Kijabe B.E.A. Oct 30^th 1903                                                                                                   Index

Miss Florence Minch,
Naperville Ill.

My dear Florence;

        I went yesterday with Mr. Hurlburt to Nairobi about 50 miles from here, and there we got the mail. I got two of your letters written Sept. 6^th and Sept. 20^th. You wrote in them that you did not hear from me since July 28^th. I really felt so sorry that I have been feeling sad ever since. I am afraid Florence I cannot realize the position you are in. I am out here busy as busy can be, meeting new and interesting things every day so that I hardly get time to think of anything, and yet I wait anxiously every day to receive a letter from you. If this is the case with me, that I become anxious and restless, what must it be with you, all alone at college, one day nearly like another. But never mind I believe God will carry out his plans rapidly, and then we can be together sharing with one another our little trials and difficulties. I believe that God has yet in store some great blessings for us. He is as surely leading us as it is sure he lives. I have been thinking today in how peculiar a way he has brought us together. I cannot help but believe you are thinking of me often, and am anxious to get here, and yet I hardly believe you think of me as often as I think of you. You said something about enjoying a moonlight evening. The moon light evenings are most beautiful here. Why is it that we cannot enjoy them. Why is it that we were obliged to part at that little old station without even a word. You can never know Florence how much I desired to have a long talk alone with you that evening before I left. It just seemed as though it could not be otherwise and yet I believe I held back simply for your good. I think however if we could have met somewhere that night we could have arranged things so that there could not be any misunderstandings between us. I do not blame you for being disappointed in not receiving my letters, but believe me Florence whether you receive my letters or not I am thinking of you as sincerely and as dearly as ever. I was really surprised to find that you did not receive any letters after July 28^th. If it had been after August 19^th, I would not have been so much surprised because then I did not write for about 3 weeks but during that time I did not write to anyone, not even to my folks at home. It was simply because we were living out here in the wilds, without a house of any sort, and were so busy that I could not possibly write to anyone, but before that time, and even since I believe I have been as faithful as I possibly could. I hope my letters have simply been delayed somewhere, and that since you have written you have received them. I did not keep a record of how many I wrote, nor when I wrote them but I am very anxious that you should get them all. I believe so far I have received all your letters, but always remember we are almost 10,000 miles from one another, and it would not be surprising at all if a letter should be for three months on the way, although I think a letter ought to reach you five weeks after I have written it. I was just wondering today when that General Conference meets. I am so anxious to know how the matter will turn out, but let me give you a little advice that will be good no matter how it turns out. I do not know how old you are. I wish I did. I dont think you ought to object telling me unless you are somewhere over thirty. I think you know my age. (June 3^rd 1878.) But let this be as it may. I think you are getting old enough, that you could spend your time more profitably on the mission field than at home. Now if Lora and Mr. Butzbach are not accepted at the General Conference, then all three of you apply to the Africa Inland Mission at once, and come as quickly as possible. If they should be accepted then I will have no rest until you apply alone. If they are accepted no doubt the Church Board will be prepared to send them at once, and if they should go I think they would sail to China by way of Aden. Now if they would not go too soon, you could easily prepare to sail for Africa at the same time, and the three of you could go as far as Aden together. Then they would have to wait at Aden for a steamer sailing East, and you could come on directly to Mombasa or they could go directly on, and you would have to wait at Aden for a steamer to bring you on to Mombasa. Florence I dread to think of you coming out without some of your immediate friends. Not that I think you would not have the courage to do it, but I think I have experienced a little bit what it means, and I believe a man always will fare a little better than a woman. If I were you I should make plans and preparations for leaving America within the next year. Now do not let this frighten you. I write it, simply because I believe it will come to pass, you know how suddenly I was called to go. Two days after I made the decision I was on the way, and had about two hours to decide. I wish you would write to me immediately after the Conference meets and tell me what they have done, and what you have decided to do. Then I can at once tell Mr. Hurlburt about it, and write to Mr. Adams so that no time shall be lost. As yet no one knows anything at all about it. Oh Florence spend much time in prayer that the Lord may lead in His own perfect way. Dont let your studies take up too much of your time. Rather dare to take a goose egg in every class, than to cheat the Lord out of his time. Florence the more I study the word of God, and the more I rub up against to actual work the more I feel that all our efforts, all our preparations are as filthy rags, the more I feel that our strength is nothing. We can absolutely do nothing here, unless it be through the power of our Lord. I dont care how ignorant, how inexperienced we may be, if we fall humbly at the feet of our Lord he can use us in a mighty way. The work is all his own and he must do it. We are simply his instruments. Oh that he would teach us to trust in Him entirely, rather than to trust so much in our education or in our past experiences. I believe we are all drifting off somewhat along this line. Jesus alone has power for the salvation of men and he is all powerful and can accomplish whatever he will. Oh Lord teach us how to pray. But I have just returned from Nairobi so I believe you will excuse me for closing for this time. I am tired and sleepy. I will write again in a few days. Hoping and praying that the Lord will ever bind us closer together in the Love that is found in Him. I am as ever sincerely yours John.