AT a time when many other missionary societies are having to face either a lack of financial support or very few new missionary candi­ dates offering for service overseas, reports made to the BMS General Committee in March were very encouraging. It is clear that Baptist Churches in the United Kingdom have not lost their vision of world mission. N at only have they contributed more than£ 2 million directly to the Society, but they are presenting the call of mission in such a way that more and more folk are presenting themselves for service with the BMS.

It is good to have such support, for at the same General Committee meetings our Overseas Secretary reported on the possibility of entering, very soon, into areas of the world which are new to the Society. He stressed that the BMS 'is not the sort of Society that feels it has failed if it has not gone into a new country every year. Rather we seek the will of God and respond to the doors being opened by Him.

It is this willingness to respond to the call of God that is important. We are not involved in the task of mission for our own sakes, as a sort of Baptist ego trip, but because we are part ofthe people of God which He is pleased to use in His mission oflove to the whole world.

In Carey's Enquiry into the Obligation of Christians to use Means for the Conversion of the Heathen there are several tables containing the names of the countries of the world together with their popula­ tion statistics and religious state. 'All these are loud calls to Christians and especially to ministers,' he says. As far as Carey was concerned the state of the world, linked with his commitment to Christ led to a call to 'go'. Today as we lookout upon ourworldinits state of need and political and social turmoil our Lord continues to call us to 'come over and help' Him in His saving ministry of com­ passion and love. We rejoice that so many are hearing that call and that Baptist churches are backing up that call in their prayers and their giving.

MISSIONARY HERALD General Secretary THE MAGAZINE OF Rev R G S Harvey THE BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY 93/97 Gloucester Place, London WtH 4AA Overseas Secretary Tel: 01-935 1482 Rev AT MacNeill

Editor Rev D E Pountain

Enquiries about service to: © 1986 Baptist Missionary Society Miss J A Maple Photoset and printed by Stanley L Hunt (Printers) Ltd Rushden, Northamptonshire ISSN 0264-1372 PASTOR Boyaka finished his sermon registered in my mind: and, after we had sung a responsive hymn, announced the offerings. It was ' . . . only by the grace of the Almighty New Year's Day. Wanting to start the do we salute this new year . .. .' year right I had slipped away from home to the French service at 9.00 am, a little guiltily, for I had left my wife ' . . . if today we are together it is not by preparing a picnic lunch. It was our our own efforts . .. we, who by his son's birthday and a public holiday, so grace have survived, let us glorify our we had planned a birthday picnic at a Lord.' little waterfall outside of Kinshasa. All at once, from the middle of the row As usual during the offering, one of the in which I was sitting a woman got up choirs prepared to sing. The 'Jeunes and, pushing past made her way, joyeux' had opened the service and the amidst whispers, to the front. It was Women had sung before the Mama Meko. She joined the group in announcements. Now it was the turn of their song, putting her arm around a group called 'Les Heritiers'. Emma, who was unable to continue Originating with the two Meko girls, through her tears. Suddenly, as I Emma and Marie-Ange, who were later realized what was happening, my mind joined by their brothers and some of focused on the words of the song: the other lads on electric guitars and other instruments. Today 'Les Heritiers' ' . . . during twelve more months you were joined by two more girls. have kept us, in our sufferings, in our joys, you have protected us, thank you, They went into action in their usual Lord .. .' continued to sing Marie-Ange rhythmic style, and my foot was soon and the other girls. tapping as I mused on the pastor's sermon. Starting from the respective Several months previously, after one of balance sheets of their lives which the those seemingly unnecessary accidents pharisee and the publican had in life, Papa Meko had died in hospital. presented in the temple, he had He had been a business man, running a reminded us that, whatever personal printing press and slowly building balance sheet we drew up for 1985, we what he had wanted to be a Christian were dependent upon the grace of guest-house at Limete. Late one God. Only snatches of the song evening, after setting up a floodlight at

83 Coogregation dispersing after French service the building site, he had stepped back accompaniment to the offering had and fallen down a stairwell, hitting his become an occasion for the bereaved head on the concrete steps. In the family to render a vibrant testimony to prime of life, he had died a few days their faith in the living God: later. ' . . . in our sufferings, in our joys, you As the news had got round hundreds have protected us. Thank you, Lord.' of Christians had gathered at the site, David where his coffin was exposed, to pay As the song came to an end the their last respects. A tall man, he had congregation spontaneously roared its been one of the 'gentle giant' type, soft­ approval, with cheers, whistles and Edwards spoken and reflective by nature, who clapping. I think the devil must have loved to hear the Word of God on trembled to hear such a noise in concludes his Sunday, a soloist with the well-known church, for the place had come alive Protestant Vocal Group, and a man with a sense of solidarity of faith in the series of who carried hi:s Christian conviction living Lord. into his business life. With his capable wife he had raised his children in 'the Pastor Boyaka prayed and brought the ·articles on fear and nurture of the Lord', until he servi{;e to a close. As we dispersed I had been tragically snatched from thought of others, particularly my China them. brother and his wife, who had bravely borne sudden tragedy in their lives, ' .. . let us be grateful to the Lord for all and was humbled by the thought. I his benefits towards us ... .' hurried to join my wife and children and friends for a day's picnic, and I As Mama Meko and the girls wondered whether my own faith in the completed the song, it was evident that grace and the goodness of God went as what had begun as a simple deep as that.

