Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-09-20
SOUTH AFRICA's NIAGARA.

u
Frances Davidson, formerly a teacher
in the Abilene high school now a
missionary in South Africa, win BE-
read with interest:
vIcroRIA FALLS, Rhodesia, South
Africa. July 1l.--one week ago today
we left the mission in the Matopos to
come north to help carry the Gospel
into interior Africa. Two wagons
had been sent out from America, one
Of which we had sent for. Brother
Steigerwald had taken ours out to the
mission and put wide box and tent
top on it and had left his own In Bull
awayo expecting to take 1t out when
he took US to town. So he had to put
his large wagon body on our wagon
and then our box and large tent top
6x12 feet on top, and in this put our
goods and trunks, etc. In this we
had to 60 so miles to Bulawayo,
Brother and Sister Frey and Ernest
and Brother Steiglerwald accompany
ing. We left the mission July 4th.
1t was just eight years from the day
Brother Engle and wife and Alice
Heise and myself started out from
Bulawayo to establish Matopo Mission.
This time our party reached Bula-
wayo the afternoon Of the 9th. We
on the outskirts Of the
town and found that there was q big
agricultural display going on and the
offices were closed and we could not
do any business worth mentioning.
We wished to buy lot Of groceries to
last us for some time also tool. for
building and an outfit for the ten
oxen which we would need to draw
our wagon after we crossed the Fam
bezi, Brother Steigerwald was in
tending to help us get our goods OIL
hut ON account Of not being able to
do much and they being obliged to go
home on Saturday, we were left large
ly to our own resources. Sister
Steigerwald was in town and Sister
Wertman came in on the train Friday
SO we babe all adieu Saturday and
they started for the mission, expect
ing to encamp over Sunday and COM
plete the trip on Monday. We had
tried to do something toward getting
off on Saturday, and when night came
we were very tired and glad to pro-
cure room in which to remain until
Tuesday when the next train came
north.
On Sunday we went to Mr., Sherrit's
mission Of the Christian church where
we enjoyed the service and also spent
the day. Their minister, Rev. Hat
field, who lately arrived from New
Zealand, seems like very good sPir-
itual man. In the evening felt
somewhat depressed and worried
about the morrow In reference to get
ting the goods of. There is so much
red tape about the railroad business
and the customs here and so little
system. The station was about II
miles from where our goods were and
/ had to 90 out twice to see about
things. There was no need Of AIDA
and / both going out SO she said she
would go to the room and pray and |
felt that the Lord was answering her
prayers through the busy trying day.
Several times she met me up town
when / ESPECIALLY needed her help. l
ate breakfast a little after 7 a. m. and
did not get around to eat anything
more till dark. Though tired we felt
Glad that SO far as we knew every
thing both wagon and goods were
getting of all right. Everyone
thought 1t was a very big undertaking
for two women to go alone farther
into the interior Of Africa with no one
to accompany except natives. DC
not think anyone realized this more
than ourselves. We see only on'
step at 3 time but we know He know
and that 10 sufficient. He is goint
before we believe.
On Tuesday morning we took tn
train for this place arriving here at
9. m. today, . distance Of $50 mile
from Bulawsyo. This is the terminu
Of the government railway. 1t !
being built farther north but is still
lin the hands Of the contractors an
the rates are 90 high that we canno
70 that way. We shall have TO &c
oxen and 20 BY wagon when we &c
beyond the Zambesi river. Thi
morning when we nsared this Plsc
we wondered what we might meet
There is. strictly speaking. no tow
here only station and large hOt'