Volume 15

January, 1975

Number 1

ADVENTURE IN FAITH AND SERVICE

By Stephen Plettner, M. D.
Pakutanga Izwi raivako, Izwi raiva kuna Mwari, Izwi raiva Mwari.
Johane 1:1

Where do I begin-how do I tell the story? Can the feelings of fulfillment

from service to God be adequately ex

the generator was working), plumbing,

and running water ( c\'en hot running
water if die wood fire in tiie outsideheater

get the hospital ambulance for his brother who had been bitten by a poisonous nyoka (snake). Vision,
our driver, was detained at his home, but soon he came, and we

pressed with mere words? Our Lord used

Hebrew and Greek, two languages lar

more precise and expressive than Eng lish, to convey His words. I only hope
die account of this adventure of love will

was kept aflame.) Yes, all the comforts of home, except noise, hussle-bussle, pol lution, and neon lights. My dwelling

gathered the necessary equipment

and medicine into the Landrover-

be to His glory. The setting of this tale is in the bushland of southeast Africa Rhodesia.

the country,

Another location would have

place was a quaint round guest house with a grass thatched roof. Of course the mission school and hospital were the cen ters of activity. Howe\'er, an insightful glance showed the true essence of Chidamoyo-the Ammernians, the Harrisons,
the Erasures, Ola Marion, Cathy Grogg, and Katliy McCarty-people who loved
the Lord.

and were off. We hurriedly travel

ed down the worn dirt road for

what seemed to be a long time, slowing for ruts in the road and streams that crossed it. Finally
we turned off the earthen road onto

altered the plot little. In the heart of the Urungwe Tribal Trusdand, a northern sector of the country, lay Chidamoyo Christian Mission sixty miles from
Karoi, the nearest town. Even the name

of this place Is prophetic of my work there for chidamoyo in the Shona langu age means "desire of the heart." This
mission station differed little from others

in this part of Africa. The buildings were of red brick and tin-topped. The homes were comfortable with electricity (when

The hospital and African medicine had been my prime ambitions. It was an excellent hospital by Rhodesian stan dards, and I soon learned of enjoy caring for the health needs of these peaceful, poorly educated, yet in their own way, sophisticated, African people. I became involved with all aspans of the hospital, assuming more respon.sibility as I be

a small one-lane strip and then off that to a footpath down which we had to be guided because of the
hidden boulders and tree stumps. When we arrived at the village

the people were gathered around

the fire.

women)were wailing softly. There

phere.
hour after the snakebite-alas

The vadzimbuya (old

was an air of death in the atmos

The man had died one

He died without
be

came acquainted with tropical medicine.

Yet I was aware that my purpose so far away from home needed to include caring for the needs of the spirit as well as the needs of the body. One wonders why this also would not be the purpose of a Christian physician anywhere. I remember an episode that made this duo
need real to me.

he was dead even before we had left Christ. Tomorrow he would

Chidamoyo.

put into the ground. His brothers

and friends would speak many words over his grave; then they
would all feast, for the ancestral

spirit Ntidzimu would be satisfied. I also remember Chief Mujenga who

came with his liver disease and left with

' \

20 February, 1973- As I sat readying my post for tomorrow's lorry, a black man scurried to the door and began speaking to me excitedly in Shona. Wlien I re sponded in Chirungu (English),
he left, returned the next moment

with a young man who could

Stephen Plettner, MD.
translate. The man had come to

Christ. There were always exciting ex periences-resuscitating newborn infants, successfully treating a small child with cerebral malaria or typhoid. However, there was more Joy in my heart when one spiritual life was saved than when {Continued on page 2)

ADVENTURE IN FAITH AND SERVICE

(Continuedfrom page 1)
my talents were used to heal physical
lives.

CHISARAI
By Marietta Smith
We (the Jerry Smith family) bid fare
well, for an unknown season, to a coun

It is an understatement to say my
expectations of this adventure were met. Chidamoyo proved to be much more than I had hoped for. Nfy heart was filled with peace and love, while I grew personally in many unmeasurable ways. An experience such as this would give strengtn and courage to any Christian
who is sincere about his commitment to
the Lord.
Peace-

try we've grown to love so well. As we look back over the past eleven or twelve years we see many timesof sorrow and anxiety, but these are overshadowed by times of joy and love. As a family, we have had a wide variety of experiences, having lived in the bush country (Mashoko),the capital city (Salisbury), and now the low veld (Chiredzi). ( Thank you Lord, for giving us these wonderful times!)
We bid farewell to the African brothers and sisters in Christ to whom we

permanant household "fixtures" in the Smith family. It is with regret that we feel the need
to return to our homeland, but at this

critical time during our children's educa

tion we feel we have no other choice. With humble hearts we thank the

many churches that so faithfully sup ported us during our service in Rhodesia. It is often said that once you have lived in Africa you are never satisfied living anywhere else, and you feel the constant yearning to return. Please keep our family in your prayers as we are making the adjustment to relocate in
America during 1975.

The absence of war?

