STORY

^q/f.

February 1971

Volume 11

Humber 2

ISOTIIKI M SlMaA
by Ziden Nutt
individual members? Several baptisms
have been performed and growth in the
youth meeting and Bible school has

It seemed to hover in midair for

several seconds like a ball of fire.

Then it disappeared behind the beauti

ful range of hills to the north of Sinoia.
Ivan Martin and I were on our way to
visit an African family and were amazed
at such a sight. What was it?? We still

been evident.

Mm.

;Xm

don't know.

Other sightings of a spiritual nature

have been amazing as well. Where are
they from?? We do know!! It is the power
of the Holy Spirit working through the

House of worship built by local

people in Magondi village.

was a "church" that could be as much

African as anything else; for it had its

origin from the great Spirit of Creation
whom their forefathers had recognized
and searched for almost since the begin
ning of time itself a church that was
not from men.

Another wonderful event was wit

nessed around the bed of a man who

had malaria. Two of the European men

were calling on him and wanted to have
prayer. One of the men, a man who had
never prayed in public, called on the

other who had had public prayer a few

an object in the sky. We soon sighted

the giant plane as it soared down and
taxied to the airport at Salisbury. Again,
the Spirit was involved; for the Lord

times. To the surprise of the man who

made the request as well as the sick

of Harvest had raised up the Ivan Martin

family to come labor in the field here
in the area of Sinoia. Both Ivan and Jo
Anne have been a blessing to the Afri

person, the man refused on the basis

can work with both whites and blacks.

that he didn't feel qualified and just

didn't know how to say things right. As
a result, the first man said to the one
in bed, "I guess you'll have to pray
for yourself."
So, to save further embarrassment,
it was promptly done. It seemed as
though things were going backwards,
but the Spirit took hold and things
began to happen. Several of the men of

Then on the 3rd of January 1971,

another sighting was made of a plane

Word of God causing them. For example,

during the first week of December, the
church at Mangula had arranged with us
to hold a week of training classes con
cerning the church. Ivan and I had alter
nated nights going to teach. We were
amazed at the responsiveness of those
who attended. They were eager to learn;
and, as the church in the Bible was
presented to them, it was wonderful to
see the pieces fit together in their
minds. Some, with a denominational
background, seemed amazed that there

Other sightings are thrilling also.

It was June 30, 1970. Several of us
eagerly looked for the appearance of

the Sinoia church are doing the Sunday

evening services, and the man in charge
the following Sunday was the one who
had refused to pray! The beginning of
the service was difficult, but having
apologized mainly to the Lord for refus
ing an opportunity to pray that past
week, he said, "Let's pray."
The other one, soon afterward in a

making the return of the Dale Marshall

family a reality. For just over eight

months they had been in the U.S.A. Now

they returned to a work which they had
taken over in December of 1966. Dale

is the first full-time evangelist of the

mission to live in Sinoia, and all Chris

tians here "longed" for his and his

family's return. This speaks in a won
derful way of their first terra's service.
The first glimpse of the village was
impressive. No "missionary" had been
there, but standing in a prominent place
was the house of worship. In several
areas of Rhodesia this is not uncommon.

Though it may generally be true in Africa

that a school is the center of a village,

church business meeting, said, "I think

as one has written, work in several

it's about time I started to pray as

well." Would you please pray for the
growth of this congregation and its

areas of Rhodesia has not been estab

lished in that way. For several years,

(Co72linued on page 8)

IT WAS
THE FIRST TIME
It was the first time diat I had ever

preached where the people could not

understand English. The interpreter
was excellent; but, oh, how. 1 wished I
could speak their language. There was
much more I would like

to have told

them that I could not.

It was the first time that 1 had ever
met in a church with a thatched roof or
*!

with no building at all. I have now met

with churches whose normal meeting
place is under a tree or in front of
someone's home; but the same feeling
of love and fellowship is there.
It was the first time that I had par
taken

of

die

emblems

The Ivan Martin family.

of communion

with baby chicks scurrying around my

feet; but the same devotion to God and
His Son was there.
It was the first

this woman has been such a pillar in

the church and how that everywhere
she has moved where there has not been

time I

had ever

placed something equivalent to the

American quarter in the offering plate
and given five to ten times more than
anyone else present and felt that I had
sacrificed much less than anyone
else there.

It was the first time that I had ever

had a woman come to me who felt so

a church, she has started one, I felt

mobbed by young people just wanting

to shake my hand.
These are some of the experiences
that have been mine during our first

that I should have been on my knees

month in Rhodesia. I have never seen

in front of her.

a people that were so gentle, kind and

It was the first time that lhad been

in a church service with about 75 peo

ple there and taken perhaps a third of
them down to the river to baptize them.
Yes, it was the first time that 1 had

humble she thought she had to come on

been in a church service and been die

her knees. And when I understood how

only white person

there, and been

polite as the African people. It is quite

an experience not being able to speak
to them, but by action and looks express
to them one's love and concern and in
turn feel the warm Christian love and

fellowship being returned. We consider

it a real privilege to work with these
people.

whAt A chAnce
When I first came to Rhodesia, the
church attendance at Nyamazanga farm
numbered about 20, and all but two of
these were children. We were very dis
couraged about the prospects of the
church on that farm. There was just no
one to lead the congregation in our
absence.

Ivan Martin
at this, butMr. Coetzer's second request They provide a school if they can; and
was the first of its kind. He wanted to most of them are glad to have the Bible
send this man to town for a week to be taught to the work force and their fami
taught by our African evangelists so lies. But Mr. Coetzer has been out
that he could lead the church on the standing in his cooperation with us.
farm.

Mr.

Coetzer

also

said

that he

would pay the man's salary just as if

he were working on the farm. We were
more than happy to comply with the

He provides a stock tank and hauls

water to it so that we can do the bap
tizing at die church building rather than

concerned. He is not a member of the

request.

having to travel some distance to a

muddy stream. We believe that his con

church; but he does attend our European

services in Sinoia frequently. One of
the reasons he gives for attending is
our great interest in his African work
ers. He is a very religious person and
we hope he will soon become fully
obedient in baptism. At different times
we talked at length with him about the
condition of the church on his farm;
but we could not find any solution.
We prayed about it, asking for God's
guidance. We were thrilled at His answer
a few days later. Mr. Coetzer, the
farmer, came to us with two requests.

In short, the man was baptized,

taught for a week, and then went back

revived it from death and will go far

The European farmer, too, was quite

His African foreman wanted to become

a part of the church. We were overjoyed

to the farm to lead the church. Church

attendance has increased to about 50,

with the majority of these being adults.

The people have built their own grass
church building; and the last Sunday
that we were with them, we baptized
six.

The

church

is

now enthusiastic

and prospering.
Most of the credit for this change
should be given to the European farmer
who had such a great concern for the
spiritual well-being of his African
workers. Most European farmers show
some concern for their African help.

cern

for

the

church on his

farm has

in causing it to be a strong church in

the years to come. Truly a great change
has taken place at Nyamazanga,

TAe Central Africa Story is published

monthly for the Central Africa Mission,
Churches of Christ by Mission Services
Association

at

509

West Jefferson,

Joliet, Illinois. Second Class Postage

paid at Joliet, Illinois 60434.
Volume n

Feb. 1971

Number 2

Central Africa Story

THE HOSPITAL CALL

by Jim Van Curen, M.D.

