5~S3

.-o

"NEWS WITH THE NICHOLSONS"

Vol,

18 NOc 1

March, 1977

Dear Christian Friends,

Greetings in Christ our Saviour fypni--South Africa once again.

home and we are so thankful

It is good to be back

for the wonderful time we had in America.

There were no great problems on our trip back. At Detroit, they said they had bad
news for us in that they had hydralic problems with the nose wheel that could take up
to five hours if the part had to be flown in. But it turned out to be a loose connection,
so we lost only one hour. We were late leaving London, because the computer had broken
to Frankfort before heading for Africa.

pp,

Bob ^.lls met us at the airport in Johannesburg and we stayed with them until Wed.
-..^moynrng. We were thankful for an exf_ra__day__Qf_res-t> bulL this_aIso-made- it possibJe-for
Bob to print certificates which we badly needed. After three months of rest, our car
had four low tires and a flat battery. The battery had to be replaced before we start-

ed home.

We found the weather much warmer in Johannesburg than it had been when we left
Minneapolis but we did not really find the heat until we hit the coast on Wednesday
night. It was raining and the hunidity was high enough so we sweat without doing
anything.

fn

'

pi,

r*

From this area south of Durban to a couple of hundred miles north of Durban they
had heavy rains from the 6th to the 8th. Most of the places in this area measured
200 mm or eight inches of rain. It was in Durban and area north where most of the
damage was done as many bridges and roads were washed out.
Except for some mildew in the house because it had been closed up for some time,
we found all well. The young woman, who was working for us had put kerosene in the
lawn mower in place of gasolene and that did not help it but 1 am partially to blame
for giving her too many instructions before we left.

Last Sunday, we visited the church at the Bible Training School at Umzumbe.

It

was good to see Brother and Sister Nic Qwemeshanonce again. They are so happy to have
electricity in their home that allows them to make use of the things we have had so long.
n

Today, we bought a used generating plant.

has been used very little.

pp

It is much bigger than the other one and

1 tried the electric saw on it and it hardly changed the

sound of the engine.

We were unable to get a new diode for the old machine from the company from which we
bought it but a young man said today he can work out one for me. 1 also must give the

motor a complete overhaul, so it will be out of commission for at least two months.

Plans are that Brother Stanley and 1 will go to Zobolo's on Wednesday, (they are
gone) and help get the roof on their house. They are getting most anxious to move
because the rains have badly cracked their old mud block house and it is in danger of

falling.

With the power saw to cut the asbestos sheetings for the roof and the drill

to drill the holes for the nails that hold them on, 1 am sure that we can do the job

in one day, 1 am anxious to

levels. Alpheus Zobolo will
ersity of Zululand which has
destroyed the Administration

see it for when we left they only had built the window
be present to help. He is soon to return to the Univ
reopened after being closed in June last year, when fire

Three of the churches from other areas have asked to use the tent. We are glad for
this, for we know, that wherever it has been used it has helped the work of the church.

building.

J. V. Dlaku, ministering at Tsomo, died week before last. He was one who was
ministering when we came to South Africa. Just the end of last month, he had turned
his work over to Brian Ngaca who was in school last year.
May God richly bless and keep you.
Yours in Christ

Alvin Vemita Nicholson

FORWARDING AGENT:

Mrs. Richard Hanson

16642 Gannon Ave. W.

Rosemount, Minn.

55068

Non-Profit Organization

NEWS WITH THE NICHOLSONS

Printed and mailed by...

U.

S.

POSTAGE

Quincy, Illinois

Madison Park Christian Church

215 North 25th Street

Permit #57

Quincy, Illinois 62301

irissidn o3rv2.c3
Eo::

177

i:id.

62301

A/l/) x\
NEWS WITH THE NICHOLSONS

VOL, 18 NO. 2

April 1977

Dear Christian Friends,

"Thula benani" is the Zulu way of saying "Peace be With You (plural)".
letter for you this month, this is our prayer.

As we write this

We have been back in South Africa over a month now and much of this time has been spent
in getting things ready to roll once again.