Alain Bafende at the keyboard. RoJand Mamni on the guitar

84 My visit to Taiyuan and Xian

By Rev David R Edwards of compensation the Chinese had had to information from him. Before 1949 New Zealand - with the BMS China pay for damage to lives and property there were twelve denominations 1948-51, Bangladesh 1951-59. done during the Boxer Rebellion. I was working in Shaanxi province. Now indeed on hallowed ground. there is the one uniting church and it I ARRIVED at Taiyuan from Beijan on the is the old BMS church building that is morning of Tuesday November 5 1985, I was later informed of a Chinese in use in Taiyuan. During the cultural my 66th birthday! I had only one name church off Willow Land. The only revolution the church was devastated and phone number, but when I rang, I information I could glean was, it had and its roof removed. By 1980 the was told the number was out of date. In big red doors set in a grey wall. The building had been renovated and now my guidebook a church was marked as next morning I set out and finally came has an attendance of over 300 each being part of the Taiyuan city centre, to the Red doors and banged away Sunday and the total Christians so I went in search of it. Finally I found until someone opened, and I was approximately 1,000. Throughout a cathedral looking structure. It was the invited in. There behind a courtyard Shaanxi there are some 150 home original University of Taiyuan that was the church. gatherings with between 15-20 Timothy Richard had built with funds churches, so the work is in good heart, which he had persuaded the UK I met Mr Jei Wei Si, the church and is experiencing much blessing government to give back to China, from secretary, and I learned the following from the Lord.

I

Pro Chen Zernin, Vice Principal of Nanjing Theological Staff at the No 4 General Hospital, Xian. The ex-BMS Hospital now has 340 beds Seminary and Director ofArnity Foundation

85 At Sanyuan where there is the short term Bible School with 60 students there is one church with four ministers with over 1,000 members. The church throughout Shaanxi is in good heart - 'Better than ever before'. 'We used to go out and preach, now people come themselves asking to discuss the Christian faith - all our pastors are very busy keeping up with the demands!' I asked about the relationship between 'churches' and 'home gatherings' and was informed, 'We all work together for the Kingdom of God'. There is real unity and togetherness, it is one Lord, one faith, one Baptism.

Mr Han Wenzao Mr Han is Associate General Secretary of the China Christian Council, and General Secretary of the Amity Foundation Prayer On 7 November evening I left Taiyuan and others whose English names they Once again I was asked to convey to by 'soft' sleeper for Xian. I found the could not remember, and whose . the BMS the grateful thanks of the church (ex BMS) at Nan Xin Jie, and Chinese names I could not recogmze. I Church in Xian for continued prayer was told that the second church attended four services at the Nan Xin support over the years and as Rev reopened was also ex BMS at Dong Jie Church- Saturday 8 am (600) Ch'ang said, 'We have prayed for the Xing Xiang. The two churches are Sunday 8 am (1,000), 10 a~ (700) and churches overseas too'. The seed sown served by eight ministers and 14 elders. 7.30 pm (700). The Dong Xmg church in decades past is bearing a wonderful Among those I met were Ch'ang Hua also has a congregation of 650. It is harvest; the church is free and Kuang (75), Huang Kwa Lin (62) and hoped in the near future to reopen a independent, and the church leaders Sun Shui Ying (80). She teaches church third church, the Anglican c~urch rejoice in the wonderful blessings of history at the short term Bible School building. The figures I was g1ven for God. The prospects are mighty and the at Sanjuan. Xian and Shaanxi province are as church in Xian as elsewhere is going follows: Greetings forward expecting great things from These three send special greetings to Xian- churches two, Home gatherings God, and attempting great things for the BMS in general and their deep love eleven, Total Christians - 6,000 plus. Him. In a hymn we sang in Church in particular to the following well Shaanxi - Churches two, Home (10/11/85) the word 'Hallelujah' is the known BMS missionaries - Bell, Clow, gatherings eleven, Total Christians - same in Chinese and English. Together we have much to rejoice in. Elder, Sutton, Upchurch and Young; 6,000 plus.

The original University of Taiyuan built by Timothy Richard with funds from the British Three church leaders from the Hou Zai government as compensation over the Boxer Rebellion Men Church, Jinan. L toR: Miss Sun Mei Ci, Bishop Stephen Wang, 86 Pastor Cai Chong Sheng A Christmas occasion among the Telugu. The Rev B A Rao with the late Mrs Freda Ellis, left with two small sons by the late Bernard Ellis and Mrs Dorothy Wells

