MISSION NEWS FROM REV. KUIJT

Up to this day the heavenly Protector, Who neither slumbers nor sleeps, has wonderfully protected our missionary and his wife in the midst of all the dangers of a strange land with its black, idolatrous people, who are more inclined to fight and to destroy than to live in peace and to be led in the right way of salvation.

In the mission periodical “Paulus” we read that our missionary, accompanied by Frans and two Jali boys, visited a different place one day where there lived an important heathen friend by the name of Ngaralima. He writes as follows: We walked for about an hour before we reached the kampong of Ngaralima. (A kampong is a fenced-off area, a group of native homes surrounded by poles or hedges.) The guard of the kampong told us that Ngaralima was not home but that he could not be very far away. He would go and call him. It didn’t take very long for Ngaralima to come. We had not seen him for a long time and our meeting was very pleasant. It could have been different, for not much must happen or there is a dislike for the strange intruders …

Ngaralima is a man who is not hostile with regard to the Gospel. He used to come at times to our church kitchen when the Bokondini helpers were still with us, and he was a good friend of our Mandur, the work leader. Since those helpers have left for home, Ngaralima seldom comes any more. During our conversation he remarked that he had a sick child. It seemed that his chest was not well. However, it was impossible to persuade him to bring the child to us so that we might examine him and eventually give him some medicine. Those people would rather die than to accept medicine from us.

I asked Ngaralima if it was agreeable to him if we offered a prayer for the child. To this he consented. I showed him what the posture was for prayer, and then in their own language we tried to bring the needs of Ngaralima and his family before the throne of grace, remembering the sick child in a special manner.

After the prayer, his eye fell upon my rifle. He grasped for it and asked me to go along with him to fight against the inhabitants of Kapie. This reaction disappointed me somewhat and I instructed him that the Lord Jesus would not want us to do that. Briefly I tried to explain to him why we had come here. At one time the inhabitants of the far distant land from which we had come were also very eager for war, and often many were killed. But when the Gospel messengers had come, and the Lord Jesus came to dwell in the hearts of many, that murdering was stopped and they began to love their neighbor and also to tell others about Jesus. Thus we used to be just as they are now. But if the Lord Jesus would also come and dwell in their hearts, it would all change. Then they would not go and fight any more against the inhabitants of Kapie, but they would be anxious to tell them about Jesus also.

Ngaralima nodded approvingly. How deeply it penetrated his heart I do not know. We have only to sow, and God will take care of the increase.

On our way home we met one of his wives. Two of them I had seen already at the women’s quarters and it seemed as though he had another one. This indicates that he was a person of considerable importance having much influence. If people of this kind would accept the Gospel, even if it were only outwardly or historically, then great changes would take place.

We see, for instance, the influence of Liok, the head of the district. I have found out that he has forbidden the children to come to school. The children themselves would like to learn to write, but they do not come because Liok does not want them to. If this man could really be gained for the Gospel, then great changes could be expected to take place.

You see, friends, there is much work to be done. “Pray and it shall be given unto you,” says the Scripture. Until the next time, the Lord willing.

(signed) Ds. G. Kuijt

We also read that one of the small airplanes of the M. A. F. (Missionary Aviation Fellowship) has been wrecked. Earnest prayer is asked for the pilots of these mission planes, who risk their lives daily in West Irian and Cambodia flying with single-engine planes over the snow-capped mountains and virgin forests to bring the necessities of life to the missionaries at their lonesome posts. Through storm and thunder, through heavy rains and thick mists they fly to deliver the mail, to bring medicine where there is sickness, to transport to hospitals those patients in danger of their life, etc. They are indispensable in carrying on the mission work at that place. Will you daily pray for them?

We can readily understand that also Rev. Kuijt and his wife cannot now expect a landing of one of these planes as often as before, since only one is presently left to visit all the mission posts.

ADDITIONAL MISSIONARY NEWS

Our last letter to Rev. Kuijt was received by him on December 10, 1964. The last letter we received from him was dated January 27, 1965. He writes: Another year has passed again and the first month of the new year will soon be ended. How rapidly does time go. What shall this year yet bring to us? If we listen to the reports, then we learn that events, especially on political terrain, are developing rapidly and should fill us with concern. You may know that we sometimes look to the future with fear. Not that we do not know that the Lord reigns, but He Himself has spoken of “the abomination of desolation,” “a distressing time for Jacob,” etc. We really do not know what the future holds. Shall we be able to stay here much longer? What shall happen now that Indonesia has withdrawn from the United Nations? All these questions are hidden from us, but known unto the Lord …

There is still opposition to the Gospel here. On Sunday not one comes to visit us. They also will have nothing to do with a school. But the Lord, Who is the Almighty, can break the hard hearts of the Jalies. But He does it in His time and in His own way.

Since our home is built, we have more time to study the language. Fortunately, we have a boy thus far who understands what we mean.

Hearty thanks to the people for the many good gifts. How wonderful is everything. All honor unto the Lord!

MISSIONARY REPORT FROM AFRICA

Other mission reports are as follows: Our mission work in Nigeria, Africa is all going according to our wishes. Sister Van Rossum, however, has been sick and-even had to be sent to a hospital. Sister Sonneveld wrote that it was a hard task for her to remain behind alone, especially since the work is so extended. To our gladness, Sister Van Rossum has been restored to health again and has resumed her work once more.

Her stay in the hospital, far away from Oturkpo, has had these results, that from now on we can purchase the necessary drugs through this hospital, Which means considerable savings.

The building of the clinic is steadily progressing, and in this respect all goes according to our wishes also.

The family of Ten Voorde is well, and our mission instructor does not have to complain over a lack of work. It befits us to acknowledge the Lord in deep humility that He has spared us from serious adversities, has protected our missionaries, and that the good work may proceed.

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