On the fifth weekend of October friends gathered at Mbuma mission for the Communion Service. On this occasion there had been heavy showers of rain during October, and the beautiful trees were showing fresh green leaves. On Friday there was the customary Question Meeting, when the verse was given out by one of the men: “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him.” Four men spoke suitably on the text.
On Saturday and Sabbath a Mission car brought people from distant stations. Those who came on Saturday slept in the classrooms. There are about 500 pupils attending Mbuma School. Food was cooked over the weekend for those living on the Mission.
The first service on Sabbath was taken by the visiting minister Rev A. B. Ndebele. The text was taken from Zechariah 12: 10. The church was filled to capacity with old and young. A good number gathered at the Lord’s Table. One of the verses spoken on was: “Fear not, little flock, it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom”. The text at the evening service taken by Rev P. Mzamo was from II Kings 7: 3, “Why sit we here until we die?”
The scene at Mbuma Church during the Communion reminded one of Paul Ncube’s assurance: “The whole Reserve will yet be lit up with the Glory of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.” We trust that that will yet be fulfilled.
One of the elders, David Ndlovu, himself in indifferent health, pressed with a multiplicity of duties, motor transport, building and repairs, and last but not least, preaching, said of Rev P. Mzamo: ‘Mr Mzamo is working harder than ever before, with all the stations to supply.’ The same could be said of Rev A. B. Ndebele and of Rev Z. Mazvabo and their elders. No one could tell of men of like calibre who were coming forward to help in the great work of making known the Gospel. May they be enabled to say as the Apostle said, “When I am weak then am I strong,”
A few patients were still being admitted at Mbuma with symptoms of plague. One little girl was asked what was wrong with her, and she replied: “Plak.” She was correct in her diagnosis. It was good to hear that Louise Leiper was expected to arrive in Bulawayo on November 22nd. We hope that Louise will enjoy her work and find it rewarding.
At Ingwenya during November the final Government examinations were held. After breakfast, and prayers conducted by the boarding-master, Mr James Mpofu, the six hundred boarding pupils and a small proportion of day-pupils were seated in the large assembly hall or in classrooms with supervisory teachers. The envelopes containing the question papers were slit open by the Headmistress in the view of the pupils, according to Government regulations. The blind pupils used their braille machines and had their work transcribed into print by a seconded teacher, before being sent to the appropriate Government office.
On Saturday, 5th November, the annual prize-giving day was held. The prizes and certificates were given for work done during the year. A few hundred parents and visitors arrived by bus and car and some on foot. Special mention was made of the fact that ninety years before, on 4th November, 1904, the late Rev J. B. Radasi had set foot in Bulawayo. Some details of his origins, his providential connection with the Free Presbyterian Church, and of his excellent work as a missionary and teacher in that part of Matabeleland, and also in Nkai, were given. Mention was made of some of the remarkable conversions that took place during his ministry. It was interesting that one of Mr Radasi’s grandsons was present at the prize-giving, and his own little daughter handed out a bouquet.
It was impressive to see 600 young people seated with adults listening to the Word of God preached with faithfulness each Lord’s Day. We trust many will be blessed for Time and Eternity.
We understand that in Mozambique the situation is desperate for our people through starvation. The Foreign Mission Committee is sending some help but more will be required over the next few months. J.N.