Kijabe E.A.P. June 13th
‘05
Miss
Florence Minch,
Hooppole,
Ill.
My
dear Florence.
I
am a bit tired tonight so dont be surprised if this is a short
letter. But let me tell you why I am tired. I have just
returned
from perhaps one of the most important meetings of my life.
Yes John
is beginning to think that he’s getting up a bit in the world
and
should you see him tonight you might say My but he does feel
his
oats. What would you say to hear that your old man has been
out to
dinner with one of the biggest men in the Country, and has
been the
main figure in a Conference with two of the most famous chiefs
in all
East Africa. But let me begin at the beginning and tell the
whole
story. About three weeks ago I was sitting in my room thinking
over
the Masai question and I must confess I was a bit discouraged
but
while dreaming over the affair a boy came into my room and
threw a
letter on my table. The letter proved to be one written in
English
by a native Swahili. In it he said that the boy who brought it
was a
Masai and wished to stay with me to learn English. I went out
to see
the boy and soon discovered that he could read and write
Swahili but
what was my surprise to learn that he was a brother of the big
Masai
Chief Lenana (by the way let me give you in his own language
what he
said he was and if you can pronounce it rapidly and correctly
when
you get here I will say you are a fit subject for Masai work.
He
said he was the “ol-lalushe lol Lenana”; the brother of
Lenana. If you can twist around all these l’s you’re all
right.) Well
this boy told me later that he thought the chief would like
much to
have his people taught at his own village. Well the story is a
long
one but it finally came to this that a conference should be
held at
Nairobi including a representative of the Church Missionary
Society
the Sub Commissioner who is the second man in the country in
Authority and the big chief Lenana also his brother who was
the big
chief in German East Africa and became so notorious that the
German
Government offered 10,000 Rupees for his capture. He then fled
to
the English Government for protection and is here now. These
two
chiefs are perhaps the best known of all in the whole
continent. Besides Lenana called all his old men and
counselors together so that
there was 30 or 40 together. But I must explain first where
this
chief lives. He refused to go with his people to the
Reservation but
asked that he might be permitted to have a Reservation of his
own
near Nairobi. This was granted him. He was given about 100,000
acres with the privilege of keeping with him who ever he
chose. There are perhaps two or three thousand people on this
reserve. Its
boundary on one side is the Athi River. Well the agreement
made was
this. I should locate on the banks of this river just outside
the
Reservation. Then the old men promised to send me boys of any
age to
the number of forty if I desired and each old man would
provide
support for his boy. The boys are all to be under the big
chief and
must obey him. Before they can come to me they must go to the
Sub
Commissioner and be registered also their fathers. If the
agreement
is not kept I need simply report to the Sub Commissioner and
he will
carry it out. Now you not knowing conditions can hardly
realize just
what this means. This much however you can see we can hold the
boys
in perfect discipline having all the powers back of us. When
you
join me it will be just the same with the girls. Florence I’ve
had
a hard struggle to get into anything but I always trusted the
Lord
and knew he would finally bring it to pass. This is more
however
than I ever dreamt of. This time plans cannot come to naught
because
the whole agreement is made and I am to begin at once. I have
just a
little work yet here at Kijabe then I will try to find
Mulungit and
move at once to the place. The Gov. will give me ten acres of
land
for a mission station. I will build right on the Athi River
which
they say has good fish. Hurrah Florence bring along your fish
hooks
and we will go fishing. Be sure to bring a good lot of fish
hooks of
all sizes. I am crazy for fish and fishing. This is also a
great
banana country so we will have banana groves about our house.
We
will also have plenty of meat and milk so it will be very
cheap
living, but now where is this place! It is about 8 miles from
Nairobi. Nairobi is next in size to Mombasa. Our post office
will
be at Dangeretti about 4 miles away. Neighbors will be all
about us
because it is just on the border of the Kikuyu country which
is now
quite thickly settled with white people. Mr. Oulton whom I
know very
well will be within a mile of us. His wife was an English
nurse so
we will have some one to care for us if we get sick. They are
in the
dairy business and make beautiful butter. We will be able to
have
meetings on Sunday with our neighbors many of whom are
Christians. We will be right in the midst of civilization. The
place is about 20
miles form Kijabe but can be reached by train in just a few
hours
only seven miles to go on foot. A better healthier and more
advantageous place in all respects could not be wished for.
