The WHA-GAN in which Mrs.

Dittemore was carried ever the mountain poss was of lighter construction than the one pictured carrying Mrs. Morse when she
firsf W(gi\l tnT6 West China.

TRAVEL

PROBLEMS,

1945-1946

News Ifems from Several Letters Written by

Our Missionary Co>workeis,

"Where China, Tibet, and Bxirma Meet"

THE TIBETAN-LISULAND CHURCHES OF CHRIST

J. Russell Morse, Director

Address: AI-WA, via Likiang, N.W. Yunnan, West China

'The chicrches oj Asia salute you."I Cor. 16:10.

A LETTER FROM MRS. GERTRUDE MORSE

Pugeldb, Upper Salween, Address: Al-WA, (via Likiang)

N. W. Yunnan, W. China
September 22, 1945.
Dear Moth^ Morse and all:

blue sky. My, I can hardly wait to see a sunset and level country again. The children have grown up in this mountainous country so
that it seems like home to them but Russell and I migs the level
country.

on a makeshift crutch. Now occasionally we see the sun and the

As the tim^ nears when it seems that we are to see you once more, I am lonesome and homesick for my own people and my own country. This year we have been muchshut in with rains, and then for more,than a month I could not usemyfoot andhad to getaround

and the .boys are almost never at home, for there are so many demands on theij time from this enormous area they pastor. Now after almost six months, Robert and Dorothy Sterling are'again at
Cooke mission, clear through to the Burma Road on Army business. There he got a plane and went to Assam and later tp Kunming. Now that Miss Sterling is back here, she is busy with the sick, of which ^ere have been many this summer. Russell has been just "swamped" with the work of attending the sick at TA-DA, and I have been kept busy here at Pugeleh all summer^people coming all the time, for all sorts of advice, teaching, and simple remedies. Ruth had the measles but is fairly well again now. Many of the
Lisu died with measles; I suppose because they were not careful
and because of their weak, undernourished bodies.

I suppose I have this feeling of lonesomeness because Russell

home. I suppose Robert has written you Aat he went south of the

As we have not been able to get all our family together for a conference, I cannot tell you for sure what Uie plans are for our leaving for our furlough. Robert was only here at Pugeleh about 4 days when Russell and Eugene sent a messenger urging him to
come to TA-DA for the hearing of the law case of the air force. A
wild Jut-zi tribe killed several airmen who bailed out when their planes crashed in that sectionor at this time it seems that this is

what happened.

The" case has kept Russell at TA-DA for over a

month already. As soon as the trial is over Russell and Robert will

come down to do the packing and carrying of our things to TA-DA

where they are to be stored in the new house.

Eugene says he must make a last round of the churches, hold the winter conventions, and introduce Warren Dittemore ta the native congregations and pastors. Our work is too important to be left

without these explanations and arrangements. I know this is right but I am so anxious for Eugene. He has missed more than anyone else in young life and schooling. He has overworked so much that he looks a good deal older than his years. Being alone at TA-DA has affected his health but he will pull out of it by the Lord's help,
when he does not have so many burdens to bear.

Ruth is ten this year and she does very well in her school-work
when she takes the notion, but she needs the competition of other classmates. Miss Sterling thinks she has talent in art like Robert has. Ruth loves to work about the kitchen. Sometimes she gets the meal or she often goes with the girl who cares for the cows and pigs and she loves to feed the dogs and cats. She has brown hair and blue eyes with rosy cheeks and a pleasant expression. We wouldn't tell her she was pretty but we like to look at her. The thing that matters is that she is truthful and loving. Mother, I got my clothes out arid showed them to Dorothy and she said most of them can be used by making them shorter in length so don't worry about me. When I land in the good old U. S. A., if someone will just help me get some proper clothes I'll be just fine. Oh, that time seems so far away! Will it ever come? Yet I love the work here very muchand I do want a visit with Isabel and her baby and that grand husband, her Warren Dittemore. In a way it will be hard to leave here. Just yesterday a young

woman told me how her husband persecuted her, would not give her any meat, threatened to kill her by beating her because she would not give up being a Christian. It is wonderful to be able to teach such people. May the Lord keep them while we rest a little while And you, my dearsmy own familyand that larger family in the love of Christ JesusI yearn to see you again. We think of you and love you all so very much.
Lovingly yours,
Gertrude H. Morse.
******

Riith Margaret Morse, ten years old wrote:

Sept. 20, 1945 .
Dear Grandma and LaVerne:

I would like to know how you

are.

LaVerne, do you ^ still remember

well.

Please write a

letter to us!

C f

right except Daddy Eugene who are not so veiy

Eugene and Daddy and Robert

and Dre-ma are at TA-DA because

; Ruth Margaret Morse and her pet monkey

of the planes and because of the house. The north people have killed foreign people that jumped by parachutes from the planes. Many planes have dropped.

(T-Jii) to preach against witchcraft. When he had stayed there a

year-the people knew there were no witches. Then Moses c^e

Have you heard that Moses died? He moved down to Da-draw

back here and got sick. Diaddy gave medicines and prayed for him. Then he got better and he went out one day to Yu-gu. He stayed
there one night and then started to cross the river in a boat at

Ye-gu" When he started, the boat turned upside-down and Moses and his friend were drowned. Biit the man that was rowing the
boat swam over to this side and is still living.

The cat Smoky that we had wheii you wete here is lost, so we
bought another cat. Someone gave us another one and now we have three cats including Blackie. We had three rabbits but one died at TA-DA and one here, so we only have one .left. Hie two
cats are afraid of the rabbit because it runs after them. Blackie

tries to kill it. We have fun watching them.

Lovingly,
Ruth Margaret Morse.

From Mr, Morse:

Kunming, China, Dec. 10,1945:

My beloved Family and Friends:

My heart, my hands and my time have been so full of great events that I have not been able to write anyone lately. Right now, I woke early and am raised up in bed on my left arm writing this by

candle li^t with a chair as a table. I am stopping at the China

Inland Mission Home.

I hardly know where to startsuch a great story! Truly God

has been worl^g wonders of mercy on our behalf! On arriving, at Kunming on the night of D.ecember 4th. I found

that Isabel (Mrs. Warren Dittemore) had arrived with baby Janet
Leigh about a week before and thus had rejoined her husband who

had preceded her by about a week. Their coming from America is

With the exception of Miss Dorothy Sterling, they are; the first new

a wonderful story in itself, but I must leaye that for ^em to tell.

missionaries I know of who have been allowed tp enter Yxinnan

since the war with Japan began. That is partly djae.to the Morse family's haying stayed on the field, helping with ttie Siearch and Rescue work of the Air Transport Command, and J>iaftly to our

repeated efforts to open a Way for these new missionaries to get

here. We thank the Lord! For awhile in Calcutta it seemed War

ren had come up a blind alley as, with the Jap war ended and so

much of the air force going home, his efforts to get free transporta
tion as we had done appeared impossible. All land communications or routes were, and even now are, practically closed, but he made

one last effort and the A. T. G. granted him a free plane to bring in
his supplies ,and about half of the remaining Lisu New Testaments.

Even with this help quite a bit of Mr.'Dittemorfe's supplies had

to be stored m Calcutta. Alas, Miss Sterling's new medical supplies are back there too. Luckily Warren was able to bring the big list

of medicines I asked for. They are needed, for we had already

shared our medical supplies with Miss Sterling.
Never before have I known travel to be as difficult and ex

pensive as now. Both Isabel and Warren commend the Reeses very highly. Another family is urgently needed out here and they should

come as soon as possible, but over what route? That is the dilemma, for there are great difficulties about any point of entry. The rail roads, highways, and air transport have practically been ruined by
the war, or the sudden withdrawal of the American forces. Our

armed services were the great progressive and constructive agencies in this area. Without them, a very decided depression has set in. Really, we urgently ask the churches to pray for all of us. There has been much definite progress in The Work this past year, with, of course, some defeats also, but I have no time now to

tell about it. Over 200 new converts had been baptized before my
departure for this place. Several new regions have been entered successfully with the Gospel. Robert has gone on a long evangelistic tour of the great Burma-side field (Irrawaddy valley). The new mission house at TA-DA will be practically finished, except for furniture making. Our Morse family will surely get away on our
furlough next May.

I shall write you from somewhere along the road back to the mission, if not at Tali, certainly at likiang.
Lovingly always,
(Signed) J. Russell Morse.

