erickson-dale-sue-1968-rhodesia.pdf
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Christianity, Christian missions, world missions, the missions networkTRANSCRIPT
News of His,/i .o/)^/IJ^PS^
Dr.
1/12//68}f6e
17Im4 4^' ^ .. l^n, . .Dale and Mrs. Su« Alice Erickson and «8ii^lriir6j^ have arrived in
Bhodesia for the dedication of the Chidaraoyo Bhajbatian Hospital set for Jan, 20. Dr.
Irickson will also serve the Binga Clinic 100 miles away once a week coianmting with
the mission Geaana 180 plane which will also he used as an air ambulance. The Ziden L.
Nutt family has led jn this project, with assistance from the Charles Kelleys, smd
Bruce AmmermsinB, . .
^ Iss10NARY Corner PerkinsFRCM OUR FRIENDSj THE DALE ERICKSOIjS: January 30, 1968
G^ETINGS TO THE CHURCH AT CLINTON: "We had a much needed va-:acion in Switzerland managed to be there during an 11-day blizzard but the area was so well adapted to snow that life went on
pretty much as usual. Erin kept praying for snow. Finally we asked herto pray for sunshine. She did and we had one perfectly lovely day forskiing the next day. The roughest part of the trip was crossing the timezones backward ^o Europe. From there to Chidamoyo, although we travelled10 more hours straight (39), we were not nearly so tired.
"We arrived at Chidamoyo the day before the all-missionary meeting there. It was good to meet old friends and meet co-workers who werenew to us. The last day of the meeting, January 20, was the dedication ofChidamoyo Christian Hospital. The night before the African drums beat ^night» At the dedication many, many Africans came; several chiefs fromnearby areas were there» The chief of our area, Chief Dendawa, was thereand had a part, as did the European District commissionero Zidon Nutt wasin charge and Dr. Pruitt had the address. Madonna Burgett led the hospital staff choir in a hymn and Dale led the Act of Dedication, It was veryimpressive. Everybody took pictures, so soon they will be making therounds back home,
"Chidamoyo means 'place the heart desires,' and I can see why.It is a lovely hill, surrounded by small mountains= Just now the sky isvery blue, the grass and trees very green and the soil is rustic=
"One of our cases of goods was missing en route. Please praythat they'll find it O.Ko We only sent what we needed. Here's the listthat was asked for of things you could send us that we can't get overhere: sour cream mixes, Tang, good powdered skim milk, instant potatoes,chocolate chips, Heinz or Gerber oatmeal, pre-sweetened Koolaide, cakeand pancake mixes. (Staples are high, meat is cheap.)" -- Love in Him,Sue Alice. (Address: Chidamoyo Mission, P B 38, Karoi, Rhodesia)
MISSION SERVICES
BOX 368
JOLIET, ILLINOIS 60434
Address Correction Requested
TtieEncRSonJitmkWtx
MISSIONARIES:Dr. Dale & Sue Alice Erickson
Chidomoyo Hospital MissionP/B 38Karoi, Rhodesia, Africa
FORWARDING AGENTS:Mr. and Mrs. Ralph W. Murphy804 North Eighth StreetMt. Vernon, Illinois 62864
Volume 1, Number 1
Dear Friends in Christ:
i m-i
Dedication of Chidamoyo Christian Hospital.Ziden Nutt, missionary builder, hands the keys toDale Erickson, missionary doctor, officially openingthe doors for service.
CENTRAL
AFRICA
MISSION
of the
Churches of Christ/
Christian Churches
PREACH
TEACH
HEAL
March 1968
February 3, 1968
This is our first newsletter to our many friends and supporters in America. We hove had approximately twoweeks In Rhodesia andare adjusting to the climate (it is summer and warm, but there is nearly always a pleasantbreeze), culture (fairly primitive), and people (friendly, peaceful, Shono Africans).
We arrived January 17 just in time for the Rhodesian-Zombian Missionary Conference which was chosen forChidamoyo this year so everyone could be present for the Chidamoyo Hospital Dedication which was held January20. It wos a long-awaited occasion. Africans, including seven chiefs, came from great distances to the dedico-tlon. Numerous European (white) friends of the mission came from Salisbury ond Karoi. The District Commissioner,Mr. White, was present to offer his congratulations. Chief Dendawa, our local chief, expressed the gratitude ofhis people. Ziden Nutt, the pioneer missionary of Chidamoyo and man most responsible for the progress of thismission, related the history of the mission. The final act of the dedication was handing the key to me so thot thedoors of thehospital could be symbolically opened to oil. Actually, there were over 40 in-patients present at that
time. Madonna Burget, R. N., had been handling the medical responsibilities for almost a whole year alone ~quite an achievement.
This is a lovely place, a hill between larger hills on all sides. Sue Alice said she had never seen the skymore blue, nor as many stars. The hospital is beautiful. The courtyard is covered with green grass (looks like aputting green), and there is a lovely fountain in the center. Chidamoyo means, in Shona, "place the heart desires"and certainly the beauty of the hospital and the surrounding mountains make the name appropriate. They havewild banana, paw-paw, and mango trees scattered about. Corn is the main crop. We are located about 63 milesfrom the post office and get mail once a week or whenever we have to go to town (Karoi) for the mission. Lettersare certainly appreciated.
Last Sunday, I preached at the local assembly (approximately 200 present, mostly primary students), and forthe service at the hospital in the afternoon. In all, there were four people that made a decision to become Christians duringthe day. One was a girl who worked at the hospital, two were students, and the fourth was a man wholives about 15 miles from the mission. He had been to Chidamoyo Hospital for treatment.
Today was SueAlice's birthday. I forgot it completely, for the first time in eight years. Actually, I purchaseda gift forher the week before and gave it to her then, but today I forgot! The reason was that I had other things onmy mind. We performed an operation this morning on an elderly gentleman with a huge inguinal hernia. We haveno electricity in the hospital yet, so Chuck Kelley hooked us some makeshift lighting with power from the carbattery (rather like a torch in a cave). We have no anesthesia machine yet or oxygen or medicine for a spinalblock, so Sue Alice hdrRlted the ane'sthesia beautifully witK'"a'7udicious~combinatlon df'Dernerol given intravenously, intravenous Pentothal, open drop ether, and a generous amount of prayer. For good measure I injectedlocal anesthesia, but this was difficult because of the size of the hernia, which was about the size of a jumboSoftball. The repair was completed in almost three hours (it seemed like days). Toward the end the lights beganto fade, but by this time I was thankful for even a lighted match. This evening the patient is resting comfortablyand sounding our praises. Ifhe only knew! Needless to say, we're looking forward to electricity.
Erin Lee has started first grade."She is one of the three first graders taught by Ola Marion from Lexington,Kentucky. Kelly seems happy in his new home. Sue Alice has started Shona lessons.
We are so grateful for your prayers, interest, and support. Without you ~ we could not be here. We are lookingforward to a rewarding ministry among our African friends at Chidamoyo. Thanks again for your part.
