It was very good news to hear that the rains in Zimbabwe have been plentiful this year. Several years of drought or of near-drought have been a severe drain on the people’s resources. It is a matter for much thankfulness to the Lord that the rain is plentiful.
Marion Graham writes: “On my way to school recently I was reminded of verses in the Song of Solomon, chapter 2, not because ‘the rain is over and gone’, but because the rain has come and ‘the time of the singing of birds has come, and the voice of the turtle (dove) is heard in our land.’ The beautiful little weaver birds are busy looking for grasses to make their amazing ball-like nests, which they build or weave round a branch.” Doves are also to be heard and many other birds and small creatures are rejoicing at the sound of rain.
Despite the rejoicing over the rain and the joyful hastening of the people to plough and plant, it has been a sad time at the Mission. I quote from Marion: “First of all there was the death of the late David Ndlovu, who was the works manager, church elder and local missionary, and exceptional in his devotion to the Lord’s work. He had been unwell for a period of years but had kept on working until a few days before he died.”
Then our foreman builder and general workman, Ndaba, who had worked with David for a period of almost 30 years, passed away last month after a few months’ illness. His death was a great shock. Ndaba had a sad life in many ways, having lost more than one of his family by death. Ten days before Ndaba’s death our painter Mlilo, who was a former pupil at Ingwenya and well-known to all, was the victim of a hit-and-run accident. He died 24 hours after being knocked off his bicycle by a pick-up truck carrying a heavy iron pole. Everyone knew Mlilo as a perfectionist in his work, and there was an amusing eccentricity about him in that he insisted on making up his bills in pounds and shillings despite the fact that dollars and cents had been in use for over 20 years. The faithful service of both these men was much appreciated.
I quote again from Marion’s letter: “You will remember that Mr James Mpofu, who had been our boarding master for many years, retired in September and took over the late David Ndlovu’s work. As Mr Mpofu was already older than David was when he passed away, he has taken on a strenuous commission and he could do with an understudy to take over when the time is appropriate.” As Marion says, they will miss Mr Mpofu’s influence and support, and his skill with the singing class he had in the boarding school. Marion refers to the gratitude of herself and the staff at the provision made in the appointment of Mr Dame Sibanda as boarding master at the school. Marion asks for the prayers of the Lord’s people that he would be made a true witness for Christ, and that his family may show how a Christian family should behave. She hopes that he will stand up to the stress and strain of having such a large family of young folk under his care.
We rarely give news of New Canaan, where Rev and Mrs Z Mazvabo and family have their home and where Mr Mazvabo and his church office-bearers care for the spiritual needs of eight congregations. The drought was always particularly severe in that part of the country and the people suffered greatly. One reason why news does not come so readily from New Canaan is that their Mission lies almost 200 miles east of Bulawayo among the Shona people, whereas the other stations, such as Mbuma, Zenka and Nkai lie 200 miles to the west of Bulawayo. In addition, Mr Mazvabo suffers from failing eyesight. He makes use of the Authorised Version of the Bible on tape and has a driver to take him around his parishioners. His wife also drives.
But this undoubted trial reminds one of an illustration used by Mr Mazvabo while preaching in Edinburgh some years ago when he and the Rev Alfred Mpofu were studying in Glasgow. The illustration was to show the tender mercies of the Lord to His people when they are suffering from trials and afflictions. I quote from memory: “In our country”, Mr Mazvabo said, “we do not have water piped to our homes except in the towns. In the country districts the mother of the home with her daughters is responsible for fetching water from the nearest well. She usually carries a four-gallon tin on her head and the grown-up daughters do the same, but the younger girls have smaller tins. The smallest little girl may have a tin no bigger than a jam tin, but each is bearing her share. So the Lord deals with His people. He gives them trials of different kinds, but He gives grace and strength according to what they are able to bear, and according to His own gracious purposes and His tender love for them.”
J.N.