Mr. and Mrs.

Archie Fairbrother
Christian Missionaries associated with David H. and J. Lois Rees

ASSAM INDIA MISSION CHURCHES OF CHRIST

Mawlai, Shillong, Assam, India

MAY 1962

URGENT!
the time you receive this letter, It will only be about two-ond-one^^half months before we are due to arrive In New York on our second furlough. There Is still a lack of funds to cover the expense of the trip. We present this problem to you and ask that you consider it seriously In

prayer. $1500 Is the approximate amount still needed to get the family
home to the USA. Please act Immediately In this matter.

WHY FURLOUGH NOW? 1. 2. 3. 4. Five years of a second term have been completed. India Bible Institute needs representation In the USA. The family needs rejuvenotion. Schooling for the children will be changed most advantageously.

IMDIA bible INSTITUTE

BUILDING FOR

"
but

Maybe we did not have any

swords to make into plowshares,
we did have a barn to make

three rooms for students' dormitory

--.

space and a common room downstairs. The old hayloft was made into a classroom, a library and a
The milkhouse was turned

need for this space was

Archie Fairbrother, Principal of immediate so we did not have time

India lUble Institute, also director to let you know about it before the
of Assam India Mission Churches construction was started. However,

of Christ.

it did take funds (approximately

Jl250) which were needed to prepare us for our journey home on furlough. The building itself had to be
torn down to the foundation before

This

building will meet the

needs of India Bible Institute for

it could be prepared to make a place anywhere near decent for the IBI. The old barn was put up very cheaply, as a shelter for our cows during the time when Kenneth was a baby and powdered baby milk was very, very difficult to obtain from the local market. Since that time, things have changed and the need
for cows has been overcome. We

a short time as long as we have only single boys in the Institute. Perhaps the present accommodation can handle eight or nine students
of this kind. However, we look forward to the day when we will

have young ladies attending this school as well as married couples. This still presents a need. Build ings must be prepared to meet this
need once we are faced with it.

The establishment of a school

were fortunate to have a place to

rebuild so that time did not have

to be wasted in obtaining a building

permit.

like India Bible Institute presents some very unique problems, even though the need is felt among the
churches of Christ all over India. A start has been made and we are

going ahead, with the sanction of the board of directors, to make

IBI a real place of learning for service in the Kingdom of God. Will you take part in this? Help to
make India Bible Institute a

Students and Indian facalty of

I. B. I. Peter Rama Rau, student from Madras in the back; Victor Walter, Lecturer; and student, V.

servant of the churches in India by giving toward a sound beginning in buildings and a dedicated staff!! When sending funds for the India Bible Institute, please mark them in this way and send them to our Forwarding Agent, Mrs. Lawrence Rasmussen, Route 2, Box 44, Gillett, Wisconsin.
Archie Fairbrother

Azum from the Naga Hills.

India Bible Institute with the

Khasi carpenters working on the Institute building.

transformation complete from bam to Bible Institute.

RALLY SEASON ENDS

A NOTE FROM PHILLIP

Do you remember the account of Dear Friends,

our visit to Mawkriah for the preach It seems to me that this will be ing rally last October? Througjiout die last Assam lAessenger for this the dry season, congregation after year, due to the fact that the congregation acted as host for a Fairbrothers are going for their rally. Each had its particular second furlou^. 1 do feel that on features of interest, and at each the verge of this preparation of we enjoyed a similar feeling of joy going back to the States, the work in Christian fellowship. for the Lord is progressing and Ihe closing rally of the season doors are opening in so many was held at Ik^wlai, April 27-29th. places, ever-so-much. When they Since Mawlai is more or less have left here, the people will feel centrally located, it has the best the emptiness of their absence and representative attendance; and being the church activities and fellowship the largest congregation, it is able and the visiting in the villages, etc.,
to entertain more visitors. Chris
will feel the lack. Hiis reveals to

tians came r<Hn 22 congregations us that their presence in the next throughout the hills to take part in term of service is very essential
a medical man, find that as the church membership increases, so my work increases. These days, after die rainy season has started, many have diarrhea and odier seasonal complaints, plus the groaned, "We've served a hundred epidemic of measles in Shillong. cups of tea today!* Besides my regular preaching At these tea-sipping visits and regular work for the local between sessions, church problems church, I am assisting some of the are discussed, questions regarding Tibetan-refugee patients to receive the Scriptures are considered, and proper care. Anyway, all I can say plans for the future are made. These is that I am keeping busy all die plans include arrangements for time, with your support and prayers. visits to die other congregations 1 hope that I can "continue stead

