Harrison William Reba 1974 Rhodesia(Zimbabwe)

CENTRAL AFRICA MISSION

MR. AND MRS. ALFRED BATTLES, Forwarding Agents

P.O. BOX 8321 • LA CRESCENTA, CALIF. 91214

FIELD ADDRESS • BOX 330, KAROI. RHODESIA

Dear Friends:

BILL RÂDAVID AND Jt

TechnologyAnd aviation

Serving theIQnqdom

. 197^rch

Serving the Lord in Rhodesia has its new and rewarding experiences aswell as the day to day routine. After a year and a half of writing newsletters home,it seems more difficult to write news we feel would interest you without repeatingourselves too often. We hope that you do enjoy hearing about the many unusualand unexpected experiences we are having. Each week we do different thingsand learn new things. Certainly we are never, never bored!

Reba and I read an article by Max Randall the other evening, and it helpedus to collect our thoughts in regard "to our future plans at Chidamoyo, He has avast experience in mission work here in Africa. He feels that missionaries shouldconcentrate on teaching an entire village, made up generally of one or two extendedfamilies, A concerted effort of teaching one lesson per week for 13 weeks andleading the village to a specific day of conversion, with the hope that the entiregroup will respond at that time, and establish a church patterned after that ofthe New Testament in their village. Mr. Randall said this has proven to be a verysuccessful method in Zambia and the,^^_i^ô establish a church in every village.We want to try this plan in the villages around Chidamoyo. "

Two points mentioned under Plans in our last newsletter would be incorporated in these training sessions: that of leadership training, and the extensiontraining lessons with film strips and taped lessons, A third point will be droppeddue to a lack of time on my part--that of teaching scripture classes in the schools.This is not too serious as long as we can hire Christian teachers. Scripture is arequirement in the African school curriculum. It has been hoped in the past thatthe school children would be converted and that they would lead their elders toChrist, Yet in the African culture, this is rare. The culture leans toward groupaction. The leaders in the village have to be convinced of their need for Christ,and convicted of their sin and then others in the village are more easily led. Thisis certainly scriptural, as families such as the Philippian jailer's family becameChristian as the result of one of the parents realizing the need. And at Jerusalemone of the largest group decisions, was made on the Day of Pentecost as the Churchof Christ was established,

- —We want to concentrate on specific strategic villages where we-hope andîrayyoung churches will be established, and then in turn will reproduce themselves intheir neighboring villages. There are hundreds of villages around Chidamoyo andthe two churches already established do not begin to be adequate for the vast area.

We still have a long way to go before we are able to communicate fluentlywithout an interpreter. But we are convinced the Lord wants us to press on --to make the best use of the time remaining until He comes again.

In Christ,

^ iJUBill Harrison

TASK -- February Contributors, 1974.

Mr. and Mrs.:

Larry BaileyAlfred Battles

Robert Brust

Kelley ClaybaughGordon Clifford

Clarence Dean

Richard Forst

John Freeman

Lawrence Harrison

Clint O'Neal

Charles Kelley, Jr.Dennis Kitch

John H. Koekkoek

Frederick PartridgeJack Schaible

Ed Schoen

Chester Stilabower

Ray StradleyHarrison Strong

Ind ividuals:

Ellis Back

Mitchell Colwell

J, Crozier

Esther Fowler

Eva Head

Agnes HemphillJuanita Martens

Haril Whetsell


WILLIAM HARRISON FAMILYC/0 MR. & MRS. ALFRED BATTLES

P.O.BOX 8321

LA CRESCENTA, CALIFORNIA 91214

Groups:

Bible School -

College Park Christian ChurchChristian Service Circle -

Elsinore First Christian Church

Women's Fellowship -Tujunga First Christian Church

Churches:

Anaheim First Christian Church

Cathedral Oaks Christian Church

College Park Christian ChurchEast Anaheim Christian Church

Hacienda Heights Christian ChurchLawndale Church of Christ

Parkcrest Church of Christ

Rowland Heights First Christian ChurchSan Fernando First Church of Christ

Tujunga First Christian ChurchValley Christian Church

Financial Capsule:

Balance, Jan, 31, 19V4

Receipts, Feb., 1974Disbursements, Feb., 1974

Balance Feb. 28, 1974

(Held in reserve for furlough.