In His Service,
The Dale Erickson Family
CONTRIBUTIONS
List of contributors: (January and February to date)
Ira J. Brandon —Columbus, OhioRobert Kingsland - Owosso, MichiganFirst Church of Christ (Christian) - Owosso, MichiganFirst Church of Christ - Highland, IndianaFirst Christian Church - Rolla, MissouriV. C. Ammerman —Cambridge City, IndianaHoneytown Christian Church - Brownstown, IndianaEast Side Christian Church - Frankfort, IndianaCentral Church of Christ —Mr. Vernon, IllinoisWashington Christian Church - Washington, IllinoisBeechwold Church of Christ —Columbus, OhioChurch of Christ - Boswell, IndianaFirst Christian Church —Elizabethtown, KentuckyFirst Christian Church - Ferguson, MissouriRolling Fork Christian Church - New Haven, KentuckyChristian Church —Williamsport, IndianaThe First Christian Church - Clinton, IllinoisFlat Rock Christian Church - Flat Rock, IndianaMedaryville Christian Church - Francesville, IndianaRondal Smith - Lincoln, IllinoisKum-Join-Us Class, First Church of Christ - Highland, IndianaMr. and Mrs. Paul Raney —Ferguson, MissouriFirst Year Jr. Class, East Side Christian Church —Frankfort, IndianaMrs. Kirk Fogleman - Frankfort, Indiana
VOLUME 18
GHEEXLNI^ FROM RHODESIATo our friends at Hl^land,
MKCH 20, 1968 NO. 11
At the present time i am In Salisbury working at Hararl Hospital getting some experience intropical medicine. The rest of the family is back at Chldamoyo settled in Madonna Burst'shome. Madonna is our nurse at Chldamoyo vAio opened the medical program there last January. Sheand Ola Marlon, the children's school teacher, were living together. We had planned to buildour om home at che mission, but viien we arrived and discovered how much equipment would beneeded to make che hospital effective, and how much equipment already there was not paid for, wedecided to shelve our ovfi house plans and spend the money on our work. We will live here untilone of the other missionaries leaves on furlough and we chen will move to his home, m chemeantime, Madonna and ola are living in a cancer and score roOTi next door, sharing our bathroom
and utility room, and taking evening meals here, and we are all gectlng along Just fine.
Sue Alice has already sent a noce to you celling of our arrival and the dedication, so I willnot cover that this time, buc i wane co tell you a little about the evangelistic program at thehospital and about the mission in general. The church is completely separate from the hospitaland OTi a given Sunday approximately 200 are present for worship. Many of these students arefrom the primary school (throu^ 10th grade). Last Sunday is were baptized. There have beenaddlclons every Sunday for many weeks, mosc of che preaching done ac che church Is done byAfrican evangelises in Shona, wlch an incerprecer co translate into Engilsh. occasionally oneof che missionaries will preach, and chen, of course, che Interpreter translates into Shona.Most of the time, however, the missionaries are ouc preaching In the villages. Last Sunday iv^nt with Zlden to a snail village some 13 miles from the mission. This small church was started by an "mbuya" (grandmother) who became a Chrisclan vJien she came co Oiidamoyo with her grandchild. The grandchild was badly burned and ic cook some time for the bums to heal. Duringthis time ^e was cau^c the Bible. She was baptized before she returned to her home. Later
Lrst Sunday over 40 werewas flabbergasted. He
. were doing.It turned out that this lady had tau^t
„ -._J understand, and so all
was start-
present. Sixteen came fo^v^a^d at the Invitation, all adults. Zidentried to put them off because he was sure that they knew very little about v^at theybut they Insisted. So he started asking questions, i" ^,1.^these people everything chat she had been tau^t at the misslonrihey did16 were baptized and that's now the church started. They are bulldJpresently they are meeting under a tree, usually one of the Africanbut occasionally 2lden goes back to encourage them and to teach them.
Each Sunday afternoon there Is a chapel service at the hospital.enou^ are Invited to come. The hospital staff,either nr. Nyasha, one of the evangelists,one nf Che Africans because Chuck Kelley, Bruce Ammerman
unpaid preachers preaches.
All che paclents that are well'nurses and orderlies lead In che service and
or one of the missionaries preaches, usually it is—I and Zlden are usually gone to the
(Continued on page 2)
Continued from. Page 1villages preaching In the afternoon also.Later In the afternoon. Madonna and ola and
some of the African Christian ladles
(frequently dressed In red and vdilte, symbolic of the blood of jesus and the cleansing of sin) go out to the villages singingand telling Bible stories. During the weekthe missionary wives help with one local andfour village ladies aide groups. The womenare lau^t to sew and axso have devotions.Ola has a Saturday class for teenage girlsto teach them to be Christian wives and
mothers—cooking, sewing, grooming, etc. aswell as Bible study. It was formed on request. Wednesday nl^t Is bioscope (slidesand films) at the hospital. The patientsthoroughly enjoy seeing the films of thelife of Christ. We are acutely that theseefforts only plant the seed, thou^ some become Christians vtiile at the hospital, hov^ever, a follow up program Is where thehospital ministry pays off. These peopleopen the door for the missionaries to comeinto their homes to preach and teachfurther. Usually dice a week in the eveninga gi-oup of missionaries and African Christians go to a new village to introduce thewords about jesus.
Erin is in first grade here with Tommy NUttand Amy Ammerman who are also 5^. inaddition to the usual subjects for first
grade anyviiei-e, she has a class In Bible and
one in Shona language. She has been tryingvery hard to learn to ride her bicycle androde it to school for the first time today.She is covered with biniises.
Sue Alice is stuaying the Shona languagefrom Mr. Nyasha with Ola Marlon. She andOla drill each other every murnlng from 6 to
6:3fJ before the day really begins. This isthe only time they have found vhen they canconcentrate without Interruptions.
Kelly lb growing and is quite mobile now.He is Intrigued with .the goat herd thatsometimes comes into our yai-d and with the
chickens, cats, dogs, frogs, lizards, andeverything else that moves. With his quick
smile and bright eyes he is a goodambassador of good will v^erever he goes.He loves Sudza, the African staple food, andthis pleases them.
We are all learning the British words forthings we use... tomato sauce is catsup, comflour is corn starch, mealies are roastingears, clothes pegs are clothes pins, ..petrolis gasoline, torch is a flashll^t, loungeis a living room. Twice viien Sue Alice asked her helper to clean the living room, hepromptly cleaned the bedrocm vhere she keepsthe desk and typewriter and spends much ofthe working day.
May God bless you all. We think of youoften and wonder vfiiat and how you all aredoing.
Dale and Sue Alice Erioksoii
CLAThe Ha
14th, at^:3meeting.
TING
SEATING PARTYThe monthly gating partysponsored by theCrown Point CRurch wll/be held Tuesday,March 19th, at\the Hobart skating rink.Meet at the churcX at p'. 15 p. m. The skatingparty is held fron^^lO p.m. Cost is 50^^and 35^ for skates.^
CARD SHOWERA birthday cartV^shower \s being planned forKathy Wilson, /fier birth^y js March 29 andeveryone asked to ^nd her a card.Kathy's addjf'ess Is: Kathy ^Ison, Shrlner'sHospital fhr Crippled Children, 2211 NorthOak park ^enue, Chicago, llliyjois 60635.