I have spent quite a few hours at Zobolos helping them to get their house finished so they
could move in. In fact, they moved in before all the work was done for their bedroom on

"
n-,

the old house began to fall down. When they moved in, the house was finished except for
having two windows in and part of the ridging on the roof and painting. Our problem with
the ridging was that for several weeks we could not get any in this area. How wonderful
it is to see them in a home where you know that they are not going to get wet or it will
not fall down on them,
_
^

When they have concrete floors here, they put a hard surface over the base floor. They
ask me to buy red, yellow, green and black coloring which they put on and mixed into the
cement so it was colored.

They have worked it so they have a different design in every

room. Their big job now inside will be that of painting. They also have quite a bit of
finishing work to do outside but this can be done as they are able. We also want to make

p built in cupboards for the house.

The oldest son of the Zobolos, Alpheus, has gone back to school at the University of Zululand. The school has been closed since June of last year. He is a second year student
there. The second son, Jethro, who was unable to find a place in a high school last year,
is going to school at Amanzimtoti near Durban, The school has no dormitory, so he and
three other boys have a room at a house together. Jethro had a good job in Johannesburg
last year, but he gave it up to complete his schooling.
We have visited in three of the churches since we have been back.

We were invited to the

fourth, but it was the same day that we had been invited to another place. One of the
churches gave us com, madumbes and pumpkins to eat. 1 have been very thankful for the
pumpkins because they help me to take off the extra pounds 1 picked up in the States, We

^ have learned to enjoy pumpkin as a vegetable,

1 have put a rebuilt short assembly in the VW, 1 had not planned to do it myself, but the
gas tank began to leak and the motors were much cheaper in Durban. It is still giving quite

a lot of trouble.

We are taking it, if it will get there, to Durban to be checked tomorrow.

! i We pray that it can be fixed so that we will have a good working vehicle.
badly.

We need it so

Parliament is in session here and they have certainly given it to the tax payer in the new
budgets; 25 percent tax increase on most items outside of food, railway tariffs have been
increased--we are sure of the same for postal and telephone, gasoline is already almost

30 cents a liter and this in American money, so you can see what it is a gallon, the cost
of electricity has more than doubled, IVhere we were paying $10 we are now paying $20.

Conference has been set for the 24th through the 28th of August at Kimberley. The date
was set ahead for about three weeks this year because Bob Mills, who is Treasurer, is

going overseas at the beginning of September.

Thus, he can be present to give his report.

1 am back at teaching at the Bible Training School, having the classes of Romans and Life
of Christ,

There are 16 students, six of whom are men.

who hope to come later this year.

There are still some other men,

We found that the camp grounds we used for the African camp does not meet government
regulations, requiring that they build some new buildings so they do not know if it will
be available for this year. So pray with us, that if we cannot use it, we can work out
something that will still be a challenge to the yoimg people.
We appreciate your prayers and help.

May God bless and guide you all.

Yours in Christ

Alvin Vemita Nicholson

FORWARDING AGENT:
Mrs. Richard Hanson
16642 Gannon Ave. W.

Rosemount, Minn. 55068

Non-Profit Organization

NEWS WITH THE NICHOLSONS

rinted-and~maiied By...

U^S. POSTAGE

Madison Park Christian Church

Quincy, Illinois 62301

215 North 25th Street

Permit #57

Quincy, Illinois 62301

tflssldii Services
Box

17.7

KEMPTON, IND. 46049

,

vt

NEWS WITH THE NICHOLSONS

Dear Christian Friends:

We waited for Easter to pass before writing our News Letter and the whole month got by
We drove

to East London on the

7th of April to stay with the

John Kemans.

With the

coming of Independence to Transkei, we now have to drive north to get south. First, we go
north so that we come into the Border post from that side at Umzimkulu and we go out the

South Border post north of East London. We have applied for permission to go through at

uncontrolled Border crossings as South African and Transkei citizens are allowed to do. To
go to East London and back now, we go an extra 120 miles.

Friday morning, John and Heather Kernan took Vernita and I to Dimbaza for their Good
Friday services. I brought the morning message and John the one in the afternoon. The
church was full but not crowded.