BAPTIST work in Calcutta began in told them that there were many In 1936 two Bengali Christians from William Carey's day. In 1936 there difficulties because our preachers only Colingia church, Calcutta, used to visit were 14 Baptist churches in Calcutta spoke Bengali, a language very the Jute mills each Saturday taking and services were held regularly in five different from Telugu. They were so Gospel and tracts in the Telugu languages, English, Bengali, Oriya, persistent that Mr Eadie said that he language. The Pastor of the church, Hindustani and Telugu. We now tell would do something. The men were knowing this, went to the Rev B A Rao, the story of the Telugu churches working in a Jute mill near Calcutta a Telugu Baptist missionary, working in because this is their jubilee year, the and he arranged for Telugu theological the Baptist Students' Hostel in Calcutta. evangelistic work among the Telugus students from Serampore College to Mr Rao agreed to go with the Pastor, having begun in 1936. visit them and teach them. The Rev N and two church members to visit the Rawson and Dr G H C Angus of Jute mills. There they found two On a hot Saturday afternoon in May Serampore took a great interest in this Telugu Chl'istians who had come from 1936 two young Telugu_men from work. the Fiji Islands and were looking for a South India visited the Rev W C Eadie . Baptist church. At the place called in his office at the BMS Headquarters Alum Bazaar they found about 50 men in Calcutta. They said that they had First baptism and women who had been instructed been labourers in the tea gardens of It was a thrill to witness the first in the fundamentals of Christianity. Of Assam and had become Christians Baptism in the River Horgley. They these 50 Mr Rao found ten men and through the work of the American were simple men and women who their wives, who truly believed in Jesus Baptist Mission. They had witnessed to were led of the Spirit to bear their Christ as Saviour and these were their faith and attracted a group of witness. There have been many baptized by Mr Rao and the Pastor of fellow workers. They had taught them baptisms at the same spot since 1936 the Bengali Church. Thus the all they knew and they wished to be and in places not far away. The foundation of the Alum Bazaar Baptist baptized. They asked the Baptist flourishing churches there today are Church was laid. mission to send someone to teach them living reminders of the need to follow and form a Baptist church. Mr Eadie the guidance of the Holy Spirit. At the time of the first baptism 87 Church people from the Telugu area -Rev Solomon Jacob, centre Mr Rao's brother-in-law, Mr S Jacob and in Oriya and English. Members of cannot find anyone to teach us.' stood on the bank and watched the his flock were captivated by his poetry service. As a result he felt the call from and the hymns that he wrote and the Mr Jacob visited them in the evening God to devote his life to witnessing for tunes which he composed. when the husband was home from Jesus Christ among the Jute mill work He found that they were truly workers. He gave up his job in Archie Rao had qualified in Theology believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. He engineering and worked for six months at Serampore College. He was married taught them regularly and after some without pay and then was appointed to an outstanding Christian lady called time five people from Sihpore and two by the Calcutta and Suburban Baptist Padnavati. She co-operated whole­ converts from Alum Bazaar were Union as assistant to Mr Rao to work in heartedly in her husband's work and baptized in the river Horgley by the Jute mills among the Telugus. had classes and meetings for the Mr J C Biscoas, President of the Bengal women. They had four sons who also Baptist Union, on 1 October 1937. The Rev B A Rao also formed a helped in the work flourishing Baptist church at Park Thus evangelistic work was established Circus, a suburb very near to the Mr S Jacob lived in Sihpore on the on both banks of the River Horgley. Baptist Mission Headquarters. bank of the river opposite to Alum The Calcutta and Suburban Baptist Bazaar. One hot day in his mid-day Union appointed a Committee to sleep he heard a voice saying, 'Cast the support the work The late Mr Bernard Jute mills net on the right side of the ship and ye Ellis was a member of this Committee. In 1936 there were 91 Jute mills along shall find' (John 21:6). As he wondered the banks of the River Horgley what this might mean there was a On the left bank of the River the employing thousands of Telugu coolies knock on the door and a Telugu Rev B A Rao carried an evangelistic from South India. woman entered. work in a number of mills and there were regular baptisms. He also Mr Rao (Archie to his close friends) She asked 'Are you a padre?' established a Primary school for was called to lead the evangelistic children at Alum Bazaar where the work among them. He was a stocky He said, 'No, but I am a Christian. What work started. When the children figure with a warm and ready smile, a do you want?' needed more advanced teaching a bit fi ery at times and an untiring number were sent to Telugu Boarding worker. He was also a musician of note, 'For two years my husband and I have schools of the Canadian Baptist mission a fluent preacher in his own language wanted to become Christians, but we in the Telugu country.

