/1-17

f^Vz
Rhodesian Christian College
The Renders

African Evangelism

Forwarding Agents: Mr. & Mrs. Robert Galyen ^mm 106 Mack St. Georgetown, III. 61846

Correspondence & Publicity Directors:

Mr. & Mrs. Archie Gustafson
R. R. 1

Georgetown, ill. 61846

February Newsletter

Dear Co-Laborers For Christ:

return to Rhodesia we have received word from Salisbury that the papers we need to
will leave from Indianapolis Feb. 8th at 1!15 P-ni.-

Alast letter to you while we are in the states. Since we wrote of our plans to

4.

enter and stay in the country are all in order. X7e now have our plane tickets and

year at Lincoln Christian College. They met in Rhodesia where Ifergaret was born. Margaret's parents were both Rhodesian with British Ancestory. Her father died sev eral years ago. Her stepfather is an American who went to Rhodesia as a missionary
about 25 yrs. ago. We are most happy with our new daughter-in-law.

We will have been in the country about months. During that time we were happy to see David, our next to oldest son, married and my privilege to officiate, to pro nounce them husband and wife was a joy. Efevid and I%rgaret are both in their second

Cathy, our youngest and the only one still in high school, i-all remain in the states. She is doing well in school here. If she returned to Rhodesia the time she
has missed over there would make it very difficult to oatoh up so she will remain
here. All three sons married, and one daughter in Rhodesia. .

^ ^

Concerning mission work in general and our work specifically, both have chanpd from past yrs. The government of Rhodesia, at the moment, is about the same as in the past. However, it will change. It is in a state of change now, slowly but oten^ng.
The forces which have brought this about have also brought a ctenge
because it is still not safe to go everywhere we once did, most of the

There are many places in the country where a white person had

allow any new missionaries, especially white ones, into the country. The same govt would probably allow those already in the country to stay. There is nothing c^^^^tain about this, but we believe that if we are in the country when the change comes, when ever that may be, we stand a better chance of being allowed to stay. .f Athird factor, which is also the most compelling, is the need which many African Christians have for sme white Christian who they trust, to be in this trying time. The world looks on the conflict as black against whites. In a sense

resoond favorably to the Gospel when it is proclaimed. There is also the probability that a black govt might, for a time

have not changed. Most of them will still listen to a white missionary and many will
nt

people who still live on the land "or in the bush".,They would prefer ^ have in times past. They are not political activists in any sense. f want a change want everyone to change. So these multitudes are caught in the ^dd^
with little idea of what is going on and often no one to talk to, especially n

this is true. However, those who are suffering most are the

Africarpeople we have worked mth. especially those we helped know us and trust us. Several have written and told us how they time they have said they were glad we are "o-t/^ere they are for they are

by the govt for Africans. The only exceptions are a few govt employe^.
them in many ways if we were in the country, by living in a

We couldn't live where they do if we wanted to. ATribal

us

could aid

safe. ^

are better. We could gice encouragement, direction and leadership f^iies proclaim theGospel to those around us. In the states most of you and your famlies Lve no need for someone in the way these people do. But people are they are and when they are suffering and confused they need to be f ^P" ed whenever possible. Especially, they need to be pointed to Christ. Pray
people of Rhodesia, both black and white, and for us
Tours In Christ,

Hugh and Betty

Rhodesian Christian College

The Fenders

African Evangelism

Forwarding Agents: Mr. & Mrs, Robert Galyen

Correspondence & Publicity Directors:

106Macl<St.

March mowoxch-wo* Newsletter

R. R. 1

^^^iP^eHilW^^hristians:

Georgetown, III. 61846

Betty and I are so happy to be writing you again from Rhodesia. We arrived in
Salisbury Feb. 10th after a very uneventful but somewhat tiring trip-

We are sure none of you have forgotten the weather we had in the states during
December and Jan.# It was the first real winter for Betty and I since "72" Vie under

stand it has warmed up since then but we are most happy to be here where it is nice and warm even if it does rain about every day. As this is being written we can look
out the td.ndow and see roses and many other flowers in bloom.

we will do, but we certainly are giving it a good try and can already see progress. "Unoedaa kutaura ChiShona, mazuva ose." Translated means "We try to speak Shona ev
ery day."

to stay in Salisbury a few months to study the Shona language. A guess would be that 60 to 70 per cent of the people of Rhodesia speak this language. All those we have been working with do. Therefore we need to be able to hold a conversation in it and eventually preach iniiiit. We have started our study. It is too early to know how well
Betty and I are living at Rhodesia ChrisUan College. We have a large room we use

As we wrote in our last letter (while in the states) we planned upon our return

for living and bedroom with connect^ bath. Betty cooks in the main kitchen. We ha planned to live at Ranch House College where we study, but the cost for sta^ng there has gone up greatly. So, to cut down on expenses we decided to stay at the
Rhodesian Christian College, . . , 4.