Saturday noon, John Kernan, Vernita and I were back for the Dedication Service. I spoke
-

'

for the -Dedication

flU

service, and Robert

Geldenhuys of Cradock brought the exhortation.

church

I f.'

All

the people

and the

then left the

doors were

closed and

locked and we walked around the build-

minister'from Dimbaza to" represent the

people there and an elder from a visit-

Marching around the new building at the

church.
ing church,

dedication services on April 9th.

Saturday night, the

church had got

ten the use of a nearby factory for their meeting as the church building would not hold
all the people present. It is at this service that those visiting bring their monies as
well as the local people. This offering amounted to $485.11. It took three sheep and two
oxen to feed this great group of people.
Sunday morning, Vernita and I were
present with them for the church ser

vice.

I have never

packed

like

brought

this

short

seen a building
one

was.

They

benches

from

their

homes 5 filled even

the center aisle

and just no place was left.

The only

small children present in the;bialdr

ing were those who needed to be with

their

mothers.

More than 400 people

were present for that service.

The weekend

we were

W.f

v--;teEg'jr

v-^
V- ^ ^
^

of April 23rd 24th,

present at

for services.

'

Mqanduli

A leader in the

church
local

Methodist church was buried on Satur

day, so we had no services on that

night. We had a very good service on

Group at the dedication of the new churcn

building at Dimbaza.

Sunday morning, "blessed" as the Africans say, by a heavy rain right after that. While we
were eating, one of the men said, "I will plow tomorrow with the minister's rain (meaning
Alvin's)". The rains did not come as they should have last November and December so their
crops are very poor.

It is definite

that we

shall not be able to use the camp at Oribi this year.

We per

haps could use a Conference center which has been built up over the years and has been
purchased by one of the Missions, but the cost is $3.50 per day and our Africans cannot
afford that. It is truly a nice place for we missionaries have had a meeting there and
greatly enjoyed it.

So now we are making plans for the camp to be at Lftnzumbe Bible Insti

tute.

We have purchased two used top end pieces for the tent at a cost of $1160.00. This is
more than we paid for the tent itself in 1973. These pieces are in very good condition;
brand new ones would have cost us $3480.00. From the end of June until the end of July,
the tent will be used every single weekend and likely for both the camp at school and the

camp in Pondoland.

If we had to hire a tent

almost what we have paid for these parts.

commercially for this time, it would cost us

We have rented the tent

some for weddings and

other gatherings and in this way have two thirds of the money needed now on hand.
What

I would like to have is fifty

copies of "Don't Divorce The Holy Spirit" by Knofel

Staton.

Thank you for praying and caring for us.

In Christ's great love,
A
The Nicholsons

FORWARDING AGENT:
Mrs. Richard Hanson
16642 Gannon Ave. W.

Rosemount, Minn.

55068

Non-Profit Organiza

NEWS WITH THE NICHOLSONS

Printed and mailed by...

U.S.

oi

POSTAGE

Quincy, Illinois 62i<)l

Madison Park Christian Church

215 North 25th Street

Permit #57

Quincy, Illinois 62301

Mission Services
Box

177

KEMPTON, IND, 46049

ALVIN AND VERNITA NICHOLSON

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
"Brethren, we are encouraged with the work and have many plans
we would like to see carried forward.

But above all we want to do

God's will, for He knows what is best. So please pray for us."
Alvin and Vernita Nicholson wrote the above as they reflected on
21 years of missionary service in South Africa. At that time they
were embarking on their fifth term there. In the 2-1/2 years since
the statement was written, they have continued to witness growth,
both numerically and spiritually.
Alvin Nicholson was born August 12, 1920, in Holabird, South
Dakota. He became a Christian in Blunt, South Dakota, at the age of
15. During his teen years he became interested in missionary work
largely through the influence of Tibbs Maxey, who at that time was
ministering to the congregation in Blunt. Tibbs's mother Maude
Maxey made her home with him during part of his ministry there.
Alvin was present in their home numerous times when Mrs. Maxey
received letters from her daughter Isabel (Dittemore), missionary in
China. This, plus exposure to various guest missionary speakers at
church and in Christian service camps, helped Alvin realize the great
need for overseas evangelists. He committed himself to help fill that
need.