MARCH yfo BIBLE SCHOOL IN\1ARCHThis !^day, March 17th, will beUesjgpatedas "MTNESS MARCH. " May everyonl^ be moti-vat^ by the Holy Spirit to share in theworcjf - teaching - Inspiration given In theBlBle School hour. Last week for "CLASS
MARCH" not one of our 17 classes attained
and
MISSION SERVICES
BOX 368
JOLIET, ILLINOIS 60434
Address Correction Requested
TheincRSon
IVews letter
MISSIONARIES:
Dr. Dale & Sue Alice Erickson
Chidamoyo Hospital MissionP/B 38
Karoi, Rhodesia, Africa
FORWARDING AGENTS:
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph W. Murphy804 North Eighth StreetMt. Vernon, Illinois 62864
Volume 1, Number 2
Dear Friends in Christ:
A yw
HON'PAOPiT 0RGANI2ATI0H
Chidamoyo Christian Hospital
March 25, 1968
CENTRAL
AFRICA
MISSION
of the
Churches of Christ/
Christian Churches
..PREACH
. . TEACH
. . HEAL
May 1968
We hove been in Rhodesia approximately two months now, and we are beginning to get settled. Sister MadonnaBurget, our nurse at Chidamoyo, has graciously offered our family the use of her home until August. At thot timethe Ziden Nutt family will be returning to the States on furlough, and we will move into their home. This will bethe fifth time our family has moved in the year, and we hope it will be the last for some time.
The hospital is filling up, now that the people know there is a doctor present. A milestone occurred thispast week. We turned on the electricity for the first time. A beautiful 200-watt bulb illuminated the surgery suite.It wasn't exactly a proper operating theater light, but it beats gas lanterns any day (or night). The electricianestimates it will take approximately two more weeks to finish the job, and we're looking forward to the day. Thepower supply is a Lister Diesel Engine and Generator. Someday we hope to have a backup engine both for economy {the smaller the engine, the less expensive to operate) and insurance (engines do break down).
We are faced with a serious problem here at the hospital. We have a beautiful building and an excellentstaff, but the hospital desperately needs essential equipment. We need an operating table, operating theater
light, autoclave, anesthesia machine, laboratory equipment, surgical instruments, and an X-ray machine (theX-ray machine is here but not completely paid for). A conservative estimate for the cost of these items is approximately $10,000. As some of you know, in the past Dr. Dennis Pruett issued a Mother's Day appeal in behalfof Mashoko Christian Hospital. We are doing the same this year for Chidamoyo Christian Hospital for the hospital equipment fund. By letter, by the Central Africa Story, and by personal correspondence we are challengingthe churches of our brotherhood to take up a Mother's Day offering for the children at Chidamoyo. These childrenare indeed pitiful, often in rags and often starved. These are the children and their parents that we have come toserve in the name of Christ. However, if we are to do our job well, we must have a hospital, properly equipped.All funds should be designated "Hospital Equipment Fund" and sent to Mrs. Crystal Nutt, Route 2, Box 164,Lowell, Indiana 46356.
We have some good news! Our lost crate containing all of my medical books. Sue Alice's cookbook (althoughshe has been doing fine on her own), some medical equipment, some of the children's clothes, and worst of all -my guitar and ukulele has been found in Beira. How anyone could possibly lose a 750-pound crate is beyond mycomprehension, but never-the-less, it got misplaced approximately 1,000 miles. But, all is forgiven now. We aresupposed to pick it up next week in Salisbury. We are still awaiting final approval from the United States StateDepartmentfor the Cessna 180 plane to be allowed to enter Rhodesia. Because of United Nations Sanctions, thishas turned into a sticky problem. Mr. Bill Clare, of our U.S. Consulate in Rhodesia, is working hard on it andseems to feel approval is forthcoming. We hope so and soon. We have a real opportunity to take over the medicalsupervision of a clinic at Binga, but it all depends on the use of the aircraft. Binga is on Lake Kariba, 129miles away. I can fly it in less than an hour; to drive would be five or six hours over unbelievable roads. Pleasepray with us that the State Department will allow the plane to enter-Rhodesia-soon.
The diseases we see every day are, for the most part, considerably different from bock home. I should havespent a lot more time on porasitology in medical school. It seems that everyone (including missionaries) harborsone or more of these little fellows, and frequently the coexistence is not peaceful. That's why the patients cometo see us. Malaria, omebiasis, hookworm, strongeloides, pinworm, ascaris, and tapeworm are all fairly commonhere. Foni, our African lab technician, spends a great part of his day looking into a microscope for these parasites. Every once in a while he calls me in to look at a real "live" one. I've seen more worms in two weeks thanI ever saw in all my experience in medical school and residency. I only hope that I can keep them at the otherend of the microscope. That's close enough.
We have been thrilled with the evangelistic opportunities offered through the medical program here. Almostevery week since our arrival, we have seen patients become Christians. Last Wednesday evening a young motherwho has been in the hospital with rheumatic fever and severe cardiac failure was baptized into Christ alongwith three others. We have learned that these Christians go bock to their homes and tell others about Christ asthey were told while patients in the hospital. We are constantly planting the seed of the Gospel in the lives ofour patients and we know God will give the increase. These victories are the most thrilling part of our work. Itis for this that we have come.
One of the things that we do is to provide the items for communion service. It seems strange that in a countrywhere they grow everything from squash and pumpkin to bananas and lemons, that there would be no grapes -but this is the situation. So we would like to ask you, if you would, to send us packages of grope drink andgrape kool-aid for use in the area communion services. Maybe someday we'll get a grape arbor started, but untilthen We'll need your help.
A bit about the family. Kelly is jabbering a great deal, and we're just waiting for the day when somebodyother than Erin and Sue Alice can understand him. Erin has finally mastered her bicycle, is going to school,and can speak a few words in Shona. Sue Alice is now teaching two hours a week in the African school, andhandling the housekeeping department of the hospital. She is also teaching some of the younger girls and womenhow to sew and cook, and helps when needed here in the hospital work. I have finished my tropical medicinestudies in Salisbury, am still studying Shona, and am back with the family again, and into the full swing of thepreacher-doctor activities at Chidamoyo.
Thank you for taking our needs in our work to heart - we are doing our best, but how we need equipment!
May God bless each of you.
The Ericksons
Dale, Sue Alice, Erin Lee, and Kelly
CONTRIBUTIONSList of contributors: (February and Marcl^and to April 15, 1968)
First Ch. of Chr., Highland, Ind. Rolling Fork Chr. Ch., New Haven, Ky. Ki-Lo Circle, Beechwold Ch. of Chr.,Central Ch. of Chr., Mt. Vernon, 111. Kum-Join-Us Class, First Ch. of Chr., Columbus, OhioMrs. Kirk Fogleman, East Side Chr. Ch., Highland. Ind. C.Y.F., Flat Rock Chr. Ch.,Flat Rock. Ind.
Frankfort, Ind. First Ch. of Chr, Owosso, Mich. Surprise Chr. Ch. Miss. Fund, Cortland, Ind.Flat Rock Chr. Ch., Flat Rock, Ind. The First Chr. Ch., Clinton, 111. Chr. Ch., Williamsport, Ind.Medaryville Chr. Ch., Francesville, Ind. First Chr. Ch., Elizabethtown, Ky. Honeytown Chr. Ch., Brownstown, Ind.First Chr. Ch. of Ferguson, Mo. Lincoln Chr. Ch., Lincoln, 111. Crusaders Youth Group, Beechwold Ch. ofBeechwold Ch. of Chr., Columbus, Ohio Brady Lane Ch. of Chr., Lafayette, Ind. Chr., Columbus, OhioWashington Chr. Ch., Washington, 111. Bunn Park Ch. of Chr., Springfield, 111.