Mawlai, it is a particularly busy time of welcoming callers and serving tea between sessions. On Sunday evening, Kesang, a Tibetan boy who helps me with the cooking,

the services held over die week end. for His work. For diose of us who live in I, being

by the missionaries. And, of course, fast" in His service. Thank you there is great interest indie coming once again for your cooperation. furlough. Yours in Christ, "When are you leaving?" "How Phillip Ho long will you be gone?** *Why go at all?" One woman seriously suggested
that we become citizens of India

and
forth!

stop this running back and

have been supporting and praying I explained that even as we for this work, and enabling us to enjoy this fellowship here with carry on out here. Indeed, we are one another in Christ, we need to looking forward with joy to our go back and renew our fellowship fellowship with you. Marguerite Fairbrotber with the churches at home who

WORK IN KHASI

Even though we are quite concerned about the progress of

Church of Christ asked me to help

the India Bible Institute, we still do continue to work among the Khasi people in their language. that the Lord will bless those This will always be a part of our efforts to His glory. There were desire, as long as we can be in some who were definitely interested India. We feel this close tie with in hearing what was said on this the Khasi brethren because we day and hoped that they would soon came at the time when they were be able to hear again. looking for a missionary and after The 13th of May, I will travel to they had written to the USA asking Kanshi for a meeting with the for someone to come and work with brethren in *Tieh Nongbah. These them. good folks have been asking me to In the early months of the year, come there for a meeting with them before the rains threatened us, we and it is just now that I have been took the whole family out to visit able to make arrangements to be the churches of Christ here in the with them in worship at this time. On the 19th and 20th of May, Khasi Hills. We did not get to visit all of them, but did fellowship with David Rees and I will make the the greater part of them. It was a trip to Jirang for a week end of preaching. These folks have been wonderful time of fellowship. asking for us to come and preach In the month of April the Mawlai there. David and I did go there in
the month of March for one week

Last Sunday I went out to Nongkrem where one of the students is interested in getting a church started. At this meeting, we did meet some opposition in many forms. However, we still believe

April, preaching each Lord's Day until the last Lord's Day of the month. These April meetings were climaxed by a week of cottage meetings before the preaching rally
on the 29th of the month.
PREPARED AND MAILED BY

end. The people in this area are confronted them. I did stay with really concerned about the Word of them throughout the whole month of God and desire to follow it aright.
We trust that the Lord will use

them with some difficulties which

what effort we put forth to His glory, as we do the above mentioned things, as well as teaching in the Bible Training School for the Khasi.
Archie Fairbrother

MISSION
ox 9M

SERVICES
JOLIET, ILLINOIS

^0^

509 W. JEFFEISON

Return Postage Guaranteed, Box 968, Joliet, Illinois.

The CHRISTIAN MISSION, VOL. VI, NO. 8, August, 1962

Page 5

Assam India Mission Churches of Christ - Fairbrother

The Assam India Mission was started, as

such, in the year 1951, after preliminary con tacts by Ben Schiller and essential ground work done by the Edgar Nichols family. When we, the Fairbrothers, arrived in Shillong in 1951, it was decided to give a name to the work by which it
could be known. It has been known as the Assam India Mission since that time.

A gradual change over until the Institute is fully supported and run by the Indian Brethren.
For Assam India Mission:

To lead more churches in the effort to be self

supporting with a preacher for each congregation. To get more young men trained for preaching
the Word of God.

Mr, and Mrs. Edgar Nichols had to leave India in the spring of 1953. Three months later David
H. Rees arrived to help in the work of the mis

To inspire the brethren to send missionaries

to other parts of India.