But where-

have grown so close; to the missionaries who took the place of our own brothers and sisters; and to the Europeans who
filled the vacancies of aunts, uncles and

For now, farewell to beautiful Rho

Wlthin man's own soul!

cousins so far away in America. Farewell to our pets that had become

desia and her peoples and thank you Lord and Christian friends for giving us the opportunity to serve Christ there.

The peace man finds in man

Or with man-

Is a grain of sand
In the ocean of life.

Ah, that found in Baba Ishe

Passes the ability to understand

Shalom.

JUST FOR YOU

By Raymah R. Grovar
There's a job waiting for you.
It requires your physical body eleven hours of most days; your mind, that many hours; plus a goodly portion of
the remainin

the vehicle bumps up and down over the washboard ridges of the cement-baked sand, you gain distance and you lose
time.

your body, you sit in a chair before your

African house and watch the moon rise

till it seems to rest upon the mountain be

thirteen and your heart-

fore you, a dog barks, the drums begin

an uneasy beat, a woman calls, the

No breakfast, piece-meal lunch-din

ner has to - has to what?

the heart a full 24-hour measure each time the sun makes its

it requires of

You find that meal can wait too, for

round of the sky. You won't be able to stay near the

comforts of home with mother and dad;

outside your door is someone who has to be taken to the nearest hospital for med
ical assistance, and there's no one but

you will need to travel to a place where the land meets the distant sky in an em brace you seek to touch, but the closer you come to it, the farther it recedes. You may plan to eat your breakfast at seven in the morning but more likely
than not the bacon won't touch the skillet

and the e^s will not be cracked until

after you nave coaxed the water pump into action, cajoled an "injured "workman into forgetting his pride and ferreted out the reasons native drums were being

you to make the trip. Home again, shadows claiming the far corners of the yard around the place you call home as you sit down to eat too tired really to care what it is that you are chewing. Ready to quit, you ask yourself; time to shuck it out the door and go home - those miles back to where you came from, back to where pumps work, or else you call the store
for a new one; to where if the workers

nightbirds rusde wings past you and alight in the meadow just across the fence of your yard. You begin to think,"There's plenty of water now for the school boys; Maushe will sleep well tonight: I helped him to save his pride with the other workmen; the Landy has served us well - it'll give
us quite a few more miles; and the wo

man I took to the hospital - she was in much pain. Doctor will ease that-she's
resting now."

Suddenly you know-this is where

God wants you, you're doing what He

wants you to do. You are an extension

pounded throughout
hours.

the dark night

Lunch will be welcomed, that is, if

the Landrover doesn't break down with

the meat for the school kitchen waiting to be picked up at the Township, 20 miles away-make that 25, because by the time
Page 2

feel put upon, you can tell them to go and someone else will take their place. Go back to the place drums are play ed in music halls and on concert stages, girls wear flowing, gossamer gowns and you have a cold "Coke" on the TV table before you. You dream of this and more.
You dream until the tiredness leaves

of His hands. His feet-you belong. This is thejob waiting for you.
You are needed at Dewure Mssion

Secondary School, Gutu, Rhodesia.

(Following positions open:

evangelist,

maintenance man, mathematics teacher,

science teacher, builder, secretary-book keeper. )

Central Africa Story

TRUE RELIGION: CARE FOR THE ORPHANS

By Dwain C. Illman, M. D.
It was after supper on a Saturday night when I first got the call. One of our students was calling from Chief Mabika's home. child. His cousin had died sud for

the villages. Her mother brought her in the next day. For several days we cared for the premature infant and watched her

grow. Suddenly, at 6AM one morning

le mother literally rolled over and died!

nursing students speak of their room as the "orphan's house." James tells us that "true religion, undefiled before God, is to visit the widows

denly at home and left a five-week-old

Would we take care of him

awhile? No one in the village was able to nurse him; feeding with a bottle was
unknown and strange. I never hesitated in accepting the child but getting him was another problem. The mission was tem porarily out of fuel. After a couple of
calls that was solved and the child was

This we ne\'er diagnosed exactly, but it was probably due to a relatively uncom mon after-birth complication. The hus
band had no one to turn to but those of

and orphans." It seems a logical extention of "visit" to include care. These

us at the Christian Hospital for help. Now we have Suni and Sissy (real

name is Chisiiwa) to nurse through in

fancy. They both are living together in a private room. Although they are of almost identical ages, Sissy was a pre mature baby and is much smaller (six pounds versus eleven pounds). The

soon brought to (he hospital for care. Sunungurai (or Suni) was not our first orphan. Two weeks previously a four-pound baby girl was born out in

small ones would probably not live were they not receiving care at the hospital. Our "babies" will only be with us for a few months and then will go back to a relative for furdier help. In this time we will play with them, have them up to our homes, and love them. If child psycho logists are right on their theory that the first few months do much to shape a person's life, these two should have a
firm foundation in Christian love.

Th# Cmtral Alrico Story

published monihly for (he
Central Africa Mission Churches of Christ

by Mission Services Press

Box 177, Kempcon, Indiana 46049 Edited by Dick Smith

lit#

T reasorer
Dr. Robert Walker Box 126

Ellettsviile, IN 47429

Chairman Board of Directors

USA

Sylvia Ross with Suni and Sissy.