Chidamoyo Christian Hospital
Dear friends in Christ,
"No, no, Mommy, not the witch doctoragain!
Chidamoyo Christian HospitalP. B. 38Karoi, RhodesiaApril 17, 1968 ^
Chidamoyo Christian Hospital was dedicated January 20, I968. This hospital servesa large population in the Urungwe Reserve in Rhodesia. Prior to the building of thismedical facility the closest doctor was 62 miles away at Karoi. Now because of thegenerosity of many Christians in America, there is hope for these people. No longerdo they have to rely on the incantations and bone rattling of the local witch doctor.No longer do mothers need to die in childbirth. No longer are the people ignorant ofthe Gospel's saving power. Now someone cares.
Chidamoyo Christian Hospital stands as testimony of God's love and of the American churches' compassion for the people of Rhodesia. Many mothers (madzimai) bringtheir children to us for care. I have seen frightened mothers, afraid that theirbabies will die, saddened mothers who have seen their children blinded by witch doctors. I have also seen mothers laughing with joy at the birth of a new child or crying tears of thankfulness with the recovery of a baby they thought would surely die.
There is no Mother's Day in Rhodesia. But we are asking that Mother'-s -Day-iH-America play a significent part in the lives of the children here. At the presenttime at Chidamoyo we have no funds to properly equip our new hospital, V/e need:
1. An X-ray machine (here, but not completely paid for)2. An anesthesia machine
3. An operating tableAn operating theater light
5. An autoclave6. Surgical instruments7. Laboratory equipment.
The cost of this equipment is $10,000.
Will your congregation be one of the many to gather a Mother's Day offering inbehalf of the children of Chidamoyo. ^/hen you honor the mothers of your congregationthis year, do not forget the mothers, ''madzimai," in Rhodesia who, like you, desperately want their children to live. Unfortunately for many, this has not been possible.We '̂re doing something to change all that. Won't you help us? Please mark all contributions -'Hospital Equipment Fund" and send to Mrs. Crystal Nutt
Route 2, Box 164Lowell, Indiana 46356.
Sincerely in Christ,
' Dale"Erickson, M. D.
i'irs. Florence >ickson, mother of Dr. Dale irickson, i^rill be available for speak-ing engagements and showing slides of Chidamoyo Mission on weekends. During the weekanywhere within 100 miles of Hammond, Indiana, can be arranged. Ideas for women andchildren's projects are available.
You will want to know more than what this letter gives, so write her at thefollowing addressJ I633 174th Street
Hammond, Indiana 46324Phone Area Code 219-844-6201.
MISSION SERVICES
BOX 368
JOLIET, ILLINOIS 60434
•L 2 9 1968OtOAMUATlOM
Address Correction Requested
TheEn'cRSonJVews letter
MISSIONARIES:
Dr. Dale & Sue Alice Erickson
Chidamoyo Hospital MissionP/B 38Karoi, Rhodesia, Africa
FORWARDING AGENTS:
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph W. Murphy804 North Eighth StreetMt. Vernon, Illinois 62864
Volume 1, Number 3
The six students of Kenyonga School, ChidamoyoChristian Mission. From the left they are: Karolynand Tommy Nutt, Carson Kelley, Amy and GayAmmerman, and Erin Lee Erickson.
May 28, 1968
CENTRAL
AFRICA
MISSION
of the
Churches off Christ/
Christian Churches
..PREACH
. . TEACH
. . HEAL
July 1968
Greetings from Rhodesia:
Good news about the airplane! Having successfully negotiated with the U.S. State Department, the SouthAfrican Government, end the Rhodesian Department of Customs, end Excise, 1 wos able to fly the Cessna 780up from Johonnesburg, South Africa, to Chidamoyo the week of May 10. 1had to satisfy the United States Government that the plane was to be used for "humanitarian" purposes, the Rhodesian Government that 1 was not anAmerican spy, and the South African Government that 1 wasn't violating the U.N. sanctions ogainst Rhodesia. 1should have studied law, not medicine, to prepare for missionary service.
Now that the aircraft is here 1 have been flying once o week to Binga, 129 miles away, to o clinic operatedby the government in the heart of the BOTONGA tribe, the most primitive people of Rhodesia. The Botonga weremoved south from the shores of the Zambezi while Kariba Lake was filling. These people represent what's leftof "darkest" Africa. As part of their beautifying process, the women have their two front teeth knocked out, perforate the nasal septum, and place a stick of bosalm wood through it, and occasionally dye their hair with herbdyes. Today, going to the aerodrome we saw a mother, stark noked, bathing olong the road. Clothing for thechildren is a G-string. When cold weather comes a blanket Is added. The country between Binga and Chidamoyo
is very, very^primitive. Jack Pennington has been working with the Botonga people for the past six years. Anumber of churches have been established along the southern shore of Kariba Lake around Binga. My work in theclinic will help to support this evangelistic program. There is a possibility that this small government hospitalwill be someday turned over to our mission. We hope so. There are no schools, no churches, no clinics, we aretold, between here and Binga. We plan to do a population survey of the area and contact some of the chiefssometime.
Chief Dandawa's wife, one of three, came into the hospital last week, stone blind with bilateral cataracts. Ihad done a few cataract extractions at Harari Hospital, but this was the first patient I operated on here for cataracts. I knew that a lot was at stake in addition to the health of the patient. A successful operation would begreat publicity for the hospital. The chief would spread the word. But, if the operation failed, the chief wouldbe very unhappy, and would spread that word as well. Fortunately, all went well, "Zva-ka-naka" and we're expecting to do a lot of eye surgery in the future. It is a great thrill to help one of these aged Africans to regainhis sight.
The children ore back in school again. School here is divided Into three different blocks of three monthseach, with a one-month holiday in between. Erin Lee is actually learning to read. Her text is a Janet and Johnstory, very much like the Dick and Jane that Sue Alice and I used as first graders. Erin Lee has picked up someof the Rhodesian pronounciation. "Yes" is pronounced "Yaw" by Rhodesians, so everything is "Yaw" around ourhouse. • \ .
Kelly is quite the young man, into everything at once. I'm sure he will be speaking Shona before English.H^plays ^H'Tod Ammerman (three) and Davey George'(three), an African boy. I think he ii going to be a veterinarian. The other day he had a flashlight poked down our dog, Shane's throat, and kept repeating, "Ah! Ah!"
We now have a hospital chaplin. Sam Togarepi arrived here May 1. Since Sam's arrival we have had 25 additions to the church from hospital patients, all in less than one month. Sam spends each day teaching the Biblein the wards, showing filmstrips, leading morning devotions for the (^tpatients, and playing with the children onthe veranda. He is great with the children. They are always laughing when he is around.
A new church has started at GWAZI, about five "miles from Chidamoyo. About two Sundays ago, ten werebaptizeci there. Ephraim, who works for us, was baptized May 22. Mark, our other employee, was baptized about amonth ago, and had been talking to Ephraim.
