The Church deputy, the Rev D A Ross and Mrs Ross returned from our Mission in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Kenya at the end of February. They spent three weeks in Zimbabwe and Mr Ross travelled widely holding services and meeting ministers and elders.
In addition to having enjoyable visits to Mbuma and Zenka, Mr and Mrs Ross travelled to Binga by the small M A F plane and Mr Ross took two services there. At Zenka, Mr Ross took the prayer-meeting when there were over 900 present, including 600 school children.
Mr and Mrs Ross spent a week-end in Bulawayo where Mr Ross held services in Lobengula Church. His visit was anticipated with pleasure as he was pastor there for six years. The Church was full to capacity, and forty had to remain outside. The young men who were in the congregation when Mr Ross was minister there, were now mature, married men with their children seated beside them in church. A good number of the men are professing Christians and useful members of the congregation.
Louise Leiper had been to Harare to secure her Work Permit. On her return to Bulawayo, she and Mrs Ross went to Ingwenya for the week-end which they much enjoyed. They were impressed with the large number of young people present. Mr Ross went for that week-end to New Canaan for the Communion.
At the end of January, Mr and Mrs Ross travelled by plane to Malawi where they spent two weeks. They made their headquarters at the little mission house in Blantyre. Mr Mziya, the Administrator in Bulawayo, had arranged to go to Malawi to visit relatives. However, he combined this visit with assisting Mr Ross in taking services at several of the outlying centres. The roads are very rough, and there are long distances between each centre. A day’s visit was paid to Mocambique and services were held in Mutarare and Rotarare. There were seventy to eighty people present. The people had built a small thatched church at one centre. They gave a warm welcome to the deputy. On their return to Malawi, after they crossed the border, they visited the former refugee camp where here are still some people who did not return to Mocambique. They were worshipping in an old grinding mill. Mr Ross held a small catechetical class there and the people were able to answer fairly well. A small supply of food was left with them as the people are in poor circumstances.
Then Kenya — the last place to be visited. Mr Ian MacLean had done tremendous work during the limited time at his disposal. The church building at Sengera was ready for use. An official opening service was held on the 19th of February, when Mr Ross preached. There was a large congregation and the singing was beautiful. It is hoped that the hospital will be ready in a few weeks’ time. The work on the interior walls, the ceiling and the verandah has been completed.
Mrs Goldby and the three children left for Scotland in the company of Mr MacLean. Mr Goldby will leave, the Lord willing, towards the end of March. It was good to receive news of the friends in Kenya and elsewhere. We trust that they will all be preserved in good health and in full assurance of the promise: “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”
J.N.