Mr. Marshall Hayden

Box E

Catlin, IL 61817

PRAYER TIME
The saints in prayer appear as one
in words and deed and mind,
Where with the Father and the Son

Chairman of the Board of Directors Rhodesia

Mr. Dale Marshall Box 207

4. Remember all those who haverecently returned to the USA for furlough: tlie

Sinoia, Rhodesia

Sweet fellowship they find, James Montgomery 1. Pray for the Ammerman family as they readjust to their life without Gay; hold them up for God's special blessings. 2. Pray for the Leadership Training Pro gram at Central Africa Christian College; especially remember Job Juma and Tongai Mashoko as they lead in this. 3. Pray for the Grubbs family as they
return to Mtishoko for their new term of

Rosses, Stolls, Mrs. Bliffen, Mary Bliffen, tlie Jerry Smiths. 5. Remember the plea for workers at
Dewure and Chidamoyo: nurses,

teachers, preachers; almost anyone with

the will to serve God.

6.

Begin to pray for the crusades that

The Central Africa Story published monthly for the Central Africa Mission, Churches of Christ by Mission Services
Association at Box 177, Kempton,

will take place in August, 1975, as many

preachers go to Rhodesia for this two

week working-preaching tour. 7. Continue to pray for Greg Van Dyke as he enters a new program to help his
memory.

Indiana. Second Class Postage paid at Kempton, Indiona 46049.

Volume 15

Jan., 1975

Number 1
Page 3

January, 1975

leftjoplin, Missouri December 13, 1974, to await her heavenly reward.

Let me walk swiftly across this last valley. Shouldfootsteps be laggard andfearful and slow, Vlhich carry me finally into His presence, Who loves me, and knows all the waythat 1 go? Let me walk joyfully through this last valley, Knowing there waits at the end ofthe road

Thatblest One who sought me, and lifted me, bought me.
My precious Redeemer, the dear Son of God!
Martha S. Nicholson

May we extend our sympathyto the Ammerman and Goodman families in Gay's passing, but she has been released from the pain and suffering for a better life where there are no tears nor pain.

7l

Dan Burris uses plane to carry patient to hospital.

POSTMASTER:

EORM 3579 REQUESTED

BOX 177, KEMPTON, IN

46049

Watson Mabona, Evangelist

SALISBURY

HERALD
*
Field Address:
P. O. Box 3950
P. O. Box 825

Fot%^'arding Address;

Mr. & Mrs. Walter L. Spratt

Carl Junction, Missouri 6483^

Salisbury, Rhodesia
Bruce and Karolyn Ammernaan

FROM SALISBURY, RHODESIA

JUNE -1975

Dear Friends in Christ,

As I told you in the last newsletter, we would be greeting you from Rhodesia in June, the Lord willing. It is always a bit amazing to me that in just a few days'

time, we can go so far away and be in the middle of a completely different

world.

I suppose if there were no air travel or comfortable Jumbos, biit insteadwe would sail on slow-moving freighters, as the early missionary pioneers did, we couldfully appreciate the impact of such a move. The last few days in America were most pleasant and yet confusing. We travel led from Indiana to St. Louis, where we had planned to begin our flight. We had good fellowship with my parents, my brother and family (the Bob Ammermans),

Karolyn's folks, and her brother and his family (the John Goodmans). Those were rich experiences, sharing many special things with these special people. The hectic
part came when the news on Sunday, June 1st, carried a bulletin about unrest in

Salisbury, Rhodesia. This was really coming at the 11th hour. We wanted to use the best judgment about continuing with our plans. There was a lot of soul-search ing, praying, family conferences, etc. duringthat night. We were all relieved when Mr. Goodman put through a call to his other daughter, Mrs. Jim Taylor, who
is in Sinoia, Rhodesia. She assured him that the news reports were exaggerated,

and thing^s were quite calm.

Frora-that time there^was no turning back. We weighed suitcases, took out

more items, packed again, and finally were ready to head for the airport. It was difficult as usual to say goodbyes to loved ones, maybe even a bit harderthis time. Some might think that we feel no responsibility towards our families, or we couldn't go off so far away. But this is not true. We feel the responsibility very heavily. With the feeling of several responsibilities, we are often quite heavily weighed down at such times. But we commit not only ourselves, but our loved ones to God's
care, and trust Him to care for us all.
either on this earth, or in Heaven.

If it is His will, we shall all meet again,

Our flight took us from St. Louis to New York, where we changed into a 1^1 Jumbo, for the transatlSntt<rflightrio Lopdon.. We had planned to take a short tour
of London, as we had about 9 hours to wait for our next flight. But the wind was blowing so strongly and it was really cold. Besides that we were quite tired, so we took the hotel room which was provided for us and went to bed. It really was a

blessing and we could freshen up for the longest stretch, from^Lond^to Salisbury. We left London Tuesday evening, the 3rd_pf June, making one stop xhXiosT^lmos, Canary islandTs, arriving in Salisbury about 9:3^Wednesday morning. Strangely
enough, the plane was an hour ahead of schedule and no one was here to meet us.
Soon after we cleared all of the formalities, the Tavlors.^and a few others arrived.