Despite the fact that it is almost winter here, the temperature is still between 70-80 degrees during the day,unseasonably warm. We have had a fire in the fireplace only once* at night. June, July, August are supposed tobe cool. In the 40's at night, but not terribly uncomfortable. It really gets cold in South Africa. When I was inJohannesburg to pick up the plane it was already 40 degrees dt night. No central heating either.
The other day. Madonna Burget broke open a gift box from the States and passed out^bubble gum to all thekids. It was a riot to watch these children trying to imitate Madonna blowing bubbles. The suckers, balloons,and candy from home are given frequently to the children. Their little faces light up wheq these small gifts arepassed around. Children are the same the world over. They need the somethings wherever they ore - kindness,love, security,' and most of all the opportunity to learn about Christ Jesus. Thank you for your part in providingthat opportunity.
The Ericksons,
• Dale, Sue Alice, Erin Lee, and Kelly
CONTRIBUTIONS
List of contributors; (April 15 to June 1. 1968)
First Christian Church, Elizabethtown, Ky. First Christian Church, Clinton, III.First Church of Christ Missionary Society, Eldorado, III. First Church of Christ, Highland, Ind.Merrillville Church of Christ (Christian), Merrillville, Ind. First Christian Church, Ferguson, Mo.Washington Christian Church, Washington, III. Bunn Park Church of Christ, Springfield, III.Christian Church Missions (Medaryville), Froncesville, Ind. Beechwold Church of Christ, Columbus, OhioFirst Church of Christ (Christian), Owosso, Mich. Flat Rock Christian Church, Flat Rock, Ind.Mr..and Mrs. Mark A. Putnam, Robinson, III. (for hospital equipment) Lincoln Christian Church, Lincoln, III.Sur;prise Christian Church Missionary Fund, Cortland, Ind. Central Church of Christ, Mt. Vernon, III.Jr. High Class of East Side Chi^istian Church, Frankfort, Ind. Christian Church, Williamsport, Ind.Rolling Fork Christian Church Missions, New Haven, Ky. Mary Lucy Sennett, Clarksdale, Miss.
NOTE: Contributions received arid listed above ore for Dale and Sue Alice's living link and service link funds.Several others hove given toward the Chidamoyo Hospital Equipment Fund through Mrs. Crystal Nutt. To all whoare helping Dold and Sue Alice's work in Rhodesia in any way, we are deeply grateful.
f ' Forwarding Agents
a\CK\JChidcmoyo Mission, P. B' 38
Karoij Rhodesia f. ' ;J-une 7j 1968
Dear Mr Dvnn, family^ and our nany friendsat Highland,
¥e want to thank you all at Highlandfor your extra help in helping to supplyfunds for hospital equipment, and to thoseof you viho helped Mother get out the lettersthat we sent to the churches in the Midwest.
The funds seem to be coining in steadily although we are still along way from thenecessary amount.
yow that we have been here for awhileand understand the situation a little better
I thought I would try to summarize the totalevangelistic effort that we are engaged inat Chidanoyo The churches include:
Pulechi, 12 miles away with 70 nevb ers, Jfehave a school there.Babza, 6 miles away with 60 membars, school.Vuti, 70 niles away, 60 members, school.Chidamoyo, 200 members, school, hospital.Gwadzi, 5 miles axxiy, meets under a tree-onan ant hill, new congregation, less thanthree months old, about 40 members, hasladies aide of 50.Stop, also known as 8-Vire,- no one knows howthe names were derived, 70 members-ChataUj 14 miles, 50 members.
MP°ff> 14 miles, 50 members.Chegedi, 9 miles, 40 members.
In addition to these we have started new
preaching sei^ices close to Chief Matau'sarea, 19 miles away (also Ifell-bahy Clinic),two places close to ^uti, and one north ofMagungi, about 50 miles away. Some have-been baptised in these places but a regularchurch service has not been started yet. ¥e.are amazed at the new opportunities beforeus. This is where the hospital ministrycomes in. It is an African custom that yougo to a village only with an invitation.Often it is from people who were first introduced to the gospel at the hospital thatthe invitations come.
Almost a month ago, our hospital cha/plainarrived. Be is Siam Togaripe, but that's"Sam" to us. Be has done a gr^it^job thusfar, talking to the patients about Christ,
teaching the children the Bible, leading thedevotions in the mornings, going into thevillages to preach. Since coming, he alonehas baptized 39 people, inclMding one of themen who.helps Sue Alice at home and in thehospital cleaning and babysitting. Thatdoes not count the additions in all theother churches this past month. People hereare hungry for the gospel and receptive toit- Our main problems include training astrong leadership in the churches, Bibleteaching (man^ do not have Bibles—more cannot read) teaching the churches to give. Wehave a leadership training class that meetsat Chidamoyo once a month but .that is notenough. Ve hope to start some intensivetraining class for some of the teen-age boysthey're the ones Tnho do a lot of the Preaching in the villages churches, and they are.excited and enthusiastic about preaching,
The missionary wives and Madonna Burgetand Ola Marion all work with laai'es groupsor with "phe teenage girls in sewing andcooking classes and Bible teaching. Theteenagers are learning to make banana^ding today, and our yard has three cookingfires going on it now- A numbev have become Christians through this witness-Madonna takes about 10 church ladies callingwith her to the villoges every Sunday afternoon- It's a sight to see them sir^ifig andclapping their hands as they ride off in thefc ach of her pick-u/p.
Ve are excited about the work here and
the wonderful opportunity the Lotd has given,us to preach in this area- With all the arguments pro and con about hospitals it isinteresting to note that Chidamoyo areanever would have been granted as a missionsite -to the churches of Christ if we had notagreed to build a hospital here. Thesepeople would most likely have been RonanCatholics '"today, because they were pressinghard for the sito.
The family is fine. Sue Alice andKelly went to Salisbury on business and to
et the car fixed. On the way they hit achicken and stopped to pay for it,while they were taking caee of a bit of per~sonal relationships, a man came running downthe road to say that a woman nearby wasabout to have a baby, and would SisterSrickson please come help. Well in this
continvtcd on page 4
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MISSION SERVICES
BOX 368
JOLIET. ILLINOIS 60434
Address Correction Requested
theEncksonNewsletter
MISSIONARIES:
Dr. Dale & Sue Alice Erickson
Chidomoyo Hospital MissionP/B 38Karoi, Rhodesia, Africa
FORWARDING AGENTS:
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph W. Murphy804 North Eighth StreetMt. Vernon, Illinois 62864
Volume 1, Number 4
HOM'HOFIT 016*Nll*TI0«l
Rrggie Thomas and lh(! Rostvill twins ol theH<'ggi«' Thomas Kvangclisiic IVam sho^vn \silh Dr.Dale Krickson, just alter landing at CliidamoyoMission ior a two day evangi!listi<- moctiiig ihorc.