88 On the right bank of the River Olesu contracted tuberculosis and was he had to return to hospital in Mr Jacob visited the mills tirelessly and sent to the Moorshead Memorial Udayagiri, still firm in faith and a won a number of converts. On one Hospital in Udayagiri in the Kond Hills. witness to the other patients. He died occasion the Rev Victor Hayward in 1946. attended a baptism and communion This involved a long and tiring journey service at Sihpore. He was so by train and country bus. He found The Rev B A Rao retired in 1973 at the impressed by the work that he secured himself in unfamiliar territory where age of 80. The RevS Jacob died a few a grant to buy a motor cycle for Mr the local people spoke a different years earlier. The Rev B A Rao died in Jacob, so that he could visit centres 30 language from Telugu and had 1981. miles east and west of Sihpore. different customs. Olesu triumphed over these difficulties and was both One of Mr Rao's sons, Dr Victor Rao, 'At sub-committee meetings, cheerful and grateful for all that was has a practice in Birmingham and is a evangelism and education were almost done for him. Despite his state of member of Selly Park Baptist Church. exclusively the subjects of discussion health he did all that he could for the While staying in Calcutta in 1981 he plus the problem of keeping the Rev S other patients. He picked up the Kui visited the Telugu churches. 'There are Jacob on the road on his motor cycle. language and spoke of his Saviour. six Telugu fellowships, three in But for the fact that the born-to-be­ Calcutta each with 150 members. The cheerful Mr Jacob had been trained as He was in hospital twelve months or three fellowships in the suburbs, a motor cycle engineer it would have more. Then he went to Gopalpore, a Hooghley, Santragachi and Alum been often off the road,' wrote sea-side village in Orissa. There he Bazaar have approximately 100 Bernard Ellis. preached to the Telugu fishermen and members each,' he reports. became pastor of a small Telugu 'Many a bright eyed Telugu child church. So attractive was his preaching The nucleus for each of these benefited by a good education at little that Government officials used to fellowships has been the earlier church boarding schools somewhere or other. I attend his services. During the week he members of Alum Bazaar, Park Circus could not keep pace with the location visited surrounding villages, returning and Sihpore. Newer denominations but the children turned up for school at night with his lantern in his hand. have taken over, but God gives the holidays as cheerful as they left.' increase and the Gospel is preached Unfortunately after a few years the with fervour. After the outbreak of war in 1939, the symptoms of his illness returned and mills became very busy making sand bags to send to Britain. The men worked long hours and did not even have a holiday on Christmas Day. Services and celebrations had to be held in the evening. But the work progressed and regular baptisms were held in the river. Mr Rao rented a room which he used as a church. Mr Jacob rented a house where he lived upstairs while the ground floor was made into a very pleasant church.

Sickness There was a good deal of sickness among the coolies. TB was prevalent until the Government took steps to stamp it out. Several sick Christians were sent by the Telugu Sub­ Committee to BMS hospital, Berhampore or Lidayagui, for treatment.

A Jute mill worker named Olesu, a Telugu Hindu from South India became interested in the Gospel through the preaching of the Rev B A Rao and was baptized in 1940. He was an earnest Rev BA Rao, Christian and in his free time went baptizing a Hindu with Mr Rao on preaching tours, selling who has become a Gospels and Christian books. Sadly, Christian in 1973

89 DonaMaria DID YOU KNOW .. Women produce at least half of the world's Frank and Dorothy Vaughan in In part of Tanzania, in Africa, the men Brazil write, average of 1800 hours a year in agriculture then their work is largely done. The women man cried and the an average of 2600 hours in the fields, and then their work has only just begun! They have to go · he saved him out back home and do all the work there. In the local ...... u,..,,..," Psalm 34:6. other language, the word 'to marry' literally means 'the another man gets a hoe'. (Christian Aid) agreed to time came. Many girls and women in developing countries dismayed when spend a large part of their days doing something the costs. She w; we take for granted- fetching water. They may the idea. have to walk miles to fetch water which is clean and fresh, and walk back with heavy loads several 'Because Dona ~ times a day. she possesses s 'I walk four hours a day to get water, and I carry it documents. I di in a heavy pot on my head. We use it to drink, to would have to li water some of the animals, to mix with mud to year. For some years now, copy of her mar1 plaster our hut, and to cook with. I would be was living with Valdevino, also an iden furious if anyone wasted it by washing his hands.' was also converted last year. starting in the la (Baptist World Aid) have a 16-year-old lad and Dona Maria was OlJUU.U:a of ten. not very well, bl process. Women and girls make up one half the world's population, yet 'In the marriage scribe told me th -they do two thirds of the world's work copy would be a -they earn one tenth of the world's income normal because -they own less than one hundredth of the include the citat] world's property. recorded in the I (Christian Aid) divorce? What cl showed me the l

90 ---

a t'Ortnisht to 1ptist) who would sympathetically. •e of two million owed me that d surmount ion. The church m effort when the Maria was 'When I told she could ,.._....,..n.c~ about hardly believe. did not faint or anything. said, "Thanks be to God."

ve at our service evening. that the shock She had spent in bed!

POPULATION Research and advice on family planning is usually records directed towards women tat the cost bit higher Decisions on family size he would ha before are usually taken by men. ion for divorc baptized the )OOk. Citation ._,u,u••""' . Praise the (Resource: Christian Aid) tation? He look. Suddenl

91 CARIBBEAN WOMEN In many areas of the world, a offspring. The mother, the major woman's worth is totally depen­ breadwinner, may leave the dent on her ability to bear chil­ island to find work, so the girl will dren. A woman who marries only live with the grandmother or to discover that she cannot give some other relative or neighbour. her husband a child may well find It is a very difficult way to grow that he takes a second wife. This up, and it has implications about whole situation, where the how the girl will deal with her life woman's identity and feeling of in the future.' (Contact Feb '86.) self worth are so closely bound with pregnancy, leads to a great On the island of St Kitts, between deal of conflict. She finds herself 65 per cent and 80 per cent of all during her teenage years caught births are 'out of wedlock'. 50 per between childhood and mar­ cent of these are to teenagers. riage, between getting pregnant

