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The Fenders

African Evangelism

January 1978
Greetings from Rhodesia*. ^ . ... puv,n^+=

Just a note to let you know a little about the Panders during this Christmas

ful for the opportvinity of being here and serving him.

^^tSs has been another wonderful year xn service to our Lord, We are so thank The first part of this month we moved into a real house and we are ^ally enj y-

Trondlvel Lre too and will be using it for office spare bedroom, se^ng room etc.
i-icrht? oYi it in hoDes we will have it done. Our refrigerator is parrafin ^.coal oii;
it is only on a few hours each day.

ing it. Margaret Dennis went on furlough and will be gone for nine months. In the house itself there are two bedrooms but one of them has Margaret s thing stored in it so we have one large bedroom, bath li^ng room, Chen. We do not have electricity yet but hopefully ^d Martin will get the house at least partially wired before Christmas. We put our tree up and

and the stove is a gas stove so no problem with these. Even when we have electricity j. u t t + I have been helping out teaching Kathy and Hiohael Frasure at school. I don know for sure yet whether I'll be teaching again in Jan. or halping out in the of

^"^Ttos^is the^fi^st year at Christmas when we have not had any of

and it will be quite different. We have plenty to do to keep us busy though so ttet will make it easieri On Wedi 21 we will be serving Christmas dinner to the hospital staff and I'll be helping cook that. Then I have to help bake cookies for the Sunday School for Christmas day, plus all my other baking. The area Christian Hen s meeting will be here at Chidamoyo on Zl^th and 25th. On Monday 26th we our Christmas dinner here with the Messtnans from ^nga and maybe^ their
Sinoia. That os also Boxing Day so there will be hundreds of Africans here for

kids with us

Christmas Box. I have bought lots of sweets (candy and

Today some girls in the sixth grade at the African school here coming to the house to bake cakes for their school party. After ^

^L^skon are

"fk'

could come I got a note from the Headmaster thanking me for teaching the girls how to
We have a Cuckoo Clock and it really fascinates the Africans. After they have seen
+hnqe

I'never learn to ask before I leap. Oh well it ^^ould be interesting

it they bring their friends to see it and after that their friends bring their friend.
I really don't mind though because I love to watch their faces when the bird comes
asked because I am not sure I could have kept a straight fcC.e,

ou^ oie Tn Lr'sked Lgh what we fed the bird. I am glad I wasn't there when he
of you who support us financially and those who support us iJith their prayer
and a ELessed New Year.
In His Service,

Seriously though, we love the people and the work here and we want to thank thos

"^"^ring th"tirae of thryearwhen we celebrate our Lord's birth we feel a special

oneness with all you, our loved ones. We wish for you all a very Happy Christmas
Hugh and Betty

Forwarding Agents:
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Ga/yen
106 Mack St.

Publicity Directors: Mr. & Mrs. Archie Gustafson

R.R.I

Georgetowri, III. 61846

Georgetown, III. 61846

>I

'>5:^ ?
The Penders

African Evangelism

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, so we decided to send a letter including pictures. This is the congregation at Chipere and their church building, where

I have been preaching since coming to Chidamoyo. The only man in the picture is chaplin at the hospital and went as my interpreter. Few of the congregations have any elders or deacons. There is need for much teaching, both of the Bible and on the role every Christian should take in the local
congregation.

r ^

'"^ '> V'v "?

Vif.i

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ir^'aifaii;

This is the rondaval, or round house we have been living in. It is 25 feet in diameter. I don't know how high the point of the roof is, but it is hard to reach the cobwebs. I know, because there were some up there which bothered Betty. I found a long pole, tied a featherduster to it, and got them down. The other picture is me teaching a class of all ages. In Rhodesia, as in the U.S., children will often come when their parents won't. This was a Monday and the people at this village knew we were coming.
Yours in Christ, Hugh and Betty

Field Address:

Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Pander Box H-192 Hatfield Salisburi;, Rhodesia