Mr. Morse vorote:

Likiang, enroute to Pugeleh

Dec. 27, 1945.

let you know that I am well and daily thanking God for His many
mercies on this very difficult journey.

A last word as the caravan is ready to move onward. Just to

use of our wonderful missionary reinforcements, then probably

next May the Morse family can really come home on furlough.

I am staying on to see that everything is safely delivered for the.

Dearest Mother, I love you more th^ I can ever tell. Your help all these years has been one of the very greatest human factors in making this truly great work possible. I know you have a real reward in store for you in Heaven, and I know that you have loved
being of service in God's work.

I and all who have met our new missionary, Warren Dittemore, like him very much indeed. It is marvellous to see Isabel again
and to hold Janet Lei^ in my arms, as I did our own beloved Ruth-

Margaret when she was a baby. The Dittemores and Miss Sterling
and whoever may be coming to work with them have a tremendous

rto hold the fort for tiie next seyeral years. The world can ^eve'r know how hai^^and con^t?intly our Morse family has worked ,^d held pn out here for nearly nine years against alrnost DverWhehmng odds. New trials will come in .the next few years, so we
must pray earnestly for the new missionaries.

^ Please write to these fine German Christian families, the Oskar

Sierings and the Gottfried Starrs, who have been our friends md

to send each family ja draft for $100 U. S. money, for they need it and have more than earned it in their; help to us. They came to . China 11 years ago, before Hitler rose up, and are "simply Chris tians,""npt Nazis, I am so.rushed trying to get baick home before
winter closes in. Pray for us as I do for.you. ;
v.. ..

feye been invaluable in their assistance to us thiis fall* I want you

hosts.,when we have been in Likiang for many years past. ' They

J. Russell Morse:

./rUs inter^ting letter was sentfrom Lifciangi Jarittan/

1946,

hyMr/Oskar Sieririg to l^rs.Ruth.

Dear Sister-in .the Lord:

. Greetings to you in the precious name of Jesus!

strangers to you. Still we have heard much about you from our
our dear Lisu.

You will be surprised to get a letter from us as we are really

dear Brother and Sister Moirse, whom we knew already for many years,as we both work among, the tribes-people of this region, and
We live here at Likiang and when the upcountry missionaries travel up or down they pass here and stay with, us. On

December 10 the Dittemores reached here by plane and we kept therri tmtil'they were ready toigo on to then: destination. By now
they will be at AI-WA. Later'Brother Morse came here from Tali.

He had gone down to Kunming to meet the newcomers and to help

them arrange their baggage ^d; toget off byplane to this place.

Brother Morse had some things to order and get in Tali;'sb he came all the way here by horse. He stayed with us to arrange for hl3 fu^er jbumey: As Brother Morse was very itusy aiid wanted
letter but-could not iSnish it as tiie horses were here and he had to

write you about his trip and stay with us. He began*^e enclosed

to g6t over the pass before it was snowed in, he^asked

t would

go, so..that is why I am enclosing his letter and writing to you. ; We do pVaise the Lord for our haying met Brother and rSister

Morse. We find theih really workers for the Lord who are not afraid to go on through for the Lord. TOen we think about the

but.we know that the dear Lord is. blessing them. Tlieysurely need
a furlough. :; .

mountains and tiie bad roads they have to go through we are scared,

It is such a jb^ id see their whole family working for the Lord.

We wonder how LaVerne is getting on^he must-have gro\vn''big by now. I still remember him when I went to Kang Pu to help
them after the Tobalo flood. We slept together. My wife and I came out here many years ago. For the time years and we shall try to go back there again. Most of the mis-^ sionaries have gone home; only a few are left. they would arrive here by plane. So we went out to the field about

being,we are in Likiang, but we have been in Chution for many

It was such a joy to hear that the Dittemores were coming out.

We got a telegram from Kunming the day before they came saying'
twelve miles away to meet them and to arrange for the luggage to
be brought to town. they could not make it. The Dittemores used 40 horses in their caravan. Most of their things we had to repack. 15 horseloads had

Brother Morse came a few days,after they left as he Was afraid

to be left with lis because tney were too heavy but Brother Morse: telegraphed us to get them unpacked into lighter loads as he wanted to take them on with him, so when he came here a few days later we had them all repacked, also we had arranged for horses so he" could go on. Brother Morse's caravan had 25 horses." The day he'
spent with us was filled w"ith a lot of work as we went together to be with one of the Children of The Most High, Out here we need that fellowship and the time passes only too quickly when we do '
meet. .

May we ask you to pray for us? We feel it more and more that

prayer is needed. From our home churches we have not heard a,

word for years and years, but we know there are the faithful ones !

who had to suffer with the bad ones. We enclose you, too, in our
prayers.

Sincerely yours, with Christian greetings, .

OsKAR AND MaRTA SliaRING.

MR.: MORSE'S CARAVAN CLIMBS A MOUNTAIN TRAIL.

Mrsi Isabel Maxey Dittemore wrote on January 2, 1946, from

AI'WA, W. China,
Our dear friends in the U. S. A.:

It is so hard to realize that the New Year has passed and so has the entire Christmas season. Yesterday we celebrated the New Year by arriving at AI-WA Tomorrow we start across the pass to the Salween vaUey and I believe will arrive there in three days. It has taken us 12 days to come here from Likiang. What a vast imdertaking it all has been! We have been able to receive some last-minute help from our U. S. Army forces before
they were entirely pulled out of China. This evacuation was to be

completed by the first of the year so the margin has been close. All service and commodity prices are at the very top notch.

As you probably know, Warren was able to bring in our supplies by an A. T. C. plane, the last trip that our U. S. planes made over the Htunp. Then, I arrived in India the day after he left. It cost a small fortune for baby and me to come by C. N. A. C. plane and we

were only allowed to bring 58 pounds, payiQg $3.50 per pound. We

were so happy to rejoin Warren after five months' separation.

Hien there was the problem of getting up-country. Warren had heard of a chance that we might be flown to Likiang when the C. N.
A. C. wound up affairs there. After several weeks we were allowed to come that way, using two planes. The cost was $700 U. S., but

if we had taketn our supplies over the bandit-ridden Burma Road fqr two days and then five days by horse caravan, the cost would have been more and the delay at tms time of year dangerous. We had a fine week at Likiang with two German couples^mis sionaries who are really without a country now. They helped us tremendously and on December 21 we left by caravan for our final destination. Our little family was together on Christmas Day. Warren and I on horseback and Janet Leigh carried in a basket on

a man's back. We did not spend that ni^t in a stall, but wie did

spend it in a hay loft For Christmas celebration we had rice-candy,

tangerines, a stick of chewing gum apiece, a chocolate candy bar apiece, and we had decorations of red and green holly which we

had picked along the road. That night we celebrated by opening a can of pork sausage and having it with fried potatoes, as a change
from Chinese road food. We felt very gay.

Believe it or not, such are the prices in China that this caravan trip has been the most expensive part of the trip. Getting ovier the last pass will bring our entire trip to China to over $6,000. Warren
will need to return down-country when he goes to meet the Reeses,

next summer, for whatever funds we have on hand by then, in order to carry on. '
There is now quite a lot of snow on the pass and because I fear there will be no runner coming across with mail for us again for several months, I am writing this before I start over the pass tomor row. I am going ahead with the baby by whagana seat carried by four menand. two pack carriers, leaving Warren here to guard

in the Salween vaUey and I will get carriers there to come back
after our loads.

loads. "We understand that fhe Christmas canveafion is now on

Bro. Morse csame down-country (Kunming) to meet "us and to

took the freight by bus-truck to Tali but had difficuity getting horses to make up the caravan from Tali to this point, so we had to come on wi^out him. Eugene had been sending radio messages to us at Kunming ttiat his fa&er was coming down and I assumed that Mrs. Morse was coming out with him on their furlough. Instead we now leam that they plan to see us throu^ the winter, and help us with the Lisu language and an understanding of tiie situation we
must meet We are truly grateful for this.

secure some Army supplies before the U. S. forces left China. He

which I bought in NewYork. In Kunming, however, wewere given many rolls of both color film and black and white by the army. Or

were, however, unable to obtain any film for it except the two rolls

Sometime ago we purchased a movie camera in the TJ. S. We

first, they gave it to the C. I. M, and Lutheran missionaries but neither df them had a suitable camera. So while we were in the

city they borrowed our camera, took all Hie pictures they wanted and then gave us the rest ofthe films. Warren has taken many

pictures of the caravan and when we get to the Salween the Morses can take as many pictures as they want to take home and show
you-all the conditions under which we work out here.

gifts of potatoes, eggs, walnuts and pears. We .showed them the new Bibles; we had brought them from India and they were de-

This morning quite a few Christians came to greet us bringing

lighted: We cannot yet talk much Lisu but we got along. Our baby girl is a real ambassador of goodwiU. She is so happy
always that everyone loves her.

