Mavuradonha Mission Station
P.B. 16 Bindura
Southern Rhodesia, Africa
14th January, 1954
Dear Ruth,
I have before me your letter written about a year ago and I don’t believe that I ever answered it, and regardless, I’m going to write to you now. I was glad to hear from you about yourself, your family and about the others. You greet all of the girls who live near you. I suppose though that Martha is the only one near. I’m sorry to hear about your mother’s eyesight. I know that I should write but it seems so difficult for me to do all of the writing that I’m supposed to do. Again thanks so much for the story of the family.
As to myself, I enjoy this work, as this is where the Lord has led me and, so of course, he has given me joy in being here. I have in years past – I’ve been out ten years now except for the time I was home in 1950 – done all kinds of work. I did teaching in the morning and village visitation in the afternoon. Then I’ve done considerable nursing, but at present teaching keeps me occupied for the most part.
We have a big school here and the pupils live on the station. They go to their homes in the vacation periods between terms. Most of our students are in their late teens and early twenties, and we have mostly boys. We teach them all the regular school subjects plus English and our school is under the supervision of the government of this colony as all the schools are. We reach many young Africans through the school. They are so keen on education now. We have the privilege of teaching the Bible and also of giving them the Gospel. Education without Christ won’t help them much.
This colony has quite a few white people. The large cities are built up by the white people, and in those places the climate is not bad. Where we are it is quite hot for a long period of the year. Also in Rhodesia one finds many white farmers, but where we are there are only the natives. We live in grass thatched houses and eat about as we would at home. We are 150 miles from Salisbury, the capital, and that is where we do our shopping. We are able to have vegetables most of the year. I have chickens and we have cattle here. We are now eleven missionaries on this station but usually we number only seven. However, in years past I’ve just been with a married couple. We teach in English but the Bible and all of our preaching is in the native tongue. The Lord has provided for my every need throughout these years.
Have you heard that Dad has been ill for over a year now? He is able to be around but does no work except little jobs. He has had some sort of a stroke of the brain. My kid brother does the chores, etc., and he also is still in school. My brother next to him is in the army now. The girls are all married but Ila and myself. So are the boys except the two youngest. Mom keeps going quite well. Her letters are always good. I always look forward to them. She has so many to write to. Gladys is in Louisville, Kentucky. Evelyn is in Minneapolis and Ila is in Chicago. Well perhaps you know all about the family.
Anyway I was happy to hear about all of you. Write again. I’d like a picture of you and yours.
Lovingly,
Eunice