Forwarding Agents: Mr. & Mrs. Robert Gaiyen

106 Mack St.

Public^ Directors: Mr. & Mrs. Archie Gustafson

R.R.I

Georgetown, HI. 61846

Georgetown, //I. 61846

Fenders Report From Rhodesia

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The Fenders

African Evangelism

February 1978

^^Ltty^and'^?'gree^^

onnl off Thev cane and in the last part of the month we had 17? m* of rain. Judg

the first of the month I said it was very hot here but

this tine from rainy Rhodesia. In our Nov. letter about

green and fo f
.-tj

thine ereen at all before the rains there is grass almost as tall as I am. Some ol
ovpr with the new erowth and hard to find and keep on them*

^11 continurvmtil ^feroh or April. grLing^ike md especially the grass and weeds. In

the ^ths which were very easy to see and follow in the dry season are now covered

who ^r^ bfg Lough to'do anylhing.'spend much of their

Thli^ully IZ cr^rare growing also. However, this means the women and children

fields from baboons and as much as possible from wild F^f- ^

that can be done. Hippos and elephants like mize too. Nor y

cotton. Then when the maize gets too big to need hoeing

^^^^^^a'rd the
nothing
,

at night and although they are quite destructive, f^en there is litUe^o^notfe^
they wanted to do some sevdng in addition to Scripture

trouble with either in the immediate area but where some of our churches are ^a bit further out) they could have eithei' or both. . . t that Betty still has her two womens groups aviay from the mission.

to Lke dresses for themselves and the other group is Children. Sometimes she finds they teve

?S:th:f:h:n:^nrry%e'cL'a^^^^ so they tear it out and start over. H^rt^r hira^n:: If^^i-fi^-^nister for the -ngregati^n^t^^^^^^^^
L'rS:L"^te of - Bible conege
y back in the 60's at Moshoko. The place he has been preaching recently is

som^hing fo^their Sd TafwL'tlLrpS

"P/L^ir

militarily and terrorist wise so he was happy to

i^ii ^T'""th:ifu=knf'ex;e:i:nce were learning from me arri apart from custom and interpreting their lack of experienc
"1 i.v=''^:or.rr3 '.r
usually preaches there wants a metal
to build a church and have the walls up, but are s OPP money. ground and a pole and thSojre met in their shelter, meaning some posts set m t" ot hard lo most of atch roof which hopefully has seen better days. It rained but not hard

him. One of us could preach but then we wouldn't beable U g^ out

out'^trcLrches who

S"SS .'S
th. y "

^
" " " "

s; ri s iii'm?
you.

. ^ ' i ' Your fellow servants,

Forwarding Agents:

Betty pgtt^^y Oirecfors;

Mr. & Mrs. Archie Gustafson R.R.I

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Gali;en 106 Mack St.

Georgetown, Hi. 61846

Georgetown, III. 61846

Fenders Report From Rhodesia

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The Penders

African Evangelism

hiarch 197^

Dear Chnstian Friends#

+Ka <!ii'n'nnT*+ vou

"".ii ss rr<:S5o5^fo"iis=ij;.. .i C.bb. " h.v. ..t. ,.tlml. tMn ou, t.o dl.r..
very young babies and the cause is always the same.

s?r. Lnr;.;: ""Tjir^sr or a more complicated operation with only one unskilled helper or none at all. Bu
''Tat:i"th:re'have'b;en several babies brought in suffering f^om teWs. Mostly
a before
wrong custom. By very hard work the doctors are able o

SSrTwil

woman acting as midwife) has cut the umbilical cor ^

blade or a

knife, piece of tin etc. and then has put n^nure of wraping a dirty cloth around the babies waist, mny die because

thats the way it

nf

::::t:^of;:aStr;nr:oS^^^^^

e.en
hospital chfpel
first few

ister and I continue to call in the homes

and we take turns preaching there.

