AFRICA

The following letter from Dr. Woodhams tells of their safe arrival in Africa and happy reunion with the workers and native Christians there:

Mambasa, July 24, 1931. Dear brother:-

Well, here we are at Mambasa again by the Lord's mercy and goodness, and we do thank our God for a safe journey and a safe return to these people and to this land. But I will start from where we were when last I wrote, and continue in order.

We left Nairobi on Saturday, July 11, and went on up to Kijabe, the main station of the A.I.M., Misses Creighton and DeJonge remaining at Nairobi to take the train on the following Monday. We enjoyed our visit at Kijabe very much, and they have been having a time of trial and consequent blessing. They asked me to take the Sunday afternoon "White Meeting," which I was glad to do, and we had a happy time over the Word and the fact that the "inheritance is by promise." Continuing on by car, we stopped at Eldoret on the high plateau of Africa; the next night at Jinga, which is on the north shore of Lake Victoria and the point where Rijyron Falls marks the beginning of the Nile River. The next night we reached Masindi, and here found Misses DeJonge and Creighton, who had arrived the same day, via the Uganda R. R. system. We had one day to wait over there, which gave a change to wash the car and get the red dust of Kenya Colony off. We also paid a visit to the C.M.S. station and the grave of our little Paul. On the 17th we went on to Butiaba on Lake Albert, which is 40 miles beyond Masindi. On Lake Albert a new boat had been put into service since last year, which can accommodate about 35 passengers. The former boat had only six cabins and the custom was to put camp-cots on the upper deck for the other passengers.

The next morning we had reached Kasenji on the Congo side before daylight. Mr. Deans, Mr. Searle and Will Deans all came down to meet us. It was good to see our brethren who have kept on so faithfully, and to hear at once a brief account of blessing and encouragement. There were many different ones to ask about, and hear reports, in some cases of progress and in others of failure. It took most of the morning to attend to landing our goods and car, and to customs, and we went to the A. I. M. station of Gogoro, which is 15 miles from Kasengi, for lunch, and then drove over to Nyangkundi. What a reception we received there! All the natives had gathered by the roadside where we arrived and greeted us by singing, "What did He do?" It certainly was good both to hear their voices and to see their faces, and after the singing was over then a happy time of handshaking. It was good to see them all-many now who belong to the Lord, and many others for whom we have longed that they might know Him. Mr. and Mrs. Searle, however, look very tired and much in need of a change and rest. It is just six years since they arrived with us at Nyangkundi.

The next day was Lord's Day, and brother Deans and family remained over, and it was a very happy day. There has been -much blessing at Nyangkundi the past year, and a good increase in the attendance at meetings. Brother Searle has put up a large building, and there was a large crowd present. Brother Searle estimates that there are about 150 Christians there now, with about 80 at the Lord's Table. At the day school they have now an enrollment of 270, which is twice what it was a year ago. Will Deans has charge of this, and he plans for 500 by next year. May the Lord grant it. Many boys come in from the villages and live on the station to attend school, and then meetings too. It was a great privilege that Lord's Day morning to look into their faces again, and to again announce glad tidings to them.

Then after the gospel meeting we met again to remember the Lord in His death. A good many of the native brethren took part and brother Deans gave thanks. It was a very happy time in the Lord's presence.

Brother Deans went on to Mambasa on Monday, and we remained until Tuesday. So on Tuesday, July 21, we reached our destination and our home at Mambasa. The trip en route was greatly enjoyed, renewing old scenes, stopping to see Mikairi, and hear of encouragement there and blessing. Then when we reached Mambasa another glad welcome awaited us from the natives who were gathered in front of our house and sang a hymn of greeting. The bonds that unite us are in Christ. But what a year of hard work brother Deans has put in here at Mambasa, and what a help in the Lord this brother has been to the work here! We were left speechless almost, on seeing how much he has accomplished. What zeal there is when the Lord appoints a man to his work; far greater zeal surely than when human leadership appoints and assigns a job!

First of all, the Hospital is all ready to be occupied; this is a brick building of eight rooms, with a large open verandah where the native patients wait, and where the gospel meeting will be held. The care and interest our brother has put into this work show a man whose service was unto the Lord. Cement floors have been put in all the rooms. The operating room is a fine light room with high windows on three sides and plenty of light. Knowing first-hand the trouble and delays in building with native labor in Africa, I can fully appreciate what a big undertaking this building was, and it is exactly suited to our work-not pretentious, but yet room enough to attend to the numerous cases which come in here continually. We trust that all may be for the honor of our Lord and unto His Name. The building makes a very fine appearance from outside, being of red brick pointed with cement and with a leaf roof. I will send a picture of it for the S. S. Visitor. Besides the Hospital, brother Deans also finished the chapel building near the Mohammedan village, which we were putting up for Sunday afternoon meetings. This is a fine large building of one large room, and built by faith, for we expect the Lord to bring in these people who continue hard and indifferent and unmoved. But our hope is in God who sent us. This building, too, is ready to use, and we will have an opening there some Sunday soon. And besides these two, brother Deans also went ahead with Miss Creighton's house and has done two-thirds of the work of this four-room house. This is of adobe, as our own house is. The walls and roof are finished, and it will be ready for her in another two months. Meanwhile, she is comfortably located in two rooms of the Hospital.

Brother Deans and family have already moved on to the Lolwa station. I greatly appreciate their having been willing to fill in for us here at Mambasa this year, and this was surely the Lord's provision. How good to acknowledge in any weak measure that our Lord is Head of His Body. We are very glad to be back. What a mercy of our God to continue this day of grace and gospel preaching.

Greetings to you in our Lord's Name,
Your brother by grace, K. C. Woodhams, M. D.

We have had several enquiries lately in connection with our brother Searle and family leaving for furlough. The following is the latest information received from him:

We have not decided yet re the time of our leaving, but have left it wholly with the Lord. As soon as He indicates that we should go we will let you know.

WEST INDIES:

Brother Hoze writes of his restoration to health and of his desire to be more active in the Lord's service. Under date of Sept. 5 he says:

"I am glad to be able to report that I am now almost normal in health and strength, and am assured that the operation will in the future cause me to enjoy better health than I have had for years. I hope to be much more active here and there in the service of our blessed Lord, as He might direct; meanwhile I am endeavoring to serve Him here as usual."

CHINA:A missionary laboring in North China writes:

We recently got word of you from Mr. Kautto, who was in Peitaiho for a few days. We had hoped he would bring his wife along, but they were busy with tent meetings, so did not feel they could leave a good work to come to the sea and rest. China is getting worse and worse, and I fear we are working up for the most bloody strife China has known for many years. I believe a form of Communism will flood the whole land before things can possibly begin to improve. The Holy Spirit is not disturbed by the strife of man, and only last night we received the encouraging news that twenty Mongol families near to us are desiring to turn to God from idols. I know you will join with us in praying that this may be a true work of God, and that it may not be a mere turning from one religion to another, but that new birth will be the real experience of each individual connected with the families.

Let us not forget to pray for the Lord's servants in this troubled and difficult land. harbor work, New York:

Brother Ralph West continues active in the Lord's work in and about New York harbor, and reports many openings for talks with men on the ships and encouragement in the work. Baltimore:

Brother Chas. H. Anderson, who for several years has devoted his spare time to the Lord's work amongst the seamen in this port, has for the past few months given all of his time to the work, looking to the Lord to supply his needs.