Kenya
It is interesting to hear again, from letters from friends at Sengera Mission, Kenya, of the work of the Gospel there. The weekly routine is being maintained. There is daily worship on the Clinic verandah for all the people in the compound (hospital staff, mission workers, some patients and visitors), the Sabbath morning Catechism class and service in the church, the short service at the Clinic on Sabbath afternoon, and a Bible study class and a psalmody class held during the week.
At the Sabbath-School on Sabbath afternoon there are about 180 children in four classes. Many of them are very attentive and learn their lessons well, and the children in the most senior class are memorising a question and answer in English from the Shorter Catechism every week. We pray that the seed sown among them will bring forth fruit to the glory of God.
The European staff, when learning Eke-gusii, the local language, found it useful to learn something also of the customs and culture of the people. Mrs Goldby and Sisters Truus and Celia are now learning Swahili, the national language of Kenya.
AIDS and consequent deaths are on the increase. It is not easy for the missionaries to visit the homes of those affected. There is ignorance of the disease, and there is a general desire to hide their illness, the wife from her husband, the husband from his wife, and each from the community for fear of being abandoned. How sad! Dr. de Jong gave two addresses on the subject to the people in the village. About 200 people attended each meeting and many useful questions were asked. The missionaries ask for the prayers of the Lord’s people that they may be given guidance and discretion in dealing with this serious and tragic problem.
The long-awaited lorry and Landrover have now arrived from Nairobi, just in time for hauling water from the Ogembo River a task that is necessary due to there being no rain since the beginning of the year. There has not been such a drought since 1962. The water tanks are dry, the fields are black (ploughed but not planted), and it is expected that the price of maize will double by June.
Mr MacLean was able to visit the group in Kuria again. He conducted a service, a Catechism class, and answered their questions. He was presented with a copy of the newly translated Igikuria New Testament. Until now, the Scriptures have been available to the Kuria people in Swahili only.
J. N.
Zimbabwe
At Zenka communion, Rev Mzamo had the welcome assistance of Rev John Goldby, who went from Kenya to the Presbytery meeting in Zimbabwe. Mr Goldby also assisted at Ingwenya communion, and has now returned to Kenya.
Mr Mzamo has been mourning the death of two of his elders, Josiah Zikhali of Katash, and Keyi Masins of the Nkayi congregation.
At Mbuma, Nursing Sister Margaret Macaskill is back at work, while Sister Louise Leiper is in Bulawayo to receive some tuition in Sindebele. Sister Anne Zekveld, who has returned to her home in Canada, will be much missed. We shall certainly miss her long interesting newsletters. Sister Jessie Cooote has had to return from Mbuma to Kenya at the beginning of March despite many pleas for her to remain a little longer! However, the staff at the hospital are glad to have the help of Sisters Henriette Burgraafe and Hanneke Terlouin, who have been transferred from Sengera, Kenya, for three months.
J. N.