And so we close with best wishes for a wonderful New Year,

1946. May God The Father be close to you and to us in these

unsettled and uncertain days, and use us abundantly "until He

comes."

Always, in all ways, yours and His,

Isabel Maxey Dittejmore.

(Mrs. Warren Dittemore)

*

Mrs, Gertiy,de Morse wrote: At Pugeleh, Upper Salween, West China.

January 7, 1946.

My dear LaVeme and everyone: Our prayers are answered! The Dittemores arrived on the fifth

after a very fast trip over the moimtains, for they came without

their loads. It is almost an unhead of thing to have this open

them!

weather so late in the season. Oh, we were so very glad to see And that dear baby^the first white baby I have seen in

years,-she s^em^ Is^ge.compared to the less wfell cared for

Lisu b'ab^s of her age. .

Warren and Isabel got here about 10 a.m. on Saturday arid Eugene came in fronj TArDA that same afternoon, so. all day Sun day we Had a ^eat sjeason.of thariksgiying.;, back 6vr the -mduntairi to get'.the loads.. Tlib c^rrfets are quite fearful about^e p^s'at this time of year,..but. they are going any

^ Now, Mohday, '!Eugeni6 aind Warrett arid rii^y ca^iers will go

says,' the liord has done niafvellbUs things'foif theii 'all along the
tviay. Praise H^Namef ' - .' ' ' '
Anzie is staying at Tali to.study niirsing. 'i . *

way. We ^e all prustiiig the Lord for anbith^r riiiradfe. As^ Isabel

tion.. He says they-need aresiderit missibn^y family. He has been

away about, three inojithg. ' : ri

. We. have had-a wonderful letter from'Robert,'who'is teaching a^ preachingamong the Burmese Lisuon thfe Irrawaddy river sec

long tp.be mth yoii.ag^. . . ^

. imdgme the^^^ of. tonnes .tha]t igoes on aboutme, try to wife? "Everyone talkirig.at .Ofice.as the m^ hurry their preparations: May the Lord bless ^nd abide with you,, my son.; I

. With love and prayers for you-all.

'

'

'

Mother (Gertrude Morse) .

carriers had made the pass ijito the Mekong valley and were aJpput to retitrn to Pugeleii with'the loads: ' .

Mr. Morse wrote,.,ajt&r/EudSne,' Warren Dittemore and' their

'

,
-Ir.

West China (via Likiang)

. January 11, 1946;- r-

At P. O. AI-WA, ISr. W. Yunnan, .

,

..

Dear precious Mother, homefolks, and all our friends:

Did you get the letter which I wrote you" frorii Kunming? Now
after about a mpnth of traveling I can take time for a short letter

just to let you-, know that I am on the eve of "jumping off" for the pack-portage, 3-day trip across the Mekong-Salween Divide, with the spring snows liable to begin at ai>y hour. If I succeed in getting into the Salween valley, this will probably be my last letter to you
before the pass opens again. . . . '

Ever since leaving PugelehUast October, I have been on a race

much like one I read of in childhood, ''Arouhd the world in 90 Days" by Jules Verne. I've been trying tp.ipiake every hour count so l' could accomplish my undertaking and,then return to our mission
home and ou* work in the'Salween. Qod's Providence has enaijled

me to accomplish all biit this last lap. He wHI go,with hie in this. ;

When I left Pugeleh all .we knew was-that Warren Dittemore,

after reaching Cailcutta, had ;sefemingly met insurmduntable ob--

inside fimshing ot.;& ^ew Ji^iaonary resjjtencfe at

had gone to pastor thej?%^;n^ypp:er '^pper Sarl^^ens^pei^l^Sg-^

:^: ; ; ;.

stales and would probably need the help of one of us. As Robert

the oiOy one avai^fe

before o^:a6i)artufi'^ HoW "by what is pra^bffiy i>i|lr^,fe.or

St^riPR r>T nnirsmloc- -airAn -.1\/ri^

several perplexities before me, ' " "

make decisions. I have 145if.
mission. Can I get them across shuts everything o/? , ., ;

otf from our other workers by iJii^-Iack

j^ere are,so many things.-wC<^^

' ^ '

Ruthie is having serious trouble with her teeth and should get furlough, too, butthere is no prospect of that before next spring.
I know of has been carrying a heavier load. Mrs. Morse and I hate

to a dentist. Both Eugene aiid Robert' need very much to leave oh

met him yesterday after about 4 months' separation. No missionary

I was startled fo see how'thin and tired Eugene looked when I

to leave the boys here, but they are eager to take the responsibility

yet to beplastered. .There had been po time to make fui^ture, for, first and foremost, the teaching^, preaching, an.d he>^ling work ofthe
in the Salween has progressed more than the visible buildings.
mission has been put ahead of the building. The Church of Christ
_ Now.our;carri^rs must be coming.along soon... Before I can start

of helping our new missipnaries get settled.. Eugene has carried most of.the work of building the,TA-DA .house- TOen,.I saw.itlast was still^to go on and the rooins on the third floor were

I rnust, take .this letter to the Chinese Postal Agency across the

Jfckpng river so. I paji't .write much more. I am so sorry, that we

lungdom. They will have their reward in Heaven and some day -L

^Iness and..loyalty;.to our .(and their) work in" this part of God's

We appreciate more than they, can ever know their steadfast faiA-

have been unable -to write,.directly; to our Living Link churches.

thanks- and ask that they cotttinue to uphold us in prayer through this very critical time.' Please pi-ay for us, for we allfeel Very weak"
and low low-now'.'iitfiarlir-flonon/lcmf'ft'ri rinA'c- grace. and jtist now^ utterly dependent'on God's I salute you, you, all all of you, you, for fo: being such good Christian soldiers

shall see them face to face. Please express to them our heartiest

and i making it possible for us tc to stay on out here.

In Christian love and faith,
J. Russell Morse.

CROSSING THE RIVER IN DUG-OUT CANOE

****

Miss Dorothy Sterling, R.N.. wrote the following in a letter to her parents in Phoenix, Ariz.
January 5, 1946.

TA-DA is the village in which Eugene Morse has been working so long building a mission house. The house at Pugeleh is of bamboo, bitterly cold in winter and without windows, but the new house will be more comfortable. It is designed for permanence with
foundations of stone and walls filled in with thick adobe between

the pillars. Considering the way such a house must be built out here, the
result is truly amazing. All boards must be cut and carried down from the mountain by workers, part of the mountainside dug away

to make a level place, and the dirt sifted and carried by basket-loads to the place where it is made into tile and burned for the tile roof. Lime rock is carried by the basketful over the mountain road from the Mekong valley for plaster. Almost an unimaginable amoimt of hard labor has gone into the building of the house.
Most of the two lower floors has been finished, so we have been

ablo to hold the school in a large room on the second floor. Even with no fire, the rooms are much, much warmer than in the bamboo

houses. Eugene has utilized water pyower from a nearby stream to light the house with electricity and people have flocked to see the marvel, for this is the only building that has electricity. The third floor is strictly for family use with two bedrooms, each with a large closet. There's a bathroom which is another super-

luxury.

Then there is a large living room with French-door-type

windows looking out on the mountains and valleys to the east and south. It will be a splendid room for reading or studying. The thing I appreciate most is that the windows have glass, brought With
infinite care over the mountains. . -.

this place, always with his mother's comfort in liiind, for she h^ made homes imder such handicaps that he feels she deseryfes: this place when she returns from her furlough; In the meantime other
missionary families will enjoy it, too.
is seldom built without accidents to the woi*kers because of th^
injury.