July 30, 1968
•N'
CENTRAL
AFRICA
MISSION
of the
Churches of Christ/
Christian Churches
To:
..PREACH
. . TEACH
..HEAL
September 1968
Dear Friends:
The Reggie Thomas Evangelistic Team arrived in Rhodesia almost two months ago, and Chidomoyo was thelast stop before they entered Zambia. In those two months over eight hundred people made a commitment to theLord in various parts of Rhodesia. The European churches in Bulawayo, Gwelo, Fort Victoria, Chiredzi andSinoia were greatly strengthened. At Gwelo the church membership increased from two to over forty. In Chiredzi,the first night of preaching, everyone in the audience except the missionaries present stepped forward to declaretheir new faith. Also in Chiredzi over three hundred Africans became Christians. Over one hundred people inBulawayo were baptized into Christ. Reggie reported that at Gutu, an old man was so thrilled that he jumped intothe outdoor baptistry and danced in the water after his baptism.
Chidomoyo Mission witnessed the largest single gathering at one time for the visit of the team. Over eighthundred and fifty people filled the church house to the rafters, and some were hanging through the windows tryingto hear the singing and preaching. Thirty were boptized in the two days of meeting. It was a tremendous thrill tohear 850 African Christions singing the beautiful Shono hymns. The African children wouldn't let the Rostvitttwins stop singing. They kept shouting, "Just one more!" The whole team preached and sang their hearts outwhile they were here at Chidomoyo. We hated to see them go, but we ore praying for great success in Zambia.
Other recent visitors to Chidamoyo Mission were Marvin Matthews and David Williams. They have been boardmembers of Central Africa Mission since its inception in 1954. Both men are touring Rhodesia and Zambia for thefirst time to see first hand the work they have been so vigorously supporting for 14 years. I flew Marvin and Doveon to Gwelo after they visited a farewell party that Chief Dandawa was giving for Ziden Nutt.
The Ziden Nutt family left for America today for their second furlough. We are sad to see them go, but proud ofthem. Ziden was the pioneer missionary at Chidamoyo in 1961, and is greatly responsible for the growth of thework here. He led in the drive for the construction of Chidamoyo Christian Hospital. Having completed the building, he is returning home to report to the churches and to gather funds for final payment of hospital constructioncosts. We hope that our many friends will be able tohear him speak and to see the 16mm sound motion picture filmof the building of the hospital.
Our family is quite well. We moved into Ziden Nutt's house at the end of June. Somehow we have managed tomove on, or near the date of my birthday every ye since 1965. It is a roomy house and as yet we don't quite fillit, but it is nice to have room for guests. Sue Alice is amazed that out here in the bush of Africa she is doingmore entertaining and fixing more company meals than she did in America. But then there is no Howard Johnson'sMotel or Restaurant just a way down the road, and people don't just drop by - they come to visit or on businessand usually stay the night.
Erin will be six on August 3. She has been looking forward to this for a long time. Every once in awhile shewill be especially nice, or mature in some action, and then confide, 'I'm practicing being six." Kelly is a busylittle boy, never stopping until he is really tired. In the evening just before bedtime he often comes running out ofmy office with my ukelele in hand ready for a few minutes of family singing before we tuck the children in for thenight. He still-doesn't talk so 1 can understand, but he has little trouble getting the ideas across.
Sue Alice's cooking classes, for teenagers who do not read or write, have just finished after 12 weeks. Theycooked everything under the sun with cornmeal - including peanut butter cookies and doughnuts. They studiedbasic nutrition, cooking methods, meal-planning, etc. Ola Marion helped with the classes. They felt that they hadreached a real milestone when the girls began trying the recipes out at home, and reported that their mothers werepleased. Next week the girls will begin learning to sew, and their first project will be lining the baptismal robesfor the Chidamoyo Church.
We have a problem! Sometime back we received a package from America containing some lovely little handpuppets made of brightly colored felt. Somehow or other in the storing, followed by moving, etc., we have been unable to find the label which will tell us which church group back home made them and sent them. We are using themin the pediatric ward and they are much loved by the small children. I have seen older visitors and parents try toplay with them too, but they are made for young hands, so the children are able to enjoy them thoroughly - and exclusively. So, if your group made the puppets, and wonder whatever happened to them, please write and we willreply.
The Chidamoyo Hospital Equipment Drive initiated with the Mothers' Day Appeal in the Central Africa Storyhas brought in, to date, over $5,500. We are happy to report that with these funds our X-ray machine is now completely paid for; we have our new operating table, anesthesia machine, refrigerator for the laboratory, and havepurchased some surgical equipment. We are in the process of ordering our steam sterilizer and operating theaterlight. We also hope to purchase a second generator for the hospital for the purposes of insurance and economy.Another item we have ordered is a radio-telephone so we will have contact with the outside world. This will enable us to call byradioat a set time each day into the Rhodesia telephone system. The advantages are tremendousin terms of emergency orders of supplies for the hospital, calling other missionaries in Rhodesia, etc.
We want to express our deep appreciation to the individuals, classes, V.B.S. groups, and churches that havecontributed so generously to the Equipment Fund. Building and equipping a hospital is a task of gigantic proportion. /ou who have given have greatly helped.
" In His Love and Service,
The EricksonsDale, Sue Alice, Erin Lee, and Kelly
CONTRIBUTIONS Victor Church of Christ, East Rochester, N. Y.(June 1, 1968 to July 30, 1968) Asa R. Talbot, Ft. Rucker, Ala.
Central Church of Christ, Mt. Vemon, 111. Ballard Church of Christ Missionary Society, Sparta, Mich.ChrisUan Church Missions, Medaryville, Ind. Maryvale Christian Women's Fellowship, Phoenix, Ariz.First Chur(A of Christ, Highland, Ind. jr. High Class, Eastside ChrisUan Church, Frankfort, Ind.Flat P^ck Christian Church, Flat Rock, Ind. Pirst Church of Christ (Christian), Owosso, Mich.First Christmn Church, Ferguson, Mo. Christian Church Missions, Williamsport, Ind.Washington ChrisUan Church, Washington, 111. Lincoln Christian Church, Lincoln, 111.Beechwold Church of Christ, Columbus, O. RolUng Fork Christian Church Missions, New Haven, Ky.First Christian Church, Clinton, 111. Mr, and Mrs. H. O. Browder, St. Charles, Mo.Mr. and Mrs. Dorwin Baker, Clinton, 111. Brady Lane Church of Christ (ChrisUan), Lafayette, Ind.Surprise ChrisUan Church Missions, Cortland, Ind. l^r. John A. Lusk, Davison, Mich, (for hospital equipment)Mr. and Mrs. Jesse McKinney, Lafayette, Ind. First ChrisUan Church, Elizabethtown, Ky.Mr. and Mrs. Lester E. Fifer, Grayson, Ky. ChrisUan Church, Woodlawn, 111.Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Adams, Lafayette, Ind. Dr. and Mrs. David W. Grube, Minneapolis, Minn.Bunn Park Church of Christ, Springfield, 111. Honeytown Christian Church, Brownstown, Ind.
Note from Forwarding Agents: Contributions listed above are for the Living-Link and Service-Link funds sent to Dr.Erickson. Several listed above and others not listed have given toward the Chidamoyo Hospital Equipment Fund through Mrs.Crystal Nutt. Although not listed above, your names have been added to Dr. Erickson's newsletter list. If you fail to receivea copy, please let us know.