"%hfrhu^h hrre';t the mission continues to grow. Ifr. mombo ^r new African^ncame the first of Jan. there have been 16 baptisms,
morning

service has more than doubled. Sunday evenings the service is in the hospital cnap
congregation and there are many. Lately we have 5>en S ^ S ^

eel'T:sK'wenronly%ft"

not Christians and lAll eventually get to them all. Then

idea what is being said except when he is interpreting for

Of course i-Ir. mombo speaks in Shona and f O n e dav Tcaught him

^

have ar^
hear

misinterpreting me. I had said that if

1^3 didn't say them. I told

Sfso^ld^C^^aigL^n"

t.lk about himself th.t way." e both en-

Which is supoosed to bring majority rule by the end of this ^ co.mpl_ete_ s_emement and a transition of government is to be c^|^^ However the security situation around the mssion has ^ g ^

'"Vn'trch 3rl'the'prime i-dnister and three

cently there have been reports of terrorists

appefrfrha^ a
Tr'ere around,
3 ^ j.

they have not bothered us in any way but there is no doubt they are or wer Pray ernstly that things will not bet worse before they stert to S V
Box 330 Karoi, Rhodesia- l-Iay God RIess and keep you.

If you are gathering used clothing to send, our address is Chidamoyo tUssion.
Your fellcfw servant,

Hugh awd r^.tty Pender

Forwarding Agents: Mr. & Mrs. Robert Galifen

106 Mack St.

Publicity) Directors: Mr. & Mrs. Archie Gustafson

R.R.I

Georgetown, III. 61846

Georgetown, ///. 61846

Fenders Report From Rhodesia

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The Fenders

African Evangelism

Jtme 1978
Dear Christian Friends?

Gi'eetings in the name of our Saviour I It has been awhile since we last wrote to

you and we apologize, Time passes quickly and there is never enough ot it to do all
that needs to be done.

For most of the past month we have been in Salisbury. Betty was scheduled in Feb. to have an operation which had to be postponed due to an attack of viral arthritis.

The doctors had that under control and the operation was again scheduled for the last of April. Again it was postponed as there were no beds available. Ifey 1 a bed was available and she was scheduled for the 2nd, but because of her high blood pres sure it was postponed. Finally on May 5'th she had a bladder suspension and pelvic floor repair that was fairly extensive. She is now back at the mission recuperating.
It is too early to tell how successful the operation was.

An event of importance in this area was the death early Ekster morning of the old chief of this area. Chief Dandawa was about 100 yrs. old. He had been unable
to carry on the duties of a chief for several yrs. and so there have been at least 2 of his relatives who have acted as chief in his place. He was a member of the

church here. Due to his poor health he was unable to attend services except on rare
occassions. One of the missionaries here had been taking him communion. The church was in charge of his funeral and there were services over a 3 day period. There were close to 400 people at the burial. The rains stopped in April.Recently we had a shower and that might be the last we have until Nov. or even Dec. Here at the mission the poinsetta are in full bloom.

The ones in our front yard are 12-15 feet tall and very pretty. We are going into our winter season. Salisbury is about 2000 ft. higher elevation
than here and the nights there are quite cool. So far we haven't had a fire in our fireplace but may before long. Even if we do the days will still be warm. Rhodesia has a very nice climate. At least we think so. The security situation around us has not improved and may be a bit worse. As I write this there is a small group of soldiers camped on the mission. What they are doing none of us missionaries know. We thought they were only going to stay one ni ght but this is now the ^'th night. In a situation like ours we don't know whether to be glad or sad about their being here. If the terrorists decided to make an at tack they might be a help. On the other hand their presence could cause land mines to be laid on our road to tox-m. But that couLd happen anyway. There is a story going around that the elephants in V/ankie National Park, a large
game park in the northwest part of Rhodesia, are not crossing the roads early in the morning. They wait until a tourist drives by to see if they detonated land mines

then the elephants cross. If you fail to see any humor in the story perhaps it's due to it being "British type" humor. Or maybe it just isn't funny. (It didn't originate

with us) The terrorist are now using mines that sometimes have to be run over more
than once before they explode. We are hoping and praying that the present interium govt. proves successful. We aren' particularly interested in who ends up in power as long as they allow us to continue to preach the word and stop the war. Pray about all of this, ^e for now and God HLess all of you.
Hugh and Betty

Field Address:

Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Fender Box H-192 Hatfield

Salisburi;, Rhodesia

Forwarding Agents: Mr. & Mrs. Robert Galyen

106 Mack St.

Georgetown, III. 61846

Fenders Report From Rhodesia

The Penders

African Evangelism

Dear Friends in Christ,

There is so much to tell you that I hardly know where to starts On July 1, all
missionaries evacuated Chidamoyo Mission. For several months some of our fellow mis sionaries, also Rhodesian friends, both black and white, had expressed their concern

that we were continuing to stay on the mission# Although we knew that terrorists were around us the work was going well. Since Jan.1, we have baptized a total of 52 people into Christ, (30 at the church, 20 at the hospital chapel and 2 a short dis tance from the mission. How many additions the over 20 congregations scattered out from the mission have had'I have no idea, but by any standard the work was going
good.
Then in June came what has been called over here "the EHim Massacre". Thirteen

missionaries including their children were killed at a Pentecostal mission near the Mozambique border. Other missionaries were also being killed. One man at a feptist
mission south of us and 2 men at a Roman Catholic mission even closer to us than the

Baptist. In fact if there are any other missions with missionaries on them closer to
us we don't know of it#

The middle of June 3 our fellow missionaries flew out ot talk to us because of their concern. Soon after their visit the decision to evacuate t^s made and arrange ments for trucks to haul our furniture was made. No moving company would have thought of coming out there but a member of the church in Sinoia, who owns a trucking co., agreed to send 3 big trucks, 2 pulling trailers, if the police or array would provide an escort. They readily agreed to do so and the date of July 1 was set. Naturally a lot of packing needs to be done to move 5 houses of furnitiu^e plus

that of 1 family and a single woman who were on furlough. Normally the whole family is involved and several days before the truck comes boxes are sitting around and the
looks a mess. There is no trouble telling even from the outside that people are moveing. It wasn't that way with us. Although we had, to that time, not been harmed in

any way (Africans around us had been) we were all convinced that if word got out we were leaving they might try to get a few of us before we were gone. Fortunately, the Officer in charge of the police in Karoi, o\xr nearest town, thought the same and sent
some European and African loolice reservists, equipped as the arny is, to stay on the

mission site and patrol it at night. They were the last 2 days and nights that we
were and came out with our escort of 3 arny trucks.

This protection was good but we still felt we should not reveal our plans. Little packing was done until after Bible Study, which we had every Friday night, even that last one. At around 9*30 we all began to pack. Some worked at it until ^;00 in the morning. Betty and X quit around t2:30 then began again in the morning. The trucks arrived around 9s30 or 10:00. ^y 300 we were ready to move out. Ihe women and children were taken out by plane. J>. Frasure and Chuck McDaniel's planes were used. An army truck took the lead, the ^ mission vehicles, one driven by me, another army truck, then the 3 big trucks and an army truck at the rear. The lead truck had to keep in radio contact vri.th the other tvro and the big trucks couldn't
go very fast over our roads so it was almost dark when we got to Karoi, but there the convoy ended and we mission vehicles went on to Sinoia at a speed slightly over

the 60 miles an hour Ixadt which is not enforced anymore.

Now we are all living in Sinoia. At first Betty and I stayed with M/M Franl0.in
^fertin. Although past retirement age Mr. Martin x^as maintainance man at the missicii replacing Bill Harrison, who is on furlough. We wanted to be sure of the work we

would be doing before we rented a house. After discussing this with a number of
African ministers, as well as missionaries, we were assured by African 14inisters in

and around Sinoia that there was plenty of work in the African part of Sinoia(called
township of location) and around Sinoia where on can still ta?arel in reasonable
safety.
Forwarding Agents: Mr. & Mrs. Robert Gal^en
106 Mack St.

Georgetown, III. 61846

Ml
The Fenders

>,

African Evangelism

return to Chidanioyo, or until improved circumstances in another part of the country

indicate we should take advantage of them4

We have rented a house and expect to stay in Sinoia until it is possible to

Betty is working in the Good News Centre part time to help them out. Since we left the mission activity seems to have increased somewhat , but the church continues and there was one baptism the day after we left. We haven't heard yet about the other days. The hospital is still open but vrithout a doctor except
on ocasion.