Mrs. Dr.
Crawford of the C.M.S. told me today that she has seen
missions and
missionaries all over the whole of Africa but she knows of no
missionary who has such strong rapport from Gov. and chiefs as
we
will have. Surely this is Gods reward for all our difficulties
and
discouragements. Now if your mother says Oh if this only
does’nt
break up again tell her it cannot because a definite agreement
has
been made with the Government and the chief. It is nothing
short of
a miracle to have the Gov. go into this. I dont understand it.
They
usually care nothing for missions and would rather oppose than
help. Of course all people in this country are especially
interested in the
Masai the Masai being so famous and that perhaps accounts for
it. I
am so glad for I was afraid it would be a number of years
before we
could be married and settle down to good work. Now we will be
ready
almost at once. The old men promised to send the boys
immediately. So come on Florence you’ll have the fun yet of
helping plan and fix
up. I mean to begin classes almost immediately and will
perhaps live
in a tent until you come. Is’nt this fine. I feel so big over
it
that I dont know how to act. To think of teaching the big
chiefs
boys, his successor included, and to have the chief right in
our
plans. The chief is very friendly to me because I am the only
white
man with whom he can speak. This no doubt has much to do with
his
helping us. All I can say is “Praise God for his goodness to
us”. But I must tell the rest when you get here. I wish I knew
just what
you will know when you get this. You will prhaps already have
seen
Mr. Hurlburt, and know all about plans. Florence could you
possibly
get an Association Foot Ball. The boys enjoy it so much and it
is
the only game all the boys can play in. Bring several rubber
bladders if you can get a ball. Please let me pay for it. I
also
want some medicines. I will write to Dr. Aetinger in Phila.
and tell
him what I want and you may bring them. Dr. Crawford of the
C.M.S.
has kindly promised to teach me in treating diseases so I will
be
able to do some medical work. My but wont it be fine. I am
beginning to feel proud of you already because now I feel I
can give
you a decent home. I did’nt know about it before. I feel like
flying up. I want to shout, but perhaps I had better hold in
or you
will think your old man has gone crazy. Well it seems the Lord
is
completing his plans for us now so I will be waiting for you.
Pray
much for the work now because the devil will make a hard
attempt to
break it up. Please let me know as soon as possible just when
you
start. May God richly bless you all and us as he brings us
together. This is the earnest prayer of most lovingly yours,
John.
I
have Beaches Geography and Atlas. I will try to write to your
mother
soon but I am frightfully busy now. (over)
Just
received your letter. You ask about Christmas picture. I
should
like much to have it framed but it will cost much to bring a
frame
here and will then likely be broken. So dont try. We will get
something here. Bring those dresses unless they could be put
to good
use at home. They can be used nicely here. In making any
clothing
for natives make them as simple as possible. The cheapest
white
goods are best. Dont try any thing fancy. You cant get a
sewing
machine here. Bring plenty of sewing machine oil because you
cant
get that either. Dont attempt to bring any plates for your
camera. Everybody advises films. Bring plenty of photo
material and let me
pay my share. I am not so poor but that I can do a little. The
big
chiefs brother has come to stay with me. His name is Agale Ol
guriso. He is a very intelligent boy. I am enclosing a note
that he
sent to me you can see his hand writing. It is written in
Masai and
is the first Masai letter I ever received. You had better save
it
for our Museum. I have decided not to go to the Reservation
for some
time but will go to the chiefs village next week, and begin
work at
once. I expect soon to hear of Mr. Hurlburts plans concerning
you.
but I must close. Keep your courage up and trust in God. He’ll
carry you safely through. I shall pray much for you. I hope
you
will also remember our new work at the chiefs village. Hoping
this
finds you all well and happy
I
am john.
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