Letters from the field taken from Echoes of Service

 

Capango, March 31st, 1954Recetly there has been a fresh outbreak of witchcraft around Capango. Even mature Christians are not immune from fear of these things. One of the best elders in the Capango assembly has been under a fire of accusation for a considerable time. Last week a woman in fellowship accused him of killing her children by black arts. It is only the presence of white missionaries that in some cases prevents terrible underserved suffering.

T. E. Wilson

 

Capango, April 27th, 1955 – Last night brother Shorten and I got back from a trip to a place called Katapi, about halfway between Bie and Chokeland and in the heart of what we used to call “the hungry country.” A remarkable work is going on there. It was started and is being carried on by two Chokwe brethren called Kusendala and Companhia. When I went there for the first time last year there was an assembly with about 60 in fellowship. This time we found the assembly had increased to 80 and a large crowd of about 500 were waiting for us. These came from 13 scattered communities which have been evangelized by these two brethren. A group of 25 had walked three days to be there. The Gospel Hall, built by the free voluntary labour of the believers, was too small, so we had the meetings in a large grass-enclosure. There are good prospects of a new assembly being planted at a place called Tetela, opened up by these same two men. They have pushed out into the Luchaze tribe in isolated places where no white missionary has been.

T.E. Wilson

 

Capango, February 6th, 1957 — Feb. 6th. During the past year we find that 116 have been baptized and added to the 15 assemblies in the Capango area. We are thankful for the open door and complete liberty for the gospel and for ministry. During the year I was able to visit many parts of Angola for meetings and also the adjoining territories of Congo and Northern Rhodesia. I had a happy month of ministry on the Copperbelt where God is blessing among both black and white.

We have just had details of a serious accident to our second son, Tom, at his work on the Copperbelt. He is an electrician and, while working on top of a pole on the tower lines, he was hit by a high-tension wire and knocked unconscious. It was a miracle he was not electrocuted. He is in hospital in Ndola. The latest news we have is that he is making good progress and is not paralyzed. He will have to be in a cast for several months. He is married, with one child.

T. E. Wilson

 

Capango, March 26th, 1957 - God willing, we leave for the homeland early in July. My wife has been told by Dr. Strangway that she must go as soon as possible to a specialist at home, for treatment for a condition for which she has had two operations in the past two years in Bulawayo.

Our son (see above) has made a remarkable recovery from his accident. His back was broken, but he has now recovered and is due to start work again. There is no paralysis or permanent disablement. God has been good to him and to us.

T. E. Wilson

 

Belfast, N. Ireland – July 1957 – Mr. T. Ernest Wilson wrote on July 13, 1957 from Belfast that his wife had just had an operation and was expected to undergo another. They need our prayers – Eds – Echoes Magazine

 

February 1958 – Many will be relieved to learn that after a period of some anxiety, Mrs. T. Ernest Wilson’s health suddenly improved. There is now hope that she will be completely cured – Eds – Echoes Magazine

 

Capango, Oct. 13th, 1958 - We have been back in Angola a little over two months now. We had some difficulty over our permanent residence visa, owing to our being absent from Angola over a year. We had to make a fresh application to the minister of colonies in Lisbon. Dr. Tucker says this will likely come through in a short time. In the meantime we are here on a temporary visa.

Since getting here I have been giving myself to translation work in Songo and visiting the outlying assemblies. I have been to a different centre each week, and want to get around them all as often as possible. There is a lot to encourage but also many a heartache.

T. E. Wilson

(Only in a Coming day wilt it be known how much our brethren and sisters in Portugal and Angola owe under God to the unselfish exertions of Dr. and Mrs. J. T. Tucker. After 40 years’ service in Angola they moved two years ago to Lisbon, in order more effectively to represent Protestant missionaries to the Government. All our brethren and sisters owe much to them and it is a pleasure to us to give honour to whom honour is due. The work they do is very difficult and they need much prayer.—Eds - Echoes.)