at this time of year. ‘The Lord of us hath mindful been and He will bless us still!’ JN