Eugene has put in endless prayer, as well as work, in building

much for the safety of the workers, as a Chinese house of tl^ siz^

I say much prayer; two examples will illustrate: Eugene prayed

crude way the materials must be assembled, but during the three years' work on this house no one has had so much as a splinter:
Then there was the burning of the tiles. Chinese tile-workers are not Christians. They have been making tiles for mainy years

done. A chicken was killed and the incantations sung but for alj t^t the first batch of tile was softand could not be used. It was just right in color and everyone was at first elated, then disappointed. '
his honor was at stake, so before the second batchwas mixed, he and Eugene tried to figure out what was wrong. They s^pled sevei*al
The chief tile-maker is a man of good reputation and he felt that

opened to remove the tile a ritual to propitiate the spirits should be

and it is an ancient superstitious ciistom that before Ae kiln i?

clays but finally made the second batch of the same clay used in the
first.

that the tiles may be good this time, as a witness to the workers 'of the power of the Lord. Tomorrow the tiles are to be taken from the kiln. . > The Lord said he will not put to shame those that trust in Hini

The old master tile-maker finally agreed and we have been praying

Well, a couple of days ago everything was ready for the second burning and the old tile-maker came to Eugene to get a chicken fot the usual heathen rites. Eugene said "no," and asked them to omit the rites this time and that all the Christians would pray instead.

perfect. The old tile-maker promptly said that our God had done
it, but will it change him? Pray for him."
4;

good. (At the end of her letter Dorothy said in a hastily written, pencil postscript, "Tiles were taken from the kiln tonight, absolutely
'

and since his promise cannot fail, we know that the tiles wiU be

Mr. Sterling, Dorothy's father, brought up a matter of policy concerning the news-letters on which we would appreciate. yout comment. "It seems from Dorothy's letter that the missionary forces discussed the value of the news-letters and whether they should be put out at intervals or in a formal report once a year.
It takes a great deal of time and effort on the part of the workers in the mission field and of course a great deal of,work for the forwardr
ing agent on the home-front.

I have written Dorothy that we feel very strongly that it would

sions in gener^.

be a great mistake to stop the news-letters, for we realize their great value, not only to that particular mission, but to the cause of mis We have been amazed, frankly, at the response which has come to the letters from one end of the country to the other. We are continually getting requests for letters from people who have heard of-them from friends. We get the kindliest, friendliest letters from absolute strangers!

We do ^ot look upon the news-letters as "advertising" or as basically important for the financial returns they bring, but we deem tiiem especially valuable for two other reasons. Tlie first is the enlarging of the prayer-circle for the work there, which means so much to the work of the mission. All these friends are praying.

That h^ps keep up the morale of the missionaries.

Hie second reason is the effect of. the letters upon the young

people into whose, hands they fall. From the letters we have re
ceived we know that others appreciate that service of the news letters. So from the standpoint of this widespread influence and its impact upon the lives of yoimg Christians, we feel very keenly
that the news-letters are worth all the time and energy expended upon them." (Signed) Charles R. Sterling.
Editor^s Note:

What is your opinion about the news-letters? This news-letter is largely about the problems of travel and missionary living on the west China frontier. The spiritual motiva tion of all this strenuous activity is shown in a letter from Robert

Morse, written before he went into the upper Irrawaddy river

valley last fall.

(Your experience) goes far to condemn the true state

of those so-called missionaries who belittle the Christianity they

are supposed to preach, who deny that Christ Jesus is the Son of

God who died for our atonement and whose way of life is the only true and effective answer to the modem world problem. When Christians are ashamed of Christ they have gone down into the

disgrace of disgraces. If the Christian missionary or teacher can't do any better than give plain ethical or moral teaching, the same
better^ i. e., the help of such attainments through the power of the Holy Spirit,then he had best pack up and go home. That is my
as the Mohammedans, Confucionists, etc., if he can't offer anything

good and honest opinion of much of the modernistic so-called mis sionary effort. Works without spirit! But God is able to save. Let
us be proud to carry His Message.
(Signed)
4: :C 41

Robert H. Morse.

Contmue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiv

ing; witihal praying for us also that God may open unto us a door
for the word to speak the mystery of Christ." Col. 4:2.

114 South Denver Ave., Tvilsa 3, Okla.

March 10, 1946.
Dear Co-Worker and Friends:

I bring before you a situation that calls for our united and prompt action. You will recall that Mr. and Mrs. David Rees were chosen by Mr. and Mrs.
Warren Dittemore as fellow-workers in the Tibetan-

Lisuland missionary field and that they studied Chinese together last year. The Dittemores have
now reached the foreign field and the Morse family are preparing to come home on furlough.

Mr. Rees sent me a copy of a letter which they had from the Dittemores telling about the very
promising new work which has been opened in

northern Burma, ahout twelve days' journey from

the Salween station. Native Lisu preachers pio
neered in that area and Robert Morse has been

preaching and teaching there this fall and winter. Robert and Eugene Morse felt that the work was ready for a resident missionary family. This opportimity^together with its difficulties^was laid be

fore the Reeses and they were asked if they would consider it. Mrs. Dittemore thought some supplies
from the established base on the Salween could be spared for the new station in Burma to lessen the

cost of freighting in equipment.

Mr. Rees wrote me that he and Mrs. Rees were

preparing to sail by May first for Calcutta, tiiat they would then go by plane to Ft. Hertz and that they would then have about ten days' caravan trip to Tarawang, the Burmese village which is to be their
headoiiartpr.q

LAST

WORD

On January 22, 1946, Mrs. Gertrude Morse wrote a short letter

which was carried over the mountain by a woman making the trip
to AI-WA and which, coming by air mail, reached us on March 13,
just as this News Letter went to press. We thus know that the men of the mission brought all the boxes over the mountain and that the
open winter still held. It was considered best for Mrs. Morse to

rest, rather than attempt the homeward journey now. She pre ferred that the entire family come together next summer. A letter

from Robert, who will spend thewinter evangelizing in theIrawaddy yalley, was full of good news about the results ofhis preaching and
teaching.

All members of the mission were busy and, except Mrs. Morse, in normal health. She wrote about the delay in their homecoming: "Please don't be disappointed, dear mother, .Mthou^ I have worked hard trying to get ready to come, I could not quite make it by myself, and it seems that I worked too hard for my own good.
God's will be done. I praise His Name."

Let us unite in prayer that this brave missionary mother may regain her strength and that her homecoming may be accomplished in safety. Getting out of China is another problem.
Mrs. Ruth Morse.

LISU COSTUMES
AND WE'i.PONS

Ruth Margaret Morse modelling a hand-woven,

home-spun, hand-made,

hempen coat-suit.
beads.

Lisu

head-dress of white but

tons and variegated

Eugene Morse with long hunting knife, handforged from Lisu ores;
wooden sheath with rat

tan wrappings.

Robert Morse holding

ancient
reaches

cross-bow,
for an arrow

from a bear-skin quiver.

Burmese hat on floor.

HOMEWARD

BOUND. ..1946

Travel-story by Gertrude Morse

News-ietter by Robert Morse
A Lisu Church in Burma

The Hbetan-Lisuland Churches of Christ

"Where China, Tibet and Burma meet"

THE J. RUSSELL MORSE FAMILY AND ASSOCIATES

"For we are laborers together with God." 1 Cor. 3:9.

Our 1946 Trayd-Stoiy

It is now more than a quarter of a centiuy since my husband, J. Russell Morse, and I, Gertrude Howe Morse, first went as misour family has grown to six, we have made three very difficult trips to and from the "roof of the world", and most important of all, we have seen the power of God's Word in far-off places. Oh, it is a glorious joy to feel that we are being used of God in transforming
heathen lives to Christian in that difficult field. We feel more thnr>
sionmes from the Christian Churches of the United States to the primitive people of the Tibetan-West China borders. In that time

repaid for our labors. We look forward to Ihe day when we shgll

of ^e world. It is also a precious experience to be in the States agai^ to meet our faithful friends and loved ones, and to receive spiritual food with the worshipping congregations here, but we know that God's presence is manifest and guiding wherever his followers go. God's command "Go ye" is followed by the reassur

again be among the native Christians, "at home" on the other side

ance, "and lo, I shall be with you ^ways, even unto the end of the

world."