The air was bright and fresh, though cool, and instantly we felt the joy of retvirning
to Rhodesia.

The closer we gojt.Jto~Salisbury^ the rnore deep in thought we became.

There

were so many private thoughts in our hearts, and so many memories of'former flights and family experiences. I felt myself becoming really nostalgic. I was listening to stereo music on the plane, and a song was played which caused me to

sit up and take notice. The, title w^^"I'ye Never Had It So Good". As I pondered on that thought, I could only agree. True,^ the~past yearlEiaa Bee'h heavy and some
thing that I wouldn't want to wish on anyone. And yet when we start to count our blessings, our staunch friends, our own good health, our opportunities for service, our confidence which we have in Christ, and on and on, we really are highly favored.

A further thought came to me in that last thirty minutes before touching down-How could I be so involved with two such different countries and their problems, two such different societies, and yet not really be connected to any earthly country at all? And yet, we have only travelled out of America to the West Indies and to Africa. Think of those who have travelled all over the world, spending time in many different areas, becoming acquainted with so many different people. For certain, such experiences convince us that we rqally don't,belong to any earthly _^ation. The life which we have here on this earth is so temporary. Our citizen ship is in Heaven, and we would all do well to prepare for that home.

In a way, each day here in Rhodesia has been a bit painful. As we have passed by old meeting places, our former home, seen friends, and done many things, so many vivid pictures flash before our eyes. In some ways. Gay has seemed very
near to us. People here have been very understanding. Fach African friend whom

we meet expresses his deep sorrow over Gay's death. We are being blessed
strengthened just by being here in this land.

and

I have rambled on, and haven't told you how we are hoping to begin our work. In the next letter, I hope to have news of progress with regards to the Bible correspondence courses, and the church building. Pray for us and for Rhodesia. Thank you all for your faithful support and genuine love.
Yours in His Service,

Bruce and Karolyn

(contributors continued from page 4)

First Christian Church, Lamar, Missouri Christian Church, New Liston, Indiana

Josephine Myers, Carthage, Missouri Christian Church, Centerville, Indiana Church of Christ, Rushville, Indiana Heights Christian Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico Community Christian Church, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Mrs. Sam Whiteman, Drexel, Missouri

First Christian Church, Mableton, Georgia

Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Owens, Cincinnati, Ohio Carl Sourbeer, Pompano Beach, Florida Mr. & Mrs. Robert Ammerman, Florissant, Missouri Christian Church, Garnett, Kansas Master's Messengers, Florissant, Missouri (Thanks to those individuals Mr. & Mrs. Walter Goodman, Webb City, Missouri who have given through Mr. & Mrs. Tom Morris, Dewey, Oklahoma their local congregation. ) Willis St. Church of Christ, Prescott, Arizona Mr. & Mrs. Wattenbarger, Lamar, Missouri

Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Moss, Warrensburg, Missouri

Clifford Smith, Belmont, Ohio

Westside Christian Church, Berryville, Arkansas First Christian Church, Elgin, Illinois Mt. & Mrs. Robert Seath, Moberly, Missouri
Receipts; April receipts April 1 balance
Accumulate Interest

$3198.96
346. 69 169. 40 $3715.05

May 1,1975 balance receipts

$ 179.41
4131.82

$4311.23

Expenses: Salary Housing

Travel

$ 660.00
100. 00

Expenses: M imeo Paper Postage

Travel

25.22
27. 33 257. 31

Ins. Prem.
Books for Rhodesia
Memorial Fund

632.39 96. 45
30. 00

Ins. Prem.
Pictures

14. 10
33.00

G. N. Church Bldg. Fd.

Inte re st
CAM

279.00 568. 40

Salary
Memorial Fund
CAM

660.00
224.00 2800.00

169.40
1000.00

$4040.96

$3535.64
Balances:
Balances:

Receipts Expenses

$3715. 05
3535.64

Receipts Expenses

$4311.23
4040.96

179.41

270.27

(SdDHS S ]LWS1D) TTfflffi

wffiiLiii>,

ms osaiwib: mis

]i9iuir mmGoinrmm s o m . . "

Please "end changes of address to: Falrview Christian Church

125 E. Fairview

2nd class postage paid at Carthage, Missouri. Published bimonthly by the

First Christian Church, Main & Chest-

Carthage, Missouri 64836

nut, Carthage, Missouri 64836

1975

FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE AMMERMANS FOR APRIL AND MAY

Mr. & Mrs. Roy "Weece, Columbia, Missouri

Ambassadors-Christian Church, Lamar, Missouri

Union Avenue Christian Church, Moberly, Missouri Mr. & Mrs. W. A. Rice, Bloomington, Indiana Mr. & Mrs. Ezra Tharp, Tampa, Florida
Christian Church, Elletsville, Indiana