IJISS10NARYFRCM OUR FRIENDS, THE
Dear Friends at Clinton:hospital work is begin
ning to build up now that some ofthe equipment has been installed. Recently in surgery we repaired astab wound that one of the newChristians near here received whenher drunken uncle returned to thevillage. Without surgery she verywell could have died from infection or internal bleeding, but shewas in good condition and was discharged a few days ago. This weekwe did a C-Section on a lady whohad one living child out of sevenpregnancies. Several of the babieshad died only a day or so before
^delivery, This baby was a healthylooking boy. The patient was awakewhen we wheeled the stretcher backto the ward. There she was met byhappy relatives and friends whowere clapping, singing hjnnns, andeven dancing with joy.
We have started a Well-BabyClinic at Manjola school near BingaThe government is equipping the
CornerDALE ERICKSONS:_
'Sept. 6, 1968Binga hospital, and God is openingopportunities for us to witnessfor Him there. It is difficult andinteresting to keep records onchildren there. Most of them donot have names, so the cards read,"1st, 2nd, or 3rd child of So andSo,"
Dale is especially busy onSundays when he goes to preachingservices at nearby villages—maybetwo or more services in the morn
ing, dropping off teenage preacherboys at other places, and maybe aservice or two in the afternoon.Sam Togaripe, our chaplain is doing a very good work of teachingand evangelism at the hospital andwe continue to have baptisms often^
Just now our checks are beingheld uncashed at the bank untilthe I),So Treasury grants a permitto the Central Africa Mission tosend money under the HumanitarianClau.?e of the U, N, Sanctions.Please pray that this situation iscorrected soon. May God bless you.
-- Dale, Sue Alice, Erin, Kelly
Lois Perkins
"Next Section III meeting, Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 9:30 A^M. , will be inthe form of a Missionary Shower. First, for our good friends. Dr. &Mrs. Dale Erickson at Chidamoyo Hospital, Rhodesia. They need layettes consisting of receiving blankets, diapers, sacque tops, gowns,and diaper pins (may be new or good used items)„ Also,».pre-sweetenedKoolaid, especially grape flavor for conimunion, since grapes are notgrown there. Second, gifts for the missionary cupboard (especiallymen s and children's) may be brought. Visiting missionaries areprivileged to select a gift of their choosing from the cupboard whichcontains toiletries, candy, e±c. -And third, bring Betty Crockercoupons (outdated ones are good) to obtain silverware for camp,
"All items may be left in the box marked 'Section III' outsidethe church office." — Judy Shaw
MISSION SERVICESBOX 368
JOLIET, ILLINOIS 60434
Address Correction Requested
TheEncRSonTVews letter
MISSIONARIES:Dr. Dale & Sue Alice EricksonChldamoyo Hospital MissionP/B 38Karoi, Rhodesia, Africa
FORWARDING AGENTS:Mr. and Mrs. Ralph W. Murphy804 North Eighth StreetMt. Vernon, Illinois 62864
Volume 1, Number 5
HOH-riOf IT OIO«HIZATIOII
•M"All aboard! African mother from ihe Gwadzi
church gets assistance packing liny babyon her backwhile Kelly and Sue Alice sland by."
October 1, 1968
CENTRAL
AFRICA
MISSION
of the
Churches of Christ/
Christian Churches
..PREACH
..TEACH
..HEAL
November 1968
This is the first day of the month, and we have been told that it will be the hottest and most uncomfortable oneof the year. It has been at least six months since rain last fell, and everything is very dry. We are expecting therainy season to start sometime in November, and are praying for a good one because the water level of our area islow and getting lower year by year. One day lost week we raked leaves from our yard because they were falling so.The next day we were greatly surprised to see that nearly every branch of the tree had new green leaves, eventhough the rains will not come for another month. This is beginning to happen to many of the plants, and, as BruceAmmerman says: "It just shows what great faith the plants have that the water will be provided." 1don't knowabout that, but It certainly is a pleasant change from brown. Sue Alice has a garden. She borrowed a book on gardening, and ordered some seeds according to the monthly schedule. We had lettuce, the peas are blooming, and wehave lots of little green tomatoes. We have picked about nine lemons, and the limes will soon be ripe, but thegrapefruit tree looks bad - has some kind of parasitic insect on it that doesn't respond to oll-purpose insecticide.
The hospital work is beginning to pick up now as we are able to help more people with the new equipment thatis being purchased. We ore using the operating room increasingly, and people are beginning to accept surgery as atreatment other than the last resort. We thought we left the knife and gun club behind at the city hospitals in theStates, but just recently we had two stab wounds to be closed. If the hospital had not been here both of thesepatients might well have bled to death or hod terrible infections at least; but as it is, they both recovered. In bothcases the patients were young people who were stabbed by drunken uncles in family brawls. One, was a young
girl, Chinai, who had just become a Christian a few days before the stabbing. While she was in the hospital, thechaplain, Sam Togaripe, and the staff continued teaching her God's ways. Since her recovery she has been a faithful member of the new Gwadzi church.
Kenneth Messman, a senior medical student from Vanderbilt was with us for a month. He is spending six monthsin our Christian Mission medical facilities on a SKF Fellowship. He is a minister who graduated from MilliganCollege before going to medical school. We really appreciated his help, not only in the hospital, but in the evangelistic efforts as well. Ken will spend the last part of his externship at Mashoko, but we felt blessed that he wasable to be here for awhile. He plans to go into medical-missionary work when he has finished his training in twoor three years, so you may be hearing of him in the future.
As time goes on, it seems that there is more and more to do. At the hospital we are running a full house muchof the time, and the Outpatient Department is always full. We are building a Madumbu Hut - a house for the expectant mothers to live in the last few weeks of waiting. This in itself will help free beds we need in the OB ward.We've also found it necessary to build a few more African-style houses for those who are receiving treatment asoutpatients to iive in while coming for daily medicines.
One pleasant case a few weeks ago involved performing a Caesarian Section and delivering a live baby for awoman who had only one living child out of seven pregnancies. Most of her babies had died only a few days beforedelivery. She was awake when we wheeled her back to the ward where she and the baby were joyfully greeted byfriends and relatives. They were clapping, singing hymns, and even dancing. The grandmother was the happiest-looking woman I have seen in a long, long time.
We have started regular preaching services at a place called Chinetsi - a direct result of the hospital ministry. A woman came to know Christ while at the hospital to have a baby. Her husband repented (as they say) at thefirst service held in their village, and they are bringing friends to know the Lord all the time. Chinetsi is aboutforty miles away, and brings to nine the number of churches visited by someone from Chidamoyo every Lord's Day.The churches at Chatau, Gwadzi, and Mpoff are getting ready to build their own shelters or meeting houses. Thisin itself lends a sense of permanency to the congregation, and encourages attendance during the rainy season. Thechurch at Chigedi has almost completed their building. In addition to these churches, we have started new preaching services close to Chief Matau's area, 19 miles away; two places close to Vuti; and one North of Magungi,about fifty miles away. Some have been baptized in these places but a regular church service has not been startedyet. Sundays are especially busy as we go preaching at nearby villages - maybe two or more services in the morning, dropping off teen-age preacher boys at other places, and maybe, going on to a service or two in the afternoonas well. Sam, our chaplain, is doing a very good work of teaching and evangelism at the hospital, and we continueto have baptisms often. We are amazed at the new opportunities before us.