To those of you who sent used clothing most of it was given to people who really
needed it. The remainder, except one box which arrived after we evacuated, was
left VTith the church to distribute as needed. Pictures vxere taken of several of

those who received the clothes and after they are developed we will send them to
the churches involved.

God bless all of you. Continue to pray for the people of this country, especially
the african people of the rural areas who are very hard hit. Pray for us also.
Your brother and sister in Christ, Hugh and Betty Fender

P.S. New Address:

MpA Hugh E. Pender

Box 630
Sinoia

Field Address:

Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Pender Box H-192 Hatfietd

Salisburt^, Rhodesia

Forwarding Agents: Mr. & Mrs. Robert Gal\;en

106 Mack St.

Publiciti; Directors: Mr. & Mrs. Archie Gustafson

R.R.I

Georgetown, III. 61846

Georgetown, III. 61846

^'-y

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The Fenders

African Evangelism

Sept. Sc Oct. 1978

Dear Fellow Christians:

Greetings from Rhodesia! Betty and I are well and happy in the Lord and we pray
that you are too.

We are well settled in our home in Sinoia. Yet at the same time we are also

ready, or almost ready, to move again if the circumstances should dictate that we

should. These circumstances could be either good or bad, although we really don't
expect things to go either way enough to bring about another move soon.

k number of things have happened since I last wrote you. Probably the shooting doT-m of one of Air Rhodesia's planes, a Viscount, used to carry passengers to the
resort towns of Kariba and the most in the States.The that the plane was brought fore the wreckage was even Victoria Falls, was the incident which you road about Rhodesian Govt. confirmed what Mr. Kkomo had claimed, down, the Govt. said by a heat seeking missle. Then, be spotted by the Govt. fordes, ten of the 18 survivors were shot by terrorists. I-feking a total death toll of ^K) some; A very tragic affairi But

in number of lives lost, no more than and probably far less than the number of Af-*

rican (black) civilians killed every week* Their deaths, sometimes by shooting but
often by beatings stabbing, hanging, being burned to death and many other ways are

reported in the daily newspaper here, but whether you hear about it I don't know, Novr, according to the newspapers and radio here, the members of the Executive Council have been invited by 27 U.S. Senators to come to the States, It has been re ported that they have accepted the invitation. It now remains to be seen whether the

State Dept. will grant visas to the four of them including Prime Mnister Smith.
V/ell, so much for all the cheery and hopeful news on the political and war front.

It is something which we who live here are constantly aware of, but it certainly
doesn't require much of Bettys and my time. We usually listen to the 7 A.M. and 7 P.M. news reports and now that we are in town we get the paper each day instead of
about once a wask.

I am still working with the African l^nister here in Sinoia, calling with him in the African Location. In addition, on the 10 of Sept. Betty and I were in Fort Vic toria where we lived from 1972-1975 to help the church there to ordain an African Minister, Mr. Job Juma. Job was in Bible College when we were in Fort Vic and most of the time for bout 2 yrs. 73-75 he went with me on Sundays, at first to Umvuma then to Chibi. M st times he intrepreted for me and when he didn't he preached. He has continued to'^work for the Lord, becoming a teacher at our Bible College, then
was appointed principal about a yr. ago. When contacted by the church at Fort Vic

about their ordaining him, I was happy to help. On the 1 and 2 of Sept. there was a Church Growth Conference in Salisbury for the
African church leaders and the missionaries. Betty and Joann Martin were the cooks

for the meeting and I took part in it. There were about ^5-50 present and much good
came of it. Some of the problems and joys of the church were shared and it was felt
that i t was beneficial to all there.

On the 171 went l^ath one of our missionaries to Mangula, a small town built around 3 copper mines. It is the first time I have been there, although we have had an African congregation there for several yrs. I preached for them and will probabiy be going back often.
I have finished a series of 8 lessons for the men of the church. The first is a-

"bout the church, what it is, who owns it, is its head, etc. The second is about who the New Testament says are to be its leaders. V/hat their titles are, etc.. Lesson 3

ia xm the office of Deacon & number 4 is on the office of Elder, what they do, how
they are to be selected, etc.. Number 5 is on qualifications of both elders and dea

cons & 6|7 & 8 are on th work of the preacher, evangelist and minister.
Forwarding Agents: Mr. & Mrs. Robert Galf^en
106 Mack St.