To prepare himself for Christian work Alvin enrolled in Minnesota

retired Swedish missionary to teach them. Within a few months they

were able to teach in Zulu from a written text, and shortly thereafter
they were able to carry on conversations without the help of inter
preters.

Their work has included much traveling to assist the national

churches. As they began their fifth term they reported that there
were 21 ministers and 138 preaching points with which they were in
volved. In addition to helping the churches and leaders with build
ing, evangelism, and preaching, the Nicholsons have since 1960 been
involved with the Umzumbe Bible Institute. They have been respon
sible, with the help of Nic Qwemesha, for the operation of the Insti
tute during the furloughs of the Lynn Stanley family.

Vernita has contributed to her husband's ministry by teaching

Sunday school classes among both the Europeans and the Africans.
When the need arose she taught at Umzumbe Bible Institute. She has
also taught sewing, prepared Bible lessons, helped with music, typed,
etc.

The Nicholsons are the parents of four children. Sandra (Novem

ber 14, 1943) graduated from Minnesota Bible College and is now
married to Richard Hanson. They live in Rosemount, Minnesota,
where Sandra remains involved in the South African work by serving

Bible College in 1940, graduating in 1944 with a B.A. degree. While

as her parents' forwarding agent. Steven (February 17, 1945) and his

in college he became acquainted with Vernita Howard. Vernita, born

August 21, 1922, was also from South Dakota. She had become a
Christian in 1940 at a Christian service camp in Black Hills, South
Dakota. She, too, was interested in missionary work. Alvin and Ver-

wife Rosalie serve at the Church of Christ in Clear Lake, Iowa. Like

nita's friendship developed into a desire to join their lives in service

to God; they were married September 6, 1942.

The Nicholsons served churches in Faribault and Litchfield, Min

nesota, and Sutherland, Iowa, until they resigned to prepare for the
work in South Africa. In December, 1953, they arrived at their des

his sister, Steven is a Minnesota Bible College graduate. John (May

20, 1948) attended M.B.C. also. He and his wife Cheri now live in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. James (December 13, 1954) attended M.B.C.
and Rochester Community College. He was recently (December,
1976) married to the former Maria Miller of Crown Point, Indiana.

They live in Rochester where Maria is completing her senior year at

M.B.C. James is employed at the Mayo Clinic there.

tination.

One of their goals was to learn to communicate in at least one of

the tribal languages. For nearly two years they struggled to learn the
Zulu language, a difficult language to master because it contains a
complex series of clicks. However, they were finally able to locate a

Address: Alvin and Vernita Nicholson, Box 219, Port Shepstone,

4240, Natal, South Africa. Forwarding agent: South Africa Church
of Christ Mission, Mrs. Richard Hanson, 16642 Gannon Avenue
West, Rosemount, MN 55068.

5^5

Vol, 18 No. 3

NEWS WITH THE NICHOLSONS

JUNE, 1977

Dear Christian Friends

n
n

This is a beautiful Lord's Day morning, We both woke early and so are working a
little on letter writing, I'm sure the Lord will forgive us when it is His work we
are doing I Yesterday was such a beautiful day. We took a walk towards evening and
just thoroughly enjoyed God's lovely day, It is cool in the evenings but during
the day can be hot but most of the time is just right,

Tuesday, was Ascension Day, and a holiday here.

The church at Gcilima had asked

me to speak for their women's meeting in the afternoon so we drove out about noon.

Of course, my talk was on the Ascension and I used some flannelgraph material.
Afterwards Mrs, Zobolo came to me, she is the minister's wife, and said "You
preached very well today". We will go out there again this morning for services,

Mrs, Zobolo asked me to buy sheer curtains for her living room windows so I took
those out and we measured and cut and hung them, It made the rooms look so much
better. She is using the drapes from the old house and needs another panel to sup

plement the ones she has, that is for each window, I hope to match it but wonder
if I can find it after such a long time, These windows in the new house are much

larger than the old one,

some paint for them so they can get more work done on their new house,

Today, we will take out

ing better
PI

all the time,

the outside air brick and window sills,

Alvin also got

It is look

Twala, the twin son, talked with me a long time on Tues,

(in English) and said how anxious he was to get the living room painted before his
older brothers came home and their friends came to visit, They need though to have
extra money before they can go much further, Caring for nine children and building
a new home is an expensive busines. Many have helped them though.