I wish to tell you something about our 1946 trip to America and to contrast it now and then with our other return" trips of 1927 and 1935. Perhaps I can share with you lhat sense of movement and change, both in America and in Ae Orient, which we feel so keenly each time we make the long journey.
Li the early summer of 1946 we Morses had moved into the

stout house which Eugene had. built at Ta-da, two days' walking distance from our old home at Pugeleh, later headquarters for Mr. and Mrs. Warren Dittemore, their little daughter Janet Lei^, and our Missionary-Nurse, Dorothy Sterling. Between the happy ar rival of the Dittemores, in January, 1946, and our starting our furlough trip, we had held two Bible Training Schools for native church leaders of the Salween valley. Eugene, Dorothy and I held
one; and Warren helped us in another. Robert had conducted like schools for the upper Burma regions. Warren had been on a month's

tour of the Mekong valley churches. Calls for medical and nursing

services had been very numerous. We kept saying: "How can we ever leave now!" Yet we knew that ten years without rest on that

mission field compelled us to go. Our health, the boys' education, contacts with the home-landall these were demanding attention.
Notire Porters Carry Our Loads Over the Mountain-Pass
For the last two or three Sundays in June Christians from most

of the surrounding churches had come to Ta-da for worship and to hear a farewell message from each member of our family. Our Lisu Christians are an affectionate people. Some wept, all joined
in prayers and there was much entreating from all that we should soon return to them. And with tears in our own eyes, we reassured

them. Had we not been so very, very weary, we might easily have
given up the home trip.

later, July 3, we readied Pugeleh where we had lived and worked so happily for six years. There we rested awhile. How we needed it! Thanks were given that my life had been spared from the illness
of the previous year. Even our men folks and our porters were
Here too, worn out from moimtain travel in the continuous rain.

ofnative C^istians, we visited two dburches on the way. Two days

Walking along the valley enroute to Pugeleh with a large escort

many native friends from surrounding churches came to bid us farewell and to entreat us to return very soon. Again our heart
strings were pulled by hearing from an evanglist of some new areas ready to receive Ae Gospel. How could we go and leave the work? Yet we were intensely weary. For the sake of future service we
felt we must have a rest. We had a week of conference and happy

visiting with Warren, Isabel and Dorothy. Warren took some pic
tures vdth his movie camera. He was tired but none of us had an

inkling that his death was but a month away. Dear Warren! Brave Isabel and Dorothy, staying on with our trusted native Christians! The climb out of the Salween valley to the divide which leadis over to the Mekong valley was very difficult for our tired grou^p. Ihe scenery was as breaih-takingly lovely as ever but a brewing storm hurried us along. It hailed, and it rained, until the path was a rushing torrent, but in an hour the sun was out iand we went sloshing and sliding along.

About twenty natives helped carry our loads, the weight of

which they supported on their shoulders in baskets and a hamesslike arrangement carried to the front. This they grasped in their hands. Walking porters carry about fifty or sixty pounds each. In these packs were our food, bedding, folding cots, tarpaulins and personal baggage, which was about what one might pack into a Lisu coimtry these past ten years has been walking with native carriers, and now and then a "whagan" or sedan chair.

suitc^e. It was a very familiar routine, for all our travelog in the
^ We spent our first ni^t out from Pugeleh in a small poorly

biiilt bamboo shelter half way up the mountain trail. We spent the next ni^t in a Mekong valley commimity, and the next day, our sixth day of walking, we arrived at Ai-wa. Here we have been sending our letters to post. It is easy to understand why getting

the mission mail from Ai-wa has always been an event for us. Again
we crossed the swollen Mekong river in small dug-out canoes. There is a different "air" about life in Ai-wa and the Mekong val ley: for one thing, the population is Chinese and for another this village is on the main Chinese-Tibetan caravan trade-route. We had been living among the primitive tribes-pepole in the Salween the comparatively higher standards of Chinese living, even Ihou^ in these border regions, they are still low enou^. Here were to be found clay stoves for cooking; at least some scant furniture such as benches and tables, wooden floors, white
washed walls and tiled roofs,all of which are not to be seen in

valley for such a long time ^at it was a great relief to come out to

the Lisu villages in the Salween country. And there were vegetable

gardens, and spots of brilliant flowers. Ruth Margaret was deeply excited by all this for most of her twelve years have been spent
among the Lisu.

We Go by Corovon to Tali
At Ai-wa we bade farewell to the Lisu Christians who had

helped carry our loads thus far, and there we hired pack mules and riding horses for the part of the journey which was to end at the famous Burma Road near Tali. After four days we set out with our caravan and three sedan carriers. Ruth and I took turns riding in the "whagan", or riding one of the horses, or walking. Our men
folk went horseback.

We had repacked our luggage into boxes or packages of about 80 pounds each. Each pack horse carries two such loads. Normally the first part of our journey is done in three stages, but the head horseman wanted to make it in two, so we camped that first night out, on a mountainside so steep that there was no level place to set
up our cots. We hunted for stones to build foundations for the low

sides. Our rain covers didn't keep our beds from being soaked even though we also raised umbrellas. Morning brought sunshine and
more comfort.

We had to wait at Wei-hsi eight days before we could hire horses for the next lap of our journey, but the rest did us much good. In all we had fifteen days of horseback riding. In the middle of the journey we had a nice visit of three days with our German missionary friends at Likiang, the Starr and Seiring families, who

later comforted Isabel Dittemore. We had several rainy days enroute, and we passed through robber infested areas but always
we were kept by our kind Heavenly Father.

v-"'

V.

We Motor Info Kunming

We came at last, early inAugust, to flie end of iiw horserroad, old familiar travel-ways of interior China; the army motor-1^^
us two weeks. Now we were to xnake it in two days!

nnfl for US, the beginning of the motor-road. We left behmd the

w^ distinctly post-war. When we had travelled this section of the Burma Road byhorse-caravan Wilh Dr,Shelton 25 years ago, it took

those tiresome days of walking or horseback riding, to be nj^g long at the 6hzy speed of25 miles an hour! Ruth was havmg her
first remembered car ride, and our little Hbetan girl, Drema-jmw amazed she was! We were happy to share this experience with her for she had been so patient all along the trip, doing hei? share of the
hard work, :

ness for our needswhen we next go back to China, We packed our suitcases and little trunks atop the already loaded Buiroese-owned merchant laiick, and ourselves atop that It was tiirillmg, after all

We had packed our caravan equipment and stored it in readi

Then we had had to dig our way out of landslides, knee-deep mon soon mud, and to wait for interminable periods while the driver

of three hundred miles'which we were now covering in two days.

came over it in1937, it had taken us nine days to make the dist^ce

When the Burma Road was first opened to traffic; when we

all had to push the truck up hill. But this time, as we sped by safely and quickly, all that past experience seemed like mi impos
sible bail dream.

worked on the mishandled engines; even in some steep spots, we d

We Suffer ond Wonder in Kunming

Christian ot New Testament pattern. We were invited to use the

Kunming is the husling, bustling commerci^ metropolis of Yunnan,, or Western China; really a beautiful city, not too mu^ hiurt by the war bombings. While we have many friends in the city, we know no one who is doing missionary work of the sun^e
on furlough and there we set up ourown housekeeping while wai^ ing for passage to the seacoast. Ruth's ulcerated tooth was removed
nicely furnished home of a China Inland Mission fa^y who were

reasonable certainty liat they would reach their destination and

wonderful that we could now send letters to the home-folks with

and I was again able to read when I got new glasses. At last we were able to buy all the vegetables and fruit we need^! It seemed

ly weary that it seemed wonderful justto be able to rest! .

that no censor would cut them into shreds. We were all so extreme

Our shock and great sorrow came from knowing that Warren Dittemore, the lovable and brilliant young man whose coming to Piigel^ had made our furlough possible, had died on August 5. Suddenly we realized that we were a long, long way from either of the places for which bur hearts yearned. Let me pass over that
Gethsemane hour.

Finally, near the end of October, it appeared that the shipping strike in the United States was ended, so Eugene flew on to Shang hai to try to get piassage on a homeward bound ship. 51ve days

later, just as Mr. Morse, Robert, Ituth and I were prepared to fly
the next morning to 3hanghai, we received news that Mr. and Mrs. David Rees and Emrys were to arrive in Kunming almost immedi ately. As we had with much difficulty arranged for passage on our plane, all of us except Mr. Morse left as scheduled. We had a
reassuring visit with the Reeses, but Morse felt that he could

not leave Ihem alone in a strange city. Then their illness made it impossible for them to join Isabel Dittemore in Likiang before she was compelled to return to Pugeleh. Shortly after, Miss Jane Kinnett also reached Kuuming. Between looking after their affairs and having given up his reservation on the plane and ship which brought us home, Mr. Morse is still in Kunming. We missed our "dear daddy" so very much as we thrilled over our later journey. He is a jolly companion on a trip.