Georgetown, III. 61846

Fenders Report From Rhodesia

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The message ^PS"^8'^reach and its importance, the qualities

c^lSlcfe? or the

qualifications a preacher should have, his relationship with the elders of his con gregation, etc.. These are now being translated into Shona. Betty types what I write into readable English, then type what the translators write into readable Shona, then type corrected copies of these and finally type stencils in both Shona and English. I have finished ny part but Betty is only getting started. She may have to get some help. Our Sunoier is about here. October is usually our hottest month. If the rains Don't start in Nov. then it may be as bad or worse.

Conditions around Chidamoyo continue to deteriorate. Since we left at least 6

schools in that area have been closed by the terrorists. Usually they jnst arrive at a school, bet ths teachers and students togetb'^r and say the school is to be closed and all studeni-s nust be gone by a certr?.in tiiie, often the same day^ Tii mny cases while they are there with the teachers and students they burn the school build ingf^ or p';rt of them. As far as we know none o.f thi schools closed around Chidamoyo have been burned. African schools began their third term of the year a few days ago and it will surprise me if more schools in the Chidamoyo area as well as eii:owhere
aren't clo::eci.

KVws f::cv.u out tlis-t way dcesn' reach us very quickly for the bu-sses have stopped runi'-iri.^ to Cl*ddar;:c5''o. The closest you can get by bu.5 is an Alrican village callod
Maff;r.f^i.. ?]' road this nust be at least 30 miles from the misjjion and the only ^ray to

go or. ia to walk. There m&.y be paths which would wake it shorter but still it is a
lon^ '-lay i-nd by path there would be a number of streams to \\ade and mountain::' to go
over cr ajcand.

The Chidi'.moyo HosDltal landrover is still allowed to go to the nearest town two times a r.uijch supplies ani occasionally at ocher uimos with euicrgency pa.ti^ents who need h?*!.p; which the preL-ent staff can't give. Recently it was sto;:nc;d b;/ the terrorist.?, but tbon allowed to proceed. It may be these were new in the area and did
not yet knovr the vehicle by sight.

In spite Cl all this people are being won to Christ, even though preachers in many area? .?.rc being told not to preach about Jesus and in some areas K.bles are being burns-j, so I have- been told. All this seems to have caused more African people to buy Bibles i-nd they don't buy one just to put where visitors will see it. Continue tc p..:ay for the people and for us. Ploase don't forget the urgent need
for used clothing. May Gcd continue to bless all of you.
In His Service,

Hugh and Betty

Forwarding Agents: Mr. & Mrs. Robert Ga/yen

106 Mack St.

Publicit}^ Directors:

Mr. & Mrs. Archie Gusto/son

R.R.I

Georgetown, III. 61846

Georgetown, 111. 61846

'A-F/t-etUbCsy/f 0,7

Fenders Report From Rhodesia

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The messageSl"*l'^reach and its importance, the qualities'^oF c^i^^c^lr or the

qualifications a preacher should have, his relationship with the elders of his con gregation, etc*. These are now being translated into Shona, Betty types what I write into readable English, then type what the translators ;-jrite into readable Shona, then type corrected copies of these and finally type stencils in both Shona and English. I have finished my part but Betty is only getting started. She may have to
get some help.

Our Summer is about here. October is usually our hottest month. If the rains Don't start in Nov. then it may be as bad or worse.

Conditions around Chidamoyo continue to deteriorate. Since we left at least 6

schools in that area have been closed by the terrorists. Usually they just arrive at a school, bet the "leachers and students together and say the school is to be

closed and all studeni-s must be gone by a certain tine, often the same day^ hi many cases while they are there t-d.th the teachers and students they burn the ccliool build ings or part of them. As far as we know none of the schools closed around Cl:n.damoyo have been burned. African schools began their third term of the year a few days ago
and it will surprise me if more schools in the Chidamoyo area as well as elsewhere
aren't clothed.