$ 6.631246. 35

1252. 22

. 76

$1475.00)

Mr 1? E McGilvreyP 0 Box 177

Keinpton IN 46049

Non>Profit Organization

U. S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT

Gl«ndal«, CoKfemia

e/Os

^C)lAA.ca_:6




FIELD ADDRESS • BOX 330, KAROI, RHODESIABILL REBA

DAVID AND JULIE

APRIL-MAY

VTechnologyAnd aviation

Serving theKingdom

Dear Friends in Christ:

April was a month filled with preaching and meetings. Early in themonth, we wrote a second letter to the District Commissioner, asking permissionto preach in Chief Gumunyu's area. We had received no reply to our earlier request - however, we now have received permission to preach there, and to use theTchoda Tsetse fly control airstrip nearby. On Thursday, May 16, Bill took clinicpersonnel there for their first clinic, and he had the opportunity to preach tomore than one hundred people. He will be going there every two weeks.

The African school term finished in -April, and Bill again had theproblem of rearranging the school teachers to suit the Ministry of Education.There is a severe shortage of trained African teachers, and we are having to useseveral substitute teachers who are not fully qualified.

Easter weekend has always been a special time at Chidamoyo. A GoodFriday Service was held on Friday evening at the church, and Bill was asked topreach. Other neighboring church people came for the weekend. On Saturday night.Dr. Frasure preached. Sunday was a beautiful day as we worshipped together on ahill near the hospital at sunrise. After breakfast, our family flew to Mashamechurch for morning worship.

April also encompassed a week at Charara Christian Camp with forty-three young people, the Ziden Nutt family and Dale Marshall. It was a very goodweek, with men of the Karoi European Church doing a large part of the planningof it.

April brought the hope of another new area opening up southeast of themission. Permission has been granted to select an airstrip site. John Ross, fromMashoko, Jack Smith from Binga, and Bill drove to that area. With the help ofMatches, a leading farmer in the area, we selected a possible site very near thenew Marere school.

The end of April found us in Salisbury at the Tri-Auunal meeting of theCentral Africa Mission. These meetings are a blessing to us, as we are able toenjoy fellowship with our fellow-workers in Rhodesia.

May has brought cold weather. It is snowing in South Africa, and theysay that means a__long, cold winter for us. The poor little African children whodon't have enough to wear are having lots of colds and coughing.

May was the wedding of our headmaster at the Chidamoyo Primary School,Mr. Tod Nyoni. It was our first opportunity to attend an African wedding. What anexperience! The most interesting aspect is the gift giving. The bride and groomsit out under a thatched shelter and people bring their gifts up individually tothe "Announcer," who calls out loudly how much money was given and who gave it.This took several hours.

Jack and Eunice Smith from Binga are coming over two weeks"out of eachmonth to help us out. He is a builder and an excellent carpenter. Many things haveBeen repaired, such as doors swollen by the rains. Eunice is a registered nurse andis helping at the hospital. They are here for the remainder of May, and Jack helda preacher training session May 21-22. We are always happy to have their help.

We have begun visiting in the villages, and as time goes on we will spendmore time teaching in them. More material is becoming available. Ziden Nutt isfinishing some good film strips with Shona tapes, which will help us very much.Also, some of the lesson material people here at the mission have been and are preparing will be useful. Pray that the Lord of the Harvest will send forth reapers.We need a man who is thoroughly qualified and interested in village evangelism tocome and live here with his family.

We have so much for which to praise and thank God. We are all well physically, and we are all together as a family again. Julie is progressing in allareas. We thank all of you for your prayers on her behalf.

Love,

BILL & REBA HARRISON

TASK CONTRIBUTORS - MARCH, APRIL, MAY 1974Mr. S Mrs.


