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The Solusi Mission

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 30, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 52.

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The Solusi Mission

By M. C. Sturdevant

M. C. STURDEVANT
During the past two months our school has been full of new students. Also, many girls have come to the school. So our hearts and our hands, as well as our rooms, are all full. We praise the Lord.
The last two months, Mrs. Sturdevant and I have been alone, Brother Willson having gone to the Cape for a short vacation, after a year and a half of hard and faithful labor. After Brother J. R. Campbell and wife were taken from us to go to help Brother W. H. Anderson in Northwestern Rhodesia, Brother H. C. Olmstead and wife came to take their place. They entered heartily into their duties, and were doing well, but in one month he was taken with the fever. He was confined to his bed for over a month, then had to go to Kimberley.
Thus ended their labors at this mission. So we are still left alone, praying for more help. Nevertheless, the dear Lord has blessed us greatly during the past season. Nine have been baptized and added to the church, and we have another good class to start at once, the members of which will be baptized in due time.
NATIVE MOTHER GATHERING KAFIR PEAS
NATIVE MOTHER GATHERING KAFIR PEAS
During the past few months there has been the best spirit we have ever enjoyed at this place. A band of earnest students seems to have come to us. For this we praise God, and for all his mercies. Our out-schools never did so well as at present. We now have seven, all quite full. Our courage is good.
Our last report showed that our school seemed to be falling behind in numbers, and we began to fear for the future. It set us to praying and seeking God. He heard our prayers, and sent us a full school again. Should more come, I do not know what we should do with them. We hear of more who desire to come.
BROTHER AND SISTER CAMPBELL LEAVING SOLUSI
BROTHER AND SISTER CAMPBELL LEAVING SOLUSI
The field is white, and the work is far from being finished. Last week I made a trip of over one hundred miles, to our out-stations. The darkness in which we still find the people is appalling. As I lay at night at one of our stations, I could hear the natives praying to and praising the demons. This is now the spring-time of the year. The leaves are coming out, and soon the planting time will be here. It is the custom at this season for the women and girls to gather at the rising of the sun, and at its setting, to dance and make a great noise, crying to the devils, entreating their favor, asking their blessings upon their gardens in the sending of much rain. They think that if they please the devils, they will have good crops. Dreadful is the noise they make, and dense the dust that rises from the dance, in which all the women and girls participate. Then they have another dance, in which only girls from eight to eighteen take part. This is to bring rain only. They think it will greatly please the demons, and that much rain will come. I said to my native teacher, as we listened to the noise,—for it was only a little way from one of our schools,—“I think the devils are well pleased.” And these things are going on close by our schools, under the light of the gospel. O, when will the people learn righteousness? You see our work is not yet done. Still the call is for more to come over and help. We are pressing forward as best we can alone, and are seeing fruit for our labors. Many of these dear children are turning away from their follies and sins. Pray for us.
Bulawayo, Rhodesia.