MARCIA KAY THOMSONMASHOKO MISSION :P/O - MashokoRhodesia, Africa

Forwarding Agents: . vDri & Mrs. Richard Lee - ^9dl Taylor DriveCarbondale, Illinois 62901

12th February, 1968

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Bear Christian Friends,

.1 have started newsletters several times since I sent one but I neverseem to finish them, I hope that I have better luck today,

Many of you probably think that I in the States because I planned tobe there by Christmas, Since I did not make it I am now planning tobe in Joplin, Missouri, by the first of May, My mother is working atOzark Bible College so any mail can be sent c/o Mrs, Terrill Thomson,1111 North Main, Joplin, Missouri, 64801 or to my forwarding agents-, ;Dr. and Mrs. Richard Lee.

Since Marilyn Richards has been here we ^have been setting up more efficient methods of keeping re(cords iri the bookstore and office, Besldeisthese changes we have been trying to take care of the current businessand I have been working on the bookkeeping that piled up before she 'arrived. \ .

Marilyn reinjured, her knee September 16 when we climbed the hill behind' th mission. After that it continued to get worse and Dr, Pruett saidsurgery was the only answer. It was necessary for Dr. Pruett to go tothe medical stores in Salisbury to get additional dnstruments^ Thistrip was postponed because Smithes cat got Rabies and Dr, Pruett had

- to give a series of 14 Rabies shots to all those that had been around-the-hsjc^kittenaA the_jm&j^i.^y^omissionaries at Mashoko. I am glad I was at Chiredzi wheh this hap^ ,pened. ,/ , ' . ^ ^ -Marilyn had. surgery on December 12, So I paid the workers^ for themonth of December which .includes a trip to Chiredzi. Marilyn was ableto walk for a while before she could drive the car. She is able todrive again now.

January starts our new school year and we are happy to see many newstudents at Mashoko, There are 20 first year nursing students and 70first year secondary students.

Theisecondary students that took exams in December 1967 received theirresults and we were pleased with the grades. Fifty-nine percent received Junior Certificates which means they passed at least six subject;Of these six subjects English and arithmetic are required. The JuniorCertificate signifies a pass of two years in secondary school. Thisis our first class to take the exa;ms, their grades wore above the national average but we are looking forward to even higher passes ne^^tyear. ^ '' ^ ^

After three years training the nursing students take exams,were given in January and the results are not known as yet.in January I was priviledged to attend the Dedication of the ChristianHospital Chidamoyo Mission, Many missionaries_were there that I hadnevbr met, others I had not seen for a long time. The mission hadreally changed since my visit in May 1964. Chidamoyo is 500 milesfrom Mashoko.

January 28th'was the Ordination of our hospital evangelist, TeseraiAugustine Makuku, He was in Mashoko Bible College the first two yearsafter I came to Mashoko and the last two years he has been workingvery diligently at our hospital. Everyone likes Teserai, especiallythe children in the hospital who follow;him around, vmen he has devotions over the P^ A. system they are right there to help with the songservice.' Besides devotions he teaches the outpatients and in .the hospital wards using flannel graph and other helps. Many hospital pa-

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tlenta have been baptized by hitn, both school age children and manyadults,

I thank God for your continued support of my work and I hope to beable to thank you in person. Until I see you I would like for thisletter to be a thankyou note.

Because of Christ,/ y

1968

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Marcia Kay Thomson-I-5f >

RH0DESIA

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M.^RCIii KAY THOMSON

Furlough address:/Llunmi Hall1111 Worth MainJoplin, Missouri 64SOIPhone 417 7Bl 3357

Forwarding Agents:Mr. & Mrs. Wilford E LeasureRoute 1West Union, Illinois 62477

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.. September I96S

Dear Christian Friends, ' -

Since my last newsletter my mother and I have had the privilegeof seeing many of you and making many new friends in Christ.We travelled as far east as Cincinnati, Ohio, and as far westas Aztec, Mew Mexico, and Summit Lake, Colorado, -My Septemberschedule has been slowed down because of hayfever, eventho Ihad^hayfever each fall during my college days and I am troubledagain this year, I have not had any trouble with this in Rhodesia

i''y future plans include the f'lissionary Convention in San Antonio,Texas, speaking three time at Ozark Bible College on October 17and another trip to Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Confirmeddates include: October 27 at Brookport, Illinois; November 3at Middleport, Ohio; and November 17 at Eldorado, Illinois.V/hen I came to the States I hoped to have enough over myexpenses to buy a pick-up truck when I return to Rhodesia.I also needed increased monthly support for my salary,housing and truck expenses. Marilyn and I had put our nameon the waiting list to rent an apartment in Chiredzi. Sincethere are only two apartment houses in the town, we prayedthat we would get an apartment by January, 1969- RecentlyI have received word that a family in Chiredzi are planningto build a new house and will be putting their 3 bedroomhouse up for sale. If 3,500 is available by October 25,we will make the down payment on this house and use the moneywe planned to use as rent for the payments. The town isstill growing rapidly and they have had a shortage of housingfor years. So if in the future we decided that we did notneed this house we should be able to get the money out ofit; however, we anticipate needing it for a number of years.

Services in English for the European people have been heldfor several years in the government school building inChiredzi. During the one week revival held by the ReggieThomas team 51 Europeans responded to the invitation. Thechurch already owns two lots in town so the next move willprobably be the starting of the church building. Thiscongregation should be able to finance their own building.

The Lees served as my forwarding agents for five years andI realyy appreciate the Job that they have done. They askedto be relieved of this responsibility and the Lord has'provided Mr. and Mrs. Wilford E, Leasure of V^est Union,Illinois, where they are active in the Lord's work,Charlotte and V/ilford have two little daughters, Julianneand Annalee.

I want to thank all of you that have entertained us in yourhomes, we enjoyed the fellowship as well as the hospitality.I am most thankful that I have received generous offeringsfrom many of the churches that I have visited and am especiallygrateful for those of you that have been faithful in sending

monthly offerings.

I pray that God will bless you as you serve Him.

Because of Christ,

Marcia Kay T1

CONTRIBUTORSBrighton Christian Church, Brighton, IllinoisCarterville, Missouri, Christian ChurchIndependent Church of Christ, Palestine, IllinoisSesser Christian Church,-Sesser, IllinoisCentral Church of Christ, Mt Vernon, IllinoisKansas Christian Church, Siloam Springs Arkansas?4r, & Mrs, Edward BaylessHickory Street Christian Church,Centralia, IllinoisCrystal Hoover, Carterville, MissouriFairview Christian Church,Carthage, MissouriMr. & Mrs, Robert BlackshearCentral Christian Church

Mr. 5c Mrs* Wilford Lea sureR. R. # 1

cJal$st Union, Illinois 62477

Mission Services Asso,Box 96S, 509 W. Jefferson

; Joliet, 111. ^0 433

Sec 34.65 (e) P L. & R.U, S, Postage PaidPermit No 4West Union, 111,Non-Iofit Org,