The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-10

when we reached the mission station
we would not have it. for the tropical
fruits do not grow so far up and away
from the coast, and as they grow only
by cultivation, it means a waiting of
some time before we have orchards to
go to.
I'VE were so much interested in the
country all the way up. And if any one
thinks Africa is a barren wilderness,
he is mistaken, for it simply is beau
tiful, the farms, animals and all. We
saw thousands of Wild animals zebra,
gnu, ostrich, pthOmsoni and others
very near the train. The zebra are
beautiful; we could see their stripes
very plainly The natives we saw at
all the small stations were of intense
interest, and so finally after twenty
four hours on the train we reached
Kijabe station, where there were doz-
ems of natives to greet US. crying
'Bwana Hurlburt and shaking hands
with US joyously, then the natives
shouldered our bundles, suit cases, etc,
and we started on the three-mile foot
path up the mountain to the mission
house. 1t was almost midnight before
we We're abed and how we did enjoy
our first night on land for weeks, I'M
disturbed and tranquil
THE path to the house the first
night seemed very wild and steep. but
familiarity makes it seem less so. It
is not safe to 90 out after dark with
out lantern, but with one it is quite
safe. However. no one cares to go
very deep into the forest after dark
There are elephants, monkeys, ba-
bOOns, Ieopards, lions and hyenas about
in the forests. but as a rule they DO not
come close to the mission and we are
very thankful for that For we are
not in a bit Of danger of being mo-
Tested. especially as our Father careth
for US.
We'll you wanted to hear about
Christmas day. 1t didn't seem much
like Christmas at home, for it was a
clear, warm sunshiny day, the flowers
vegetables and trees all in glory and
every thing beautiful. We had some
presents with US which friends had
carefully wrapped and labeled Do not
open until Christmas, so we had
Christmas presents. In the afternoon
Mr.. Hurlburt called the natives up and
of rice and one cup of salt, which is
worth great deal to them, and they
We're all so delighted.
My school supplies have not come
yet. so our school is not nearly what we
expect it to be. The school heretofore
has been held in a room made of mud
and sticks. In a short time a brick
house will be finished for 1t. OF course
dirt floor, rough brick walls inside, but
really a delightful place to work for
the Lord in. No seats and desks, just
stools to sit on and knees for desks.
But everybody happy, especially the
teacher
Il have the missionary children part
of the day and the native children part,
and it is certainly delightful work. I
never felt more in my element in my
life. Do you wonder how I teach the
native school without being able to
speak the language. Carl, a boy of
IS the son of a missionary, speaks the
language like a native, and he is con
stantly with me and probably will be
until I acquire something of the Ian
guage and I am trusting Father that
that will be speedily.
You cannot know how happy am
with the children, and because my pri-
mary object is not to teach reading and
writing but to tell them of Jesus, and
for half an hour or more we talk of
thinks not seen eternal things
Nothing says this must be finished to-
day. but Seek We first the kingdom of
God etc.
Yes think of me as happy in this
work, not my chosen work, but the
work the Father has chosen for me
therefore a delight in my life and as
choose to do my Fathers will in that
way, it is my choice. Strength and
gladness are in His place I shall
think of you all often and most surely
VIII be glad of your prayers, and do
you know I have been wishing that
you would all meet in a little prayer
meeting once a week, just on Friday
noon or night or some time convenient
to all for just few minutes prayer to
God for this little school, this little
mission and the teacher. I am sure it
would be pleasing to God"