p. 17 | West Africa by David C. Babcock

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 12, 1906

West Africa

By David C. Babcock

FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE.—I am working so hard to get everything enclosed in our new home that I hardly take time for anything else. The rainy season has begun, and that in Sierra Leone means much more than in any other place, to the best of my knowledge, at least. From May to November the average rainfall is two hundred inches. So we must get ready for it.

Then again, it is not very safe to have the house without windows and doors, as it is only a few yards to the very thick brush in the rear of the house. The wildcats come out in broad daylight, and carry off our chickens; and the nights are very dark on the sides of these mountains, so we hardly know what is near our door in the night. That door is wide open, and we feel a little anxious to get it closed up. Our Mendi boys were so fearful that they went down into town to sleep nights. If we were to listen to the natives, we would not remain here one night. We hope to get it fenced in, so that wild animals can not intrude on our rights.

I am anxious to get the house finished, so that I can begin work directly with the people again. For nearly four months before I began work on the mission building, I was down with the fever, so I have done but little missionary work since I was taken sick. In about two weeks I can begin again, and work on the building only when it rains so I can not get out.

We have had some very interesting experiences with our Mendi boys, since beginning the work on the building. They often venture into our Sabbath-school and meetings, and I always take advantage of this to talk to them as directly as they can bear. I told them one Sabbath how all our plans should be laid at the feet of the Lord, and we should let him arrange everything for us. I gave them as an example our placing before the Lord the matter of our building, and told them that the plans I had drawn out were the Lord's. The next morning they came to see the plans that the Lord had arranged.

One bright boy is the son of a former king, and, contrary to the feelings of the Mendies, he has decided that he wants to learn to read, like our Fante boy. I only wish that we could take in several boys, and train them at once; but our means are limited, and to train them it is necessary to have them under our direct watch-care all the time, and that prevents their working where they can get a living.

Yesterday I had a very pleasant visit from a gentleman, and he told me that he expected to become one with us. But there are so few on whose word one can rely in the least, that I do not care to report Sabbath-keepers until they pass through a little experience.

I am glad to say that there is a decided change for the better in our health. I have not felt better for more than two years. Mrs. Babcock had a little fever the day after we moved into our new home, but since that time she has improved very fast. We have been here just three weeks, and are much pleased with the change. D. C. BABCOCK.