We Fly fo Shanghai, Soil to America, and Reach Tulso by Train

We realized most keenly the great change which has come over the world's transportation when we flew out of Kxmming, making two stops besides Chimgking before we landed at Shan^ai, We had so often looked up at the planes flying over our Salween valley home, but now we were looking down at the hills and valleys of eastern China. It was the supreme experience in all my travels
to and from China.

We waited three weeks in Shanghai for our boat. We stopped

in Tokyo, Japan, and docked in San Francisco on December 16, We were on deck at four-thirty that morning to catch the first view of our great homeland city, San Francisco. For the space of our
trip down the gang-plank we were lonesome but then we were sur

rounded by friends. They will never know how much joy they brought us nor how strongly we felt the reality of Rope-holders across the sea supixirting us in our missionary endeavors. The chubby little boy, our LaVeme of 1943, stepped off a plane two
days later and we didn't know him! Eugene! He was almost as tall as

But there was no mistaking Mother Morse who was at the

Tulsa depot to meet us Christmas Day afternoon, nor Russell's

three sisters who have helped make Tulsa the center of our home

thoughts during our twenty-five years in China. And although my own dear Mother who had gone to be with the Lord three years

ago could not greet us, yet my dear "big-sister" Helen came. Like our other homecomings, this seemed at^first like a very, very nice
dream. And the XiOrd's promise of being with us has been gracious ly fulfilled.
Gertrude H. Morse Home Address: 114 S. Denver Ave.

Tulsa 3, Okla.
)tc * 4c * * 4c 4c

Paul wrote of an incident in his travels:

"And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with vnves a/nd children, till we were out of the city; and we kneeled down ,.. and prayed. And when we had taken our leave one of the other, we took ship; and they returned home again'* (Acts 21:5-6).
NEWS-LETTER

Several important changes of plan have recently been niade by our new mission workers, David and Lois Rees and Miss Jane Kinnett, who are now in Kimming, Yunnan Province, W6st: China, in company with my father, J. Russell Morse, Dkector of the Tibetsm-Lisuland Churches of Christ Mission. These changes were forced by conditions and opportunities in China whiw could not be anticipated by them, or their advisers, when they were here in America. These situations illustrate the advantage exercised by a missionary in foreign lands who is free to meet emergencies as they arise because he isn't boimd by the decisions of a Home Boarda board necessarily ignorant of changing conditions abroad.
The latest word received from the Tibetan border mission field indicates that Mrs. Isabel Dittemore returned to the Salween Val

ley in December, after several months' rest in Likiang with German missionary &iends^the Starrs and Seirings. Although the Reeses

were anxious to go on up country to join Miss Dorothy Sterling and Mrs, Dittemore, their sickness which developed soon after their arrival (influenza and the baby's light case of pneumonia) delayed their departure from Kunming. By the time they were well again, they did not have time to join Isabel and get to the mission station before the winter snows blocked the passes. Consequently my father did not return with the rest of our family to the States, biit stayed on in Kunming to aid the Reeses and Jane Kinnett.
It was unfortunate that the new workers were not able to

take their baggage and supplies with them when they flew out. They had hoped to gain time by flying, and sacrifice, temporarily,

theu: supplies, in order to reach the Mission station quickly. Since tibe simimer of 1946 it has been very difficult to obtain equipment on the Chinese markets, eveh though paying extravagant prices. Landlocked Kimming is now in an especially isolated position, pre senting a marked change from the war-time picture, when almost anything could be purdiased. At that time Kxmming was a U. S. Army and Air base; transportation was easy, and trade flourished. This last year, however, the old Burma Road has been abandoned;
air routes over the "Hump" have been discontinued; the old-time laiboad to the seacoast through French Indo-China' has not been repaired. -

Again, during this past year, organized banditry along Hie overland highway to Chimgking and tiie Yantze River ports has made frei^t shipments practically impossible. Thus it will be necessary for David Rees to come out to the seacoast when their baggage is shipped out firom America, and personally take charge of the many problems involved in getting their supplies into Yun nan. If they were to go up now to the Salween Valleya month's Journey further away into the hinterland^his problems would be igreater, and their needs the more difficult to meet. Meanwhile, in Kunming, which is comparatively civilized, they can manage to get the few things necessary until their supplies arrive. . As many of you friends have probably noted in the Rees's latest
news letter, Kunming is a city which still hasn't had the undenomr inational Gospel preached to it, in all its fulness and simplicity. Many denominational missions are working in and around Kim ming, but there are no New Testament churches. Kunming is also the center of southwest China, a strategic center for any and all missions operating in Yunnan. All missions must have business agents located there to forward mail and supplies, to exchange American money for Chinese silver, and to buy new supplies such as kerosene, candles, soap, cloth, foodstuffs, sugar, and paper things which are vitally necessary to the upkeep of any mission. For most missionaries, including ours, Kimming is also the nearest point where a hospital or medical help or a dentist is available. It is also the city through which every missionary to western China or Tibet must pass and change to different means of transportation. Here in Kunming, West meets East, and the missionary recruits

may become adjusted to new situations, strange customs, and dif

ferences of language or dialect. No matter how well prepared the new missionary is, peculiar difficulties confront him, principally in matters of adjustm^t. He can be transplanted too fast &om our

modem environment and ways of living to the primitive", with ill

results. That is why a place such as ^immSng can act as a good "conditioning station",^the best place to learn successfully the new
dialects and customs.

A cable froto my father was recently received ^king for funds to buy a mission home in Kunming. For a long time now our iftis^ sion has felt the need for some such place in Kunming, where workers could stay while passing through, or come for didrt rests. A place has been needed also, for use by a business agent, aad to store the many supplies which niust continually be purchased. With the coming of Miss Jane Kinnett to work in Kunming, and
the decision of Reeses to remain there until next summer, the need

for such a place was the more imperative. Fortunatdy hoxises and property in Kunming are now mtich cheaper in proportion than anything else for sale. This is because the big war-time boom is over, and the "thousands of rich merchants and refugees who crowded the city during the war-years have now left for olher parts of China. A great opportimity thus presents itself, for undenomination^ Christianity to be taken to another section of Yunnan

province. My father, with his shrewd knowledge of Chinese virays,'

and with innumerable friends and contacts in Kunming, has by

staying on there to help out the Reeses and Miss Kinnett, been able
once again to initiate another big step forward for Christian missions
in Yunnan.

Kimming is the capital of Yunnan Province, which lies next to Burma and French Indo-China. This province is populated by. over 50 different Iribes of primitive peoples, besides the Chinese, and a large proportion of these have never yet had opportunity to hear the Gospel. If the Churches of Christ here in America are going to send out missionaries to China, Yimnan Province diould be among the most eligible of China's laoids. Of course the condi tions are more primitive than other areas of China, but the need is greater. While Eugene and Robert were traveling all over this country for the Airforce, during the war, they found large areas which had never before been visited by any messenger of the Gospel, and many villages where a white man had never even been seen! Certainly it is a diallenge to our people, to send them the:
Gospel.

We sincerely believe that this marks a great forward step in

the progress of Christian missions in West China.
Robert H. Morse.

A Lisu Church in Burma

Mission work in Lisuland has spread in such great leaps and bounds during the past few years that it has seemed constantly brea&taking and; incredible. The transformation of those simple,
ignorantprimtive heathen into literate, tTiinTring progressive Chris tians has conditioned us who have worlced with them to expect just
^ much ,and more of other Christians who have had more advan
tage to begin with,

The growth of &e Hkawbudeh Christian Church (pronoimced Ko-budeh). is typical of many others. Hkawbudeh is a Lisu village situated high up on a mountain ridge overlooking the N*mai Valley of Upper Burma, and surroimded by aboriginal Kanimg villages. The Liisu have been migrating to this village from the Upper Salween Riyer yalley. About 1934, one of our first converts in the

Salween Valley decided to make the 15-day trip west to look up

relatives who had moved to Hkawbudeh. He told them of this new teaching which promised so much to hima new life and deliver
ance from the Evil One.

his New Testament, several families expressed desire to become Christians. Word was sent back to us, asking that teachers be sent over with primers, New Testaments, and hymnals, to teach these new inqiurers. This was not an easy job, as most of our workers were afraid to go 15 days' walk through the jimgle to this far-off area, where most of the people spoke different languages, and fol

, . Before long, as these people heard this man singing strange songs &6m his hymn book, and reading strange teachings out of

lowed diHerent customs. But at last a volunteer was found,' Teach

er. David, and we sent a load of books with him. Later he was follo^ved by Teacher Timothias.