Mr. & Mrs. Barney Eagon, Lamar, Missouri

First Church of Christ, Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin Westside Church of Christ, Hamilton, Ohio Mrs. Sam Whiteman, Drexel, Missouri

First Church of Christ, Highland, Indiana Fairview Christian Church, Carthage, Missouri Mr. & Mrs. V. C. Ammerman, Cambridge City, Indiana
Willis Case, Marshfield, Missouri Christian Church, Callao, Missouri
Lawrence Hfts. Women, Lawrence, Kansas

Marilyn Wood, El Paso, Texas

Christian Church, Sebastopol, California Christian Church, Conway, Missouri Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Kahre, Lockwood, Missouri Mr. & Mrs. F. J. King, Gilbert, Arkansas Women, Christian Church, Cherryvale, Kansas
Friends, Marshfield, Missouri Mr. & Mrs. Bill Schroder, Marshfield, Missouri Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Graves, Marshfield, Missouri First Christian Church, Dalhart, Texas Christian Church, Centerville, Indiana Mr. & Mrs. H. Ruetter, Marshfield, Missouri

Jacksonbury Christian Church, Cambridge City, Indiana Westridge Christian Church, Raytown, Missouri First Christian Church, Oregon, Missouri
Christian Church, Nortonville, Kansas Mrs. M. A. Montgomery, Sulphur, Oklahoma Town & Country Christian Women, Bartlesville, Oklahoma Mrs. fohn Hallowell, Jr. & Family, Carthage, Missouri Mr. & Mrs. Gene Underwood, Strafford, Missouri Chriftian Church, Cambridge City, Indiana
Willis St. Church of Christ, Prescott, Arizona

Mr. & Mrs. Dale Sponsler, Marshfield, Missouri

Crestwood Christian Church, St. Louis, Missouri Christian Church, Atlanta, Missouri

Mr. & Mrs. John Goodman, Joplin, Missouri Mr. & Mrs. Norman Thompson, Lamar, Missouri Christian Church, Ramsey, Illinois First Christian Church, Carthage, Missouri Mr. & Mrs. Herb Kurtz, Oregon, Missouri
Christian Church, Milford, Missouri

Highland Christian Church, Kennewick, Washington Christian Church, Jasper, Missouri (continued on page 3)

SALISBURY

HERALD
P. O. Box 825

Forwarding Address:

Mr. & Mrs. Walter L. Spratt

Field Address;
P. O. Box 3950

Carl Junction, Missouri 64834

Salisbury, Rhodesia Bruce and Karolyn AmmermHi'

Vol. 11 No. 4

CARTHAGE, MISSOURI

AUGUST -

1975

.Si.
Tod, Amy and three of the Taylor kids
Dear Loved Ones,

"It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and maybe pure and blame less for the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousness which come.through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God" (Phillipians 1:9-11 RSV). How good it is to be able to share with you again at this time. Since we only send a newsletter every other month, it is a bit difficult to know what to tell you or what you would be interested in. Sometimes I think, that after twelve years ofnewsletters, you would not be interested in our regular activities. If I couldjust guess what is in your mind, or what you would like to hear, it would help me so much. As
I walk down the streets of Salisbury, I don't come across any poisonous snakes, or

witchdoctors, as out at Chidamoyo, but it is still interesting to see the clash ofcultures in this urban center. The European ladies walk along, with their big sun hats, chatting about the latest tea party, or the up-and coming garden club show. Right next to them will be an African lady, her head tied with a colorful cloth,usua:iy with

her bag or bundle of goods balanced on her head, her baby tied on her back, and maybe another in her arms. The, African men will be comparing sport's pool rac

ing or football sheets, debating on which horse or team to bet on. Things certainly are different here in town, but still the hearts are the same, and the problems are
the same, only maybe more intensified.

The last month or so has been so very busy. There has been so much activity
going on here in Salisbury, so many people coming and going, so much to plan for and decide about. But this is good. Though we are often tired, this is really best for us. We spent some time in Sinoia with the Jim Taylor family, and then they came into town to stay with us for a few days before they departed for America. I must admit that things were really humming around our house during those days. But after they flew out on Sunday afternoon, the 20th of July, it was unusually quiet
at our house.
them.

Rhodesia really benefited from their 13 months here and we do miss

Zidenhas Cer

It was also a period which saw us welcome-in Ziden and Helen Nutt.

given so much to the work in Africa over the past years. It was through an inquiry
to him back in 1962 that we made our decision to come to Rhodesia to work.

tainly our lives have been greatly altered by our associations with the Nutts throu

gh the years. Their visit to Rhodesia was not to be permanent. They came to make
arrangements for their work, and to dispose of furniture, etc.
will be sorely missed.

Then on the 23rdof

July, they flew out, having completed almost fourteen years of labour here.

They

The cold winter weather has descended upon us. Again it may sound strange to you for us to grumble about being cold. The temperature hasn't gotten much below 30 degrees, and then only on a couple of days. The rest of the time it is in the low 50's. But we have to keep the heaters going in the house in the evenings, and here in the office, my fingers really get stiff and cold. In Glen Norah, where we meet with the church, sometimes it is almost unbearable. Last Sunday it was like a Bli zzard, with no snow. The wind whistled through that open area where we meet.