(Editor's note: Tie ideas expressed in

and rules. Before visiting, familiarize

Flowers are nice and add happiness to

this article, while having little to do

with "foreign" missions, have much to
do with the mission of the church in
every land and with all people. Com
passion for the physically ill is a
virtue which each Christian must prac
tice in his own life and encourage in
the lives of others. That compassion,
however, must be governed by sound
Biblical principles and good common
sense, as Dr. Van Curen so well points
out. Apparently, the ideas expressed

yourself with

Routines have

a room, but the allergic patient may be

been established both for convenience

driven from the room by them. Food is

never to be brought unless the doctor
asks you to bring it! I'll never forget

them!

and for good hospital care. Stopping at

the nurses' station first to inquire may
save time and agony. Generally, the
condition of the patient will be told, if
possible, and whether the patient is
occupied presently. Knock first on a
closed door; barging into the middle
of an enema is hardly comforting! Obey

"No Visiting" signs. There are many

valid reasons for you to pray at home,

in this article have been forming in the or even in the waiting room, instead of
mind of Dr. Van Curen for a number of in the sick room if this is the doctor's
years and we will all be the richer

orders.

because he has now put them in print.)

uncomfortable moments were before the

huge imposing doors of hospitals, anticpating a sick call. A greatly altered

vantage point now has me much more
comfortable, but still will never erase
the memory of my first night as a doc
tor, when I prayed no one would be
P--*

that we should not neglect the perfect

ing of this important ministry of healing.

say will be comforting and medicinal,

and not disturbing and detrimental.
Every hospital has visiting hours

February 1971

riie case with even the most harmless-

appearing food. A "Nothing by Mouth"

sign may not include communion, but

The last thing to do before you enter

the room is to glance at your watch.
Rest and quiet are important parts of
every patient's therapy, and your call
should never take longer than 10-15
minutes.

ous, but be quiet and cheerful. Be happy,

but not falsely so. Overdoing cheer
can cause the patient to wonder if you
might not know something about his

witness in this area can mean so much

for words; but it is most distressing to

the composure of many to see a friend
in a hospital bed pale skin, sunken
eyes, disheveled hair, and with feeding
tubes in his arms. All of the sights of
the hospital room are strange and cause
concern and worry for a friend. As you
meditate, pray for your sick friend,
because it may be inappropriate to pray
later in the hospital room itself. Then
pray for yourself, that whatever you

it is possible to prolong the hospital

stay or even complicate and confuse

confidence. Do not be loud and boister

Our Master spent so much time with the

sick and dying; and our own Christian

loss

patients are on some special diet; and

Remembering that Christ is the

Master Physician and that He is by
your side, enter the patient's room with

and death. There have been very few

nights since that one, that have kept
me so busy or so extensively occupied.

sick room. We are so often at a

her favorite and brought her a box! Most

the record.

room where I alone stood between life

I have found it important as a doctor

and as a minister to prepare for each
visit to the sick room carefully. Let me
offer the following advice concerning
proper procedure for visiting the sick.
Begin by examining yourself. Strange
as it may sound, if you are sick, don't
call on the sick! Your cold may prove
a real setback to an already sick man.
Pause and meditate before entering the

after we had dieted her for two weeks.

Her minister had known that such was

the presence of the sign deserves your

inquiry. Some patients have carefullymeasured diets, and giving them a drink
from their own pitcher may confuse

As a minister, some of my most

sick enough to come to the emergency

the pleasant 406-pound lady I found

eating a chocolate covered cherry,

Dr. Jim Van Curen and family

I am convinced that a little knowl

edge about the illness, particularly if

it is a longstanding one, should be a
part of every calling card. 1 have a very
dear friend who was an elder in the

church and who almost lost all hope

because of a stroke. Because few peo
ple understood his illness, and his
ability to understand rapid speech,
most people thought he could not hear
well, and yelled everything at him.
Because he could not find the right
word, they simply stopped calling on
him and made a lonely discouraged man
even more depressed. A little compas
sion and a very little knowledge could
have solved the entire problem, and,

I'm convinced, hastened his recovery.

Taking along something pleasant
and brief for the patient to read is
generally a good idea but read die
material first yourself, and if it is the
least bit depressing, don't leave it.

illness

that

eve-,

he

doesn't know.

Never argue with or excite the patient,

and always remember that you are mak
ing the call, and should regulate the
conversation. Asking questions requires
the patient to answer. Don't tell the
patient of all the death and sickness
at church this week, or linger on these
thoughts at all. The patient has enough
secret worries of his own without your
suggesting more.
Although you think the room is too
hot or too cold, too dark or too light, or

too cluttered with signs, don't try to

regulate any of these. Amazingly,
visitors have done everything from
opening windows to shutting off the
air conditioning in rooms, all in the
spirit of helpfulness! Before removing
a sign, you

should know that such

action could confuse nurses or aides,

and cause

bad medical accident.

It is poor tact indeed to comment

upon your good or bad experiences

(Continued on page 8)

Page 3

THREE CENTS AND DECISION

DRIVING

RHODESIAN

by James S. Frasure, M. D.
She placed in my hand three cents
which was her greatest token of thanks,
Sarah was grateful for the treatment

conversation with a

she had received for a knee which had

been painful and stiff for months, but

malaria

was now normal after the successful

removal of a cyst. She expressed happy

surprise that she had been treated so
well at Mashoko Christian Hospital. I
now miss her cheerful "hello" when I

and

diarrhea.

She

had

been

this way for two days. Intravenous

fluids, injections, and around-the-clock
care were given to the child. The
mother, sensing an apparent futility in
our efforts, asked if she might take the

go into Ward 12 for rounds. Her gift was

meager, but the thought far outweighed
the three small coins. This, fortunately,
is one of the pleasant experiences of
practicing medicine in a developing
society.
Unfortunately, there are not always
happy results for sick patients. Our
greatest problems during this time of
the year are with the young, under
seven years of age, who get measles

taken to the local nyangn (witch doctor)

for his medicine. Our experience is rife
with the efforts of the nyangas to cure
disease, and I explained to the parents
that this is a futile course. They finally

and diarrhea. These two diseases claim

consented for the child to remain a bit

more young lives each year than any

other diseases. Coupled with malnutri
tion, which is becoming worse as a
result of poor crops last year and little
rain this year, these diseases are real
killers of young lives. Until education
has brought our patients to a level of
understanding where they grasp what
can be done to control disease, all the
modern medicine and money at our dis
posal will not obliterate these problems.

longer. The parents do not hold any ill

feeling toward me for insisting that the
child stay. There is going to be a slow

One of the discouraging experiences

that I have these days is typified by a

child home. The father arrived in 12

hours and requested the same thing.

I told them that the child was sure to

die if she left the hospital. They

expressed their sorrow at the prospect
of death but insisted that the child be

course to recovery.

The problem that presents itself is

apparent. At what time must I insist
that a patient not be allowed to leave
the hospital and at what time must I
consent?

The

STYLE

father and mother

about their one-year old child. The

child was hovering between life and
death while trying to recover from

decision

is

difficult

by Ivan Martin
When we first arrived in Rhodesia,

I expected driving to be a little difficult.

The difficulties exceeded ray fondest
expectations. To make things even
worse. 1 did most of my driving in Ziden
Nutt's Ford pickup with the steering
wheel on the wrong side for over here
where everyone drives on the left side
of the road.

When 1 was driving in traffic where

I could follow the car ahead, I could
remember to stay on, what was for me,
the wrong side of the road, but when
driving in the country, I would invari

ably go to the right when I was sup

posed to be left. This proved at times
to be frightening to me and amusing
at others.

One day, I was driving out to a farm

to talk with the teacher of a school we

are managing. As I met a car, I went

to the right and the other driver did not
know what to do; but he finally went to
his right. About that time I realized my
mistake and pulled back to the left
which

left us

on a

collision course.

We both decided to change sides of the

because of the vast disparity of knowl

road at the same time, so we were still

edge and belief between the doctor and

on a collision course. I finally pulled

to ihe left and stopped. He pulled up
alongside, and I suppose he was ready
to give me a healthy piece of his mind.
When he found out that I was just out
from America, he was quite amused.
The traffic in Salisbury is, in some
ways, worse than in most cities I have

(Continued on page 8)

been in in the United States. There are

r.;

Leaders of Magondi Church examine tracts for distribution. In the

background is the mobile unit of Good News Productions.
Page 4

not enough traffic lights, drivers make

U-turns in the middle of the block, and
pedestrians frequently cross the street
without going to the corner. To give an
idea of what I mean, one man here told
me that my chances of getting hit and
killed in Salisbury were much greater
than being killed by snakebite in the
bush country!
After five months here, 1 am a little

more confident in my driving; but the

many pedestrians and bicycle riders on
the main roads still worry me. As some
one here has said, "They are an acci
dent waiting to happen." And there are
still times that I find myself sailing
merrily down the right side of the road.
One can only guess where my mind is!