To help other tribes in their search for the

truth as it Is revealed In God's Word.
NEEDS

sion, and was joined, in another three months, by his wife, J. Lois Rees, and their three chil dren. This has been the missionary staff of the Assam Indian Mission since its beginning.
HOW THE BIBLE HELPS

The Assam India Mission, along with other missions of the Churches of Christ In India, has felt the need of a Bible Training school to train

Perhaps the most significant thing about the work here is that it was started through the read ing of the Bible, without any foreign missionary todirect the thoughts of the Christians. This has been one of the most binding sources in leading the people to a fuller and richer life with the Ma ster. Watchingthis growthin spirit has been both agonizing to us, the missionaries, as well as a great joy, as the case may present itself. One example of the binding force of the Bible can be cited from the very recent turn of events here. There was a feeling among some of the churches here that an organization was needed. They felt that they needed someone as a "captain"
todirect the work of all the churches. For this,

young men for the ministry of the Lord. The Fairbrothers are acting in the capacity of lead
ers in this school, the India Bible Institute. The
need at the moment is that the India Bible Insti

tute have a suitable place of its own to claim as a campus. This can be divided into three phases: $4000 for purchase of ground. $8000 for building dormitories for girls, boys and married couples, plus classroom, chapel, and library space.

$7000 for building home for principal, con taining office space for the Institute.
Assam India Mission needs:

Ten dollars per month as scholarship for

each student studying in the Bible Training School

(Kasi medium of teaching). $100 per month for expense of Christian Day
School in Mawlai.

an organization was needed. A meetingwas cal led to create just such an organization. The mis sionaries were not going to do anjdhingto disrupt
the will of the people. In the course of the meet

ing, the missionary was asked "to give advice".

This missionary merely directed the brethren to consider Galatians 5:1, "For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not en

Funds for printing of literature such as pam phlets and books for teaching.
PLEASE PRAY WITH US FOR THE WORK

ASSAM INDIA MISSION CHURCHES OF CHRIST

tangled again in a yoke of bondage." He then encouraged them to consider this in their deli
berations. The thought of bondage, in compari son to freedom, tipped the scales and further consideration on this problem was useless. Free dom from the bondage of such an organization as they had in mind was the most valuable. When traveling out In the villages, the people are amazed that answers to their questions are

Mawlai, Shillong Assam, India Forwarding agent: Mrs. Lucy Rasmussen

Route 2, Box 44 Gillett, Wisconsin

sought fromtheBible and not from abook of dis cipline nor from a constitution or by-law. This is Impressive enough to make people stop and
think twice about New Testament Christianity.

Many have been impressed enough to give up the

ties of man made laws and confessions, to seek

service in the Lord with only the Bible as the rule

of faith and action. GOALS For India Bible Institute;

To train students from among all the churches

of Christ in India.

To encourage the Indian brethren to take a more active part both financially as well as in
personnel.

India Bible Institute Building a remodeled barn!

The CHRISTIAN MISSION, VOL. VI, NO. 8, August. 1962

Page 6

Assam India Mission Churches of Christ - Rees

David and Lois Rees have recently completed 15 years of missionary service in China, Burma and India. Of these 15 years Mrs. Rees writes:

far, one was a Unitarian. Pray for these prea cher boys! Some older men, through jealousy, have gone from church to church, or called the
leaders to cometoMawlaifor conference, to pre

"Among the more unusual things which have hap pened we lost all we had gathered; fled from communists;! lost my health and regained it;the children had severe rickets from improper food in Burma; we have walked and are still walking many hundreds of miles; helped train preachers in three countries (different languages, too); re moved bullets and sticks from injured people; stitched up a native's cow; faced and argued with witchcraft doctors over the prone and unconscious body of a Christian woman; lost our way on a snow covered mountain; stayed in no man's land over Sunday to worshipwhile fleeing communists; once taught a two-weeks school without books because the people had no written languages; and have driven madly over the States and Canada to make
appointments." She continues: "These 15 eventful years have

vent them from accepting the ministry of these boys. It was a shock and a bitter pill to the boys who have never met jealousy at work, but they did not fight back, but only listened in amazement and then preached Christ. Where they have been allowed to stay for a few days, the people auto matically love them and see for themselves that

theboysdon'tcometodestroybut tobuild. Wher ever they have gone, they have been asked back. This program is costing us about $30 a week. The boys are carrying on alone now, o:ily with advice, prayer, and week-end help in rallys. This they could not do last year, so we feel propress is greater. We have three students who are our responsi

bility for the first year in the College level Bible

school in English here in Shillong. This is now
called India Bible Institute. This will cost us an

all too quickly slipped into eternity leaving re grets at our inability to answer the many, many

calls given us to go here and there to preach and

tell of the Lord and His great love and forgiveness for all. I'm only sorry that there are not two of
me so I cando twice as much! How luckywe are to have met and fellowshiped with the kingdom of
heaven in 12 countries and islands! How God has

blessed us.