Leon Brown

Robert Brust

David Carlson

Robert CarpenterKelley ClaybaughHarold Crozier

Clarence Dean

Richard Forst

John Freeman

Robert Hadlock

Larry HarrisonCharles Kelley, Jr.Dennis Kitch

John H. Koekkoek

John W. Koekkoek

Don Lamoureux

Ed LydicLeroy ParksJoh^ Phillips

individuals

Mitchell Colwell

J. Crozier

Mae Dietz

Phyllis Del DukeDelbert Eskins, Sr.Ray Fritts

Linda Green

Ruby Gusner

Golda Harrison

Gertrude Lawrence

Jessie Madel

Juanita Martens

Grace MyersBarbara Spray

Jacob Schaible

Donald SchmiedebergEd Schoen

Carter Stanton

Chester Stilabower

Ray Stradley

Harrison StrongFarrell Sullivan

James Sutherland

Dr. and Mrs. John Jones

Groups

Bible School-College Park Christian ChurchChristian Service Circle- Elsinore

First Christian Church

Dorcas- Chadron Church of Christ

Womens' Fellowship-Tujunga First Christian Church

Churches



College Park Christian Church

Hacienda Heights Christian ChurchKnott Avenue Christian Church

Lawndale Church of Christ

Parkcrest Church of Christ

Rowland Heights First Christian ChurchSan Fernando First Church of Christ

Tujunga First Christian ChurchValley Christian Church

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + •{• + + +

+ + + -f' + + + + + + + + + + + +


WILLIAM HARRISON FAMILY

C/0 MR. & MRS. ALFRED BATTLESP.O.BOX 8321


FINANCIAL CAPSULE

Balance: February 28, 1974 $ .76Receipts, March, April, May 4249.64Disbursements, March, April, May 4258.75

Balance, May 51, 1974Reserve for Furlough $1,700.00

Mr ff £I McGilvreyP 0 Box 177

Kempton IN 46049

10.91

Non-Profit OfganitotSon

U. S. POSTAGE

PAID

PERMITGUndaU, California




FIELD ADDRESS BOX 330, KAROI, RHODESIABILL REBA

DAVID AND JULIE

JUNE-JULY


Serving theKingdom

Dear Friends of Task:

To BEGIN WITH, THANK YOU ONE AND ALL FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT AS WE SEEGod answering prayers and opening doors. As we approach July 28, our secondANNIVERSARY ON THE FIELD, WE REJOICE THAT THE OVERDRAFT ON THE MISSION LORRY HASBEEN REDUCED TO $1,000. WE MENTIONED OUR DESIRE TO BEGIN INTENSIVE TEACHINGSESSIONS OF THIRTEEN WEEKS, IN NEARBY VILLAGES, AND THESE CLASSES WILL BE UNDERWAY NEXT Monday morning, God willing.

We ARE SADDENED AS MiSS CATHI GROGG, OUR NURSE, LEAVES FOR INDIANA NEXT MONDAY EVENING. We will MISS HER, BUT KNOW THAT GOD WILL USE HER AND LEAD HER AS ONLYHe CAN. ZlDEN NUTT AND FAMILY DEPARTED ON FURLOUGH FROM SiNOIA ON THE FIRST OFJuly. We will miss them, also.

In June we visited on Sundays the churches at Mpofu, Sampakarumba, Madyagavanhu,Chidamoyo and Karoi. We called in several villages near the mission, and saw results

AS PEOPLE CAME TO CHURCH AND SOME WERE BAPTIZED. I INSPECTED FELECHI SCHOOL, ATTENDED SIX CLINICS BY AIR AND ONE OVERNIGHT PREACHING AND BIOSCOPE MEETING. WE ENTERTAINED NEIGHBORING TEAM MISSION FRIENDS ONE EVENING^ AT ANOTHER TIME, THE DOCTORMESSMAN family from BINGA and THEIR VISITORS, Jo AnN AND DAN ScHAFFER FROM INDIANA,WERE OUR GUESTS. REBA ATTENDED FOUR WOMEN*S MEETINGS. ALSO, THERE WAS THE USUALMIXTURE OF MAINTENANCE, PAYROLLS, CORRESPONDENCE AND A FEW UNUSUAL PROBLEMS - JUSTTO MAKE LIFE INTERESTING.

