South Africa by F. B. Armitage

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 13, 1906

South Africa

By F. B. Armitage

Somabula Mission, Rhodesia.—Our work is onward, and new ones are coming in. There was some decrease in attendance while I was away sick, but now the number is steadily increasing, and we hope soon to have a large number in our school. We are surely gaining a hold on this people. It is now little more than four years since we came to Somabula. Not one could read a word, or knew a letter, and to-day we have several boys who can not only read the native Bible, but the English as well, and these are beginning to help a little in teaching the Zulus. I do not think our workers could do better among American children or young men. We are glad for what the Lord has done for this people.

The Lord has blessed this mission in financial matters, so that we have been able with very little help from the conference to carry on the work of supporting the school. We have no farm, only a government grant of ten acres, so you see our farming is very limited. But with our fowls, cows, and some outside work, such as wagon repairs, etc., we have done nicely.

There is one pressing need, and it is becoming more and more apparent as the days go by. We should have a young lady teacher, one who is practical and sensible, who loves the work. Surely God has some one to fill this place. The promise is, "My God shall supply all your needs." We will pay the teacher here at the mission, so there will be no expense to the South African Union Conference or the Mission Board. We have been in this hot, trying climate for many years, and begin to see that we can not do the same amount of hard work that we once did. Our nerves will not stand the strain of the school work and the other duties demanding our attention. We have been closely confined to the school work, but I believe if we could have a little extra time to spend in visiting the villages and holding Bible readings with the old people, we would see good results from the effort.

Our rains were very late this year, and for a while it looked as if we were face to face with a famine. But God remembered our needs, and sent the rain from heaven, so now we shall, if all continues well, have at least some crop, though it was too late to plant any grain except corn. The goats began to die for the want of food, before the rains came. Now grass is plentiful, and our cattle are beginning to look like new creatures. We are very busy looking after the weeds, also putting up more houses for the boys, as everything is more than full.

The fever is quite bad among the natives this season, but so far we have had but little here at the mission, among the boys and girls. We have many things to discourage us. But, on the other hand, there is much to cheer us in our work. The One in whom we put our trust has never left us or forsaken us. On every side we see reasons for rejoicing.

F. B. Armitage.