'The cries of children bearing In response to this, a church children - that is the problem group, together with the St Kitts of teenage pregnancy. These Ministry of Education, Health cries are not new. They have and Social Affairs, tried to meet As a result of the three year the Family Planning clinics on the been heard the world over. Even today, in Africa, Asia, the needs of young pregnant project, a high number of those island. Discussions between Latin America and the Carib­ teenagers. Starting with the as­ teenagers who took part deve­ young women and young men bean, young women often greet sumption that a first pregnancy is loped a skill - such as typing, were also beneficial. their 17th birthday with a preg­ often an inevitable occurrence, accounting, or took maths and nancy. Many of these will have their work began before the onset English classes. The young As a result of the trial project, the one or two more before they of the second pregnancy. So, in mothers also took advantage of number of unmarried mothers are twenty. It is a curious 1979, the Teenage Family Life situation where in the prema­ Education Project (TEFLEP) 'Most of the young readily express their adherence to ture demonstration of their began. fertility, young women lose out the Christian faith, the importance of religion in their on the richness and the possi­ lives and the eternal truth of the Christian message. bilities of womanhood.' 'Its purpose was, to reach un­ Yet, out of wedlock pregnancies are frequent and pre­ (from Tirbani Jagdeo, married pregnant or recently marital sex is common. These patterns are not common. TEENAGE PREGNANCY IN delivered teenagers with services, These patterns are not recent. They are a part of Carib­ THE CARIBBEAN - counselling and vocational assis­ bean social history .. .' (ibid) 'Contact', Feb' 86). ·tance. The objectives of the pro­ gramme were to, to prove her worth while at the within the scheme who became After the pilot project, TEFLEP same time perhaps losing her pregnant a second time fell by became an official government chances of a 'good marriage' and - reduce infant morbidity and half. programme in 1982. being labelled a 'fallen woman'. mortality by convincing the (Yet the 'good marriage' may not mothers to use government be made at all if she cannot bear maternal and child health clinics. children.) Her education will suffer. She will leave school. She - reduce the incidence of second looks forward to years of raising pregnancy by providing family children, perhaps on her own life education and services to with no husband for herself or both mothers and fathers, father for her children.

So what is she to do? - improve job prospects for teenage mothers by encouraging The typical teenage girl in the young parents to attend evening Caribbean has grown up in a classes of by aiding them in family of about six children. The seeking employment. father is almost never there; in fact the brothers and sisters were - increase father-child bonding probably fathered by several by encouraging fathers to pro­ men, most of whom ignore the vide greater economic and emo­ obligations to support their tional support to their children.

92 Alison lsaacs, a teacher in Upoto, Zaire, writes that after the death of her houseboy, MISSION MOTIF 'The Lord has since provided us with another The problems facing women overseas are frequently worker - Paulo who is on a highlighted in missionaries' prayer letters. The three month trial. He is a Roman Catholic. He doesn't following are a few examples. drink or smoke which is unusual for non-protes­ tants. What impressed me Gerry and Johann Myhill most about him is that involved with church though his wife couldn't pastoral work in Brazil have children, he has stayed write, with her. That's really unusual out here where 'Since our arrival in Nova children are so important - Londrina, we have been they're your helpers, your aware of the great need for a insurance against old age, day centre to cater for the and status symbols - and younger children of the wives are not so important. poorer families in the town. Sterile women are usually There are a great number of sent back to their village widows an~ abandoned and the man marries again.' wives, who are struggling to bring up their children on their own, and who are forced to have the smaller ones in the care of older MAMADITINA brothers and sisters, in many cases in need of care AND THE themselves. The mothers SCHOOL then work in the sugar cane and coffee fields, to bring The Rev Mama Ditina is one of home enough money to the leaders of the CBFZ today. feed, clothe and house She is in charge of the women's them. Social benefits are work in the Community. Un­ unheard of here.' usually, for Zaire, she is not married, but understands a ll too well the importance of marriage in her society. Dr Suzanne Roberts, Bangladesh Mama Ditina li ves in Kin shasa and was particularly disturbed at the plight of young girls who Suzanne Roberts, a wife - but will not live with What can you do when were barely educated. In the city, doctor in Bangladesh, her husband because she is women are willing to accept this means that their chances of writes, beaten regularly. She's things like family planning making a good marriage are vir· somewhere in her mid to or the importance of a tua ll y nil. In response to thi s, 'Apon Sahels died in late teens. The middle latrine, but their husbands, Mama Ditina started the Kitega January and· his father the sister, about seven years who hold the power, will not Girls' School which teach the following week. Three old, begs, while her older listen to them?' young girls vocational and aca­ daughters are left. The sister works, when she can, demic skills. French and religious eldest is married- a second for a pittance.' education are taught alongside embroidery, home economics and basic health care.

Today, the school caters for about 30 yo ung women, whose ages range from 14 to 25. A lack of text books and visual aids has had a detrimental effect on lea rn­ ing, but the school offers new opportunities to women who re­ ceive little or no help from their society.

BM S teachers Bernadette Olding, Barbara Bulkeley and Helen Drysdale all help with va ried responsibilities at the schoo l. Mama Ditina and th e girls she works with, including Barbara Bulkeley and Bernadette 0/ding

93 Into a second CenturY

Ne\\ie, who was a music teacher at the Leicester Co\\egiate NELLl£ W A.DDlNG'TON recent­ School for 36 years, received a ly wrote to Mission House to visit from a BMS representative make sure that she wi\\ sti\\ be just before her birthday. receiving her coPY of the Herald '\ would like to thank everybodY each month. who has helped to make mY life a Her sister, Connie, was a BMS haPPY one: she told him· missionarY in China for 33 years and died only two years ago at 'There were no complaints as she the age of 96. Her other sister spoke warmlY ol the care which was a deaconess at Melbourne she is currently receiving at Ha\\ Church, Leicester. Melbourne Home.