July promises more excitement. As we mentioned, Monday marks the commencementOF CLASSES IN TWO HEADMEn's VILLAGES, CHIDOMO AND NdORO, NEAR ChIDAMOYO. MonDAYafternoon we want TO FLY INTO SALISBURY TO SEE CATHI OFF. THEN HOME TuESDAY MORNING AND A 45-mile drive BY LANDROVER, TO MuJINGA AREA FOR THE FIRST CLINIC. WE WILLBE DISCUSSING WITH THE CHIEF AND LOCAL LEADERS THE BEST POSSIBLE LOCATION FOR A NEWAIRSTRIP. I MENTIONED IN OUR LAST LETTER THAT WE HAD CHOSEN A LOCATION, BUT ITPROVED TO BE UNACCEPTABLE. In THE EVENING, I WILL SHOW BIOSCOPE, AND PREACH, ThATSHOULD MAKE A FAIRLY FULL DAyI ThE ANNUAL ShOW (FAIR) AT MAGUNGE IS OVER THE 26TH-27th, and REBA will be assisting in judging the women's EVENT.

In Africa, we have ants — lots of ants! Ants of every kind, size and variety.The Bible talks about faith to move mountains. These lj^^lê êllows jhave built n^less than eight "mountains" " some at least 15 FEET HIGH -- WITHIN THE CIRCLE OFhouses HERE AT CHIDAMOYO. EVEN AS I SIT HERE LOOKING OUT OF THE WINDOW AT THESEHILLS, IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE ANTS MADE THEM. HOW COULD THEY DO IT? WHOTEACHES THEM,

We Christians have a "mountain" to build. For many in the world, just livingSEEMS like a mountainous TASK. BUT WE HAVE BEEN CHOSEN, AND SET APART TO BUILD THE"Mountain" of the Kingdom of God, He has already provided the Way; He has authoredTruth, and He promises Life through the King of kings - Jesus.

Love, .4- /dUnJ

Bill and Reba

TASK CONTRIBUTORS TOR JUNE, 1974

Mr, and Mrs«

Battles, AlfredBrown, LeonBrust, RobertClaybaugh, KelleyDean, ClarenceForst, RichardFreeman, JohnHadlock, RobertHarrison, LawrenceKelley, Charles, Jr«Kitch, DennisKoekkoek, John H.Koekkoek, John W,Marquis, Glenn, Sr.Miller, NealScHAiBLE, JacobStilabower, ChesterStradley, RaymondJones, Dr. and Mrs.

IndI VI duals:

Mitchell Colwell

TImothy Crozier

JuaniTA Martens

John


WILLIAM HARRISON FAMILYC/0 MR. & MRS. ALFRED BATTLES

P.O.BOX 8321


». i

Churches;



College Park Christian Church

Hacienda Heights Christian Church

Knott Avenue Christian Church

Lawndale Church of Christ

Lemon Grove Christian Church

Park Crest Church of Christ

Tujunga First Christian Church

Valley Christian Church

Groups :

Bible School - College Park Christian Church

Christian Service Club -

Elsinore First Christian Church

Women's Fellowship -Tujunga First Christian Church

FInancIAL Capsule:

Balance, 31 May 1974Receipts for June, 1974

Disbursements, June

Balance,June 30, 1974

* Reserve for Furlough~$T,775.00

ur n Z HdGUvreyP 0 Box I7T

E^mptoa IN 46049

10.91

$1,394.43

$1,405.34$1,400.39

$ 4.95

Non-Profit Organisation

U. S. POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT ^10Glendal*, California






Serving theKingdom

I

/ /

Dear Friends of Task:

BILL REBA

DAVID AND JULie

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER, 19 7 4

The Christian Conference at Dadaya Mission is in the pastnow. It was the highlight of the year for the Christians from allover the country. We flew down Friday morning, August 16, and campedout at the mission. Charter bus after charter bus came rolling in.Mrs. Knapp, the lady in charge of the food, didn't know from meal tomeal how many people she was preparing for. She did a good job andwe were well fed. One meal, when intestines were to be put into thecabbage for relish, she was kind enough to cook one pot of just plaincabbage for the visiting Europeans who find intestines unpalatable.

Friday afternoon and all day Saturday were filled with classes and preaching sessions. There were several classes from which tochoose each day. The Conference was conducted by the Africans, withjust-a—few of the missionaries as guest speakers. All of the sessionswere good.