Central Africa Story

Problems I Face as a JHIisslonary Doctor

in Regards to the Great Commission,

(SECOND OF THREE PARTS)
The second phase, the strengthening
and consolidation phase, is usually the
most long-range, meaningful phase. We
all

are

familiar

with

the

enthusiasm

that is stirred when an effective evan

gelist comes to our congregation and

gets us all really "on fire" for the Lord.
But we are also familiar with the super
ficial appeal that this has and its short
life. What determines

the success or

failure of such a dramatic start or resur

gence is the state of the people or work

one' year, five years, or 20 years later.
From this initial good start has there
been sufficient follow dirough with indepth teaching, utilization of facilities,
continuation of on-the-job stability of
leadership? This is successful stage
two without which stage one becomes
a hollow shell a monument to super
ficial planning. Fortunately, the Lord

has, and is, sparing us from this trag

edy at present.
More specifically, the problem that
has faced me is, what am I to do with

my skills as a Christian doctor in phase

two development? The day-to-day work
as a doctor in the hospital witnessing
to the patients indirectly is essential
for the continuation of the medical work

here, I am also actively teaching medi

cine and surgery in the nursing school,
but no Biblical doctrine or principles.

Weekend mission and village preaching

is done. But the question which haunts

me is are my efforts being used wisely

for the Lord? Some will say, and have
said, that I am to continue with the

good work. I am grateful for this encour

agement; but is this really what I should
be doing to help the Lord establish a
meaningful Christ in

the hearts and

lives of the people with whom I come

into contact? My evaluation of my work

is that I am going through a period of
maturation and questioning which at
present makes my work a "holding force"
for the missionary effort here. But if
my work is a "holding force," for what
is it a "holding force?" Is it for a more
experienced person to return and take
up the interrupted, incorapleted task he
has set for himself to achieve, for me
to return now that I have gained invalu
able experience and determine a course
of action, for a new person to come and

stumble along until he "finds himself,"

February 1971

or for a

by James S, Frasure, M.D,

combination of some of the

aforementioned proposals? My point is

thatno work should be a "holding force."
It should have meaningful, long-range
direction and daily, useful relevance
to the community it serves and trains.
What do I think that phase two

development entails? I have called this

the strengthening and consolidation
phase. To me, this is the most difficult
phase in many respects; for it is often
the most subjective when evaluating
results. The missionary is to be involved
in the "building up" of the church. This,
of necessity, involves teaching those
who are already Christians and those
sincerely interested in knowing more
about Christ. The young church that,

has been founded in phase one now

must mature. I must submit myself to
the laborious, tedious, often-routine
task of teaching day in and day out,
year in and year out. The joy of my
daily Christian life becomes at times,
as for the most devout of Christians,
a "drag." But even at times like this,
I must continue with this teaching and
not drop it when some new, more excit
ing stimulus jolts my imagination. This
teaching must be done in and around
my work as a doctor working in a hos
pital. At Mashoko the teaching of our
nursing students as future pillars in
the church should be a priority. Helping
in the instruction of local church lead
ers should be done. To some extent

this is being done but not nearly to die

advantage it could be. 1 think that all
missionaries

should

be

involved

in

teaching the developing church. If we

are to be messengers of His, our words
and our actions must speak as one and

equally as loud. However, 1 cannot act

unilaterally in this teaching; for it

fully aware of where we are going in

our efforts to serve.

The third phase, or withdrawal, is

one that we must look forward to with

enthusiasm. All

too often we fail to

see this phase as a positive step but

more as a retreat in the face of failure

to establish the church, or of govern

mental opposition, or of lack of person
nel, or for some other cause. If we
cannot look forward with joy to this
time of withdrawal, we are misunder

standing our role as missionaries in

the

New

Testament

tradition.

This

must be evaluated from two aspects.

There is the time when the foreign mis
sion ceases to exist and the work is

truly indigenous. There is also the

time when individuals or groups of
individuals should withdraw when they
have completed their work and the new
group or individual has come to perpet
uate the positive ongoing of the mis
sion enterprise. Both cases of with
drawal are

difficult

to assess

as

to

when they should be done. We should

not be afraid to face this prospect of
withdrawal, regardless of our personal
emotional

attachments

oo

work or

station. Again, this should be a phase

of mission enterprise that utilizes the
best of our thoughts and plans in a
coordinated effort.

What role does medicine play in

our vision of the mission enterprise?
It is used as a tool of mission expan
sion for the reason of entry into foreign
countries and areas within those coun
tries. It is also used for humanitarian

reasons of relieving suffering. The

hospitals and clinics are used as a
means of providing employment and

should be coordinated with other efforts

at the station and with other mission

aries involved in teaching and develop

ing the church. The often-sad aspect of
our present approach is that we have our
tried to develop this teaching on a uni
fied basis. Together we must be more

Dr. Bill Nice prepares to examine

the list of over 600 who gave to build
Chidamoyo Christian Hospital. Nearby
(not in picture) hang two plaques which
list all who contributed more than $300.

Page 5

PROBLEMS I FACE AS A MISSIONARY DOCTOR

(continued from page 5)

training for the community they serve.
Medicine can show Christian love and
concern in action. I think all of these

arc justifiably important. But limits

must be set upon these reasons with
the exception of the last one. How do
we set these limits? Presently no one

does except on individual bases which

vary from person to person.
Medicine undoubtedly has contri
buted to the welcoming of the Central
Africa Mission into many areas in Rho
desia, Even the promise of it has been
helpful. In what way should we use
medicine to implement expansion and
increased witness? The building of
hospitals is not as realistic or practical
now as it was five years ago. The gov
ernment is controlling more tightly the
expenditure of monies on hospital con
struction

and

the

location

of

these

hospitals. Thus, the need for large

outlays of money for phase-one devel
opment is not needed. Clinics are a
source of expansion of which we have
not taken such advantage. It has been
shown by those involved in clinic work

essary and to determine more impor

tantly if our present facilities are ful

one is the native medicine man who

administers his medicine in the form

filling their primary goal of actually

extending the kingdom of God.

of cuts, potions, and lotions. This is

confirmed by an observation that almost
100% of the mothers who bring children
with diarrhea to the hospital either
given or had someone else give the

The obvious humanitarian outreach

of medicine is tied closely to the other

reasons mentioned above. The question
that haunts my work is how far should
1 go in my effort to give "aid and com
fort?" I have come to a medical work,

as have nearly all the other doctors in

Central

African

Mission,

with little

more than the barest essentials of medi

cal knowledge and budding skills to

assume a task that literally encom

passes all aspects of medicine. From

a purely medical standpoint, this is an
impossible situation. Learned col
leagues in the States are appalled that
anyone in his right mind would attempt

child muti (medicine). This indicates

to me that their real faith is not in out

medicine. They come to a hospital as

a last resort. Also the patients are
concerned primarily with apparent good
health. The man who has a fungating
cancer of his arm refuses surgery
because of fear, ignorance, supersti
tion, and the fact that his wound is
causing minimal discomfort. He finally
consents to amputation when his arm
becomes a source of discomfort, but
then it is

too late

for a

cure. All I

such a task. They suggest long addi

tional years of training before plunging
into the unknown; for much of the medi
cine that is practiced in the bush was

have really done is make his last days

more comfortable. The man is very
grateful for what I have been able to
do. But my training indicates that I

never even mentioned in our years of

training. Fortunately, our basic training
has been adequate more than 95% of

have not given him the best treatment

available. The patients do not demand

the time. The work has not folded but

ask in indirect ways that we do our

the best available in medicine. They

that significant inroads evangelistically

can be made without expensive addi

actually contributed in a positive way

best with what we have. Even with that

tional

as

to medical care. Even from our brief

much a community project as possible

in establishing these clinics, whether
they be mobile or permanent. Our reason
for entry does not always have to be

history of medical missions, it can be

seen that extensive post-graduate train
ing is not essential for the basic medi
cine we practice. I am not implying
that further post-graduate training would
not be helpful, but that it is not

we are bringing them from medicine of

the 14th century to middle 20th century.

overhead.

