Chidamoyo Christian HospitalBOX 330

KAROI. RHODESIA

MRS. W. NICE

R, R. 7. BOX 290

BLOOMINGTON. INDIANA 47401

May, 1976

Arrival in the USA!! After 3h short years in Rhodesia we have returnedfor a furlough to report to you, our supporters. However we did not expectthis winter weather upon arrival. Currently we are getting settled in Waynes-ville, Ohio, in anticipation of starting our visiting in May.

"Our departure from Rhodesia was with mixed feelings. Chidamoyo has become our home over the last few years and we have many friends whom we leftbehind. Dr. Cobb is left with the full medical responsiblility of the hospital in our absence with Judy Pickett taking care of the business end of it.We trust the Lord that He will provide for them both in substance and spiritual need. Our many African friends sometimes can not understand why we mustreturn to the USA for furlough. We must return and ask them to trust that wewill return. But even more importantly we ask that they continue to serveour Lord and to be faithful to work and friends.

Upon our return by boat to England we witnessed a mute spectacle thatemphasized the tragedies of war. Since the conflict in Angola there havebeen many people of all races trying to excape from that country. Peopleswhose homes are no longer secure in Angola must now go somewhere else tolive. Off the coast of Senegal in Africa we passed a flotilla of 25 smallfishing boats on the open sea all sailing together toward some islands offthe coast of Portugal. They had been two months on the journey. It makesus realize the importance of having a secure footing in the kingdom of Godeven though the place we live on this earth may be plagued with upheaval.

Our latest reports from Rhodesia indicate that the airplane has arrived and in good shape. We are glad to hear this as it has been so long incoming and some of our work has lagged as a result. Bill Harrison will bebusier than ever with clinic flying for the hospital as we put the plane toHis use.

We covet your prayers for ourselves as we travel in the USA to visitwith you. Equally so remember omt many friends we have left behind in Rhodesia. They are carrying on the work in our absence in anticipation ofour return in a few months time.

In His service,

James/s. Frasu M.D.

MISSIONARIES:

Dr. & Mrs. James S. Erasure

Mashoko Mission

P.O. Mashoko

Rhodesia, Africa

FORWARDING AGENTS:

Mr. & Mrs. Jerry E. ErasureP.O. Box 287Waynesville, Ohio 45068U.S.A.

- A PUBLICATION OF DR. & MRS. JAMES S. ERASURE, MISSIONARIES IN RHODESIA, AFRICA -

Jim & Joyce, Michael & Kathy

We want to share with you a brief resume ofour work here in Rhodesia, and the plans for ourimmediate future, We arrived in Salisbury,Rhodesia in May, 1968, and progressed to Mashoko within the week.

Mashoko is located in a native African reservesome 300 miles from Salisbury and 50 miles o-ver dirt roads from the nearest town. The landis reminiscent of Northern Kentucky except thatit is much drier and with less luxuriant vegetation. The people number about 25,000 in the area ministered to by Mashoko Mission. Theirhomes are basically poles covered with mud andthatched roofs. The basic industry is farming.At kfeshoko there are several missionariesworking in the hospital and secondary school.Our medical work has centered mainly aroundthe hospital while our evangelistic effort hasbeen at the mission and in the villages.

Jim began his medical duties almost immedi -ately along with Dr. Gloria Cobb at ChristianHospital. Joyce, who was pregnant with Michael at the time, helped part-time at the hospital with nursing duties. Those first few monthswere used in adjusting to the new work and bestdetermining where we could fit into the evangelistic effort at Mashoko. During July of 1968 theReggie Thomas Team visited Mashoko andhelped stimulate the church in the area. Joycedelivered Michael in August of 1968 and a newjoy was brought into our lives.

1969 saw continued work at the hospital withJoyce helping more in the nurses' (medical assistants') training school under the direction ofMartha Raile. Jim also was actively teachingmedicine and surgery in the school. Most of ourformal evangelistic efforts were confined to theweek ends. Jim participated in the various teaching and training programs that were planned forthe church leaders and teachers. Joyce alsotaught literacy classes in the villages.

In January of 1970 we went to South Africa fora working vacation. The Churches of Christ inSouth Africa were having a church camp andJoyce and I participated in this program. Ourwork continued through 1970 much as before withdaily work in the hospital and contact with villagechurch leaders. We felt that we were becomingmore a part of the community as we continued tolive and work here. Our friends among the African people were growing as well as our Christianinfluence.

As missionaries at Mashoko, the Stolls andRosses, returned to the U.S.A. for furlough inlate 1970, the work load increased greatly in1971. All of us had to spread ourselves a Uttlethinner in an effort to cover the necessary activities of the mission. This meant more preaching, more teaching, more leading, more mechanical jobs, and myriads of other tasks. For-

tunately, the Dr. David Grubbs family has cometo Mashoko to work while we return to the Stateson furlough in mid-May, 1971. One of the joysof the first part of 1971 has been the formativesteps toward an organized chxirch group at Ma-shoko. In the past we have not had a formalchurch with a constitution and a board of leaders

as such. This we think is a real positive steptoward church growth. In the latter part of A-pril there was the annual Afeshoko Church leaders' meeting in which for two and a half days weintensively studied the Bible in a specific area tobetter equip the leaders.

Another blessing that we recieved as a familywas the arrival of Kathy Annette the 26th ofMarch, 1971. Both mother and daughter are doing fine as we prepare for the return to the United States.

