Aba, Congo Belge, Jan. 22, 1922.

… I have had a bad time with malaria for the past two months, and have been in bed a good deal of the time. This has incapacitated me most of the time, and I have not been able to get much done. As a result, your first letter is late in being answered, but the second came in the last mail. I am feeling much better now, and, in the Lord's mercy, believe that we will be able to go on with our work here again.

Since I last wrote to you I made a trip back to Ter Akara, where I baptized seven natives-boys and young men. It was a refreshing time, with many mercies from the Lord through the trip. There was much cause for rejoicing in the clear testimonies given by these young believers.

It would have made your heart glad to hear these boys confess Christ as they stood in the water and looked up to the bank filled with their own people. There was marked liberty, and no set form of words in, what each said, which showed the witness of the Spirit within. It showed that it was not from what they have been taught alone, but from their own experiences. God has surely owned the preaching of His Word among this tribe, and we rejoice that these have found the peace that passeth understanding. One or two of them had been very dull when they first came to the station. Prom a human standpoint it seemed as though they could never grasp what was being taught. But, praise God, He is able to enlighten all by His Spirit; the Word fell on good ground, and these seven made known their desire for baptism. I had taught these boys the truth of it, but never said that they should be baptized. It is so easy for a native to agree to what the white man tells him is best, and this is Rome's way of getting many followers. But I waited for the Holy Spirit to put the desire in these boys to take this open place in testimony before their fellows. I rejoiced when they finally did come of their own accord and asked to be buried with Christ in baptism. So the Lord has much encouraged us in the work.

We long to return again to Ter Akara, and go on with those who -have made such a good start, and help them to grow. One of these seven is here with us at Aba; the others are all at Ter Akara, and four of them doing regular evangelistic work. Another, with us here at Aba, has also asked to be baptized, and we are to arrange for it a little later. We are kept busy with the work here at Aba-the Lord's place for us for the time being.

We know not when we may go home on furlough; but if we are well, upon the return of Merse here, we would very much like to return to Ter Akara for another year ; but if we are not well, it may be best to take furlough this year. However, the Lord will lead in these things as the time comes.

I seem to be over the malaria now, for which I am thankful. Except for a hard cold (due to change of weather to the dry season now beginning), Mrs. Woodhams and our little girl have been quite well. She joins in sending greetings to you and all in the Lord with you. R. C. Woodhams