MARCIA KAY THOMSONmSKCKO MISSIONP/O - MaahokoRhodeaia,
Africa
Forvrarding Agents:Dr. - Mrs. Richard Lee.901 Taylor
DriveCarbondale, Illinoia -62901
29th August, 1967
Dear Christian Friends:
Greetings from Mashoko 1 I am sure you are interested to know
acme of"the things that have been happening and" plans-for
the-fu-ture-,
May 5th my second nephew, John Ruaael Thomson, was born in
Kansas.His brother Jimmy will be three years old in November*
Marilyn Richards arrived in Rhodesia May 18th* I went to
Salisburyto meet her. My car was in the garage waiting for parts to
arrive soI had to borrow one. We went to several offices in
Salisbury to gether papers filled out and my passport renev/ed.
Since we were out of the bush and on good roads vie went on to
Bulav/ayo,I had never been to the bookstore in Bulav/ayo where we
order most ofthe books for our bookstore at Mashoko. This seemed
like a goodopportunity for both of us to get acquainted with the
manager and seewhat he had in stock. "lATe came through Fort
Victoria and spent Saturday night in Chiredzi, Vve attended church
in Chiredzi and Sundayafternoon we went on to Mashoko# The short
cut had not been repairedenough to be used since the rains so we
had a 115 mile trip insteadof 58 miles as we have now
Many have asked when I am planning to be in the States. At the
present time it looks as if I will arrive in December,
Marilyn and I have been v/orking together so that she can learn
thevarious aspects of the v/ork. Many things we are able to do
morethoroughly than I had been doing before her arrival. V/hen v/e
dividethe viTork Marilyn does the shorthand and typing and I vrork
on the book-Keeping.
The work continues to grov/. Vtfe have 26 schools with 115
teachers.Our bookstore sells books and supplies to 3,000 primary
students and140 secondary students. At the present time we are in
an extensivebuilding program at our school in Chiredzi Township.
This school iscalled Stockil. They held classes in pole and mud
classrooms withgrass roofs for two years and started this year in
the same buildings.Now they have a four room building vThich is the
nicest of any of ourschool buildings. It is a brick building v/ith
a veranda the length ofthe building. The builders are at roof level
on two teachers housesnear the school. Foundations are being dug
for another classroom blockand two more teachers houses. We are
expecting this to be our largestschool and v/e have a large enough
lot to build several more buildingson well as have a football
field.
In early June Shej?raan Pemberton was married in Ohio and then
he andhis wife, Judi, .came to visit PJ:aode3ia, In the African
custom it isproper to have wedding feasts in both the brides
village and also thegrooms. Since Ifeshoko v/as Sherman's home for
many years they hadtheir second wedding here on June 24th. Family
and friends turned outand the estimates of the attendence are over
5,000. It seemed likeall the residents of Matsai Reserve were here.
Missionaries and friendcame from near and far. The wedding v/as in
front of the hospital on aplatform built over the baptistry. Pamela
Pemberton came from theStates with Sherman and Judi and served as
maid of honor. John Mark,v/ho is in school in Fort Victoria, v/as
best man. Bob had the closingprayer and Marjorie sang. John v/as in
charge of the service. Eachmember of the family had his ovm
part.
The first week in July we had a very wonderful time in the Lord
during the visit of Paul, Lois and Andrew Benjamin. We had
scriptureclasses for the missionaries as well as the students on
the mission.
-a-
Each evening v/e had a preaching service and Friday afternoon an
areameeting in front of the hospital. Lois taught the students new
songswhich they have been singing since.
Today I am invigilating exarainationa for some students that are
takingtheir education by correspondence. Each year in August there
is oneweek v/hen exams are given at various centers throughout the
country*This year at Mashoko we have four si^^^ned up for Standard
6 (8th grade)and 49 for Rhodesia Junior Certificate (equal to 2
years high school).The exams are made out by the Education
Department and sent to us byregistered mail. It is up to us to see
that the envelopes are openedjust before the exam and that the time
limit is kept and no helps areused. We must then return the answers
by registered mail and the students will receive the results
several months later, Marilyn Stein-metz usually gives these exams
and she will do the rest of them thistime
May the Lord bless you as you work for Him.Because of
Christ,
-t
MaRCIA KkY THOMSONc/o R. V, Lee901 Taylor Dr.Garbondale, 111.
62901
Marcia kay Thomson
SP 2.*^