News fr.oji out that way doesn' reach us very quickly for the busses have stopped ruitiiri.i, to Chidamoyo, The closest you can get by bu3 is an African village called Ifeg'-iT.gi . road this nust be at least 30 miles from the mission and the only way to go .ir. i-f' v.o walk. There may be paths which would wake it shori^ter but still it is a lon^ 'ja'y -'.nd by path there x/ould be a number of streams to wiide and mountains to go
over or arcand.

The Chido.moyo Hospital landrover is still allowed to g: to the nearest town two times a moiich ror supplies aid occasionally at ocher times with smorge-Licy pa cn ents who need htup which the present staff can't give. Recently it was stopped by the terrorists out then allowed to proceed. It may be these were new in the area and did
not yet kno^r the vehicle by sight.

In spit? of all this people are being won to Christ, even though preachers in many area*^ are being told not to preach about Jesus and in some areas Bibles are being burnsJ, I have- been told. All this seems to have caused more African people to buy Bibles they don't buy one just to put where visitors will see it. Continue tc 'x-ay for the people and for us. Please don't forget the urgent need
for used clothing. May God continue to bless all of you.
In His Service,

Hugh and Betty

Forwarding Agents: Mr. & Mrs. Robert Gal^/en

106 Mack St.

Publicity Directors: Mr. & Mrs. Archie Gustafson

R.R.I

Georgetown, 111. 61846

Georgetown, III. 61846

Panders Report From Rhodesia

The Fenders
Dear Christian Friends:

African Evangelism

Nov., 1978

As I sit in my office (a converted bedroom) writing this and can look out the i-rindow at some Jacaranda trees in bloom, roses and other flowers (almost all in other peoples yards, but I can stdll enjoy looking at thera)! don*t envy most of you getting ready to go into winter. Of course some of you wouldn't like the heat we have here. Right now the grass is pretty brown, except where it is watered, but the rains should start and then will the grass ever grow. Rhodesia is a beautiful country. It is too
bad that it is now soaking up so much blood.

We hope you got to see Prime Minister Smith on T.V while he was in the U.S and th^t he was able to present the internal settlement in a way that you and our govt. will understand and they will back it.. We do not get involved in politics in any way. We are not here for that purpose. But we can say what we think is best for the people, Betty and I and one of the African preachers went to a farm near the mining town,

Alaska, where two or 3 congregations were meeting. They were expecting us and were at
the school building when we arrived. I preached , 2 groups of young people sang some special numbers, and the Lord's Supper was served. IiHien the invitation to accept Christ was given one woman responded, but was not baptized then. There was no stream close by. The African preacher and members of the church will take care of that After

a closing prayer they said they had made mahewu, we call it sweet beer. The African people all like it very much# ^^ly, I don't know, for I have tried it several times to be polite and have never found any I thought was good. It was soon all gone and Betty taught the women on the responsibilities of a Christian woman to her God. I taught the men and boys on much the same subject, but used only the Great Commission and showed that it applies today to the young and old alike. We had a question and answer periodo Only had time to answer 2. One was what to do if their parents were still worshipping the ancester spirits and do their best to get them to do the same. This is a hard sit uation to be in for many parents will disown a son or daughter who rejects tribal or ancestral spirits. It took a little time to answer but I covered it pretty thoroughly
and he was satisfied.

We thought we should leave by 3:00 as we were several miles off any main road. They wanted us to stay for tea, bread, butter, sadza & relish. It is most impolite to
refuse to eat with someone, so we had a tin cup of tea, a piece of bread & butter &

explained that we would like to stay , but thought we must get back to town before dark as we didn't want any more holes in our hides than normal.They understood.
I continue to work with the church here in Sinoia. There are several thousand Af

ricans livii.ng in the "location" where the church is and scattered among them some
where I am sure there are terrorists. They have caused no problems here yet and I
don't intend for them to begin id-th me if I can help it.

ly ones T ai0:nv61ved^^h7"but~aiii-sure^hs same ^s-1irue-mostr, if not every-~plae. The war has not turned the people away from God as some of the terrorist leaders
would like to see happen.