This

should

be

the establishment of a new medical

work. As adventuresome as a new medi
cal work sounds to churches and mis

essential.

sionaries, it is not as necessary as

sometimes portrayed. Many developing

Many have said, and are saying in

missions throughout the world, that the

countries, of which Rhodesia is one,

best of medical care and treatment

should be made available to those in

need doctors to fill positions in their

outlying hospitals and clincis. These
are facilities already provided with
salaries to go along with them. Why
cannot we continue to take advantage
of fully provided facilities and use this
means as a basis of making inroads
into the hospital patients and employ
ees as well as the rest of the commun

ity? The incomes from this type of work

could have the secondary benefit of
helping the mission station hospitals.
This type of expansion should not be
done, however, at the expense of the
mission station hospital. Again this
type of expansion should have approval
of the group it affects most and with
long-range implications fully explored.
We need to assess our present medical
work to determine if expansion is necPoge 6

(To be concluded in next issue)

developing countries. I personally do

not accept this concept. Even though
my training forces me to think of the
"nth" degree of diagnostic efforts and
treatment for my patient, this is more
ideal than realistic. The situation in

bush

medicine

is

different

from the

more sophisticated society of the cities.

The vast majority of the Africans I see
in the hospital do not appreciate die
different aspects of modem medicine.
They come to us asking for treatment
that they feel we can give whether

their diseases be complicated diag

nostic problems and/or complicated
treatment problems or the simplest of
treatable diseases. Most of the time

the hospital is the second source of

consultation

for

sickness.

The

first

Village woman grinds corn into meal

for the family staple, sadza.
Central Africa Story

Little Things I Like At Mashoko

MISSIONARY ADDRESSES AND FORWARDING AGENTS

By Emma Stoll
Hearing the deep bass of the secondary boys in church on
Sunday morning . . .
The sound from the distance on a crisp, clear morning of the
nursing students at morning hymns . . .
Realizing, after listening to our African ministers preach, the
depth of their faith and comprehension of things spiritual.

Squeezing through the door on certain summer evenings to keep

out the flying white ants . . .
Jumping in bed and snapping out the lights before they join you
you there . . .
Hearing the hum of their thousands of fluttering wings against
the screens and sweeping up drifts of the gossamer things
next morning . . .

Walking across the mission on a misty morning after a rain and

trying to avoid crunching one of the hundreds of chongololas
lazing in the path.

FA - Forwotding Agent
OF - On hriovgh
R Recrvif pteparing to come to

HI I Vt

MInSON

Mr. and Mr-. Juhn

t|

ftnoOes/.i
FA Ut. dfio Uff. E'rwst A.

play with bugs . . .

Overhearing through the window the laughter and scurrying of

little boys playing football . . .
The ever more-mature prayers they say at mealtime.

M,.. Ik.mlh. a i'ark.mril

P.O. Bos 231

FA Ml. Roy Anderson

Route 2

1204 Af>derson

FA Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Pe.vson Jr.

U02 Texas
Dnnviiie. ilbnois 6)&32

St. Joseoh. niiuois 61673

Mr. and Mrs. Richard BoPit

Mr. nn.\ Mr-. M. rts

FA Mr. and Mrs. Oon CoUer

2630 MoiMctau Road

Winston-Sarem. Nodh Coioimu

271D0

FuHerton. CAiiforr>ia 92631

FA Jo Ann Shea
ins CricksOP RoJd

Columbui, Ohio 43227

Mr. umlMr-. Vaiitr I.. I ngt r

I'rh-r \ahi|r

604 Second Sireei

NewDori. Tennessee 37621

Box 244

Luoane. Rneflesia,

Mr. al Mr-. I > r Van IKtr

FA Mrs. Florence Henry

Box 461
Fort Victoria. Rnodesu

371? CrestAOcs Di. N.W.

CdPton. Ohto 44 'Is

Mrs.
thilr40 Coienhrender Avenue

FA Mr. and Mrs. Charles Y/ingliefd

Fort Vicleru, RhodCSi^

Sullivan. Indiana 4766?

Oo' i3, P.C.

*Mi M.irihu HjiIi* Ml

P.O. Bo* 122

FA Mr. and Mis. Morns Unger

^U.,

La Poite. Indiana 46)^0

IK. *ii Mr-. IK nar- l*ra.ll

10O6 South Lee Street

R.O. 6d 2026

QuIuiN.iye. RhOde&.k

Mt. ^Mi.l Mr-. Ii.hn Ito 01

FA Ur. and Mrs. Kenneth f .^oiey
3042 Rotan Lane

Dallas. Texas 75229

Mr. and Mr-. IbilM'rl SniCh

FAUr arujttrs tester L Bjoiem

6626 $E Orchard tenc. Space Sl

FA Mr. and Mrs. Roger KrUlc

R.R. 2

Gibuster. Obro 45732

Portland Oregon 97266

Mi-m Sjxa Stf-rr* or

PA Mt. .nd Mrs. P.iul Nrvel

Nbrtn if\a, Buldw.iyo, Rhodcsii

R.R. 1. Box 536 E

FA Ur. ond Mrs. WilldrO Rjid

R.R. 1

LooeoDlee, Mlinoii C28S7

Watching the kids grow and discover and climb and explore and

Mr. and ^1i-. lhiiii- Hiuimun

Fl. Viciotia. Rnodesia

6qi ?1?6

Mrs, \

The Aiichofate

Altooria, PeitSylvariiJ 16601

Mr. anri Mr-. |iilir> Valiant***

Mr

P.O. Box 765

Cwcio, Rhodesia
FA Mr. Paul Weaver

South Ferfus Place

I Mr-. Dim II. S|.,|| Ol

FA Mr. and Mis. A. L. Henderson

152 East Drive

Centerville. Ohio 45459

S266 Coodnch Road

ClererKe. New York 14031

Kitkcjidy, ScoUanO
FA Mrs. Sheila Nenlon
Bo* 103

Mithian Coilet' Tenn. 376V

MII'IN) \ M.I.I A MISSMN

P 0. Box 10
Nuanelsr. Rhodesia

P.O. Boi 96

Chiredzt. Rhodesia

Saving ice in order to get together for homemade ice cream after a
sweltering, wilting day . . .
The excitement the kids exude on movie night . . .
Taking along popcorn to eat . . .
Serving cake and tea to our African friends . . .
The hearty taste of sadza served up with polite formality in the
village.

i IMinMO^O MIS.*40N

P.O. Box 330

Rocking Jane in the evening to the bubbling sound of the tree

frogs or the rhythmn of the drums.
The peaceful resignation of an old African woman holding a baby
on the edge of a noisy gathering . . .
The patience and longsuffering of these people . . .
Seeing their genuine joy upon encountering you . . .
Knowing that our being here has helped bring some precious souls
to the Lord,

N.VI.IMtl K\ MtssKtN

Atlanta Christian College

Mr. anJ Mr-. MriM'* ViimM'rman 01

FA Waller t. Spratl

East Point. Ceoigia 30Q44

llr. aii.l Mr. IKitHJ 4;ruhtiK

P.O. Box 113

Moberly, Missouri 66270

Nif. and Mr-. Davrd 4.amplx'H

FA Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Storey
709 East lltn Sliect

Michigan City. Indiana 46360

\U. aivJ Vr-. Mat'- 1 r.i

Having Don come in from the post office with a handful of blue
letters or a box with string around it . . .
The fun of opening them . . .

Mt Mart U\t((rn Ml
FA Ur. Jack u. Biilfen

Karoi, Rhodesia

Fi|rAi|ilf KltflifUali

FA Mr. E. A. Grubos

B04 Norm Sth Street

Mt Vernen. IllinpiS 62664
Mr. and Mr^ tiiaH.-i.

