AFRICA

We are indeed thankful to hear from Dr. Woodhams of continued encouragement in getting the gospel to the natives in the vicinity of Mambassa. He also speaks of the medical work being helpful in making contact with the natives. He writes as follows:

I sometimes wonder as to the value for the gospel's sake of all this medical and surgical work which we do here, and yet on the other hand when we go out to preach in the villages, either near or far, we always come across numerous familiar and grateful faces of natives who have been here for one reason or another. These always greet us very sincerely and remind us that they are known to us, and while one may not be able to count up a large list of Christians directly from this contact, yet the friendly feeling of the people toward us is associated with this at least.

Yesterday we went in the afternoon to the village of Shaifku, a Mangwana, near Mambassa. We had a very good crowd standing around, and they listened attentively to the reading of most of the third chapter of John. New birth! What a revolutionary doctrine to present to the Mohammedan! It surely must give them a mental jolt (after having been taught, as they have all their years, to pamper to the flesh and make provision for it in every way, in anticipation of their old sinful natures being able to enter heaven and making heaven itself a place of continued sin in conformity to their thoughts and nature) to have the Lord from heaven announce in this chapter, "Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." The spirit of the principalities and powers is different in a Mohammedan village than when we go to the other natives. There is a certain sense of fear when we go there for this reason; yet nearly always there is also a feeling of satisfaction and joy in having announced Christ to these hardened sinners. The Lord has encouraged us in this Sunday afternoon work. We all go, and take the organ, and there is always an attentive crowd. The Mangwana listens well and hears what is said.

The new road is now opened through to Stanleyville. That is, the road we live on has been extended in the west. The official opening took place last month, and the Governor from Stanleyville was the first one to drive a car through. It is really a big accomplishment for the Belgians and will make a big change as to the development of the colony. Consequently we are gradually being moved out of our forest retreat into the noise of civilization again. Whereas one or two cars a week used to pass, now there are four or five a day, and big trucks roaring by to disturb the quiet of this Ituri forest. It is 525 kilometers to Stanleyville from here, and this could be made in one day by pushing. There are five rivers to be crossed on a raft of native canoes attached to a cable, and these usually cause a half-hour's delay. I have not been to Stanleyville and probably will have no occasion for going.

Our young brother William Deans reports continued improvement in his physical condition, and by this time should be back in Nyangkundi. He writes:

The time has come when my physical condition warrants my return to Nyangkundi, hence I will be returning there immediately after the new year begins, God willing, possibly on the second of the year. The time spent here has not been in vain. It has not been merely a year of medical treatment. A number of souls have been won to Christ, and He has been pleased to use the ministry among saints, both white and black. I have succeeded in annexing another language, Bangala, which will be of inestimable value in working among prisoners, soldiers and Indians, and have obtained a groundwork in French. My hour's rest after dinner every day has been utilized in the study of Ancient Greek and I have made some progress in that. But best of all, it has been a year in which the Lord has been teaching me many things. I trust the lessons have been learned.

It has touched our hearts very much to see the way in which the saints in the homeland have ministered to our wants in this time of financial stringency. The Lord has in a simple way met our needs. And the trial of our faith has done us good. Yes, the Word says that it is more precious than gold that perisheth. How true!

We also have tidings direct from our sister Miss De Jonge who writes on Nov. 16th:

In the great goodness of our Lord He has again restored me to a measure of health and strength so that I can take up a part of the school-work once more. Mrs. Woodhams still has charge of the school. Last Lord's Day another native, a workman who has been on the station a long while, stood up to confess the Lord Jesus as Saviour, and last evening at the native Bible reading, '-a school-boy stood up acknowledging his faith in the Lord Jesus as Saviour. We pray that the Spirit may so deepen the work in the hearts of each one that real evidence of a new life may be seen in their lives.

We are looking forward to having the Deans come here next week for a few days to have another Bible conference, the Lord willing. Today's mail brought word from the Searles telling of their hope to return here early in the following year. The Lord is able.

The following extracts from recent letters from our brother Robert Deans are of interest:

We came into the new house last Thursday, but there are many things to be done yet. We thank the dear Lord that we are on a higher level, even though the place in general is many times so depressing. It would surprise one however what a change of 300 feet up makes. We are on a knoll, and the house is much cooler, for which we are exceedingly thankful.

We had a service last night at one of the out-schools in the moonlight. It would have made your hearts rejoice to see the crowd of natives singing lustily and listening so attentively, as the Word was being spoken. Yes, beloved saints, God is working, and even though Satan is trying to hinder he cannot stop what our Lord wishes to continue.

The work at Mambassa is growing splendidly, and the day will declare what has been done for His glory. We had a splendid time there on Thanksgiving Day and were refreshed in spirit. These times remind one of "the twelve wells of water and the seventy palm-trees." Oh, that we could encamp more and more by those waters of refreshment!

The work here is growing, and even as I have said before, opposition is now showing up. Who can hinder when our God says, "Go forward?" And by His grace we will.

The saints at Nyangkundi are standing fast in the Lord and we do especially ask our dear brethren at home to remember them at that blessed place-"the mercy-seat."
BRAZIL

Our brother Penna, writing on November 23rd, says:

I am thankful to the Lord for the interest our brethren are showing in this work here and for the prayers made by them in our favor.

On November 2nd, which is the day of the dead for Roman Catholics, we went into the cemetery where many hundreds of people were gathered to light candles on the graves of their dead and to recite prayers for their souls, and there we gave out hundreds of gospel tracts which they received willingly. After we left the cemetery the priest called the people together, and collected the tracts we had given out, made a fire and burnt them. This is only a glimpse of how things in this poor country are under the sway of Rome.

On November 6th we preached for the first time in Josemiry, which I mentioned in my last letter. A man living in this place accepted the Lord Jesus as Saviour, and he invited me to preach there on that Sunday. I went, and nearly one hundred people heard the word of life from Isaiah 53. It was a good meeting and many of them seem quite interested. At least we can say two are decided for Christ there. This seems to be a new door opened by the Lord. All glory to His Name.

CHINA

We would earnestly request the prayers of the Lord's people on behalf of our brother and sister Kautto. The war between Japan and China is becoming intensified, and approaching nearer the district where they have been called to labor. We have no doubt that, in common with all the Lord's people in North China, they are having to undergo many trials. May they be able to say, as the apostle Paul could, "Out of them all the Lord delivered me."

WEST INDIES

Our brother J. B. Hoze writing from Barbados on December 29th says:

Our brother H. P. Barker is now on this island and we are arranging special meetings. We hope to get the Methodist church, not many feet from our hall here, as our meeting-room is small, and we are not able to accommodate a large number.

RETURNING WORKERS

Our brother Searle writes:

We are looking to the Lord Jesus that if it be His will, we may be enabled to return to that needy land early in the Spring, and that it may be in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. Mrs. Searle and the children have had the flu, but they are now better, thanks be to the Lord.