Truly I consider myself one of the

most fortunate of God's children. We desire that

other $50 a month. Our own children will require up to $1,400 this year in education and transpor tation. If only we had a teacher for high school! This wouJ.d save us that money and the teacher could do mission work, too. There are never enough workers ready to sacrifice for Christ! Together we go forward, alone we stagnate whether you there, or we here. God ordained there should be goers and senders and one is no
more important than the other. One needs no more consecration to duty than the other. We

the rest of our life will be utilized by Him to the very last day as He sees fit!" Recently Mrs. Rees writes of the work. "Our boys. Warren and Emrys, recently have had to carry some pretty heavy responsibility. They have walked many, many miles to carry mes sages and even helped carry loads to church. Warren went alone one day to a church where Khasi would never dare to go alone. He rode his bike on a road bikes don't usually travel, and made the trip faster than we could by the Jeep. He delivered the message before church was out sajdng we could come for the evening if it was not raining. On that same evening he stayed alone
for three hours after dark to watch the car. The

must be willing to sacrifice the joy of our chil

dren with us in order to educate them for the fu

ture, and you must be willing to do with a little

less comfort or necessity that the church may grow into the eternal glory God wants it to be."

ASSAM INDIA MISSION CHURCHES OF CHRIST

David and Mrs. J. Lois Rees

Mawlai, Shillong
Assam, India

place: "Dwar Ksuid" or "Throne of the Demons" ! The Gospel teams are all out now and it is so nice to hear the reports though they are not yet all in. There are people won in four villages so

Forwarding Agent: Mrs. Roy Horton

1837 Salina

Wichita 3, Kansas

TH

Mr. and Mrs. Archie Fairbrother

Christian Missionaries associated with David H. and J. Lois Rees

ASSAM INDIA MISSION CHURCHES OF CHRIST

Mawial, Shillong, Assam, India

DECEMBER 1962

The Fairbrother family with their home in the background. Taken July 15, 1962, just before furlough. Left to right: Jewel holding Jeanie, Marilois, Marquerite in Khasi dress, Archie.
Front row: Ellen, Kenneth, Charles.

Reason's dreeltngg
// yoa have a Christmas candle. Let it shine jor Christ your Savior, If you have a Christmas carol.
Let it make the echoes ring: For this dark world needs the shining. Singing hope of His returning.

Light your candle, sing your carol For the coming of the King.
Lois Nichols Bare

Our prayer is that this season will be a most happy and

blessed one and that the New Year will bring you much happiness.

FURLOUGH PROBLEMS

INCE OUR return on furlough of having very little in the way of

^3 froni our labors for the Lord in clothes. All ei^t of us had our im
1962, we have made the adjustments
necessary for thechange of life and Assam, India on August 14, mediate needs which had to be ful
filled to make a start in this new environment. When we return to India some of our children will have to

have entered into the task of report

ing to our supporters. It is a won derful experience to renew old

friendships and to make new ones.

We thank God for these wonderful

have enough clothing for boarding school. The list of clothing given by the school is quite long. This
expense has to be met.

people who support the work we do

in His kingdom. When we think of your support, we think of it as coming in the spiritual as well as

Funds are needed immediately

for supplies to take back to India with us. If purchase of supplies is
made too close to the time of our arrival in India, there will be extra

the physical things of life. Certain expenses have had to be met during these months since

duty to pay. Your help is needed so

August in clothing after five years

that we can proceed to have things

ready for sailing in the fall of 1963.

TROUBLED BORDER

WE, ALONG with many of our

friends, have been concerned

about the trouble brewing be

tween India and China. It is some thing to be concerned about and to

make a matter of prayer. Have we

been concerned enough in the past?

Will we be concerned now, in the
time of trouble, as well as in the
future?

Since Assam is in the northeast

part of India, you can understand when we say that our work is in the
general area of trouble. The last

drive of the Chinese brought them to within about200 miles of Shillong.

We had many friends who lived in that area of fighting. Your guess is as good as ours Our Jeep, taken out with us in 1951.

when it comes to what is going to

happen in the future. We must be

they could use it in carrying sup plies to the army. The last report
is that the jeep is now back at the mission. This jeep is old and needs many repairs, but still it was con sidered necessary to help in the conflict against the enemy invading
India.

prepared for any eventuality. The Lord is still the power to be reck
oned with in the world.