Ne\\ie, who was 100 years old on (Photo: FebruarY 6, wi\\ be reading, as a younger Ne\\ie Waddington) usual, this month's edition of the Herald, which offers her its congratulations.

94 Flee into Angolans Overseas Zaire Rev BMS Assistant the When for Africa, the approached are reporting Secretary , for Rumbol Commission missionaries of refugees Derek said that OUR numbers border Nations the United a spokesman knew increasing crossing the 's Angola to escape refugees, the Commission Zaire from order war. into it Zaire in 's civil although moving into country refugees of Shaba of the of province about effects Zaire ago southern information area of years of no River numbers had Lower Twenty-five large the in host to refugees played from At fleeing r.egime. Zaire. people colonial m1ss1onaries Baptist has no Portuguese Zairian BMS at the The Angola there time missionariesfor in that that and BMS caring working is hoped part in but it preparing churches came moment, is a leading mainly be someone Society played who part will soon The refugees, speaking work there. an experi­ the Kikongo to start for the. from the looking in Angola. currently to teach for a of Northern pastor and , the refugees enced Bible School BMS however further The time, from Kibokolo j builder. with the This be coming arrived carpenter in seem to , which in partnershipChurch One group of lower works Baptist the south. area in Kimpese the tribal Evangelical is mainly in the spoke of , which . last, the east Angola country area to the Zaire of the capital. north of language Angolan , the in clothing Luanda dressed and were of trees They the bark and from in hiding made been . evidently months had for many travelling FIELDS NEW being to the doors and respond by Him.' tha~ opened in more at another first time possi­ also looking FOR the is a real are be openin~ there soon be 'We may well possi­ years will that. is a real 20 the BMS field There with that areas. Asia. bility new up in BMS working into of the International moving bility of Bap­ to ~ring Board too early the the American in it is you, the of While 'Although to Ministries in Asia. Con­ definite BMS Churches the BWA anything MacNeill, the tist for I spoke Angus told Los Angeles and Rev Secretary, 'it is Harvey Russell gress, Reg and Overseas Committee, Taylor about cent certain with Ron AIC-BIM General per an of the we could 99 receiving Brown virtually be to areas where areas we shall couples general are that two There and we for Asia, invitation planting.' co-operate.up in up. church opening them work in a to follow with. decided I in May, discussions to China to Top level church earher my visit in Asia Baptist success­ After a week meet national proved be taking I will have church will further. this year from this BMS Over­ and apart be o~~er explore , a~d ful may Neil McVicar, in Asia there wish Bnttsh with With planting may . representative back that they with seas I will come jobs help them recommend. to hopefully to to co­ Baptists welcome Society somethinga real as if a sort of is seems not the if it has There and it are failed 'We it has operation feels new country opening.' that into a said. door is not gone MacNeill year,' Mr of God every the will o we seek 99. 'Rather MoreA{·lSsiontalk n Page

95 New Cand·dI ates and BISHOPD K MOHANTY

Unfortunately we have not been ab\e to keep to this and there are 'A.\though the freedom of religion manY haH bui\t churches in our act was past 15 years ago, there 'The church has been passing are manY Hindu sects who area.' through a time of change. ln believe that lndia is on\y for 'Giving has increased by 400 per BA.PTlSTS are not too sure what 1983 we decided on a project to Hindus. There is a \ot of opposi­ cent in four years. But we need theY think about Bishops, so bui\d up our leadership. our tion to the church. ln spite of this more pastors. The time is not far when BishoP D K Mohanty from government has an a\\ergic reac· the churches are growing. Each off when missionaries wi\\ \eave the Church of north lndia spoke tion to foreign missionaries,' he year we are having baptism of the diocese. However we thank to the BMS Genera\ Committee said, 'although it is not against 400-500 peop\e in the Kond God that national peop\e are in March, even he wondered what the church engaging in mission. Hi\\S. The cuttack diocese is coming forward to rep\ace them.' the reaction of the members So we can see a time when there \eading the fie\d in growth and wou\d be. wi\\ be no foreign missionaries in has been ca\\ed the Home BishoP Mohanty said that he lndia. There is then a great need Mission Fie\d of the CNl. \ooked forward to more peop\e 'l maY be making some of you fee\ to bui\d up the leadership of the from Britain working with the uncomfortable,' he said. 'But l 'But as neW members come, the CNl for short periods of siJ<. church.' can assure you that underneath church has a burden to give them months as volunteers, and this bishop's costume beats the 'We have he\d hundreds of con· greater nurture in Christian wondered whether this cou\d be a heart of a true Baptist.' ferences and training sessions. growth. A.s the church grows we two-waY thing, with lndian The resu\t is that our young are finding it increasingly difficult Christians coming to Britain to BishoP Mohant'} is bishoP of the peop\e have been cha\\enged, to find sufficient pastors.' work with \oca\ churches. Cuttack diocese in the lndian and manY have come forward to state of Orissa, an area of strong dedicate their \ives for the future 'For some years too the CNl has 'We thank God that the BMS and Baptist work which joined the had a project for neW church ministry.' the CNl continue to work Church of North lndia when it building. lf a \oca\ congregation together on a joint venture to the was formed in 1970. He has been Speaking about his own diocese, wou\d supp\y the funds to bui\d a g\ory of God and the furthering of visiting Britain at the invitation of which includes the Kond Hi\\s, an church building the cNl would the BMS and has been ab\e to area familiar to the BMS, he supp\y the moneY for the roof. his Kingdom.' visit manY parts of the country on spoke of opposition to the deputation. church. 'When the Church of North lndia was born 15 years ago, it was a sma\\ baby,' he to\d the commit­ tee. 'NoW it is rather enjoying the Bishop D K Mohanty thri\\ of youth and is growing to become a strong young man. lt is marching toward maturity and complete manhood.' 'When we Baptists joined the CNl we had serious doubts. We were 3ommg with A.ng\icans and Methodists. We feared domina· tion and the possibility of the big fish swa\\owing the tiddler. But as we groW we have a great sense of concern and sharing. We have come to the stage where we don't sit down and ta\k in terms of you and us, but in terms of we and ours.' BishoP Mohant':/ said the CN\ was noW eJ<.amining its state of

