It has now been a year and nine months since Chief Jonathan gave us the site for this mission station. During this time we have had abundant evidence that the mission's name is true. When a fence was being made around the place, a petty chief tried to cut back the bounds; but God so overruled that Jonathan gave us even more land, and the petty chief also remained friendly. As frost had destroyed all peaches near us, so that none could be purchased from the natives, the big chief sent a number of basketfuls from his orchard. He also has freely given a pony to use for the keeping, and as the mission has no milch-cows, he supplies us with a little milk each day. But it is in the daily work and plans that we especially see God's leading and overruling hand. This gives us courage and confidence to push forward.
The Holy Spirit has witnessed in the meetings held each Sabbath and Sunday. Several are taking Bible studies, and are walking in the light as far as they know. The husband and the mother-in-law of one of these raised so much opposition that she declared she was treated as a stranger in her own village. Her former friends refused to speak to her, yet she still has a desire to obey God. As missionaries have been numerous in the little native country of Basutoland for sixty years, all have heard the gospel story. Yet we know that with God's blessing, his special message for this time will convert even hardened heathen.
Many have come with all manner of ailments for treatment and medicine. Common among these are the syphilitic sores which affect such a large per cent of the African natives. Then there are many cases of lung and throat diseases, caused largely by the people's always sleeping with the head completely covered by their blankets, and with their small huts sealed as tightly as possible. Tuberculosis is killing thousands. Again, the Basutos suffer much from stomach and bowel disorders. This is not surprising, as the principal food of adults is leting (light beer) and joala (strong beer), both made by fermenting Kafir-corn. Indeed, many men eat little other nourishment for weeks at a time. Even the infants are forced to drink a coarse, thin porridge, which has been barely boiled.13
NEW MISSION HOUSE, EMMANUEL MISSION, NEARLY COMPLETED
The little mission farm has yielded its first crop of mealies (maize), Kafir-corn, oat forage, and potatoes. These crops enable us to avoid heavy running expenses, and furnish a little income. Later, fruit-trees and vines which have been planted will materially help in this respect.
A good stone house is nearing completion, and one for the native helper is being built. Work has also been started on a stone schoolhouse and stable. As is the rule on new stations, a number of temporary huts answer the purpose of dwellings, storerooms, and students' quarters, while more permanent buildings are being erected. We are now living in half of the new stone house, and it does seem good.
Much of our time thus far has been spent in temporal work, building up a good home base. But now as these things begin to take shape, we are turning our attention more and more to evangelistic work. A wagon and lantern have been ordered to aid in this. The many signs of our Lord's soon return urge us to work with zeal that this land may be warned before his coming.
