Kijabe B.E.A. Jan 30^th. 1904                                                                                                  Index

My dear Florence.
        I meant to write long before this time but I have been away the last two weeks and so did not find time. Mr. Hurlburt and I have been off on a sort of inspecting tour. We went first to Machakos to help Mr. Rhoad and Mr. Johnston dedicate their new chapel. Most of the missionaries were there and we had a grand time. From there Hurlburt and I went over to Kangundo. We stayed there three days and then struck off across the immense Athi Plain, for Thembigwa where Mr and Mrs Kreiger and Mr and Mrs Atwood are working. It took us two days to cross the plain. We had Hurlburts mule and ten men so the journey was not as bad as it might have been. But going 60 miles over a parched, burned, piece of ground without a path is not such an easy task. In the center of the plain is a single mountain quite high called Doinyo Sabuk. (Ol-doinyo Sabuk) is the Masai word for big mountain. We went near by it. From the mountain on to Thembigwa, about 40 miles, we were continually in sight of hundreds of animals. These plains seem to be literally covered. All kinds of gazelle, large numbers of zebra, ostriches, gnus, and occasionally an odd one. We saw one animal called an eland. It is said to be the largest of the species of the deer family. It certainly is a large animal. About 4 o’clock of the first day we were coming near a small river known as the Rueri. Mr. Hurlburt was walking on ahead, and I came behind, riding the mule. Some distance before us was a heap of dirt covered with dry parched grass. Mr Hurlburt was talking with some of the men, and walked on observing nothing. As I came up to the dirt heap I saw a sight which almost took away my breath. Just behind the heap stood a large rhinoceros. Mr. Hurlburt was no more than 20 or 30 ft from it, and what was worse he did not see it. I was afraid to call out to him, fearing I would arouse the beast. I simply gave a low whistle, Hurlburt turned and saw it. (I dont mean he saw the whistle but the animal.) Mulungit the Masai boy was close behind him with the rifle. Not wishing to attack it however we turned off to get out of its way. Ugh but didn’t it look ugly. It had a monstrous horn nearly three feet long. And in within 40 ft. Not a tree in sight and we were almost sure it would attack us. Queer as it may seem however the animal never looked up, until we were about 400 ft. away. Then it suddenly gave a snort and threw its ugly head in the air. It stood that way about 5 minutes. When we thought we were at a safe distance the men set up a howl. This aroused old rhino and it started to run away. We then discovered that it had a young calf with it. It ran off a short distance and then turned and came toward us. The men howled again and again until it seemed to be bewildered and ran away. We were glad however to get out of its way, although I was glad we had seen it. It was the first rhinoceros I had ever seen. I dont know whether I am so very particular about seeing another. We also saw several wild boars. Aside from this all went well, until we reached Nairobi where Mr. Hurlburt was thrown from the mule and hurt so badly that he was obliged to take the train and return home. I then went on almost to Thembigwa, and Kambui, getting home last Monday night. In the whole journey I walked nearly 150 miles. Near Machakos I climbed up a high hill, and on one side could see very plainly Mt. Kilima Njaro, and on the other Mt. Kenya both covered with snow. So I actually did see snow almost on the equator. When I got home the people said they had a great deal of trouble with buffaloes, so I decided to watch for them. We made a sort of a platform in a tree and myself with two natives watched. About nine oclock we heard a tramping in the bush. It came nearer and nearer. I believe I shook like a leaf. Finally one big bull walked out in an open space. It was nice moonlight, and we saw him plain as day. I fired at him, and he gave an awful bellow, and fell to the ground. A buffalo is however the hardest animal living to kill. He got on to his feet again, and before I could get another shot he was in the brush. We did not dare to follow because there were others about. He got away yet I am perfectly satisfied that I have shot and killed him, although we have not as yet found it. The brush is so dense that it is impossible to go any distance. But this is perhaps enough about animals for this time.

        I want to tell you something about the work. We have stopped with our building, and taken up other work. I now have the forenoon for study. After dinner I have a class of my Masai boys, three of them. They want to learn to read English. They seem to be very promising boys. One day when we were out Mulungit said he didn’t want tobacco nor “tembo” a drink, nor anything bad, but he said “Akeyu en-gai oling” which means “I want God very much”. They are very bright. I teach them one hour each day. At the end of the second lesson I could take any book and point out any letter, capital or small, and they would not miss a single one. I think this is simply remarkable. At three oclock I have a class of Kikuyu boys and girls. Thirteen between 6 and 10 years of age. I wish you could see me. I have an old board stood up against a tree, with the letters on it. The boys and girls all kneel around it on the ground. It looks awfully funny. They are very cute and quite bright. In the evening I have a class of eight young men, who have said they want to live for Christ. The work is going on rapidly and I am glad that I am getting able to do some little part in it. The opposition of Satan is great. More than you can have any idea of, before reaching the field, yet our Lord is greater, and he is surely gathering unto himself his people.

        I am expecting every day that letter which shall tell me concerning the actions of that committee. I had a letter from Clarence Rank a few weeks ago and he told me all about the General Conference. He is hoping he may be one of those sent out. I should be glad to see him go. I think Clarence is a nice boy. He was perhaps not so well liked at College by some, yet I think if once he is well known you canot help but like him. My but weren’t you bold to tell me your age? Well all I’ve got to say is you’re old enough, and its about time you were coming. I’ve always said Deliver me from an old maid, and it really does look alarming. Nevertheless I will pay you back. As you grow old remember I am going just as fast, and perhaps am getting cranky 2 to 1. My if this continues wont we be a cranky pair though. It’s perhaps well for you to remember that I am the biggest. I’ll tell you just now I wont have you bossing me around and you may grow as cranky and crabby as you please, I’ll have my own way. How is that for sass. But let this be as it may, really Florence when I think perhaps it may be a whole year or more before you get here a year does seem awfully long. really what impatient creatures we are. Never satisfied with what we have. I really dont see how I could wish for anything better than I have at present. I ought to be happy every moment. How Good the Lord is to us. I am persuaded more and more that he will bring you here and care for both of us. was it in the last or second last letter I said I could see nothing for the future, but I was sure the Lord would care for me. See how he has rewarded my confidence in Him. When I came back from our last trip I found quite a number of letters waiting for me. Among them was one from Mrs. Owen, a woman who had never written to me before. In one corner of her letter was this sentence “After three days of earnest prayer and correspondence with Mr. Ross, I have promised as the Lord sends me the means, to assume your support. So we will be co-workers now in earnest. God bless you dear friend and fill you with His power to win souls”. Florence we need not run about to collect money, we need not ever bother ourselves about it. While God is working in our hearts to lead us out, He is working in the heart of an unknown person for our support. Lets have a greater confidence in Him. Ask him to send you at his own chosen time, and leave the money question with Him. I feel like shouting Glory to God for His mercies, and you know I am not one of the shouting kind, but surely God is good to us. I am glad He has taught us to know and love one another. I believe we can go on through life rejoicing and surely if we trust in Him He will make our lives useful.

        I feel as though I ought to thank you for being so faithful in writing to me. Florence if you are as faithful to me when we are living together as you are while we are apart I’ll kiss you every night and morning as a reward (that is if you will permit). Now be a good girl. Keep a stiff upper lip as they say for it is better to whistle than whine. Now if you think that I run off on a streak once in a while just let me know and I will try to be a better boy. I know I am bad and why dont you tell me so. May God bless and keep you is the prayer of John.

        Dont you ever have your picture taken. I hav’nt even got a single one. I might forget how you look, and then when you get here I might not want you. Send me one if you can.