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German East Africa

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 25, 1910

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 34.

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German East Africa

By E. KOTZ

E. KOTZ
AFTER a furlough in Germany of about eight months, I was glad to arrive in Africa again with my wife on April 14. We had to hasten to our station, as Elder B. Ohme and his family were preparing to return home on the next steamer, Brother Ohme’s health being very poor.
The railway is now completed quite near to our stations. To Kihuirio, which is in the prairies, it is only about twenty-five kilometers; and it is some twenty-five kilometers more to Friedenstal, our main station.
On nearing Kihuirio, we were suddenly surrounded by a crowd of black people, who cried, “Hurrah!” and showed all signs of joy. I recognized my old pupils, whom I had instructed for three and one-half years, and who had come with their new teacher, Brother W. Kolling, to greet my wife and me. I was glad, indeed, to see these well-known faces again, and to learn from Brother Kolling that so many of them had followed the call of God. When we arrived in this country about five years ago, and learned the customs of the people, we knew at once that if God’s Spirit did not open their hearts, we would preach in vain. But we are glad to know that our Leader is “he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth.”
Like most of the tribes in Africa, the Wapare pray to the spirits of their ancestors. These spirits are sleeping; but if a man falls ill, or any other accident happens to him, the oracle tells him that the spirits have awakened, and he sets to work to do everything possible to reconcile them, and make them sleep again. Their common prayer is: “Nkoma shinjiani!” meaning, “Spirits, sleep!” Their hearts are filled with fear of these spirits. If a woman gives birth to twins, the sorcerer says that these twins are a sign of the spirits; who have awakened, and that the parents must reconcile them by killing the children; so the poor little babes are murdered by their own parents. This is but one example; there are many others just as bad. One who has never come in close contact with the heathen in these countries can not imagine the great darkness that dwells in their hearts. We are thankful to our Lord, who, in spite of our weakness, has called us to bring the good tidings to this dark land, and who has added his blessing to our efforts.
We have now three stations here,—Friedenstal, Kihuirio, and Vua. We have also erected nine out-schools, and two more will be built soon. These schools are taught by baptized native teachers. The number of our native Christians is fifty-three. About one thousand young people come to our schools every day, and they are very willing to learn. Some days ago I introduced my language teacher, Anderea Senamwai, to fractions. I can not describe the joy he showed on learning something new. He ran away and came back after a while, his blackboard covered with fractions, and asked me to show him more of these “sweet things.” I think Anderea is one of our best students. Remember all our Christians in your prayers, but especially Anderea, that the Lord may keep him humble, and that he may become a successful evangelist for his people. We are of good courage as we see the Lord’s work spreading over the country.
Friedenstal.