We have gotten the two end pieces for the tent,

They will be used by two of the

churches here for Pentecost and then we will take the tent to Graaff Reinet for the

dedication of the church at Kroonvale on the 4th of June,

n

This week, we

had a camp

meeting to work out the

classes,

We wish the men in

Pondoland had had a meeting as well to work out their plans,

n

P|

We had a letter last week from a young man, who is doing his last year at high
school. He will be coming to study at Umzumbe next year. Pray with us that God
shall help him that he is not hindered from coming and that other workers shall be
raised up for His vineyard.

Another man, who is working in Johannesburg has started a new work at his home
in Transkei,
I met him awhile ago at a funeral in Umtata, That is Alvin did, I
was not with him.

The older man, who is at school, got work on the 9th that one of his daughters
had died. The one calling did not know which one; he has four, We took him that
night to Kokstad which is about 90 miles away so that he could get a bus from there
the next morning, and perhaps get home much quicker that way.
There were two missionary meetings this month,

The one for this area was on the

7th, The man spoke on the youth work that he is doing in Transkei,
interesting and we received some new ideas,

This was very

The one for the whole of Natal was held on the 11th because of Ascension day com
ing at the time it is usually held, It was also one day this year rather than two,

They had too many speakers so it was hard to retain all that we heard,

The speak

ers all did very well,

One weekend, Zobolo and Alvin went toward Durban to meet with some men who call
themselves ministers and would like to work with us and get supplies for their use

as well.

The problem is that they have no people nor plan to work,

vite one

of the men

the work is done.

to

camp so he can visit

I want to' in

with the others and see how some of

All are really too old to come to school.

Sincerely in Christ

Alvin Vernita Nicholson

FORWARDING AGENT:

Mrs, Richard Hanson

16642 Gannon Ave, W,

Rosemount, Minn, 55068

Nbh-PrbFit" Orgahiz'atibh

NEWS-^WITH^THE NICHOLSONS

U.S. POSTAGE

Printed and maiTe'd by ..,

Ouincy, ^Ikl^P^^i^ 62301

Madison Park Christian Church

215 North 25th Street

Quincy, Illinois 62301

Mission Services
Box

177

KEMPTON, IND. 46049

'

II

V ^

Vol.

18 No.

JULY, 1977

NEWS WITH THE NICHOLSONS

Dear Christian Friends:

Greetings in Christ our Saviour.

opportunity to go visiting.

We know that the 4th has given you or many of you the

We rejoice that God has given us a very good youth camp. There were 146 young people
gathered at Umzumbe Bible Institute for a week of study, fun and fellowship.
If we had

30 students at school, we would feel that we had all that we had room forso

how did these young people manage to find places to sleep? In some of the rooms the beds
were moved out and grass matts laid on the floor. At night then, there were wall to wall
sleepers, except for the place for suitcases . Several other rooms that are used for other
purposes were made sleeping rooms for this week.
James Mabaso stayed
lating. Enock Zobolo's

an extra week at school to teach a class and help with the trans
second son took his turn at teaching this year. As well, Bongi

(praise) Mhlango, the daughter of one of Brother Qwemesha's elders, also taught.

My inter

preter for the class on the "Life of Paul" was a young man from the church ministered to by
Barnabas Songo.

Visitors to the camp were Mr. and Mrs. Gcuda and four young women from Mbumbulu. The
young women had a wonderful time and even a laughable experience for one. She fell into
the water hole at the garden while getting water for camp.

vale. Nof' 'only 'did we have the

we

the

necessary
benches.
We started this week on

Thursday night by redrilling some

holes that had been put in the
wrong place. On Friday, we really
got down to work and assembled

benches.

bolts
nails.

work

"'"iMlEltoB
.A

Each

plus
The

and

one of them had 6

33

screws and a few

screws were the hard

left

many

hands with

blisters on them.