You will remember us writing about Jevas Chikarabwa who has been pr^ching at Chibi. For some time we have been working toward building a house for him to live in made from bricks the people themselves have made. We did not get this done before
the rains started and his house made of poles, plastered with mud for walls and

oria and going to Chibi by bus. Ihe people at Chibi need a minister badly. Around Christmas time while Jevas was on vacation the terrorists ambushed an army truck about a hundred yards from the church building. Don't know if anyone was hurt or kill-

thatch for a roof, has about washed away. So, for a time he is living in Fort Vict

ed, but the army soon picked up many of the people who lived around for questio^ng.
picked up, but is still not back to normal. +

Jevas's house was near. He would have been picked up had he been there. After he r" turned to Chibi no one would come to church out of fear. Attendance has gradually
+uo

Jevas believes strongly that he, or someone, needs to be there peple, or fear will cause these new Christians to stop comng

not be going down there until things are different, Which could be soon. This leads me to write something which every church, cla or indivitol who sup
social unrest in Rhodesia which has led to guerrilla type war. This war ing on for many years. It has increased in the last few 3^' "
missionaries who have served in Rhodesia, but are no longer

gradually drift back to their old ways. So pray for all the people at Chibi. We will

ports any missionary in Rhodesia need to hear and believe. There is poll^cal and
to evangelize. There are large areas whera-it is still safe to SP-

S"

will be a change in government. However, this does not mean that all continue evangelize have been in vain. Meither does it mean we caimot at the present ntinue
-f

security reasons. Therefore, if you have been supporting any missionary ^ere, remember, that the war against Satan for the souls of men is Lg at conditions in any particular place. Neither the present government African groups that might come to power have sugpsted that we all recognize that the Gospel needs to continue to be preach^, or 1 ^y ^ kept silent. We all need your continued support in order to do it. If Rhodesia
needed the Gospel preached it needs it now.
God bless-and keep you all.
In Christian Love,

Hugh and Betty

Rhodesian Christian College

The Fenders

African Evangelism

Forv\fiarding Agents; Mr. & Mrs. Robert Qalyen

H H 106 Mack St.

Correspondence & Publicity Directors:

Mr. & Mrs. Archie Gustafson
R. R. 1

Georgetown, III. 61846

Georgetown, III. 61646

Greetings from sunny but troubled Rhodesia I Perhaps by the time Mr. Owen and Mr. Vance will have all the problems of Rhodesia solved. I doubt it but

Dear Christian Friends:

xu-

then Mr. Young will undoubtedly give his invaluable assistance and then make it a

month before and while learning a language is most helpful to the ones learning, it

^We didn't write last month because we did almost exactly the same tlungs as the makes dull reading. We are involved in a few other things. I P^^ch here and there,
our tine in April was spent studying Sgona.

Betty helps lead womens meetings and I do the same for the men. But the majority of
May has been a bit different(and we were ready for a change). The first wk. we
\

went to Fort Victoria for a tri-annual meeting of all members of Central Africa Mis

sions. Normally such a meeting is not too exciting. The fellowship is nice but other wise comparable to church board meetings. However, after the two months of solid Shona you seem to get more out of most anything else. Seriously the meeting was quite
' From Fort Vic. we flew to Binga with Dr. Kenny Messman and his family, ^nga is a very small town2 stores about 3 miles or more apartwith a few houses, the Dis trict Commissioners office, post office and police station in between, ^nga is also right on Lake Kariba and on the other side of the Lake is Zambial Lake tonba is pretty wide though and would be hard to swim with a Russian or Czech ^ le on yo^^ back, so at the moment there aren't too many terrorists right around or il there is they are not active. Our main purpose for going was so I could teach in a Zk day conference of Batonga preachers and church leaders. Jack .ennington came up
nice. , ,. ^ -T r

and we each spent several hours a day teaching. Average attendance was ^5 and the men were very attentive. They asked many intelligent questions was period. We both had to use interpreters Even the small knowledge of Shorn I of little or no value. ChiTonga is somewhat like ChiShom but you /
and the minister or preacher. This of course included

