MAY, 1946
219
B I O L A F A M I L Y
C I R C L E
are among a group of missionaries who sailed for Africa on the Grips- holm, leaving Brooklyn, New York, Jan. 10, their destination being Tan ganyika Territory, where they will serve under the Africa Inland Mis sion. Richard was president of the S. M. U. in Biola; he was also East Coast director of the Navigators Chris tian Service Men’s Organization. Sailing on this same ship were Francis Purl and Mrs. Pickett (Martha Hurst ’32) and two daughters, Abigail and Judith, returning to Usumbura, Urundi, Belgian Congo. C. Joseph Kopp ’38, serving the Lord in Luampa, N. Rhodesia, under the South Africa General Mission, gives an encouraging account of his work. Some have accepted Christ as he has preached on Sundays in the larger vil lages. - Not infrequently his native evangelists contact those who have never heard the story of redemption. Strange experiences have been Jo seph’s: encounters with the darkness of demonism; constructing furniture for his home; binding his trombone and books on his bicycle to go out evangelizing; rejoicing as men speak out in meetings, saying they wish to accept Christ then and there! He de sires our prayers. Mary Morrow ’35, Alma Hiebert ’43 and Mr. and Mrs. Ragsdale, write of their busy life at Nathanael Home in Emmalena, Ky. Twenty-two children, from two to fifteen years of age, de voured ten chickens for Christmas dinner, in addition to all the “fixins,” ice cream and cookies! A hearty song service, with Alma and Mary playing their accordions, ended a happy day for these bright, healthy children who, Mrs. Ragsdale says, represent twenty- two real bundles of spiritual, mental, moral and physical needs! These workers ask our prayers. Thelma Ragsdale ’35, P. G. ’43, the field rep resentative, is available to present this work to church groups. She may be addressed at 55 La Paz Road, Santa Barbara, Calif. Kathryn Dick ’29, who has serve« for many years in Nigeria under the Sudan Interior Mission, has arrived in the United States on furlough and is at pre"°nt living at 818 Hayter Street, Dallas7"fc)re.
“ A ll we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:6).
David M. and Mrs. Osborne (Marie Schroeder ’42) and their young son, David Livingstone, left their field of service under the Sudan'Interior Mis sion, in Nigeria, Jan. 20, to return home for their first furlough. They expect to travel via New Zealand, where they will visit Mr. Osborne’s family, and they hope to be in Los Angeles late in the summer. Marie closes her letter by saying: “ It surely will be good to be back at dear Biola. I can never thank the Lord enough for the privilege of attending the In stitute, and it gives us much joy to know that the work is being expanded that more students may. be able to attend.” Victor ’24 and Mrs. Ford (Mynna Turkington ’27) are engaged in a re markable work in Bermuda. This item concerning them appeared in The Sunday School Times of Jan. 12, 1946: “Sixty years ago, a Portuguese immi grant on the Bermudas found a Bible, was converted to Christ, and began preaching to the numerous Roman Catholic Portuguese on the islands. Eventually, hundreds were converted, and their Christian life is now highly spoken of. Rev. Victor Ford is their present teacher and leader.” Lillian Carlson ’23, Box S15, Madera, Calif., writes: “I am here working among the Mexicans who are just as bound by superstition and error as the dear folks in Venezuela and other Latin American countries. We find ample opportunity to use the Spanish language in presenting the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I do not know whether the Lord would have me continue this work or return to Venezuela. In the meantime, our Sunday school here is growing, and the Lord is blessing the work although the enemy of souls is working hard in opposition.” Ruth D. Farquharson ’28, Haines House, Haines, Alaska, reports: “I still have my family of twenty-five native girls, aged four to fifteen. They come from varied backgrounds, mostly from drinking parents. Their start in life has been bad, so that they need much
in the way of training. Most of them have been sadly neglected, but many times they bring joy to our hearts as they show good points of character and appreciation of our labor be stowed upon them. It is natural for the Indian to be silent and reserved, but our Christian Endeavor training helps to overcome this tendency . . . I often think of Biola and should love to visit there again.” R. J. and Mrs. Patterson (Helen M. Lynn), both of the class of ’28, are winning souls in an aggressive cam paign among the youth of Southern California. Denying themselves the joy of a home for Christ’s sake, they use a trailer in their travels. They are open for engagements and may be reached at 135 E. Pearl St., Redlands, Calif. There are no financial requirements; they carry on the. Lord’s work as He provides. They ask prayer for definite leading for the summer’s work. AUyn B. Cooke ’18, who has spent many years laboring among the Lisu tribes in Southwest China, suffered a most unusual accident in January. He weis doing some last-mipute shopping in Kunming before returning to his home station, when a jeep, driven by an American GI, crashed into the store and crushed him in such a man ner as to break his leg. Mr. Cooke is making a fine recovery. David, the eldest son, has been discharged from the Navy, and Joseph is a second-year student at Biola. Geraldine Hamlett ’42, formerly on the editorial staff of The King's Busi ness, now a missionary in Nigeria, gives an interesting Eiccount of the Christmas celebration on her field. Festivities began about 5:30 a.m. with singing of carols, greetings, and ex change of gifts, and candy! A turkey dinner with all the trimmings was served at 7:00 p.m. It was a joyous day save for the separation from loved ones. Known to the Family Circle as “ Gerry,” Miss Hamlett is in charge of the Sudan Witness, official publication of the Sudan Interior Mission. Richard W. ’39 and Mrs. Hightower (Joyce Gilgert ’41), and two children,
Made with FlippingBook Annual report