Finding Jewels in Africa by Mrs. Ida Bowen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 22, 1916

Finding Jewels in Africa

By Mrs. Ida Bowen

MRS. IDA BOWEN, whose husband, Lynn Bowen, fell asleep at the Tsungwesi Mission, Rhodesia, South Africa, June 2, 1913, writes from that mission, under date of Feb. 22, 1916, as follows:—

“We enjoy having a home by ourselves again. At first I thought it would seem lonely, but our house is anything but a lonely place. At eight o’clock we begin school for Ethel, Eugene, Guendelin, and Tennyson (a native). They have school until ten o’clock; then I go down and teach during one period in the mission school. Brother Tarr’s children are often here, and sometimes little Everett Jewell comes in.

“I have charge of the sewing. I have a girl to help me, and am planning to teach others to sew. A young woman just came who is going to ‘sign on’ [that is, contract to remain at the mission a certain time]. She came in with my sewing girl yesterday. She can already use a thimble, and sews very neatly by hand. She has lived near the Old Umtali Mission for three years. Her husband is coming later. She had on a white dress with black stripes in it, and trimmed with red. She looks very neat. Today she wore a white dress to meeting.

“We have a native here named Jonah, who came from that mission. He was here when we first came. He is one of our native teachers now. He is also a pupil still. He said he had been asked to return to the Old Umtali Mission, as that mission wishes to put him out to teach. He has no idea of going back. He is doing third-standard [grade] work now. He has no time for his reading lesson in school, so comes to my house to read and spell after dinner.

“His little three-year-old boy was dangerously ill a short time ago. Some of us stayed with the child day and night for a time. One day while I was there, Jonah was telling about two men who have come from Old Umtali Mission. The head teacher at that mission knows the native language well. He translated the hymns in the hymn book we use. They have a printing press there. Jonah says that that mission has asked these two men to return. We always wish we could do more than we are doing, and when Jonah told me this, I thought perhaps the men had a mind to go back. But Jonah’s face beamed with a smile as he said, ‘They say, “I want Tsungwesi Mission.”’

“Elijah, one of our native teachers, preached today. He spoke on the subject of faith, referring to Hebrews 11. He told the people that it meant much to be prepared to enter heaven. Of all that vast throng that left Egypt only two entered the Promised Land. Even Moses did not enter; he only saw it from the mountain top. Elijah told the people that they must not think, because they put on clothes and come to the mission, that that will save them. Many people who listened to the warnings of Noah were lost. It is not enough to listen. We must believe and act. We must have faith. We must believe the Word of God without any visible evidence of its fulfilment, as Noah did when he entered the ark at the command of God seven days before the rain began. When the people saw the storm coming, of course they believed Noah, and begged to enter the ark, but then it was too late. So it will be now. Then he referred to Hebrews 4, laying special emphasis on the fact that ‘the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.’

“I wish you could see Elijah. He told Lynn that he was at Solusi Mission six years. He said he plowed, but was not asked to teach, as others were, who had been there the same length of time he had. Some told him they did not see why he stayed, when all they asked him to do was to plow. But he said he stayed and plowed and plowed. At last he came here with Elder Sturdevant and was asked to teach. Now we think we could not get along without him. His ability and influence now simply show what a diligent study of the Word of God will do for any one.”