11631 Vandergnrt Road

IndianapoJiS, Ind'.ma 46601

FA Ur. and Mrs. Ron Hackler

3335 N. Richard Ave.

FA Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Hoeie

Route \

SIN01 V MtSMCVN

Vir. ami Mr-. IhiU* Mur-hatt

P.O. Bes 207

P.O. Box 117

Chlredzi. Rhodesia

Sinoia, Rhodesia

M i - . \ . K,nn.-\

Mr. and Mrn. John l*<vnln rlim (M

FA Mrs. M. C. Anderson

FA Mrs. Leta Lusby

2147 Penny Lane

Napa. Cdlirotnia 946S6

P.O. Box H.C. 341 Htghlar^S

Salisbury. Rhodesia

h'artmi^

tndienaoQlis, Indiana 46226

702 North Hemlock Place

1K. anil Mr-, Jnrr> SiMlh

Spring!leId, Kenlucky 40069

lalV<*r

PA Mr. and Mrs. Date Wilcox

Anaheim. Cdlilorma 9280S *

Salisbury, Rhodesia
FA Mr. and Mrs. Mjishall J. Leggell
Lexington, Kentucky 40502

FA Mr. and Mis. RiChatd 6. Tandy

FA Me aniU'S Ralph W tturptiy

Dun}d|r Ol

P.O. Box H.G. 229, HighUnds

628 Hildeen Drive

R.R. 2

Glouslei. Ohio 45732

IK. anil Mr-, jamru H. Vaa t un-n

IK. aail Mr-.

Or. ami Mr-.

FA Mrs. Ndrma Perry

2310 Grace Street

Boise, Idaho 63702

Kentucky Christian College

Grayson. Kentucky 41143

Ml HI. Mariiin 0|

Mr. and Mr-. 79i*miaji PitnUtloa

FA Uis. Eugene Smith

FA Ur. Harry R. Cill

Mr. and Mr-. Itnii Marlin

FA Ml. Lynn Teels

728 S. Cheiryvale Read
Boulder. Coloiado 80302

21SS Aaaiea Onve

3413 PieCmonl Rd.

Mr. u J Mr**, /idm I,. Null

Letington. KerMuCky 40SC4

Hunimglon, w. Viigmia

P.O. Box 392

IK. and Wn*. liliisH Nu>i'

MrManlvn Un Hu h.ftMH

Sinoia. Rhodesia

FA Ml. and Mrs. Ker>n1h Reed

R.R. 2

FA Mrs. N. S. Dgden
601 North Shorlridge Rd.. Apt. D

FA 2iden and Cfystal Fern Nuti

(ndionjpolis. Ir>diana 46201

Waterloo, Indiana 46793

Mior. Judith 1.. Vii liM

Ml Man ia

FA Uis. Stanley Anderson

FA Mr. and Mrs. Willord . Leasure

1521 Men1o Avenue

Valh.iHa Apt. 110

Napa, California 94656

6719 Dixie Hwy.

I Ml 41.1 MIS.S|D\

Florence. Kentucky 41042

FA Mr. and Mrs. Jaraes Aldnch

P.O Box 11126

M\SK)KIMl|S.s|tlS

Indianapotis. Indiana 46201

P.O. Mashoko

FA Mr Thomas R Edwards
Cowan Christian Chuich
R R 4, Bos C M

Muncie, Indrana 47302

Mi-s Maraarf CI>i-bi>i-.
FA Ml. and Mrs. Nelson Roetler

Route 16. Box 170

Indianapolis, Indiana 46276
Mr. iin.lMrs.

Mr. unitMr-. Vi ndi ll i n'i nuiii DI

PoSle Restante
Umiali. Rhodesia

HKll UKMISSrON
P.O. Bos 73
Gulu. Rhodesia
Mr anJ \lf-.

15505 Clrne Avei^ue

Lcnell, Indiana 46356

'Ihitm-rrn

li.hn*iin

FA Mr. and Mrs. Allan MMlei

2198 Morr^an Road

HamiUon. Ohio 4SQ13

Rhodesta. Afnca
IK. (.1.na t'A,\A
FA Mr
R.R

ZAVUIF/1 MISSION

Robert T. Lateb
2

Lebanon. Indiana 46062

IK. anil Vlr-. Jartu*- 1 re-on*
FA Mr. and Mis. Jerry E. Frnsure
Box 287

Waynesviile, Ohio 45068

U2Q0 Shady Brook Lafle

Route 1

DeWiU. Michigan 46620

Route 3

Hoopeston. Illinais 60942

FA TNT Class Sill Smith

17765 Daves Ave

4680 Georgetown Cl,

teacher

Los Golos. Cali'ofnia 96030

Mr. ami VU-. l3iarU- t . Wllanirl ill)

606 Observatory Drive

Cincrnnati. OH 45246

Ml S>l*ra Mr-ahimr-L
Box 592

indiamwlis, iU 46222
FA Mr, and Mrs. Don Feltts

Route 2. Box 80A

Uoeresville. IN 46156

Mr. and Mr-. Ja*-i 1**aniflcUHi

FA Mrs. Eunice Ssiith
Sot 368

Latgo. Florida 33541

Nowata, Oklahoma 74046

Mr. ami Mr-. Hi chord .Siiilh

P.O. Bos 240

Mi Mianr U'ik tit)

Ft. VicTori.n. Rhodes^

Cantdn, OH 44706

FA Mr. and Mrs. Roberl Brentlinger

FA Mr. Ronald Vignon

7S7 Burchwood
flora. Iirmois 62639

FA Mr. and Mrs, Siegel Schwartr

III. ami Mm. Ki*nm*lh Mrmnn li

FA Ut&s Wilma Jeanne Gabriel

KrH I Mrmm A MK<|f1\

Mr. ami Mr-. HaMil 1 inm v 0|

Mr-. MiMn if ImiIiIiImvuIIi*

>h. AfMl Mr-. Ik.n l*i..mii>rr Ol

FA Or. ar^d Mrs William Ely

P Bag 9
Delt. Rhodesia

129 Arlinglofl N.W.

1535 Norwood PI. N.W.

Canton. OH 44709

The training class at Mangula.

February 1971

Page 7

The Central Africa Story

published monthly for the
Central Africa Mission
Churches of Christ

by Mission Services Press

Box 368, Joliet, Illinois 60434

Edited by Thomas Thurmon
-

T reosurer
Fred E. Dunn

4613 S. Main Street

Akron, OH 44319

SIGHTINGS AT SINOIA

THE HOSPITAL CALL

(Continued from page 1)

(Continued from page 3)

emphasis in some areas has been, and

is, to have a church in at most every
village. Scattered throughout difierent
areas we find this very thing.
A Christian family had moved into
this remote area of Magondi. Following
the conversion of some neighbors, they
promptly built their church house. We

Chairman Board of Directors

Mr. David J. Williams

had taken the mobile unit out at their

Box 747

of God to the masses. Thousands of

Grayson, Kentucky 41143

request to help in spreading the Word

tracts were distributed as we walked

through the area inviting all to come to

see the filmstrip recently produced by
Good

fW

News

Productions.

Hundreds

came, and reports reveal that the church

multiplied and services were started
in yet another village a few miles away.
Other sightings could be made; but
let's leave them now, stopping to praise
God for causing His Spirit to make such
wonderful events take place. We are
thankful that many of you are making it
possible for us to live here, ready to
be used by the Spirit to glorify God
among the nations.

with other doctors or hospitals, or

about the

different kind of treatment

you received for the same condition. 1

once overheard a visitor tell a patient,
"It's a good thing you didn't go to
Doctor

for this; Mabel went to him,

and she still isn't right!" Unfortunately,

the patient in the next bed, whom I was

interviewing, did go to Doctor
and
was very disturbed by this comment!
I have always leaned heavily upon
God's Word to supply my words, partic
ularly in the sick room. Familiar, or at
least easily understood and applicable,
short passages should be selected.
Please leave your favorite funeral poems
and verses at home. 1 do not suggest
avoidance of comforting conversation
with those dying; I only demand that it
be handled carefully and discretely!
I am convinced that if we offer the

patient nothing but chatter and gossip,

we have failed the Physician who sent
us calling. James spurs us to pray; for
"The prayer of a righteous man has a
powerful effect," and again, "This
prayer (of the elders) made in good
faith will save the sick man." 1 am
sure also that our prayer must be as
carefully chosen as any other part of
our conversation, or if not, it should

be spoken outside the sickroom door.