On Sunday morning close to a thousand people attended worshipservices. The music was beautiful with so many voices gathered together. The Africans seem to harmonize naturally. The ChidamoyoHospital Choir sang special numbers during many of the sessions. MissPickett had helped them make long dresses and matching shirts for themen, and they looked as lovely as they sounded.

Dadaya Mission has been turned over to the Africans with theexception of Mrs. Knapp, who will be retiring in December of this year.She has taught English in the Secondary School for 25 years. Aftereverything was over on Sunday afternoon, Mrs. Knapp drove us back tothe airstrip and mejj.tioned that she had never ridden in a small airplane in all of h^'r 65 years,. So, of course. Bill took her for a ride.She just happened to have her camera along so she could take someaerial pictures of the mission to take home when she goes in December.She was so thrilled, and it made us happy to see her happy after herexhausting three days at the Conference.

We~wanted to share this experience with you. We are-enjoying-our work among our African brethren. We ask your prayers that our livesmight be fruitful for the Kingdom of God in this place.

In His Service,

'-fZ<£L

Bill and Reba Harrison

TASK CONTRIBUTORS - July & August, 1974

Mr, & Mrs.


Leon Brown

Robert Brust

David Carlson

Kelley ClaybaughHarold Crozier

Kenneth Davies

Clarence Dean

Landis EmondRichard Forst

John Freeman

Robert Hadlock

Lawrence Harrison

Eugene KaldhusdalCharles Kelley, Jr.Dennis Kitch

John H. Koekkoek

John W. Koekkoek

Jack Schaible

Donald SchmiedebergEdward Schoen

Chester Stilabower

Raymond StradleyFarrell Sullivan

Dr. & Mrs. John Jones

Individuals

JUtchelX-Co-l wpI 1

Tim Crozier

Phyllis Del DukeDelbert Eskins, Sr.Esther FowlerGolda Harrison

Agnes HemphillGertrude Lawrence

Juanita Martens



C/0 MR. & MRS. ALFRED BATTLES

P.O.BOX 8321

LA CRESCENTA. CALIFORNIA 91214

Churches

Anaheim First Christian ChurchCathedral Oaks Christian ChurchCollege Park Christian ChurchEast Anaheim Christian ChurchEllettsville Christian ChurchHacienda Heights Christian ChurchKnott Avenue Christian ChurchLawndale Church of ChristParkcrest Church of ChristRowland Heights Christian ChurchSan Fernando First Church of ChristTujunga First Christian ChurchValley Christian Church

Groups

Bible School - College Park Christian ChurchChristian Service Circle -

Elsinore First Christian ChurchDorcas Society -

Chadron Church of ChristWomen's Fellowship -

Tujunga First Christian Church

FINANCIAL CAPSULE:

-T T

'/ 1974

OC i 8 1974

4-r^Receipts for July/August 2795.86

Disbursements for July August 2798.05

Balance, August 31, 1974 2.76

Reserve for furlough, $1925.00

Non.Profil Orgonixotien

U. S. POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT ;S'10GUndol*< Califemie

Mr w E HcGilvreyP 0 Box 177

Kempton IN 46049





Dear Friends:

IMPORTANT! Many have mentioned plans for faithpromise rallies for next year — and other such events — so we mustclarify our intentions regarding our furlough plans.

We have written and requested permission from our "sendingelders," of the Tujunga Christian Church of Tujunga,., California, toallow us to remain here in the work. until June, 1977'. " They havegranted us this request, and given us' much-encouragement, in that theyrealize we are getting more involved in the work in the villages, inaddition to our visiting and encouraging the already-establishedtwenty churches in and around Chidamoyo. With the shortage of missionpersonnel, and so far no one coming to relieve us in the areas ofmaintenance and school management, we feel that it would not be goodto leave Chidamoyo in 1975, as was our original intent.