Everyone was huddled together, covered up with cloths. I thought that anytime I would break and run for the car. But I managed to hold out. It just high-lighted the need for our building in the township. Since last writing, we have submitted
proof to the municipality that we have the required $6, 000 in the bank for the build

ing.

It will actually take about $8, 000, but the previous amount is required before

they will give us a site. However, I was disappointed to learn that it would be up to
two months, while they survey the site and give security clearance for the church,

until we would have the final approval in hand. It has been 6 weeks now, so surely it won't be long. We are urgently hoping that the building can be begun before the
rainy season starts in November. Please pray that this project can be successful. Amy ar d Tod are now back in school, and doing quite well. They had seemed reluctant to start in with studies, and we allowed them some extra time off, since

their cousins were here. They even got to go out to Chidamoyo and spend several days with old friends. It was good for them. On Saturday Amy took part in a school netball tournament. There were 26 schools represented and Amy's team came in third. We were proud of them. Tod has several friends. They spend a lot of time
riding bikes and playing soccer.

The work of the correspondence course continues to reach many souls.

My

helper is gone for a few weeks, so I am caring for this along. It is time-consum ing work--opening letters, marking papers, filing records, addressing envelopes, etc--but I am able to see the areas which are responding best, and where more work needs to be done. Two more lessons have been completed and translated
since last writing to you. It looks like I am about out of space.

Our hearts have been saddened in recent

days by the news of the death of two faithful friends and supporters.

Mr. Hoyt

Pinkley, an elder in the Westside Christian Church, Berryville, Arkansas,

and

Mr. Frank Kling, a young elder in the Fairview Christian Church, Carthage, Miss
ouri, have gone on to their rewards. Our prayers are with their loved ones. Thank you all again for remembering us during these times. The Lord has cer tainly been blessing our lives and our ministry.
Yours in His Service,

{continued from jiage #4)

Jo Ann Ford, Poseyville, Indiana First Christian Church, Carl Junction,Missouri
First Christian Church, Lamar, Missouri

First Christian Church, Mableton, Georgia

Mr. & Mrs, H. B. Mouton, Tulsa, Oklahoma Homebuilders, Jacksonburg, Indiana
Income: June Balance

Income;

270.27
3086. 75

June Receipts
Total

$ 3357.02

June Balance July Receipts Returned check Total

Expenses: Bruce(Salary) Gospel Services

$239.55 1652.43
14.10 $1906.08

Expenses:
Ins. Prem.

14.10
640.00
20. 00

Salary A. Exp. Co. Pro. Repair Phone, Etc. Postage

Memorial CAM

$680.00* 5.09

53.05
20.00 110.00

Dir. of the Ministry

Misc. Expenses Travel Expenses CAM Total
Balances:

7.00
3.20 39.47 1000.00 $1734.76

2200.00 60. 32 ~ $3117.47

Travel Total

Balances:

Income

$3357.02
3117.47

Receipts Expenses

Expenses $

$1906. 08 1734. 76 $ 171.32

239.55

Recently visited Dadaya

Mission, where Netieve

and Darius Nyoni are

stude nts.

Please send changes of address to: Fairview Christian Church

125 E. Fairview

2nd class postage paid at Carthage, Missouri. Published bimonthly by the

First Christian Church, Main & Chest-

Carthage, Missouri 64836

nut, Carthage, Missouri 64836

FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE AMMERMANS FOR JUNE AND JULY 1975

Mr. & Mrs. Norman Taylor, Lamar, Missouri F. L. Hall, Markleton, Pennsylvania

First Christian Church, Carthage, Missouri Westridge Christian Church, Raytown, Missouri College Heights Christian Church, Joplin, Missouri
Clifford Smith, Belmont, Ohio

Mr. & Mrs. Cecil Ragsdaile, Marshfield, Missouri

Christian Church, Morristown, Ohio Mrs. G. Sherman, Lamar, Missouri

Highland Christian Church, Kennewick, Washington

Christian Church, Centerville, Indiana

Christian Church, Jasper, Missouri Mr. & Mrs. Paul Rhodes, Tampa, Florida Rostvit Twins, Joplin, Missouri Jacksonburg Christian Church, Cambridge City, Indiana
Mrs. Sam Whiteman, Drexel, Missouri

Christian Church, Ramsey, Illinois Mr. & Mrs. Paul Gray, Neosho, Missouri Women, Church of Christ, Montpelier, Ohio
Mt. Sinai Christian Church, Marshfield, Missouri

Fairview Christian Church, Carthage, Missouri Mr. Francis Cash, Carthage, Missouri
Christian Church, Atlanta, Missouri

Christian Church, Cambridge. City, Indiana Union Avenue Christian Church, Moberly, Missouri
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Owens, Cincinnati, Ohio Mr. & Mrs. Bob Davis, Joplin, Missouri