Soonthere were eightto ten families in Hkawbudeh learning to read and studying the Christian teachings; others from siurounding villages were also interested in this "new thing." Some who did not wish to sacrifice their evil habits to become clean, honest and kind Christians continued in their old ways. But when many of them
had learned enough about this new teaching to claim Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour, they made the good confession and were buried with Him in baptism. Thus a small congregation was formed. The membership soon grew to over a himdred, and the congregation helped support Teacher David as their pastor with their free-will offerings. Later they also sent one of their group over to the Me kong Valley to our teachers' training schools to study.

Their sample was so stirring and the Gospel message so chal lenging that in a few years similar Christian communities sprang up all around. Teadiers David and Timothias were kept constant ly busy itinerating from village to village teaching and preaching,
exhorting and praying for the sick. Other teachers were sent over

from time to time to help in the work, and take over new supplies of primers, hymnals and New Testaments. Every Christian com munity built itself a small diapel in a central location, and helped contribute to support of their teachers, as well as care for their own needy. Several attempts by my father to visit this area and teach them more fully were unsuccessful, until 1943, when we three
sons went over there.

Meanwhile, in 1941, disaster came. The Japanese had con quered southern Burma; defeated Chinese armies were retreating

throu^ this area, ravaging the conmiunities, plimdering all native

foods and livestock, and worst of all bringing with them the dread
diseases: cholera, dysentery, typhus and malaria. Men, women amd childr(^ were forced to do heavy load carrying; their homes were taken over and soon filled with the dead and dying. Their chajpel was burned. Before they scattered and fled, over half of their con
gregation had died, including teachers David and Timothias. By

1942 not one living person was left in Hkawbudeh^a burned out,
stinking wreck, shambles.

This great tragedy, however, proved further incentive in spreading the Gospel, for wherever the survivors of the calamity went, they told the glad tidings of good cheer. Ihey displayed a living hope, a confidence that some day they would be re-united with their loved ones. This str^ge attitude was such a contrast to the bitter hopelessness of heatiien tribespeople that many more in quiries swelled the ranks of the spreading Christian communities. One place where several Hkawbudeh families fled was 20 days* walk west of our Salween mission station, at Sabawngliza near Fort Hertz. There they built up their own church, and by 1945 when first visited by a white missionary their membership of 15 had
grown to 104.
Meanwhile two other families moved back to the old Hkaw

budeh church site, and built themselves a new chapel to take the place of the one burned down, and by spring of 1946 a new church had been established, with baptized members numbering over 50, and many more inquirers adding to potential membership. Althou^ the group was one of the valley's very poorest, they offered to give one-third of the necessary support for a resident evangelist.

THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY

Vol. 2

March, IQ'IH

ANOTHER CONVERSION
The Loi'd has given us a great encouragement In that one of the students who has been coming here as a patient off and on for two years", has just made his decision to be
come a Chrsitian. He has declared

he wishes to become an evangelist.

May God grant this. He is a Honanese, and lias been through much of the privation of that province, so knows what it is to "suffer the loss' of all things." Henceforth his sufferings will be for a higher purpose. We were so encouraged by this conversion because we were waiting on the Lord much these days for more results of our labors. Every day in the year the witness has been going out here and still the hearts stay hardened to the gospel. In a few weeks we expect to re sume our out-village work on Sun day afternoons. We all have prayer

Group of Christians who went to La Ke Bu for picnic and to

view prospective site for Christian Community. Pastor Li, Mr. Nichols, and Postmaster Jen at center.

It is a long valley, a beautiful mountain stream coming from the in the chapel before going out. May As Edgar Nichols' article in the snow mountains, ice cold springs, God grant us souls through this last Tibetan Missionary indicated, and a few trees in places. They will channel. We hope to open a street the Mission at Batang is facing a see about getting control of some chapel also.Gladys Schwake. crisis. It now seems certain that we

VALLEY OF OUR DREAMS

to

BUSY AS USUAL My program is so weary I get very little writing time. Three weeks ago Naomi's- sister, Gwei Yin, was in -Palm-er. We are looking about for a home NEWS OF NATIVE WORKERS bed with malaria again, Po Po was in bed with her heart, and I had a base for our work. We have seen the Ho Du Bow washes dishes and meas'les, a mumps, and a gun-shot valley of our dreams in which to helps me in the dispensary. He establish a Christian village. It is case still in. also has to study. He is taking pri I am never without three or four on the road to Atuntze, about four vate lessons in mathematics and patients, plus my thirty to forty hours out of here. We need your Tibetan plus" English. L hope to be clinic patients and town calls. At prayers. able to send him down country in The other day we took all of our present I have a real job on my the Spring to Bible School where Christians to see our valley, and had hands. his Aunt Naomi is. He can then A woman came to me a week ago a picnic dinner there. Our winters from there go to his medical work. Saturday, but it was not my clinic here are beautifully sunny so we James is still in the army service. day so I told Edgar he would have had a lovely time. I was in such He is chafing fo get out. need of rest I slept some of the
see her as I was most rushed

will be forced to move &'oon, so the be built up. This will take a good missionaries on the field have been deal of money.Mabel Nichols. busy investigating possibilities. From their latest letters we glean the fol lowing bits of information.Melba

of the land, but everything needs to

to death trying to organize my work for Sunday. He reported she prob ably had malaria, and treated her.

I dismissed her from my mind and

went about my rush.

My Phoebe is having to start all time on my saddle blankets. If the Lord gives us this place over again with her English. She has we can work in Tibet proper, just completely forgotten all I taught across the river with this as our her, in the year I was gone. Her
home base. We would be surround

mother is not at all well so I only

have her over one hour each morn

At ten p. m. I made my las't rounds of house and patients and

went downstairs to see that doors

ed by robber villages", but so much

were locked. As I passed my hayroom I heard a stir and lifted my lantern to see if by some chance the until some reliable American gets donkey had sneaked in and stayed. out. We expect to carry on here An emaciated, half-starved wom until someone does come to take an look up at me. Upon question over. We have taught the people ing I found she was Edgar's malaria here to tithe, something they seemed cas'e. She seemed in considerable to know nothing about.Gladys pain so I gave her a sedative for the Schwake. night, with a promise to examine Edgar and" Gladys, with several in the morning. of the Mission workers, are looking Next morning things moved so over a valley on this side of the fast I hardly had time to breathe, Yangtse River and on this side of (Continued on page 4) the pass", nearest Batang.

the more glory to God. ing and afternoon. Before I could If we are given this property by take her while I worked and would the hand of God we could be work get more in that way. ing it up while still helping here We are so happy to hear Joseph and his bride have reached Likiang.
We hope to have them home for Christmas. How we will rejoice in

that precious jewel the Bares left us. The Shaos are safely settled in
Litang, and Bro. Shao has gone down to Yaan for more training. They are

now following a policy in this pro

vince of giving selected men a short

course and then calling them "Mil

itary Doctors."Gladys Schwake.

\
Page 2

THiB TIBETAN MISSlONABr BACKS REPORT

At last we are on the^West Coast

THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY

Issued Quarterly

THE SCRIPTURES SPEAK

"How then shall they call on
Him in Whom they have not be

Editor^Miss Melba Palmer, 1411 and are in the midst of the final preparations for our trip and work Walnut St., Eugene, Oregon. Associate EditorMrs, Arthur H. in Western China among the Tibet

Schaal, 6709 Plymouth Ave., Uni

versity City 14, Missouri.

ans,

Many

things

have

happened

since the last is^ue of the Tibetan

lieved? and how shall they be lieve in Him Whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear
without a preacher? and how

Missionary was published. Problems MissionariesiMr. Edgar Nichols and which we had not anticipated arose Miss Gladys F. Schwake, R. N.,

Batang, Sikang, West China. ' Also

Miss Melba Palmer, preparing to
return.

and had to be solved. These took time that was very precious and en
order to solve them as soon as pos

shall they preach except they be sent?"Romans 10:14, 15. How shall they hear if they are
not told

tailed some travel on our part in

Former Missionaries^Dr,

Texas. Mrs. Edgar Nichols, 4902 ports and are expecting to receive Pratt St., Omaha 4, Nebraska, them within the next sixty days. Forwarding SecretaryMrs. Arthur Our living link support has all H. Schaal. been pledged. The Church of Christ For Edgar Nichols and Family C. W. Nichols, Route 3, Box 369, at Oxford, Indiana, has taken me as their Living Link missionary. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

and Mrs. sible. Now that these problems are Norton H. Bare, Box 451, Abilene, solved, we have applied for our pass

The message of Christ and His love; Salvation comes only where Chris
tians are bold

To tell of the Father above.