unit':/·

BRAZIL- PARANA BAPTIST CONVENTION AND RIO GRANDE DO SUL 25-31 May first in Brazil in The state of Parana was the almost ;;u.----1 which the BMS was involved work is thriving years ago. Today, Baptist Parana Baptist under the auspices of the BMS involvement is t-----+-convention. in the eastern part of the concentrated and Jou(:e-­ BMS agriculturalists David t-----t-State. Brazil in the Stockley expect to leave for agricultural work near future to carry on the - the Baptist Rural t----+-at CEBADER . Project, on the coastal strip Development Ferreira are workers Avelino and Ana 1------t-BMS , Assistant located in Parana, where Avelino the Executive Board of the I------t-Secretary of Par~ na Baptist Convention, has for stewardship. Rev Altair responsibility ----4 . Secretary of the Executive t-----t-Pn2VE!de~llo oversees the work of the 130 Board - in the state. State Committees t-----;-churches Women's work for Theological Education, during and Youth - are all elected . Please------1 Assembly meetings in June do Sui is the remember these. Rio Grande In the area of BMS involvement. t-----;1- newest Roy and southern-most tip of the country, Alegre, Margaret Deller work in Porto Baptist Seminary. where Roy teaches in the t------11- involved in Roy and Margaret are also evangelism work. ------1 \-----t-pastoral and

98 MISSIONARY MOVEMENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Mrs A A Lloyd 500.00 Mrs 0 Rees 50.00 Mrs D M Smith 1,000.00 Arrivals The Secretaries acknowledge with grateful thanks Mrs H Smith 877.08 Miss S Chalmers on 7 February from Yakusu, the following legacies, and gifts sent anonymously Mrs M E Thomas 200.00 Zaire. [to end March 86). Mrs W Turner 100.00 Rev D and Mrs Doonan on 1 7 February from Sii.o Mrs M A E Walker 340.77 Paulo, Brazil. Legacies £ p Mrs M Wilson 766.53 Mr and Mrs M Wheller and family on Mrs Muriel Grace Carter 4,462.80 Miss A I J Young 200.00 23 February from Butwal, Nepal. Mrs M F J Clark 1,198.76 Miss D A Young 173.95 Mr and Mrs R Smith and family on 28 February Lily Crofts 903.34 from Bolobo, Zaire. Mrs D R Cutler 2,500.00 Mrs F G Dodd 500.00 Miss B M Ellis 593.34 Departures Mrs M Farrow 1.ooo.oo General Work Mrs C Bulkeley on 9 February to Yakusu, Zaire. Miss V Goodwin 17,8 05.73 WAM: £20.00; TEHF, Northamptonshire: £10.00; Rev D and Mrs Holmwood and Fiona on Mrs M Hilton 3,000.00 Cymro: £80.00; FAE Aberdeen: £15.00; Anon: 10 February to Piraquara, Brazil. Miss H Jackson 100.00 £40.00; Anon: 15p; Anon: £78.00; Anon: £15.00.

It's Great Being a Missionary in Brazil!

