Mavuradonha
18th June, 195[4]
Dear folks,
It seems as if when the post comes this next [text missing] be getting a letter from you. Here’s hoping. It [text missing] yet tonight. Of course it might not come but we always look for it on Sunday night. This next week-end Cabot Johnson will be here for Saturday and Sunday. He leaves Monday morning for Salisbury again.
I had a letter from Lillie and she told me that Art Seams had been buried that day. I was sorry to hear that. I hadn’t heard that he had been failing so fast. How is Leo Wood? Anyone else ill around there that I know? What kind of weather are you having these days? Has it warmed up any? How have your chickens done thus far this year? Well, I guess I’ll not write much more on this. Perhaps I’ll hear from you and then I’ll try to finish it in the morning.
I have a couple of lessons to get yet tonight. The school boys are at the compound singing in the moonlight. It gets plenty cool these nights. I have my heavy bathrobe on and my steamer blanket draped around me. In the daytime it is nice. Some days I wear a sweater all day.
21st June
Goodness, I’ve never gotten this sent yet and even now it is time for me to go to school but I’ll dash off a little and then I’ll write more soon again. First, since the above date the dress has come. A very pretty nylon and I could not have done better if I had been home. I’m very, very pleased with it – the style, the colour, the crinkle and all. Thanks so very much. I really need it in a bad way, too, as I have no good dresses anymore. Also the skirt Ila sent is very nice and will be so nice for town wear. I was so pleased and thankful when I got them and when they fitted, etc. You know my first term I never got anything like that and I sure got hard-up for decent clothes.
This past week-end Cabot Johnson was here. He came late Saturday afternoon and left early Monday morning. He was taken to two stations only, Msengedzi and here, as he had no more time. Ken Munger took him around. He was a real blessing to we missionaries and also to the natives. I don’t think I’ve ever known a better white person than him to get himself across to the natives in the two times he met with them.
We had a big meeting on Sunday at church. An outdoor meeting. Seventeen were saved. He spoke on their level and our teacher here, Wyngood, interpreted and he is excellent. So it was very nice. Effie and Ruth came over Friday afternoon and stayed until Sunday afternoon, so that was nice. Also Betty Mason came along from Msengedzi on her way to town.
The bell is ringing. I must go. I do trust that you are all well. Our next big ado is in two weeks as three big bugs of the educational department are coming to inspect us. Last week one was here – a surprise visit – but he was very nice. Well all for now.
Love,
Eunice
[Transcriber’s note: There is a large piece torn from the top of this letter which has removed the last digit of the year in the date, some words from the first two lines, and the postmark from the reverse side. It is deduced that the letter was written in 1954 based on the location from which she sent the letter, the mention of Ken Munger, who served from 1953-1961 with TEAM in Southern Rhodesia, the fact that it is addressed to “folks” (i.e. Eunice’s father was still alive), and that the dates mentioned fall on days of the week in 1954 that make sense with the text of her letter.]