To an already suspicious and perhaps

dying patient, the "last rites," admin

An African village.
THREE CENTS AND DECISION

(Continued from page 4)

patient concerning the diagnosis and
treatment of disease. The ethical pro
blems of trying to relieve suffering and

prolong life become very difficult as to

when I must consent to grosslyinadequate treatment and to when I must
insist on a further chance to try to
effect a cure. No precedent in handling
this problem I meet here was given to
mc in my years of training.
It is at tiroes like this that my faith
and understanding as a Christian and
doctor are put to the test. God helps
me, as He does others, to arrive at

solutions to individual problems that

must meet the needs of patient, relative,
and doctor alike. This needless loss of
life must be curbed with a Christ-like

approach to furthering understanding of

all aspects of life and death of our
patients and their relatives.

istered by a sincere friend in prayer,

may close the book, when actually only
a chapter need be closed, leaving weeks
of months of life to live. I have person
ally buoyed the life and soul of a
patient with Christ, only to see the
spark dwindle after a well-meant, but
ill-thought prayer was uttered as though
the patient were already dead! God's
blessing should surely be invoked; but,
remember, even chough it may be as
obvious to you as it is to the doctor
that the patient is dying, God may
intend this patient to live longer. The
opposite is also true: never pray so
hard for his life that he gets the idea
he is betraying friends and God by
dying. Pray always, "Not my ivill but
thine."

As a

Christian doctor I have

asked, "Can I help?" of my co-workers,

and occasionally received the facetiou.s
reply, "Yes, if you can pray!" I am
happy and proud to proclaim that I have
witnessed prayer's success God does
still heal! God is powerful, and I per
sonally believe that suffering and ill
ness are not His will. He continually
refers to "saving health." Are your
sick calls saving?

Central Africa Sfory

^OA '1\

The Ziden L. Nutt Family

Non-profit
Organization
U. S. Postage Paid
Lowell, Indiana

15505 Cline Ave.

Lowell. Indiana 46356

Permit No. 5

'So') u).

RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED

WITNESSING TO RHODESIA
"Holding Forth The Word Of Life"
Philipplans 2:16 -

The ZIDEN L. NUTT Family

Forwarding Address:

Field Address:

15505 CLINE AVE.

P.O. BOX 392, SINOIA

RHODESIA. AFRICA

LOWELL. INDIANA 46356

March,1971
Dear

Christian Friends:

Greetings in the name of Christ.

It was

a very

satisfying

-jotarney.My mind- rf-ia-she-d-bacitover theprarst-4-daysof-bush

travel for 205 miles.
Good rains, this year had washed out
several roads, but we were able -to find new tracks to follow.

We visited several villages, talking with people about Christ

along the way; and, had stayed two nights with a Christian
family who had moved into this Gokwe area.
Leaving there v/e
came to an area some fifty miles deeper in the bush.
There
v/e sat - feasting on a can of sardines, nibbling at the last
loaf of bread, and listening to the storks flying overhead,

(with no expected deliveries). The grass all around our-vehicles

was a good 6 to 8 feet tall, except just in front of us..
An
area of about 100 by 200 feet had been cleared, and a brick
church building was erected.
It was one of two such buildings
in

the

area;

and, under

the

local

leadership, a

third

had

been started recently.

WORKING

TO-GETHLR

Jack Pennington had

come from Binga, so we had met
Gokwe office, and then proceeded together. A leadership
has been planned for May 22 - 27, and we covet your
for this.
The leadership is quite good, but begged for
teaching at least three or four times a year.
RESPONSE TO

TRAINING CLASSES

In the Sinoia area itself, the response to training

has been most gratifying as previously reported.

from Sinoia

a t the
clinic
prayers
further

itself reported that the

church has

One

classes

evangelist

really

grown

spiritually as a result, and internal problems dissolved follow

ing the one held there. Also scheduled are classes at Zowa
March 24 - 27; and at Mt. Darwin April 8-10 where we'll have
all day sessions for the three full, days. This is our main work
along with the evangelistic emphasis through the mobile units.
These, are reaping wonderful results by the hand of the Lord, and
we praise God for the wonderful response. More details next time.

Affiliated With "Central Africa Mission, Churches of Christ"

witnessing to Rhodesia

Presently

our

house

is

being

going forward for the building

Time

spent

in various

more filmstrips, but

March, 1971

Page 2

plastered, and

to house

activities

Good News

has hindered

as yet we haven't

plans

are

Productions.

production

of

exhausted the tremendous

potential of the one produced some time ago. We are having to

wait for funds to build up as well before another production.
Vife nov/ have two mobile units equipped and working in different
areas. Let me pause here to say that v;e are most grateful for
the support you are giving to make these ministries possible .
Admittly, we have ''bitten a big hunk", but we have confidence
that God will provide. Vve want to thank those who have made
special

gifts, above normal

giving, for the mobile

unit

which

is being purchased at the present time. We just thank God for

the confrdenCe "we can have because of folk like you who "are
sacrificing to make these things possible.
We are pushing on,
in this
confidence, to the end of winning souls by the power
of God through you and us in these combined efforts in Rhodesia.
TEARS OF GRATITUDE

It's been some time since we've put out a newsletter as

such; but, we have been in contact with most every
church
through personal letters which we hope you've all read or heard.
Many of you who support us through prayors, offerings, or both,
have written concerning Lynda, and the work. We are most grate
ful.
The article in the February issue of the Central Africa Story

also

brought

you up

to date

on "Sightings

Around

Sinoia'.' As

we've mentioned to you in letters, and through our wonderful

forwarding agents, Lynda is doing well after the successful
eye surgery and rehabilitation period.
Once again we'd
like
to thank all those who prayed and sent special gifts to help
during that time. Though v/e've written to thank each one
for that help, as well as for the many wonderful
Christmas
packages, accept our thanks once again.
I don't know when

we' ve

appreciated

so

much (even'. to

tears) the

special

help

and words of encouragement as wo did during the recent months.

A THRILLING.MINISTRY.

We are thrilled, to continue in the ministry here, and

do
i t with full assurance that you arc
concerned for the lost.

It is good to be going

with God

until the end of the ages

here

on earth; and, it is such a blessing to be working with folks

like you in the harvest field of Rhodesia. May God
richly
bless you for your every effort tobring Light to shine along

the way to salvation, regardless of color,race or tribe.

Your Servant in Christ,

"TUt
ZiSien,Helen, and family
Financial reports for 1970 are now available upon request
Send requests-Loi _ 15505_Cline Avc . ,Lowg.1I, Indiana. .46356

If Only I

Had

If only I had an airplane

I could fly over land and sea.
I would dream about the places.
It could carry me.
I would fly to see my Granny
Who lives across the sea;

And bring her back in my airplane.

To spend some time with me.

By Thomas L. Nutt

The Ziden L. Nutt Family

Non-profit
Organization
U. S. Postage Paid
Loweil, Indiana

15505 Cllne Ave.

Lowell, Indiana 4G356

Permit No. 5

JUL 9

/7r

RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED

WITNESSING TO RHODESIA
"Holding Forth The Word Of Life"
- Philippians 2:16 -

The ZIDEN L. NUTT Family

Forwarding Address:

Field Address:

15505 CLINE AVE.

P.O. BOX 392, SINOIA

RHODESIA, AFRICA

LOWELL, INDIANA 46356

July,1971
Dear Co-Labourers:

Greetings in the name of Christ.

Lazerus stood in rags; but,we were
enriched by his poor-rich conditipri., Pale_.MarsJhall and I had gone from ..
Sinoia to hold a

series of studies on the

church.

Church leaders had come

from that region of Gokwe, having been invited by the host church at Sengwa
We opened the gathering by showing films to about 400 people, and then sang
far into the night around the camp fire.
It was decided that a few hours
sleep would help all in preparation for 8 hours of classes the next
day.
The sunrise felt good after sleeping outside all night, and there sat
Lazerus still next to the fire.
V\fhy? He had not brought any blankets as
he thought we'd be singing through to sunrise each night.
An interesting

comment was later made by him: "Vifhen you look at me you see only rags; but
since I found Christ, I've been dressed in a beautiful suit."
That was the beginning of a v/onderful time of fellowship and study.
Several denominational people came for the study also; and we are optimis
tic that many of them will take the Bible as thier only rule of faith and
practice.
The church is strong in that area and has recently started a
fifth church. Pray that the study will be to the further strengthening of
the church there.
It was interesting to note their thanks, for it was for
you in America who had sent us v/ith such wonderful teachings from God.