Mr. & Mrs. Norman Thompson, Lamar, Missouri Mr. & Mrs. Barry Eagon, Lamar, Missouri Central Christian Church, Madison, Kansas Mr. & Mrs. Dale Sponsler, Marshfield, Missouri
First Christian Church, Dalhart, Texas

Mr. & Mrs. Earl Myers, Garnett, Kansas

Willis Street Church of Christ, Prescott, Arizona Ambassad-jrs, Christian Church, Lamar, Missouri

Mr. & Mrs. V.C. Ammerman, Cambridge City, Indiana Young Advjts, Christian Church, Calleo, Missouri Mr. & Mrs. F. J. King, Gilbert, Arkansas Christian Church, Williamsburg, Indiana Darlene Blackmore, Morgan Hill, California Mr. 8t Mrs. Walter Goodman, Webb City, Missouri First Christian Church, Oregon, Missouri
Mr. & Mrs. Bob Ammerman, Florissant, Missouri

Mr.' & Mrs. Raymond Kahre, Lockwood, Missouri Christian Missions, Copeland, Kansas
Mr. & Mrs. D. Richards, South Bend, Indiana Christian Church, Milford, Missouri

Mr. & Mrs. C. Wattenbarger, Lamar, Missouri

SALISBURY

HERALD
P. O. Box 825

Forwarding Address;

Mr. & Mrs. Walter L. Spratt

Field Address:
P. O. Box 3950

Carl Junction, Missouri 64834

Salisbury, Rhodesia
Bruce and Karolyn Ammermnn
Vol. 11 No. 3

CARTHAGE,

MISSOURI

OCTOBER - 1975

Karolyn, Peggy Pennington and Mrs. Chemedza

((/l
^

)//

Dear Friends,

iudeing a home craft show.

The days are slipping by, and I am a bit late in writing this letter to all of you. So many write, expressing their pleasure in receiving the regular personal letter, by way of the Herald. We are happy that you consider it a personal note to each of
you.

There are many things to tell you this time. I don't want to run out of space. The past two months have been about the most promising and encouraging that we have had for a long, long time. Salisbury and the area around have beenmost rece ptive to the Gospel. There seems to be quite a hungering for the Word, and the peace which comes from being one of the redeemed, in the family of God. We have had many opportunities and many blessings. We rejoice because of each one. In late August, the Jack Penningtons and the Ammermans shared in a large pro motion booth at the annual Salisbury Show. It was a 5-day affair, quite grueling,as we arrived early, stayed late, prepared and passed out packets of literature, and engaged in countless discussions. But it was so fruitful. We were amazed at the interest of the general public, both African and European. The Living Way Bible Correspondence Course, alone, enrolled over 400 new members. We made some
new friends. Some wonderful contacts were made for the European congregation.

and some of these are already bearing fruit. The church is growing, and we are thankful to Le a part of the program here. Our work is particularly with the Afri

can population, but the family fellowships with the white brethren whenever possib
le. We have had many chances to witness to these, and to share in the worship and

program of the church. Last week, we had a big outdoor barbecue (or braai, as it
is called here). Afterward we had a pleasant singspiration.

Just one more word about the correspondence course. The first students have

completed the first series, and have been awarded their certificates. This is some thing of which the African people are very pleased. The next series is well on the way and the first 6 lessons should go to the printer next week. Other series are
still in the planning stages.

We are also most pleased to report that we are to begin meeting with a new

group in Hunyani, an African location of Salisbury. We were called there by a you ng father who had once studied at Chidamoyo Christian day school. He has been wanting a church to be in that part of town for a long time. Raphael, my helper
here in the office, is going with me. After that we will go every other Sunday or so, and the young Christian man will take care of the services the other times. We ex pect some of the other Christian men of the church in Glen Norah to take part in

leading this new group until it becomes stronger. Rejoice with us because of this
new opportunity.

.. One slightly disappointing notewe still do not have approval for the building
site in Glen Norah. Last month I went back to the municipality office, though I had

been told just to wait until the approval had come. The man in charge had just pho
ned another office and learned that the application had been mis-placed. So we had to start all over again, this time with the assurance that it wouldn't be long. But already three weeks have passed. I'm confident that the Lord is teaching us patience. In late September, Karolyn was asked to lead a group of judges at a big district
Show out in Mhondoro, where we have a church. She asked Peggy Pennington and

Mrs. Chemezda (from Karoi) to help her.

Really, Mrs. Chemedza was the

most

qualified, as she had had a special course in judging homecraft items. They really worked that day, judging and evaluating about 80 dresses, over 150 loaves of bread (and it meant tasting each one), pottery, embroidery and knitting work. I accomp
anied them, as driver and care-taker, and ended up having to help taste the bread. I guess their tasters gave out. We want to share this extra item with you. In September (the 20th), a meeting

of the Gay Ammerman Memorial African Students' Scholarship Fund was held in Fort Victoria. The money, which totalled a little over $4,000 U.S. dollars, has
been converted into Rhodesian currence--$2, 361.70, to be exact. The committee

authorized that $1, 000 be put in a fixed deposit to draw more interest. The remain der would be available for easy access. Officers were chosen, and guidelines were laid down. All of the signators are African Christian leaders. One is Deputy Head

master of a large Secondary School. Another is a Primary School manager and el

der of the mission church at Mashoko, and another is a highly respected evangelist,
who is associated with Revival Fires. The other member is a technician and driv er with Good News Productions in Sinoia. We are so thankful that these qualified

men have agreed to share in this project and to give their time to the handling of the funds. They, as well as many, many Christians here, are deeply grateful for the wonderful sum of money which has been given to help worthy Christian students.Let us pray that the fund will be functional for many years to come, and that it will bring

great glory to our Heavenly Father.