Even as the last three years of our work havebeen eventful so does the future hold furtherchallenges. Upon our return to the U.S.A. weplan to live in Dayton, Ohio. Before the start ofa residency (advanced medical training) programat Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton the first ofJuly, 1971, we hope to visit with as many of oursupporting churches as possible. When freeweek ends occur during the residency we willvisit with our other supporting churches and report on our work. This year of residency is being taken in order to better equip us in our continued work whether it be in Rhodesia or elsewhere. Following the interruption of the two-year residency in June, 1972 we will visit withmore of our supporting churches prior to our return to Rhodesia in late 1972 and another term of

pULseP.O. Box 287Waynesville, Ohio 45068

(Return requested)

service. We feel that the Lord has continued usefor us in Rhodesia.

During our time in the U.S.A. it will be imperative that the funds we have received in thepast continue. Even though we will be in theU.S.A. the expenses of running the mission station at Mashoko continue. The Church is continuing even as when we were at Mashoko. Patients still are getting sick and need treatment.Remember to continue to work with us as we re

turn to the U.S.A.

We look forward to seeing you. Do pray forus.

1 1

Chipo & Michael

Mr. Chitofu working in thesterilizing room at the hospital.

Dear Christian Friends,

CHTOAMOYOCHRISTIANHOSPITAL

Rhodesia, Africa

October 1976

NEWSLETTER

Thank you again for the continued good support and encouragement you have given to usduring this last month of travel and visiting with you. As our furlough is drawing to an end we areeager to return to Chidamoyo with your concern for the work fresh in our minds. The Churchesin Highland, Indiana; Sabina, Ohio; Elizabethtown, Kentucky; Rolling Fork, Kentucky; andMt. Pleasant, Indiana really have been a blessing to us.

Much has transpired in Rhodesia on the national scene since our last month's newsletter.Dr. Kissinger's trip to Southern Africa appears to have gotten the momentum going ^ain toward apossible political solution in Rhodesia. Rhodesian Prime Minister Smith has announced thattransition to black majority government is to occur within 2 years. In spite of thisoptimistic proposal, the transition will not be painless. Needless to say outside forces, namelycommunists, will be "stirring the pot" to have a more violent change. Violence andterrorist activity will continue for awhile, I am sure. Hopefully Chidamoyo will continue tobe spared this violence. Much patience, prayer, and understanding is needed by all.

Chidamoyo continues to be busy. Bill Harrison reports continued progress in the churches,especially the fly-in clinics. Mr. Mukanga, one of the Christian school teachers in the areawrote to us a few days ago telling us of his work with a nearby church group. They had several menaccept Christ which has added new adult maturity to the congregation at Gwazi. This is mostencouraging news coming from Chidamoyo and especially from Mr. Mukanga. We rejoice that ourAfrican brethren are picking up the responsibility of being viable Christians.

Dr. Cobb writes that she has really been busy as of late. Lots of babies being bom andalways some women needing C-sections. Mr. Chitofu is one of those valuable people behind thescenes whose help is invaluable at the hospital. He is in charge of the sterilizing room/operating roomand aids Dr. Cobb immensely in her operations. He is a valuable man and active Christianat Chidamoyo. We are grateful for his witness and friendship.

Our finances are holding up well at this point as anticipated expenses are being met and theneed for a car upon our return has been met. The hospital continues to be doing wellfinancially. Praise God for his blessings.

Continue to pray for us as we visit and prepare to return to Phodesia.

In His glad service,

James S.fFrasurev^M.D.

"and He sent them to preach the Kingdom of God, and to heat the sick." Luke 9:2

DR. & MRS. JAMES S. ERASURE DR. GLORIA COBB MISS JUDY PICKETT

Field Address: Box 330, Karoi, Rhodesia U.S. Address: 1601 Walnut St., Dover, Ohio 44622

Marriage ceremony and receptionat Chidamoyo.

Dear Christian Friends,

CHTOAMOYOCHWSTIANHOSPITAL

Rhodesia, Africa

wi- December 1976

NEWSLETTER

As the cold of winter presses down upon us here in the USA we look forward to returningto Rhodesia and warm climate and warm friends. Even though Christmas is the hottest time of theyear in Rhodesia it is still celebrated as the time of our Lord's birth and the time of rededicationto Christian purpose. We want to share with you in our joy of Christmas —JESUS.

Even as the picture above shows a time of marriage and the giving of gifts at Chidamoyo,so does it represent to a small degree the great gifts and the intimate relationship we have withJesus. During difficult times in Rhodesia it calls for the best in each of us to stand firm and pushahead in our task of reaching the lost.

Bill Harrison writes that the clinic work is going great! Average attendance is in excess of75 and sometimes goes above 150. The airplane is serving us well. How grateful we are for itspresence at Chidamoyo. At one of the climes, Tchoda, there have been two churches started by thepeople. They were coming from different areas to the clinic and it was felt by the local churchmen that two congregations should be started. We rejoice in this outreach and the use of medicineas a "foot in the door" to see people won to Christ. Please continue to pray for the newChristians at Tchoda.

Work at the hospital carries on; busy, busy. Fortunately Dr. Cobb is there while we are onfurlough to carry on in our absence. However Judy Pickett, hospital secretary, is planningto return on furlough in February, 1977, which necessitates our return soon. There is ayoung woman who is returning with us to fill in for Judy during her year's furlough.

Time of departure is drawing ne^. Tentatively we have selected the last part of January as"D" day and everything is moving toward that time. Reporting to you, our supporters, iscompleted and now it's packing, visa, passport, and lastminute visiting time, ^ay forusaswe prepare to return to Chidamoyo.

Finances are holding up well at this tiiii|g^Agam thisis d^e to your faithfulness. Continueto hold us up in prayer and faith. :

In His glad service,

James S. Frasure, M.D.

"and He sent them to preach the Kingdom of God, and to heal the sick." Luke 9:2

DR. & MRS. JAMES S. FRASURE DR. GLORIA COBB MISS JUDY PICKETT

Field Address: Box 330, Karoi, Rhodesia U.S. Address: 1601 Walnut St., Dover, Ohio 44622