These studies in the churches are most rewarding, and v/e are so thankful
that you are giving them the message through us.
The total work is demand
ing in time and money, but we feel it is v;orth every effort made in bring
ing glory to God among the people here.
"A Goal at the Goalpost''

The large portable projection screen had been left at Sinoia because
we were scheduled at Tov/nships where we then project on a whitewashed buil

ding.

However, we had a "free" night and happened onto a meeting of about

1,500 to 2,000 people v/hich included 22 African Chiefs; many kraal

the District Commissioner from Gokv/e and others.

heads;

When they heard Vire

there, we were immediately asked to show "bioscope".

Since we v/ere

were

200

miles from Sinoia, we looked for a substitute screen - my bedsheet and a

football goal.
Some of the people had already gone, so only about 1,000
plus attended.
The people v^ere very responsive and gladly received tracts

to help them in becoming disciples.

A real goal was made for Christ.

Affiliated With "Central Africa Mission, Churches of Christ"

Witnessing!; to Rhodesia

Pages .2

Jult, 1971

Altogether in the last month we passed out over 20,000 tracts, held two
series of classes, showed the filmstrip and films to over 4,000 in six nights
out in the mobile unit. Other times found us keeping up regular visitation
on Sundays, teaching at the College in Salisbury one week a month, pouring
foundations for the European Church building, finishing up the house, and
checking in the bookstore to keep things going there. Either we've been busy
or else it has been a long time since the last newsletter. I guess it's been
both.

A Freeze Plug; Popped??

It was only a week ago, and the thermometer was about 80 degrees in the
Zambezi Valley near Mt. Darwin. I had gone fof^wo days meeting and-on the

way back the Land Rover 4 wheel drive vehicle got hot. (The Ford v/as being
worked on, so I had borrowed Ivan Martin's Land Rover.) A freeze plug had
popped out and all the make-shift plugs of sugar cane, corn cobs, etc. didn't
work at all. Tommy v/as with me, and at 5;00 o'clock the next morning we got
to Sinoia, having left the Land Rover behind. Wo had slept outside the two

nights there, and an article two days later encouraged us to find other
sleeping quarters next time! "The Rhodesia Herald - Lions have killed an
African Youth near Mt. Darwin, Police said yesterday.

The body of Jameson,

(20) of Chiwanda Tribal Trust Land, was found last Thursday.

An African,

Mr. Williams, was taking a short cut through bush some miles from the dead
youth's kraal, when he came across the spoor of two lions. The tracks led
to Jameson's partly devoured body, which had been lying there for about a
week, police said."

Excitement looms about the bush; it appears in some circles of govern

ment in regards to a settlement, but skepticism among others; but the greateat thrill comes from the many opportunities and response. We are faced with
challenges of an immediate nature in regards to the building of facilities
in Sinoia for the Good News Productions; and we would request your prayers

that God will guide. Unless we start construction on the groundgranted us

"by~trhe~go'yefnment,""^^^
be lost ^ahd could never be replaced hecaus of
costs to purchase-a site outright. We are most grateful to the government
here for it's help and encouragement in the work of the mobile unit and the.
site for building-.
Request for Prayers

God is blessing the v/ork greatly; and we" are thankful to you for the
vital part many of you are taking in this important ministry. We follow on
knowing that God and His people are great to every task of spreading the news
of Jesus Christ..
Thanks for all you mean to the work here by your prayers
and support. Please pray for Helen's father, who has just suffered, from a
coronary heart attack leaving some damage. These are anxious days as I'm

sure you can understand.

May God bless each of you in your needs from

to day.

Yours in the Service of Christ,

helen- and family

day'

^"11
The Ziden L. Nutt Family

Non-profit

15505 Cline Ave.

Organization
U. S. Postage Paid
Lowell, Indiana

Lowell, Indiana 46356

Permit No. 5

/^/

OCT 1

!9a|

RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED

WITNESSING TO RHODESIA
"Holding Forth The Word Of Life"
~ Philippians 2:16

The ZIDEN L. NUTT Family

Forwarding Address:

Field Address:

15505 CLINE AVE.

P.O. BOX 392, SINOIA

RHODESIA, AFRICA

LOWELL, INDIANA 46356

Sept.18,1971
Dear Christian Friends.

Greetings in the name of Christ.

The sun doesn't change, but some
times those who use it to know the time of day aren't so accurate. For.
sample; This morning He_len. prepared .a-_-lov^ly breakf_as..of saua_age_,__aggs,

and toast with delicious jam for

before from Mom and Dad).

Ivan Martin

we

I was

drove 110 miles

ready to start

me,(the jam had

ready

to

into the

leave

just arrived the

at 5:30.

bush, and

at 9:30 A.M.

study^ concerning the Church in the

day

Picking

up
were

Bible,.. It

has been scheduled for ~"bver 'two monthis at their request, and for the
past week two African evangelists have been calling in the area. Any
way, the watch I have shov/s it to be 11;00 A.M. Many people in the
rural areas only have the sun to go by; and if this were a cloudy day
vt^e'd understand better. Anyv/ay, we'll probably sing and talk all night
so maybe we will make up for lost time.
Pour adults are here, and other
people will come, and some will be surprized when v/e indicate they are
late. The church here in Copper Queen is still young and wo are most
anxious to have this study with them, I'^orrnally we take at least 15
hours over several days to do this study, and as reported in previous
newsletters, the results have been wonderful.
We've been invited
to
carry the same program, along with the mobile unit, into other areas of

Hhodesia as well. Wo hope to do

Sinoia as the base of operations.

this soon on a limited basis, using

FOUNDATIONS DUG

Foundations are now dug

for the

'' center.

We've

let it out to a
contractor, because I don't
want to take time from the
active program of evangelism we now have
lined up v;ith the filmstrips.

/thousand ,-U.S. .doXlars^

mobile unit

and

training

nfucli~TeTa'" ourselves.

given, and we don't feel no could do it for

programs.

A rock

bottom

price

of four_t.e.eji..

One individual has already sent a special gift of five hundred

dollars for this project; and thanks for another special gift of
one
hundred dollars is also in order. Another gift of one hundred dollars
was given recently for the purpose of buying films to use in the mobile
unit. A twenty minute black and white film can be purchased for about
fifty

dollars;

and then wo

make

our ovm sound track in the Shona

lan

guage to go with them. There is a limit of good films which can be

adapted to the people here; but if wc can get some of these, plus what
we produce ourselves, it gives a good selection from which to present
the Good News to the masses.

Affiliated With "Central Africa Mission, Churches of Christ"

Witnessing to Rhodesia

Page - 2
CAMP -

SEPT. 18, 1972

HIGHLIGHT

A highlight of last month was Camp,

Karolyn and Tommy

went to one;

which we in Sinoia hold in association with the non-instrumental

breth

ren. This year Dale Marshall and Ivan Martin worked in it; and the next
week Helen and I helped in an intermediate Camp sponsored by the Central
Africa Mission. Karolyn was a camper that week and Tommy and Lynda wore
there with the family. We had 28 campers who seemed very responsive to
the entire camp program. Most of them at some time or another came to
one of the faculty expressing tearfully, a desire to serve Christ much
better.
THE SUN'S RISEN AGAIN

Well it is now Sunday morning.

for the

Bible

Study

We ended up with 22 adults yesterday

on the Church.That night

about 200 came for

Evangelistic meeting inspite of rain drops falling.

we went for the

baptism

This

of five people; and, nov/ we're

morning
waiting

the

early,
for the

final session of study, which will be followed by the Sunday service.