Coloured

"The Tent at Graaff Reinet"

done

very

nice

looking

Congregation has

well

and

has a very

building which had

been painted both inside and out. They have put a ceiling in and by hooking into the
street light system they also have electric lights. This is only at night though when the
lights are on.

Buses brought people from Cradock and Middelburg and there were many people present from
Port Eliszabeth. Sunday morning there were more than 300 people present for the service.
C. Koeberg, who will be 90 at his next birthday, was present. He has been a member of
the church in Graaff Reinet for 55 years. Eight of his sons were present for the service
on Sunday morning. On Thursday, he had baked 32 loaves of bread for the meeting. These
had been

baked

in

an outdoor oven made of bricks.

He also made the bread for the commu-

nion service on Sunday Morning.

On the 3rd of June,

an^le.
^doctor

stepped into a hole in the sidewalk in town and sprained her

It happened in front of the post office, so men working there helped her to the
and to the hospital for an x-ray and back. They also took her car from the parking

meter so she would not have to pay a fine.

Fortunately, it was only^a bad sprain, whichn
responded well to treatment. It was good that she had fhe little car, which is an automatic
for she could still drive herself and get about.
While

Durban-i

the

fourth of, July v^ras a holiday for you, Lynn Stanley had a hernia operation in i i

He is getting along fine but expects to be out of actibii for most of this month at

least.
n

Nic Qwemesha and I are planning to go to Dimbaza for a weekend camp from the 15 to the
17th. We will start camp on Friday night and have classes morning, afternoon and evening
of Saturday and Sunday. Monday, when we return home we shall bring the students back for p
school.

July 22,

23

and

preachingservices

24th, I

am to be at Escourt with the tent for their camp and special

Tnly 9R

tn "^nth, we will go to the heart of Zulula^ at Nongoma for

the Dedication of the church building there.

We are laying vinyl sheet flooring over our concrete floors. This was a bit of a job m
in the hallway because there are 5 doorways to contend with. Since these floors had been
painted black

before, it

has made the rooms much lighter and the floors so much easier to

care for,

CqELference meets at
meeting in your prayers.

Kimberley

from the 24th to the 28th of August.

Please keep this

May God richly bless you each one.

Yours through the love of Christ
The Nicholsons

FORWARDING AGENT:

Mrs. Richard Hanson

16642 Gannon Ave.

W.

Rosemount, Minn.

55068

Non-Profit Organization

NEWS WITH THE NICHOLSONS

Printed and mailed by..,.

U.S.

POSTAGE

Quincy, Illinois 62301

Madison Park Christian Church

Permit #57

215 North 25th Street

Quincy, Illinois 62301

Mission Services
Box

17.7

KiiiMPiONf IND. 46049

Vol. 18

NEWS WITH THE NICHOLSONS

NO.

Dear Christian Friends

Greetings
churches at

from South Africa. The big meeting last month was the Annual Meeting of the
Kimberley from the 24th to the 28th of August. To be there on time witIV the

tent, I left on the 22nd and drove to Bethlehem and then from there to Kimberley the next
day. I took the road to Bloomfontein that leads along the edge of Lesotho. I arrived at
Kimberley about 3 PM on the 23rd and went directly to the church in the locationu Since
there were a number of church men already on hand, we set up the tent at once.

The missionaries stayed at Riverton, about 20 miles from town. This is a holiday place
built on the Vaal river at the place where Kimberley gets its water. Thus it allowed us
to get together at night and visit and was much cheaper than staying in hotels.
Attendance at this years meeting was very good. Kimberley church is one of our larger
buildings and visitors filled all of their seats. So it was a full house at most all ser-

vices in the building during the day and overflow crowds at night.

p,.

I was most interested in the sermon preached by one of our elder men. He is well into
his seventies. He started so slowly that I thought he was only going to give the people
some scriptures and then sit down, but once he got started he really went. His two< inter
preters could hardly find time to get in their translations. His message was excellent,
This service was held in the tent on Thursday morning.
a

So many of the African folks came by cars and pickups this year that every day we had
parking problem at the church. We are glad that more of the people have vehicles to

travel in for it cuts down on their time on the road by many hours.

