Tsungwesi Mission, Rhodesia
By M. C. Sturdevant
WE wish once more to tell what God is doing for us. Truly he is good! For a long time I have longed to “break sod” in a new place, and the way has at last opened, and we have been in Mashonaland now two weeks. We were very late in getting here as the government was slow in granting our request for the land. But the answer finally came that we could have this farm, if we would release acre for acre in Matabeleland—the old Solusi Mission. So, knowing that farm to be more than we would ever really need, the brethren here in Africa thought well to make the exchange. One acre here is worth at least three there. There we had much waste land and rocks. Here there is really no waste land; for the hills are covered with splendid pasture grass and timber. Two small rivers, which are never dry, cross the farm. The highlands are rich, and the soil is sandy, good for fruits, nuts, vegetables, and the like. The valley land is a rich, black, loamy soil, just what is needed for corn. With all this, we are only seven miles from the railroad siding. We feel that Providence has wonderfully worked for us. This is now the third time I am sure that I am where God led me,—first, in going to the Southern States; second, to the Solusi Mission; and third, here. I believe God led me all the way, preparing me for this work. This confidence in God’s leading gives us courage and hope. Last March, when I was here looking over farms, I passed this one, among many others. A white man, who had been there hardly a year, was that day moving off, giving up the farm. He did not like the hardships of pioneer life. He was leaving some pole-and-mud huts, grass-roofed. These he had sold, including doors and windows, to a neighbor. As I passed the houses, I looked back, and prayed: “O Lord, if it be thy will that I should get this farm, keep those houses for us.” At that time this farm had not been offered me by the government, but we were offered some others joining on two sides, not nearly so good. Well, I heard no more about the houses being left till I arrived at the railroad siding. Here I met the man who had bought the material. He said that after he took off the doors and windows, having heard I was bidding for the farm, he left the houses, thinking I would want them when I arrived. So, by paying him ten pounds, we had houses ready to move into, with some doors and windows, which I have since put in. We believe God held this man from tearing them down, in answer to my prayer. As we had been delayed so long, grass for roofing was all burned, and now the rains have already set in. Daily, hourly, we say to each other, “What would we have done if these houses had not been here for our shelter?” We would have been set down in the veldt, with only a tent and bucksails for houses till we could build. And how could we have built in all this rain? O, we are sure of God’s leading, and we praise his dear name! We shall not now be able to do much planting, or raise much of a crop this season, especially with all the building and settling and clearing to do. So far, the remainder of this year and next, we must have financial help for all; but when once the work is started, we are sure we can carry it on with very little help from outside. There are many natives all around us, and the prospects for a good school are excellent. I have with me twelve of our adult trained workers from Solusi, so we feel strong as far as native help goes. It is a new language, but so much like the one we left that it will not take long to pick it up. Already I understand considerable of it, and my native helpers converse quite freely with the people. We do not dread the language. We shall expect the prayers and financial help of our people.