We are so thankful for you who are making those things possible
through your giving and praying. We are found praising God also for
allowing us to labor here in Rhodesia; and supplying daily strength
for the many tasks. May God richly bless each of you in all your efforts
to spread the Gospel throughout many parts of the world.
With Love in Christ,

Zi'aen L. Mutt and Family

Note;

Drop in monthly support during August >yf^]^almost critical;jjand

we wonder if it had to do
control was only

cut

again over here; with

U.S. $1.4230 to
1-^4175 for a
is a

with

the

American

u-emar

off for a few days; and all is back to normal

buy

about

the

Rhodesian

Rhodesian

same

rate of exchange.

dollar. ' Now it is

dollar; so the

Value

only

It was

once

taking

taking. U.S.

of the dollar

over hero

l i t t l e better than before.

Newsnotes Taken From Helen's Letters

School starts for the third and final

miss most of the first week I guess. Ivan

term Sept.,14. Lynda will

has agreed to do
Ziden's

Scripture class for this term; but I will still have two and they begin
on Thursday which means we will have to drive back from Bulawayo on Wed-"
nesday night after Lynda is finished at the doctors.

Mrs. Parkinson was

very

pleased

wi(^h-4i^a4a-Le.--e3fej> She does

tend

to turn the left one off on occasion ancPshd^ sai<3P there is the poss
ibility she could let it go lazy; If we lived nearer she v/ould like to
have her once a week for a term to see if she could stabilize that eye
more; but since it is 300 miles to

Bulawayo

she just

wants

to

see her

for a check up every six months.

It was almost unbeleivable how things changed around here the v/eek
wo wore gone to Camp. The roses we set out the first of July are blooming. They are so pretty
and' we are so pleased with them. Two car-nations ai*e in bloom and theilrles~-ave blouming also.
squash, beetroot, cabbage and peas out of the garden.

Tommy had his

first

piano lesson on -Friday morning

seemed pretty pleased with himself.

her to.

went

some

at 7;00.

He

v^ith him as he

wanted

She also take&lessons.

Thft p.hJJiH-pfin

To'imy got

Karolyn

vVe had

first

did

prize

very

well

at the

Agricultural

Show in Sinoia.'

on his scones" and highly commended on his fudge;

and Karolyn got first prize on her cake and her cookies, and excellent on

some cookies and fudge she entered for foung Farmers. There wore 20^
entries in the scone section v/hich Tommy won, so he did very well.
From The Forwarding Agent's Desk

If you are moving please send us your change of address. Thank you,
and may the Lord bless and keep you ever close to Him!

The Ziden L. Nutt Family

Non-profit
Organization
U. S. Postage Paid
Lowell, Indiana

15505 Cline Ave.

Lowell, Indiana 46356

dec 311371

Permit No. 5

/r?

RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED

WITNESSING TO RHODESIA
"Holding Forth The Word Of Life"
- Phllipplans 2; 16

The ZIDEN L. NUTT Family

Forwarding Address:

Field Address:

15505 CLINE AVE.

P.O. BOX 392, SINOIA

RHODESIA, AFRICA

LOWELL, INDIANA 46356

December,1971
Dear Co-Worker;

Greetings In Christ. Untold millions must be reached; and, this

continues to lay heavily on our hearts from the day Helen, Karolyn,
-and I arrived in

Rhodesia in 1961.

Three

prevelant

the past years are noted; (1) The Gospel naturally

darkness which has

been

(2) People flock to see

carried

out

fllmstripa

by

and

the

observations

answers

African

for

centuries;

films; and, (3) they

anxious to read and study any literature they can find.

over

search In

The

are

most

Conclusion;

A concentrated effort to reveal that the Gospel is the answer to life,

through means that can reach as many as possible in the shortest
time ;
with the continued goal of saving souls and assisting In the edifica
tion of

those

souls to the

establishment

and

strengthening

of

the

church in Africa.

There are many ways of accomplishing this giant task. During the
past two years we've put Into practice some ideas which have made
gains for Christ through the power and blessing of God. It has
con
firmed that certain plans we felt would fulfill the Will of God must
now be carried out, if He permit.

Coupled with these things, we put out* knov/ledge ..of .your love
for saving souls as shown over the years; and, know that once again
God v/ill bless our association v;lth you in making a great advancement
in proclaiming the Christ. Our newsletter
has
been
discussing
these efforts over the past two years with you, and you have been so

wonderful in encouragement.

This

along

with

God's

blesalns,

African

response, and other missionaries approval and desire for the program,
have all helped pave the way for the present plans being implemented.

Good News Centre is under construction

Is

located

in

the

business

section

will be the home of a multiple ministry

probably a few other countries

on

as

most

of Sinoia, and

reaching

this

giant

out

of

you

knov/.

It

by March of 1972

to

continent.

Rhodesia, and

It

will

be

the "hub" for the following;

1.

Good News

production

Productions:

of

more

Designed

filmstrlps

and

and

basically

films

based

equipped

on

for

culture

here. Prom the first of 1972, Brother Michael Nyandoro, who

has been with me for 10 years, will head the mobile unit's work.

Affiliated With "Central Africa Mission, Churches of Christ"

This is coupled with giant crusades in remote

and

city

areas .

Thousands of tracts printed by the Mission's f'rint shop in

Port Victoria, under the direction of Tom Thurman are
being
purchased

and

distributed to those who flock to see

the films,

and to hear the preaching.

2' Good

News

Correspondence

Course:

Designed

to

assist

people

in the study of God's Word, thus creating strong Christians

who can evangelize more effectively among their own people,,
and become church leaders. This should be ready by March

1972, God willing.

Letters by the dozens are already

this type of thing, even though it hasn't

This program will be

personally going into

even

been

requesting
announced.

coupled with the present program

of
the many areas and having week long

training classes.

5. Good News Bookshop: Designed to

the public, with an emphasis

provide Christian -material to

on Bibles in the English,Shona,

Afrikaans, Nyanja, Tonga, and Zulu languages. The small profits

from this should soon pay for the African Salesman; and hopefully
take the increased costs of the Correspondence Course,even though
this will be sometime in the future.
'We are somewhat
with the increase'of outreach as to costs, but we feel

concerned
that
it

must be done to fulfill the will of God.

4. Good News Film Library; Designed to make Bible based films

available that will be pertinent to the people here. Purchased,
and produced films will be always ready for use on the mobile unit

as well. Some folk have already given specially to buy a film

or^to produce a filmstrip, for which we are most grateful, and
this has been done as funds come in for that.

In the past ten years we've seen approximately 5,500 people accept'
Christ through the total efforts of ourselves and co-workers, as God
has directed and given power to them to "become the sons of God."

This

has taken place just in the areas we've served along with the others
-nowen.-these-fields. The stage is set for groat things for -. Jesus
Christ, and we believe that nuraber.can double in the next 10 years, if
God permits.

You've boon patient to read thus far, and v/e now earnestly seek
your continued prayers and support. Vi/e hesitate to ask because you
have been so good already in. s.tanding with us this way; however,
the time and task is right for this program and v;e feel you will want

to do what you^ can according to what you have. Many of you are already
giving sacrificially wc know, and so we would covet your prayers in
particular that God will supply the

needs

through

those

who

can and

will. Help is needed . now to help pay for the building and initial
expense of getting all things ready by March, 1972 and especially
during the next two years while the building is being paid off. You
may want to take part in a specific project, such as a filmstrip
production, a series of lessons, or the printing of one lesson, or
the cost of gasoline for the mobile unit.. If so, designate it.as
such, and we'll keep you posted on that particular project.
How good you've been to us for the sake of Christ; and we once
again thank you for the joy of working with you in those thrilling
opporjuinjVbj,,e_s_in Africa^.M_ayi-ilQd.-^r.ant you wondenful. .^holiday sejxison,
^^11 of blessings; so that God's name, will be glorified
among the

nations each day.

Your Servants in Christ,

''Ziden, Helen, and family

tU

From the Forwarding Agent

"rtc have a 16 M'M .film of the Mission v/ork in the Sinoia area; and
would appreciate the opportunity to visit any congregation within a 75
milo radius.of Lowell, Indiana to present this work. If you would be
interested in having us come; please call 219-696-8372 or-write to us at
15505 Cline

venue, -Lowell, Indiana

46356.