the other well for the similarity to help. I spoke on the work of

urally led us into discussions on polygamy. The Batonga still practice polygamy a great deal. Much more than MaShona do. As a people, Ch-ristianity was taken to the Batonga last, which may or may not account for the difference. Since our return from Binga we have heard on the news that a new front is expected to be opened in the terrorist war-from Zambia naturally-and Prime Minister Smith has said they better not and President Kaunda has said they very well may, so who knows. Meanwhile at Chibi, things have been going about as usual. There has been another attack of an army truck near the church at Matsveru's and the owner of a little M-

by the terrorist. I had written to the Dristrict Commissioner of C^bi asking for a rLewal of my permit to enter Chibi. He replied -'It would not be
time to conduct religious services in the areas in question, and that the positi n would not be improving in the foreseeable future." Needless to say there was no acc
ompanying letter of permission to enter.

rican eating place, where we used to eat our lunch quite often

tfieory is if you can make the African understand what you want him is' good enough. We do not agree, so we are studying some points of pammer maiU of the Shona people don-t know. However, they are becoming many of them know the proper use of their language and will one ay g
more pride in proper usage. At least that is the way

Betty and I are back at our Shona lessons. Everyday our thing different. Some people think that this oollep tries

TheL ttet

Continue to pray for the people of this country and for the politicans, who ar tryinrt^rrange I settlement. If they fail there ThS/might be for a while even if a settlement is reached, but^thout

who are

qnly get worse. Do not be overly concerned language and will then allow God to lead us to labor
ible for us to be here. __

hnt -it is not likelv. Pray for continued good health, that we will ^ ,

profitlble, God bless all of you. We are continually grateful that you ma
Hugh abd Betty Pender

"^^i^^Lster the Shorn . ycu^Lke^rpcss-'

Fenders Report From Rhodesia

r/v-;,

Ex-"--

The Fenders

African Evangelism

Dear Fellcw Christians:

July, 1977

Greetings in the nae of

rrtTs ro:.''rtt^^t^"/:rSve an elect^ic^^eater^S^^^^ in our roo.. Days

^"T^Tool^w^fherTLn^t se^ro^h^vf af/e^tefthe S^efhei^rjlhri?; ^rlk about asettlement "^""Terrorist^^ti^ty continues about as it has been for mny -nths After all the fighting that has ^^-'^0"? control a
"n^: to^'whtS luropeans^<whltes) live =-rkrytv:!
Ited about 50 mles by road out in the brush a hospital and a primary school there, in the villages radiating out from the regations by training church l^^^ers and
congregations as the opportunities aris . with Bible Study classes and homeinaking c a
with great anticipation. We will

Tontro^'L':" a'nd - almost all

^3^^Lrin yrs. past to help these c^gt^et I will also start new the women, helping
^ ^

you read this we mil be lEving at o|H- mssion

of Lroi. There is

y '

looking forward to it Shona we have lear-

ned and will undoubtedly wish at times we Salisbury and be moved out to We hope to have all the loose ends tied ^ ifrSval. Abug round house the mission by the end of July. At first we will house, but un20ft. in diameter ^dth a thatched roof. NormUy it is used as a guesi. til a house can be built, we will live in ^ .. .i aT.ound Chidamoyo, We are
pravinff it will continue that way. Dr. irasure, on

Fortunately there has been

^ctors^here. the
^. . . .

other being Dr.

Cobb, has an airplane which he uses to fly to clinics in iso

lated places. This plane could be used in an emergency

many%ir:erwrissroLs:s"hi:; b:L":o=bL
world wide.

'^.Him;s and in

prSlSi^t^lu^L'rt'Sn goirglacrtr^tendtnrunder an umbrella during rontinie": Jr:y^frt^: SS :?'Kro^LL^r:;d for the wor. of the church
In Christian Love,