THERE'S a lot of job satisfaction are gone when the only advocate A NEW VISION FOR BAPTISTS IN in being a missionary in Brazil for the poor was the Roman EL SALVADOR according to BMS Overseas Catholic priest. Now politicians Representative for Brazil and the show their concern too.' Caribbean, David Doonan. 'Life is not so stressful and, by and The Brazilian Baptist Conven­ tion is becoming more and more large, missionaries are welcomed There is a new awakening among by the churches and congrega­ involved in social problems. Baptists in El Salvador to the cry­ tions. They also see the results of ing needs of the people. This new Sanchez works with internally their work in the baptizing of 'They have drawn up a five year vision is also apparent in displaced Salvadorans and has people, in church planting and in plan,' Mr Doonan said. 'The first Lutheran and Episcopalian received several death threats. growing churches.' year, which is this year, is dedi­ churches according to the Latin cated to a "Social Expression of America Press. 'In 1980, the Baptists set up a Mr Doonan also thought that the the Gospel". This is a real revolu­ fund for striking workers, and presence of the BMS hostel for tion for the Convention. For the Traditionally, the Protestant thus became the first evangelical missionaries' children and pro­ first time, at a national level, church with its largely 'conser­ church to support militant trade vision for their education in social action is being encouraged vative' theology has been union struggles. They also Brazil had made a real difference. not discouraged.' associated with maintaining the collaborated with the Vanguard status quo, with keeping the Ecumenical Movement and 'The children are happy and the BMS missionaries have recently social order as it is. worked closely with Archbishop hostel parents are doing a great gone to work in the southern Oscar Romero before his murder job,' he said. Brazilian state of Rio Grande do 'In the last few years, the social in 1980. At present the Baptist Sui. 'There are 40 churches there upheaval caused by the country's church works with the urban and Asked by the Rev Angus MacNeill with 3,000 members,' Mr ongoing civil war has given birth rural poor through a programme about whether there was a Doonan explained. 'German Bap­ to an active and vocal minority known as 'Cerea de mi hermano' danger of too many BMS mis­ tists have their own convention. within Protestantism that is (close to my brother and sister). sionaries in Brazil Mr Doonan Roy and Margaret Deller have challenging its conservative said that this is a concern of the now gone to Porta Alegre, where roots. The Emmanuel Baptist Church Brazilian State Conventions. they are serving in a small founded in 1964 now has some 'They are aware that they do not seminary with probably room for 'Like their Catholic counterparts, 400 members throughout the want to be "overrun" by foreign 35 students. This is an important Protestant church workers are country. It supports a multi­ missionaries and will watch the involvement since the Brazilians being changed by the realities of faceted training centre for position carefully. So I personally especially want British Baptists a country engulfed in civil war. women, a co-op, an orphanage, a kindergarten and a theological feel that the situation will not to be involved in theological And they have discovered that when they reach out to help those institute and participates in an arise.' education.' victimized by war, they, too, ecumenical programme that dis­ become targets of repression. tributes clothing, medicines and Replying to a question about the Mr Doonan also spoke of the 'food to refugees. perilous economic situation in work in Trinidad. 'The President The Baptist church, one of the Brazil Mr Doonan said that there of the Baptist Union of Trinidad country's oldest Protestant deno­ 'Government repression has are many reasons for the and Tobago told me that Michael minations, is the largest and most continued against progressive country's problems. 'One reason and Valerie Bonser, our mis­ developed. Baptists comprise Protestants. In November 1984, is unfair international trade. sionary couple there, "are worth approximately 20 per cent of the the government arrested the Rev Brazil can export goods, but far more than any money we nation's 300,000 Protestants, Miguel Tomas Castro of the these, because of the huge might have wanted the BMS to and have traditionally expressed Emmanuel Baptist Church for foreign debt owed by Brazil, get put into Trinidad". open anti-Catholicism and en­ supposed involvement with the unfair prices. And there is the gaged in militant proselytizing. insurgents. He was freed only foreign debt itself. Brazil can't There are many stresses, but the after an impressive international cope with the interest payment main emphases are on lay train­ 'For the past 10 years Baptists campaign that included the on it.' ing and training more ordained have been divided on how to re­ peaceful takeover of the Salva­ pastors. It is really hard work for spond to those involved in the doran Consulate in Oakland, As far as the social and political the small Baptist Union on the war. Pastor Carlos Sanchez, pre­ California, and after the US scene is concerned: 'We now island, but they feel that there is a sently executive secretary of the Embassy in San Salvador re­ have a situation where politicians wider Baptist community praying El Salvador Baptist Association, ceived more than 900 telegrams can say what they like. The days for them and supporting them.' heads a progressive faction. demanding Castro's release.' NDTICI BOARD WOMEN'S CONFERENCE (BU/BMS) 23-25 September 1986 'CARIBBEAN CHALLENGE' High Leigh, Hoddesdon BMS WOMEN'S PROJECT Speakers Rev Oavid Coffey 1986/87 Rev Tom Rogers To raise £25,500 for the training of Mrs Gill Wotton leaders and Pastors in Trinidad and For Booking Forms and Jamaica. further information contact: Details are available from women's Department Miss S Le Quesne The Baptist Church House 4 Southampton Row London WC1 B 4AB Women's Department Baptist Missionary Society 93 Gloucester Place TRUE PARTNERS IN AFRICA. London W1 H 4AA Packs of wo h · discu . rs 'P materia/ incl uding se rm ~ ~~ ~~:,~~::s,dc hild re n 's tal k and n prayers Available free from M...... ISSion Ho use. BMS ANNUAl NEEDED FOR MISSIONARY REPORT SERVICE oVERSEAS 1985!86 Signalling to {or Brazil. Ideally, the Nations Hostel parents familY is now a couple whos~;w: group of about Now available free! Donations toward older. T~ care hildrenfteenagers. postage w ill b s the cost of l2 misstonary c 1 copy _ : greatly appreciated 1 5 . p cop1es - 46 10 .copies _ 98 ~ 20 copies _ £1.82 ool teachers for . PriiDary Sch Kinshasa. T eachtng British .schoo~bildren of missionary in Enghs~ lt ral expatriates. and multt-cU u Further information about any of these notices can be obtained from: Baptist Missionary Society, 93 Gloucester Place, London W1 H 4AA.