During September, Paul and Joyce, children of the Jack Penningtons who are missionaries at Binga, stayedwith us while their parents took a concentrated course in Shona at the Language Institute in Salisbury. The children are a bit older (10 and 11) than our own two and life around here was changed noticeably for awhile. Erin andKelly really enjoyed having a big sister and big brother for a few weeks. Kelly is growing fast and is trying hardto communicate with the other children.
i' The other day Sue Alice and Erin Lee were walking together when Erin said; "You know, Mother, sometimes Iget homesick for America." Of course Sue Alice wanted to know why and Erin's reasoning was this: "Well, inAmerica you don't have to go so far to go somewhere (it's 63 miles to the nearest town), you can buy adult applesauce (we have to get the kind in junior baby food jars), and it's a free country."
May God bless you all.In His Service,Dale, Sue Alice, Erin Lee and Kelly
CONTRIBUTIONS (August 1, 1968 to OctoW 31, 1968)Bunn Park Church of Christ (Lake Springfield Christian
Assembly Missionary Offering), 111.Ch. Ki-Lo Circle, Beechwold Church of Christ, Columbus, OhioMemorial Church of Christ, Detroit, Mich.First Christian Church, La Mirada, Calif.Mr. and Mrs. Tom Smith, Lincoln, 111.Robert W. Vermilya, M. D., Lafayette, Ind.Surprise Christian Church Missions, Cortland, Ind.Henderson Church of Christ, Henderson, Mich.Harris Prairie Church of Christ, Granger, Ind.Mr. and Mrs. Jesse McKinney, Lafayette, Ind.Washington Christian Church, Washington, 111.Junior Boys, Meadowbrook Church of Christ, Mt. Vernon, 111.Primary Church, First Christian Church, Junction City, Kans.Honeytown Christian Church, Brownstown, Ind.Trader's Point Christian Church, Indianapolis, Ind.First Year Juniors, Eastside Christian Church, Frankfort, Ind.Kenneth E. Hershman, Woodlawn Heights Christian Church,
Lafayette, Ind.Paul E. Schroeder, M. D., Flint, Mich.Mrs. Emily Gill, Albion, 111.
Mrs. Margaret Freeman, Clinton, 111.First Church of Christ Missions, Highland, Ind.First Christian Church, Flora, 111.Christian Church Missions, Medaryville, Ind.Central Church of Christ, Mt. Vernon, 111.Rolling Fork Christian Church Missions, New Haven, Ky.Flat Rock Christian Church, Flat Rock, Ind.Lincoln Christian Church, Lincoln, 111,Beechwold Church of Christ, Columbus, OhioFirst Christian Church, Clinton, 111.Brady Lane Church of Christ (Christian), Lafayette, Ind.Woodlawn Christian Church, Woodlawn, 111.Christian Church Missions, Williamsport, Ind.First Christian Church, Elizabethtown, Ky.First Christian Church, Ferguson, Mo.First Church of Christ (Christian), Owosso, Mich,First Christian Church, Washington, Ind,Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Gray, Highland, Ind.Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Inskeep, Fairfield, 111.Bunn Park Church of Christ, Springfield, 111.
Note from Forwarding Agents: Several names listed above, and other names not listed have given toward the ChidamoyoHospital Equipment Fund through Mrs. Crystal Nutt. Although not listed above, Mrs. Nutt forwarded your gift and your nome,and your names have been added to Dr. Erickson's newsletter list. Your gifts are very much appreciated.
Jane and Ralph Murphy for Dale and Sue Alice Erickson
./^WiA 1-^ I '
r '4>i!
Dear Friends,
Q^ieeiUu^
piom
December, 1968
Seasons greetings to you all! It would be a wonderful thing if we could see you all this year atChristmas time; but since we can't, we will have to make do with a letter.
This Christmas will be the first one we have ever celebrated in the middle of summer; it will be thefirst one with the flaming lily, state flower of Rhodesia, as a common decorator item instead of thepoinsettia; and it will be the first Christmas when we have been praying for rain, not snow. We havefound it hard to get into the Christmas spirit; somehow summer clothes and Christmas have just neverbeen associated together in our minds before. But nevertheless, on December 25, even if the temperatureis high, our children will doubtless have us up at daybreak, the same as yours will on the other side ofthe world.
Many things have happened to us during the last year. It was January 17 when we arrived at Chida-moyo Mission in Rhodesia, just a few days before the hospital, where we work, was dedicated. Erinstarted to first grade at the mission's one room school the very next week. Soon afterwards, Dale beganstudying tropical medicine for two months at Harare Hospital in Salisbury, commuting to the mission onweekends. The hospital at that time had very little equipment with no electricity. Dale did the firstsurgery case with a puctuating, failing light running off of a car battery. Since then, thanks to your help,he has been able to begin purchasing the equipment needed to provide good medical care.
In May we were finally able to get the Cessna 180 aircraft into Rhodesia, and Dale began his weeklyduties as medical officer for Binga on Kariba Lake, where Jack Pennington is the missionary. The flighttakes about one hour, ^e drove it once and it took us, with the family, seven hours to get to Binga. Therearen't any filling stations along the way either.
The Reggie Thomas evangelistic team came to Chidamoyo to hold a meeting late in July. Christianscame from all over the Urungwe reserve for the three-day meeting. They came by foot, bicycle, bus, orlorry, and camped near the church. Over 750 people crowded inside the church-house for the Saturdayafternoon meeting. Quite a number of people were baptized then, and we are still harvesting from theseeds sown then.
In September, the Pennington children, Joyce and Paul, lived with us while their parents studiedShona in a concentrated course in Salisbury. About the same time we had a medical student from Vander-bilt with us for a month on an externship. You may be hearing about Dr. Ken Messman, preacher-doctor,after he finishes his training and comes back as a medical missionary. It was the same month that ourdog, Shanie, had premature puppies. Every child on the mission, including Kelly, was as concerned aboutthe one puppy that lived two days as if it had been a human baby.
Dale and I went to Salisbury in November to take the intensive Shona course. Erin stayed at Chida-moyo to be in school, but Kelly came with us and stayed at a nice day nursery near the camping parkwhere we lived in a rented camper for the month. Dr. Cobb and Dr. Erasure from Mashoko Mission coveredthe hospital work for us, and we went home on weekends so we could see Erin and Dale could cover hispreaching duties.
As the hospital has become better equipped, and as our reputation has spread, the hospital work hasincreased considerably. People are beginning to consider surgery as treatment when needed, not a lasttry only for the dying. The ladies like to come here to have their babies, so we had to build a house forthe ladies-in-waiting (some stay a month or more) to clear hospital beds. All the hospital staff are nowChristiansj Sam^I^aripe has been doing an^xcellerit^feb-as-^aplmn* T^he-^vang^istic^opportunities-,—and reqiiests for new churches to begin regular services are coming as rapidly as we can handle them.
So you see, we've had a busy, fruitful year. It has been good to know we are serving the Lord in theplace where He has led us. We hope that you have had a good year, too, and that the next one will beeven better.
May God Bless You All,
MISSION SERVICESBOX 368JOLIET, ILLINOIS 60434
Address Correction Requested
The Ericksons