I am not sure if there were seven or eight choirs. Each time they got a chance: to sing
they would usually sing three or four numbers, so sometimes the singing went on for a long
time. The African brethren enjoy singing, butvseveral said they would have to work out a
different program next year. The church choir at Krugersdorp had only seven members, but

they were by far the best singing group.

Next years meeting will be held at Invutshini here near Port Shepstone.

i-i|

At the end of July, Vemita and I took the tent and drove to Eshowe where we; visited
Thursday night with the Sinclairs and Floyd Stamm. Friday morning we men went to Khumalo's
home, near Nongoma, for the church dedication. Because of the number of people present

the feeding of the people, the tent was set up near Khumalo's home.

The 40 by 40 tent was

full every night. Saturday morning and afternoon classes were held for men and for women.
Because Mrs. Nicholson and Mrs. Sinclair did not arrive until nearly noon>
I
took
the women in a question and answer period. They started slowly, but when it wasi time to

eat it was difficult to get them to stop.

Mrs. Sinclair and Mrs. Nicholson took this part

in the afternoon.

Because

many

wanted

to leave early on Sunday morning to get back to Johannesburg and

Swaziland, they had an all night service on Saturday night with communion service at about
10 PM.
o

Sunday

morning

after breakfast we had a short service in the tent ^d then walked the

half mile or so to the church for the Dedication service. Even with many of the people
already on their way home, we had more people than could get into the building. Only the

women sat down

as

they had carried mats with them.

After a short talk at the door and

another after we were inside, I thought we would dismiss. But when the amount of money was
given, it was R106.90. I gave them 10 cents to make this R107. Then with Sandy Sinclair,

we made it RllO. Some people then said they wanted to give some more,
gave a total of R130.00 plus they also gave the missionaries R15 for tea.

In the end they

Vernita and Charlotte left after dinner. After the tent was down and Sandy had his
load of people, we also left for Eshowe, Vernita and I spent Sunday night relaxing with ' '
the Sinclairs before coming on home.
Wilson

Berne,

who

ministered in Soweto, waj^killed.J^ two men as he returned home one

night from church toward the end of June.

His wife managed to escape.

He was the 4th man

to be killed by these men that night.

We have completely covered our concrete floors with vinyl flooring. And what a great
change it makes. I was a bit hesitant when I started the work. But everything worked out
very nicely.

It
this.

appears that the number of men coming to school next year could be much larger than
Pray with us that this shall be so. There is much more interest among our folks in

Irea-mi-ng-,

Brother

A1 Zimmerman has had a commentary on the book of Hebrews translated into Xhosa

and Afrikaans. Many people bought it at Kimberley. Brother Qwemesha has asked for some
to use with the class he is teaching at school. He says they are very good.

Present also at Conference was a growing number of people with cassette recorders.
They record the message and the singing and then play them for the people at home. Brother
C^'emesha
cording.

had borrowed one from one of his church men, but was not able to get a good re
He said his people were very disappointed, I have three tapes by Ketcherside,
which I know our men will greatly enjoy.
May God richly bless you all.
Yours for Christ in South Africa
Alvin and Vernita Nicholson

FORWARDING AGENT:
Mrs, Richard Hanson
16642 Gannon Ave. W.

Rosemount, Minn, 55068

Non-Profit Organization

NEWS WITH THE NICHOLSONS

Printed and mailed by.....

U.S.

POSTAGE

Quincy, Illinois 62301

Madison Park Christian Church

215 North 25th Street

Permit

#57

Quincy, Illinois 62301

Mi s 3 i 0 n 3 e r v i c o s
Box

177

KS:.1?T0M,

IND. ':e049

n
n

Vol. 18, No. 9

NEWS WITH THE NICHOLSONS

November, 1977

Dear Christian Friends

Greetings in the precious name of Christ our Saviour.

Vernita had a call frpm her fpiily on the 7th of October to say that her father had
passed away. He died very suddenly, though he had been receiving treatment for cancer and
had a heart condition for many years. Sandra and Steven were able to be present for the
funeral.