The minister from Chidamoyo was in toi-jn and reported three baptisms out there in the past 2 to 3 weeks. There have also been some here in Sinoia and these are the on

Continue to pray for the people here and for us. May God continue to bless you as
you work for him in the States.
Your co-workers for Christ,

Hugh and Betty

Forwarding Ager]ts:
Mr. &Mrs. Jeane Winkler 107 Stone

Georgetown, III. 61846

Fenders Report From Rhodesia

The Fenders Dear Christian Friends:

African Evangelism

rtec.1,1978 Greetings to all of you in the name of our Saviour I A number of things have happ ened since we last wrote to you. Betty has been in the hospital in Salisbury for an other operation- The one she had in May for bladder suspension was not successful. ThAs time they used a different technique, and it seems to have done the job. She is not fully recovered, but is progressing, and should be back to full strength soon. The operation was scheduled bel'oro we knew for sure whether there was going to be an election by the end of the year. We wanted to be here well before then. Concerning the election, we now know they will not be held until later, probably April "79". Naturally we are not involved in any politics. Our main concern is, that whoever eventually is elected, will allow religious freedom and will seek the good ot' the people. Of those presently involved in the Transitional Govt., as well as man}' Ovher possible candidates, we have every reason to believe our work will not be hind ered if they are elected.

On Hcv. 16, the day Betty came home from the hospital, we received a phone calll

(at 12:30am) from our son David, that 1-Iargaret, our daughter-in-law had givan b:i.rth to a 10'lb. 51 02* baby girl that day. David is in his senior year at Lincoln Christ
ian College, while Margaret is in her senior yr. at Sangemon State, Springfield, lAi, Wt) have great hopes that they will be able to come to this country, whatever it is
called by then, as missionaries, after their graduation and the raising of support.

Since Sept. 10, I have given the charge to 8 African ministers at their orcamtior.
ThcBy have all been preaching a number of years, but were never ordained. All of them work mrtially or totally in bush areas. The going in the bush areas is rough- The fant that they are ministers of the gospel often is hazardous to them rather than a
help. I am still working with the African churches in and around Sinoia. On Mondays 3

of the preachers and I have a 3 hour study on the Gospels. Arrangements are being

made for me to begin a class during the lunch hr. on Mondays (1:00-2:00) with men
from the European congregation here on Bible Doctrine,
I am sure you have read about the attacks on terrorist bases in Zambia, which the

Rhodesian forces made. One was said to be only 10 kilometers (6 mi. from Lusaka.)
Since then according to newspaper reports here the white population in Zambia has had rather a rough time.

Work out at Chidamoyo is still going pretty good considering. From July 1, when we
missionaries left until the I5 of Nov., there have been 11 baptisms at the church on the mission. V/hat is happening at most of the many othsr churches in that area I donU

know. The entire area, in fact 70/5 of Rhodesia io now under I-'krtial Law.
In spite of the war the attitude of the African peorla as a whole hasn't changed

much, if any. When I go out into the African part of Sinoia (or Fort Vic as we did in

Sept.) the people treat me as kindly as they always have. I suppose there are some
around wh"b doiT'^feei that"way, biit^the^just le^ve^me alone."~TRe people ai^e as r^dy zo listen to what I have to say about Jesus as ever, perhaps even more in some cases# Often, if at least one person in the family is a member of the Church of Christ, they will invite several of their neighbors to come in, and I preach a mini sermon. Thon the African preacher makes any comments he thinks necessary. Often some member
of the church will ask us to have tea with them. We make another call or two then

<'.ome back to that house for a cup of tea and some bread and butter (margarine.) If
the husband isn't home the wife will set the tea and bread on the table, then leave

tr*T5 room, and the African preacher and I eat and drink alone. If the husband is home tiQ will have the tea and bread with us, but not the wife, except in very rare occasjOTiS, This would be in a home where the couple are becoming Europc^nizod. V5.srDrig you a blessftd Christmas and a Happy New Year,
In Christian Love,

Hugh and Betty Pender

Forwarding Agents:
Mr. &Mrs. Jeane Winkler 107 Stone

Georgetown, III. 61846