I have said a lot this time, but not nearly all that I would like to have shared

with you.

Thank you for your prayers on behalf of the work and our family.
Yours in His Service, Bruce & Karolyn

The

political situation in Rhodesia is a bit unclear at this moment.

unhindered, and are thankful for this.

We continue to work,

We would love to hear from many of you.

(Financial report continued from page 4)

Receipts: Receipts: % 171.32
2554.89

August 1 balance August receipts

September 1 Balance September receipts

To acct. for
Expenses:

$ 300. 21 2452. 35
$2752.56

$2726.21
Expenses: Bruce's Salary
Travel CAM

660.00
11.00

Ins.

Prem.

94.45
660.00
15. 00

Salary

1755.00

Amy's gift
Envelopes
Film

$ 2426.00
Balances;

151.61
18. 30

Postage and Fees

$2726.21
2426.00
CAM

14. 66
1755.00

Receipts Expenses:

$2709.02
Balances:

$ 300.21

Receipts Expenses

$2752.56
2709.02

43. 54

%
Two Christian

ladies in the Church

at Mhondoro.

7^

IF YOU WERE BUSY

If you were busy being kind, Before you know it you would find
You'd soon forget 'twas true That someone was unkind to you.

If you were busy being good And doing the very best you could,
You'd not have time to blame some man

Who's doing the very best he can.

If you were busy being true

If you were busy being glad And cheering people who were sad, Although your heart might ache a bit
You'd soon forget to notice.

To what you know you ought to do.

You'd be so busy you'd forget The blunders of the folks you've met..

If you were busy being right You'd find yourself too busy, quite,
To criticize your neighbor long,

Because you think he's doing wrong.

Please send changes of address to:

Fairview Christian Church 125 E. Fairview

2nd class postage paid at Carthage,

Missouri. Published bimonthly by the First Christian Church, Main & Chest-

Carthage, Missouri 64836

Contributors:

nut, Carthage, Missouri 64836

FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE AMMERMANS FOR AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER '79Mr. & Mrs. Walter Goodman, Webb City, Missouri
First Christian Church, Lamar, Missouri

Westridge Christian Church, Raytown, Missouri

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Ammerman, Florissant, Missouri Willis St. Church of Christ, Prescott, Arizona First Christian Church, Carl Junction, Missouri

Christian Church, Cambridge City, Indiana

Christian Church, Milford, Missouri First Christian Church, Carthage, Missouri Christian Church, Ramsey, Illinois Christian Church, Jasper, Missouri Christ Church, Marshfield, Missouri Westside Christian Church, Berryville, Arkansas
Crestwood Christian Church, St. Louis, Missouri Christian Church, Atlanta, Missouri

First Christian Church, Oregon, Missouri Mr. & Mrs. Cecil Ragsdale, Marshfield, Missouri Mr. & Mrs. Dale Sponsler, Marshfield, Missouri
Clifford Smith, Belmont, Ohio

Christian Homebuilders Class, Cambridge City, Indiana

First Christian Church, Dalhart, Texas

First Christian Church, Mableton, Georgia Mr. & Mrs. Norman Thompson, Lamar, Missouri Mr. & Mrs. V. C. Ammerman, Cambridge City, Indiana Robin Sponsler, Marshfield, Missouri Earl Meyers, Garnett, Kansas
Mrs. Sam Whiteman, Drexel, Missouri

Missionary Guild, First Christian Church, Carthage, Missouri

Lord's Reapers, Joplin, Missouri Fairview Christian Church, Carthage, Missouri Mr. & Mrs. C. M. Wattenbarger, Lamar, Missouri

Highland Christian Church, Kennewick, Washington

Southern Heights Christian Church, Lebanon, Missouri
Christian Jhurch, Garnett, Kansas

Ambassador Class, Moberly, Missouri

Mr. & Mi's. Gene Farr, Marshfield, Missouri Southwest Christian Church, Austin, Texas

Jacksonburg Christian Church, Cambridge City, Indiana

Mr. & Mrs. Barney Eagon, Lamar, Missouri Madison Church of Christ, Brooklyn, Iowa
Christian Ambassador Class, Lamar, Missouri Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Owens, Cincinnati, Ohio Christian Church, Centerville, Indiana

Dederick Youth Group, Eldorado Springs, Missouri

M & M Class, Milford, Missouri Mr. & Mrs. Robert Wright, Austell, Georgia

(Thanks to individuals who have given through the local church. ) (report continued on page 3)