p. 10 | A Visit to the Tsungwesi Mission by R. C. PORTER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Sep 5, 1912

A Visit to the Tsungwesi Mission

By R. C. PORTER

(Concluded)

R. C. PORTER

Nearly two hundred acres is now under cultivation at this mission. A new brick dwelling, cattle and mule kraals, a new pole-and-mud school building, and huts for the accommodation of the students, have been erected. Eighteen months ago there were only fifteen acres under cultivation, and four native huts on the mission. It is surprising to me what Brother and Sister Sturdevant have accomplished by way of improvements in that short time, aside from teaching in the school, with no white helpers, except Brother and Sister Claude Tarr for a short time; and for about five months Brother Sturdevant has not been at all well. The school attendance has increased from twelve to fifty-five. One not familiar with mission work can scarcely comprehend the many cares that constantly attend mission life. As the work becomes better established, and the older students become settled in Christian experience, they share the burdens, and the work grows lighter.

Eighteen months ago the place now occupied by house and gardens was a thick bush, or forest; the three hundred acres now enclosed with a barbed-wire fence was a wild tract of forest grazing-ground. To-day, nearly two hundred acres of it is under cultivation, and shows a productiveness not generally seen in southern Rhodesia.

On account of the east coast fever among the cattle, which is again prevalent in some parts of Mashonaland, oxen can not be used for transport, although they may be used on the farm. Brother Sturdevant has been fortunate in being able to purchase mules for transport work.

One interesting feature of the survey of farms in southern Rhodesia is the fact that little regard is paid to the four points of the compass in surveying a farm. The surveyors start with a beacon on some very high mountain or kopje, or mound of rocks, and then run a line to another similar mound for the second beacon, and so on until the four corners are located.

The southwest beacon of the Tsungwesi farm is on the top of a large rock one hundred fifty feet high, standing on top of the mountain along the west border of the basin in which the larger part of the farm is situated. On the top of this rock Chief Dzawo built his huts, and lived for years. His wives were required to carry all needed water from the river up the mountain, and then climb the rock up a very steep stairway. The food was grown by his wives on the top of the mountain, and was all carried up the steep and difficult stairway to the top of this beacon rock. Here the chief lived in heathen luxury. He had a beautiful garden of flowers and trees, under the shade of which he could recline during the heat of the day. Here he was secure from invasion or disturbance by wild beasts, which then abounded in the mountain fastnesses. It is still the custom for the leading chiefs to live in such high places for security.

Since the mission was started here a year and a half ago, lions have frequented the mountain near the house. One was killed by Brother Sturdevant and the boys after a desperate encounter. Four bullets penetrated the lion’s body, after which he roared and charged on them in fury. Brother Sturdevant had no time to place a cartridge in the rifle barrel, and but for a charge of buckshot in another barrel, would certainly have fallen a prey to this enraged beast. On receiving the charge of shot in the face, the lion reared straight up to his full height, then fell backward over the rocks down into the long grass below, and died after going a short distance.

A great change has taken place among the natives in this vicinity during the last year and a half. The school then began its work with twelve or fifteen students in irregular attendance. They were untrained, and uneducated, and vacillating. They did not know how far to trust the new white missionary, and they were shy and questioning. Now, fifty-five students, mostly in the home, have settled

down to solid study and farm work, and from one hundred to one hundred fifty regularly attend the Sabbath services. Many of these bear intelligent testimonies to the change which the love of Christ has brought into their hearts and lives. The transforming power of divine grace upon these poor heathen is one of the most wonderful miracles of modern times.

The mission, while located in the basin of the Tsungwesi River and a tributary, lies on the high divide between Beira and Salisbury. The country slopes both ways. It is therefore well located for a health resort for southern Rhodesia. With reasonable care of the health, the indications are favorable for freedom from fever, and the outlook is promising for the success of the mission work.

The temporary help afforded by the coming of Brother Tarr and wife was very timely, and averted a permanent break in Brother Sturdevant’s health. Their faithful labors have contributed much toward developing the industrial part of the work, and are greatly appreciated. Brother and Sister Lynn Bowen are now permanently settled on this mission, and are a part of the mission family. They were most cordially welcomed, and their coming has supplied the needed help for successful mission work.