BILL REBA

DAVID AND JULIE

NOVEMBER, 197

1TechnologyAnd aviation

Serving theKingdom

We request your prayers, desire your comments, and needyour continuing financial support I

The first phase of our intensive evangelism was completedthe week of October 28. In terms of numbers, it may not sound impressive, but we are happy and thankful that the Lord added to HisChurch. I taught thirteen lessons in each of two headmen's villageson Monday mornings, with the excellent help of two evangelists -Mr. Marowa and Mr. Maringira - who did the interpreting. (They werehired by our hospital as Chaplains). Our prayer was that many wouldbelieve in Jesus Christ, and respond to the invitation at the end ofthirteen weeks.

In Mr. Chidoma's village, a Mr. Kaposo and five women werequite faithful, though the headman was not. At Mr. Ndoro's village,Mr. IJdoro himself was very much interested, as were six adults andseveral children who were quite faithful. Each lesson was mimeographed and given to all who could read. On the 28th, we had a wonderfultime with a singing and preaching service led by Mr. Maringira duringwhich thirteen people responded, including Mr. Kaposo and Mr. Ndoro^Mrs. Ndoro and eight younger people from the Ndoro village an^ area.About twenty-five of us boarded our lorry and attended a rather exciting baptismal service at the hospital Chapel. Two women had ratherdifficult struggles with evil spirits at the time of their baptisms,but this did not spoil the day as Satan would have liked. Thethirteen new-born Christians then joined us in a quiet communionservice.

Back at Mr, Ndoro's village, we all enjoyed a FellowshipFeast of goat and sadza and murwiro (vegetables). We sang and prayedsome more and then went happily to our homes, thanking God for whatwe had accomplished together.

Present plans include continuing with further instructionon the Church, and how it functions# in Mr. Ndoro's village. Also,we expect to begin a new series in two other areas. Please prayfor these new Christians, as temptation is very strong within theirvillage lives.

In order to increase our out-reach within a thirty-mileradius of Chidamoyo, we anticipate the construction of several moreairstrips. Our desire is to assist the Christians here to becomestrong spiritually, by studying more deeply the Church within theNew Testament, and to help them to realize their Christian responsibility to go everywhere preaching the Good News I

Love in Christ,

Bill and Reba Harrison

TASK CONTRIBUTORS — September, October, November - 1 9 7 4

Mr. and Mrs.:


Leon Brcwn

Robert Brust

David A. Carlson

Kelley ClaybaughHarold Crozier

Clarence Dean

Landis Emon5

Richard Forst

John Freeman

'H3bert~HadlOc]c

Lawrence Harrison

Charles Kelley, Jr.Dennis Kitch

John H. Koekkoek

John W. Koekkoek

Harold McFarland

Clint O'Neal

Frederick PartridgeKenneth Reed

Jacob Schaible

Ed SchoenAlvin Smart

Ralph StarkelChester StilabcwerRay Stradley

Dr. & Mrs. John Jones

Individuals;

Norene Abdullah

Mitchell Colwell

Tim Crozier

Phyllis Del DiikeDelbert Eskins, Sr.Esther Fcwler

Golda Harrison

Agnes HenphillGertrude Lawrence

Jessie Maciel

Juanita Martens

Groups;

Bible School-

College Park Christian ChurchChristian Service Circle -

Elsinore Christian ChurchDorcas Society -

Chadron Church of ChristOlive Section - Long Beach

First Christian Church

V.B.S. - Westside

Church of Christ

VJtsnen's Fellowship -"" Tujunga—

Churches:


Cathedral Oaks Christian ChurchCollege Park Christian ChurchEast Anaheim Christian ChurchEllettsville Christian ChurchHacienda Heights Christian ChurchLawndale Church of Christ

Lemon Grove Christian ChurchParkcrest Church of ChristRcwland Heights Christian ChurchSan Fernando First Church of ChristTujunga First Christian ChurchValley Christian Church

Bal. Aug. 31, '74

$2.76Receipts-Sept./Oct./

Nov. $3870.70$3873.46

Disbursements -

Sept/ôv. $3870.29

Bal.

Nov. 30/74 3.17



C/O MR. & MRS. ALFRED BATTLES

P.O.BOX 8321


Npn-Profit Organixatien

U. 3. POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT ;^10Glcndcilt, California

Mr ff B McGilvreyP 0 Box 177

Kempton IN 46049

Documents

Harrison William Reba 1974 Rhodesia(Zimbabwe)