The government of India took over out jeep for a while so that

PHILLIP HO ^ journey across Tibet into India

W N 1950 Phillip Ho made the would be certain death and India
will not allow him to become a citi

to help one of our missionaries (Ellis Back and family) escape from the Communists. He was a very great help to the Backs on that hazardous trip. Since that time he has been in Shiliong preaching and helping to dispense medicine. He has been a very great help to all
the missionaries who have ever

zen. He has tried to get to the United States as a refugee, but was not able to fit into any of the necessary categories. He has tried to come to the States as a student; but because he has no passport, he has not been able to get here. He wonders what is going to happen to
him. Now that the Chinese are so close to where he is the situation
seems worse.

been to Shiliong. The list of those who know of his help would be like this: Edgar and Mabel Nichols, Archie and Marquerite Fairbrother, David and Lois Rees, Tom and Leota Rash, Art and Ruth Morris.
There are others who will vouch for

We have been told that the only

his deep concern for the onward

march of Christianity. Those out side of India who have been helped

way Phillip can get away from the danger area and into the United States, where he can become a citi zen, is to have a special law passed for his entrance. If you want to help
Phillip, you can write to your sena tor and see if he will help to make a

by Phillip include LaVeme Morse, Mrs. Isabel Dittemore and Gladys

Schwake.

law for the immigration of Phillip

Jay Ho (Chinese name: Hodupao).

Phillip is a Tibetan-his father being
half Chinese. He will be 35 next

Phillip is truly a man without a country, since to go back to China

February. Please write to us if you want any further help in this matter.

A group gathered to bid farewell as the Fairbrothers left Shiliong on furlough. Left to right: Back row: Lois Rees, Dorje (Tibetan refugee), Archie, Waogdu (a Tibetan refugee to whom Archie gave a pint of blood).
Second row: Bnasan (Khasi), Ayoa (Naga), Dechen (Tibetan refugee), Marquerite, Marilois. Front row: Ellen, Kpa Moon, Ken, Charles.

FUNDS FOR THE TRIP HOME

NEEDS
for the Wark la Atieai

Ib association with D. H. Reee and J. Loia Reea

Tavel back to lodia $3,500.00

Vehicte in [ndia (Jeep Station Wagoa) Total $1,256.80

14,000.00

From SftviDBS (ieptilatieQ}

Gisad Total ExpmditiM09: Bus fare fraa SbJUoAS (o Oauhati
Air fare from Gauhati to Calcutta

<1,311.65
S2.56B.45

SchoUrship for Bible Traiolng School SIO.OO each per awnth Extra SeboeUa^ expeose Coteach Kiasioaaiy child sent away froa home S30000per year
(We will have three aent away loi adiooliofi) Prayer for the Vork Number of churches of Christ (ChristiaA) in Khasis Hilla: 20 congiegaCioaa 5 preaching points more 10 in Bible Trainiog School (in Khasi language)
far Iftdja Bikle Initltute
lo asaociatloo with all other BissioaaTiea of tbe

13.91
96.63

Train fare froia Calcutta to Bombay Air face (rom Bombay to Rcae
Rail face from Venice to London

170.50 1,690.11
168.72

Steamer iare fcon Soulhanpton to Nov Yodc Rail fare from London to Southamptoo {Part) . . . . . . . . . . .

1,453.04 25.00

Rail face fcom New Yoric lo Zioa. Ui

Total

^^^^96
tt,840.87

Churches of Christ (ChciBtiaa) in India

Funds for property

$8,000.00

Funds for Prefiessors Scholarships (per student)

Books for tbe Library

S50.00 (far noalh S15.00 per month

The travel food was Sl.272.42 leaa thao it loolc to pay for ifae trip. Ve had to borrow to make tliat aaiounl. Please help ua aake (hat up in the

very oeat fatoie. Thank yon.

Large Webster Dictionary Pnyer for tbe bstitiite

FORWARDING ADDRESS Mrs. L. Rasmussen

Route 2, Box 44 Gillette, Wisconsin

PREPARED AND MAILED BY

MISSION
ox 9t e

SERVICES
O JOLIIT. n.LINOtS

509 W. JEFFUSON

Return Requested