Vernita has been at Pietermaritzburg since the 10th of October, She is to receive lith

ium

in

could

"

the place

of the other medicines she was taking, and they wanted her where they

do blood tests until it was stablized.

Most of the time she has been feeling good,

so we hope that she will soon be home again.

The

12th

of

October

we

took the students from school to Westville, near Durban, to

visit the home of a missionary. He has planted his yard with many trees that are found
in Israel. He gave them a very interesting lecture on these trees and the place they
played in Bible times and how they are used today if still grown.

Then we went on to the Lion Park near Pietermaritzburg. We first stopped at the picnic
area to cook our meat and eat and then drove through the park. It was a cool^semi-cloudy
day, so we felt we must have seen most all of the animals that they have in the park. I
guess our car was the only one that did not see the giraffe, but even the others did not
get a good look at them.

Three

ostrichs walked down the road_^ead of our car for a ways and then they began to

run, that was a wonderful sight.

They do not have as many lions at the park as they had formerly, we wondered if the
cost of meat had something to do with it. But they did have four young male lions in a
cage and we got to see the end of the period when the trainer was teaching them to get on
their stools and sit.

The

planned

tent

has

been erected in the Indian area of Durban called Chatsworth.

They have

a two week meeting, but will go on for the third week if they have good crowds or

see the need for i t .

Vernita and I were in Durban the week end of December 9th and I preached for the breth
ren that morning.

Problems I

I cleaned some rhubarb and put it on to cook, then came in the study and for

got about it and of course it boiled over. Well, happily, nothing is hurt, only a mess to
be cleaned up. Rhubarb is not easy to come by here.

Brother Qwemesha was telling me of the growth in his work. The people have caught a
vision of the Lord's work and have planned opportunities where they can get together for
teaching and witnessing. They have also seen the need for giving and have doubled their
giving.

I know that a part of this has come from the good work of the Qwemeshas. Something
happened a few years ago that could have caused a big problem between the Qwemeshas and
one of the families in tho church.,; The Qwemeshas accepted the problem and so lived that
it might cast no reflections on the Lp^'d Jesus Christ or his church. This is one of the
families today who are really working for Christ.

He

We thank God for his leading. William Mguzulwa came from a Christian family at Cradock
was a good student and worker at School. We had great hopes for him as .he went into

the ministry. However, in the two places that he served there were problems and he was a
part of those problems. He resigned to go into the police force. This was not too easy
to except, for we so badly needed ministers, and we had given him extra help in coming to
school and in getting married.

William

is now in the CID (like the FBI).

He is stationed at Port Elizabeth.

Working

in the CID, William will have more time off than before. The Coloured Congregation at
Galvendale have asked him to help them.

William hhk matured much in these past few years,

so we know that he will be a great help to that work-.

William is just recovering from stab wounds inflicted by Tsotsis (hoodlums).

H
i '

One of the young women at school lost her mother a short time ago.

She had worked Wed

nesday, stayed home Thursday, went to the hospital Friday and died Saturday. Deborah has

p.

only a brother left of her immediate family, but does not know where he is. The white
family, for whom her mother worked, came and got Deborah and brought her back to school
again. Thpy paiH h^r <;rVir)o1
for the last, term of this year and will pay them for

next year, if her guardian will allow her to return to school.

The

Lord has been blessing us with very good rains and so the spring is full of bloom

ing flowers.

May

God's

richest

blessings

be with you all.

Thank you so very, very much for your

prayers and your help.

^
In Christ's Great Love

The Nicholsons

FORWARDING AGENT:
Mrs. Richard Hanson
16642 Gannon Ave. W.

Ros embunt, Minn.

"55068

Non-Profit Organization

NEWS WITH THE NICHOLSONS

Printed and mailed by

U.S.

Permit

Quincy, Illinois 62301

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

POSTAGE

Quincy, Illinois 62301

Madison Park Christian Church

215 North 25th Street

Hissidn Services
Eo::

177

KE"?TON, r:iD. V.S04 9

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