Hugh and Betty

P.S; Our new address will be: Mr. & Mrs. Hugh

Box 330, Chidamoyo Mission Karoi, Rhodesia, Africa

Forwarding Ager^ts: Mr. & Mrs. Robert Gal\;er}

106 Mack St.

Publicity Directors: Mr. & Mrs. Archie Gustafson

R.R.I

Georgetown, III. 61846

Georgetown, III. 61846

Fenders Report From Rhodesia

SEPlg

1S7T

The Penders

African Evangelism

ed. will be over, also everyone ,^11 know what the proposals for ment are. or were, which the British and American Govt s came up with. A
Last week I began to teach the have two classes; one combining gra es

ttook Z in Rhodesia yo^/ceivfthis Betty and I vdll have been at which to^mth^all six to seven months. The General El=txon.
5i
the school loc^^^ ^ headmaster ^ ^ school and teach

of waiting we have no idea of "l-Vbre^rthrscho^lo^ated here at the mission. I

ticv. SSI Kr.;.*5.n.;=

Again everyone in unison. I reply ^
well thank you." I am dropped out and I almost didn't reply to The first time it happened my teeth about ^ it longthem, and that was grades &5- Grades ^ &7 are older

supposed to be more tiian that or not.

^

er. Xcan just imagine what a general

a bit different than in the states. One group is

It seems Betty has a womens meeting about every d y.

^ .J

the classifications are

lish "e^^rica^ shelt^they had there for the church burned. So the congregation decidsd to make

i* the Shona speak-

annther is She-

'''''sL::^rarrivafhfr^'i "
get it in J^th gear and 3rd only once in a while,

In a one room round house. Not much privacy but

"iist anote from the femle viewpoint. We are finding it ^;;fiie5e ^ ^^ity when it is on arranging my work schedule to take "e-t advanteg^ofJhe ^ food
bly I forget something, though I am gating better. afternoons, the Eng-

that our schedule will fill out more when we know ^he needs ^

~:e ls

PP

s/ro.~s^
In His Service,

Hugh and Betty

Field Address:

Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Fender Box H-192 Hatfield Saiisbur^, Rhodesia

Forwarding Agents: Mr. & Mrs. Robert Gali^en

106 Mack St.

Pubiiciti; Directors:

Mr. & Mrs. Archie Gustafson

R.R.I

Georgetown, III. 61846

Georgetown, 111. 61846

Fenders Report From Rhodesia

inih idi
r.'-- '"'l
The Fenders

African Evangelism

November Newsletter

Dear Christian Friends;

than the cold much of the States had last i-iinter, and as soon as the rams begin it

hottest year we have had since coming in 1972. However we will take the heat rather
church here at the mission and those around about it. We were happy to find

Greetings from a very hot Rhodesia I I refer to the weather !

j.u-

""^We'havell; been at Chidamoyo 3months at time of writing. Our work

"i^h the

congregations hfve'fSl time ministers. However, we found that several men like go ing"out from Chidamoyo to nreach in these churches. With one exception none had any training irhow ^each.-A class has now been started so that they may learn to

thartweX conprerations Tri.thin the sphere of influence of Chidamoyo. 1,one of these

''Thrs:rLtSr:L:s:rnta'rteT;eaching in the public schools are continuing

and the students are getting used to my brand of English.

lS::iorso Thlt involves carrying all the sup^es back groun. She furnishes the material, patterns, thread etc. plus
bout p.m.. A Ions hard, hot dnyl

being asked by them and more of them being able to answer questions sftty has two wotnens groups started away from the mission and is involved in 2 here at the mission. They wanted a semng project at both groups away from th

C hers oftheirs? ke leaves the mission at 9 on Thurs. ^morning, ^ckxng a lunch

for herself, her interpeter, and the chaplain at the hospital an en re urns anvincnnl

mtterns out or heltiine them at the meeting. Sometimes she uonders whose project xt I.have now preached African funerals since I have been here, which is unusual. Some missionaries have been here for several yrs, and have not been asked to do thi . Two of these xrere recent. One of them I did not know I was to preach until about 5

the

"TillTaro dug in the side of old ant hills It is astually soil the a^ts have brought up from -dergro^d .nd piled Uo unti^ many^ J L^'i-id; o rpi. cj enTi h''s no I'^r^^'e rocks in i t and ^ooo ar<-inv.vjj,^. -u b u*n
of'the mound, then'at the bottom of the hole about ^-5 part

don' attend church scrviccs anyr-zhore. The estimated attendance at

We are praying for a just settlement quiclO-y.
God bloss all of you and rcmembor us in your prayers.

Security ^^iso we still seem to be ok_here, although activity is closer

Tour brother and sistor ^n Christ, Hugh and Botty Pundor

Forwarding Ager^ts: Mr. & Mrs. Robert Ga/yen

106 Mack St.

Public/tv Directors: Mr. & Mrs. Archie Gustafson

R.R.I

Georgetown, III. 61846

Georgetown, III. 61846