But how shall they go if we do

not send.

Missionary Recruits^Mr. and Mrs.

Ellis R. Back, 635 Vernon Ave nue, Venice, California.

MRS. BARE SENDS COAT

' How I would love it if we were

going too! Garland and Marguerite want to go but Norton says they
must finish their education first.

Garland often says he wants to take a medical course, and I think he has more native ability in that line than any of the others. have a little over one third of what The thought of Naomi, and an impression that sTie was iii need of we need. We wish to thank every warm clothing haunted me for days, individual and congregation that has about the middle of December, and sent in funds or has pledged on liv then I received a letter from her ing link support. Pray with us that which I will send, slightly condensed. our needs will be met and the travel I wrapped my coat, took it to the funds will be on hand by the time P. O., and found that the service we sail. had just recently been resumed. I Because of the many duties which was most happy. I think others Mrs. Schaal is now doing we feel might like to know.^Lois Nichols that it is an imposition to "place Bare.

need; at Jamestown, Indiana, have pledged Pray for them, then, and do all seven hundred dollars a year for you can Katherine; Prairie Green Church of To help sow the Gospel seed. Christ, Wellington, Illinois, one hun dred dollars a year; Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Adams, Rossville, Illinois, one SAILING SOON hundred dollars a year; and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur B. Edwards Indianapo As this is being written my sailing lis, Indiana, one hundred dollars a date has not been set, but It is quite year. likely to be within a very few days. Backs were delayed in applying for Our travel and supply fund is com their passport and mine must be ing along just fine. At this time we

Friends and members of the Church

And give them the backing they

used for departure from the States before March 7th or reValldated.

The Morses write us that trans portation to West China from India

and South China is practically im possible now. After much prayer it

seems advisable for me to take the

first ship available to Shanghai and try to arrange transportation inland from there while waiting for the Backs to get that far. The Lord is our guide and we are leaving all to Him, knowing that "all things work together for good" to those that serve Him faithfully. Please continue to pray for us and
those on the field, and do all you can

We have often been questioned as more work on her, so after much to whether Bares aver intend to thought and prayer on the matter return to Tibet, so perhaps a pub we have decided to have our own lished explanation is in order. Prob forwarding agent. Funds for our ably Mrs, Bare's greatest desire is work may be sent direct to our to return and spend the rest of her agent, Mr. J. WyclifEe Busch, 931 life among thos^e people she loves, Scenic Drive, San Bernardino, Cal but she is physically unable to do ifornia. Any funds sent to Mrs. Schaal so, since she wore herself out In for our work will be sent monthly service during the years she was
there.

to help the Backs with their prepara

tion. Their new address is Ellis R.

Back,

635

Vernon

Ave.^

Venice,

California.

If you wish to write to me after gram them to us. In addition to our Realizing this, she is centering I have left the States, as I hope her hopes on her children, at least forwarding agents we will have an many of you will, write to Mrs, two of whom are definitely, prepar advisory board consisting of five or Schaal for my address, or to my ing to go back as missionaries to six men. We will announce the mother, Mrs, Jessie M. Palmer, 1411 the land which has been home to names of these men as soon as we Walnut St., Eugene, Oregon. I will them the greater part of their lives. have heard' that they" will serve in try to keep them informed of my Marguerite and Garland are na this capacity. moves and where I can be reached.
tives of the Tibetan border. Mar

to our agent so that he might cable

Pray for us as we prepare and My sincere thanks goes to all of guerite is attending Abilene Chris go to the Tibetan mission field. Pray tian College, while Garland is in high you who have been so faithful with that more laborers will lift up their your prayers and offerings for this school. Dr. and Mrs. Bare are still inter eyes to a great fieldTibet, and work. I know the Lord will richly ested in the work and doing what dedicate their lives to that work bless you as you serve Him in this they can to help out while educating for our Lord Jesus Christ.^Ellis way. Remember, above all else we
their children.^Melba Palmer.
R. Back.

need your prayers.^Melba Palmer.

THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY

Page. 8

FINANCIAL NEEDS.

Occasionally someone wants to pledge a rejgular stated amount, yet Like the Apostle Paul, they have inow what can be done by a church wish to send offerings for some def suffered hardship for our Lord JesuS. or other group in the way of a speinite project. Shall they not also say with him as cial project such as support for a Your offerings or pledges can be in Phil. 4:10, "But I rejoiced in the Jiative worker, etc. Beference has designated for any missionary, native Lord greatly that now, at the last
worker, or any part of the mission mission in the pages of the Tibetan work, and we will try to see that Missionary from time to time. For the money is used as directed. your convenience we. will here list Since our work is not organized A summary of some of the most ur under a board, but each of us is sup gent; ported separately, we prefer that Naomi Ho was given a scholar you do designate your gifts for the ship to attend the Spiritual Train person or work for which you wish ing Seminary, but has since found it to be used, thus saving us the ex that the committee who arranged tra problem of deciding _how it it plans to send* her "where^ thejr should be divided. themselves choose, after her course is
finished.
She is one of our mo^ valued

ing fund,. This offers an opiwrtun- testWy to those on the fi^ld tJiat we, ity for those who feel they ca.nnot too, are faithful? "

been made to various needs of our

your

care

of

me

hath

flourished

again, wherein ye were careful, but ye lacked opportunity. . . . not that I seek for the gift; but I seek for the fruit that increaseth to your
account. . . . Now unto our God and

Father
ever.

be the

glory forever

and

Amen."Marguerite Bare.

Pleas^e pray about these special

MARGUERITE BARE WRITES

MISS PALMER
February 11, 1946
Dearest Aunt Melba:

workers, her heart is in the work ^Melba Palmer. "we are doing, and we cannot afford

financial needs, and all the other needs and problems of our mission.

to lose her.

In order to keep her

Happy birthday!
me of how we

Today reminds
td celebrate

birthdays out there and it makes me ship by paying her tuition and ex homesick. Since it seems not to be Since the spring of 1940 few suxrpenses ourselves. God's will that I go with you I must As nearly as we can estimate, plies have been sent to our Tibetan be content to stay, and wait, and this would cost about twenty-five Border missionaries, and most of prepare, and yet I am so impatient. dollars per month, which must be the little that has been sent has

"we must free her from the scholar

used

AN OPPORTUNITY

sent regularly. The Kirklin, Indiana, Church has taken her as" their living link and will provide this. May the Lord bless those good people as they undertake this new service
for Him.

not

been

received.

In

few

stances,

long

delayed

reached the station, and great was

Tibetan Missionary and I am going supplies to try to send Some more of my

diary as soon as possible. We are well into the new semes

in

I haviB written an article for the

the joy and thanksgiving, but those

occasions were few and far between.
Most of the time while we were

ter now, and everything is going

to become a missionary doctor among some orders took from one to two be true. I knew I had worked hard his own people. Miss Schwake thinks years, but few were really lost. last Semester, but I didn't expect le has great possibilities and is anx There were gifts from the homeland quite as good results. I made A

smoothly. I am a sophomore now. Ho Du Bow, Naomi's nephew, is out there, supplies arrived with com We received our grade cards to a. very promising child, who wants parative regularity. It is true that day and my grades are too good to

doctor is most urgently needed in tle, has been sent to those others who remained faithfully at the task. the mission. Joseph, our young evangelist, who The reason was that postal service was recently married, was expected stopped for a while, and then, in back at Batang with his bride by 1943, when we could send air mail
Christmas. He is well-trained and

in all seven of my subjectsBibl^, Speech, Botany, History, Physical that people in this country remem Education, Greek, and English. N<it bered ug and wished to have fel even one A! It is beyond all my lowship with us in seeking and sav fondest hopes and highest expecta ing the lost. Such an expense cannot be un tions, and I take it as a proof that In the nearly five years since we dertaken without some promise that it pays to pray while you work. the funds will be available, yet a left Border country, little, very lit All my love, Margy.
needs for this work, but says it will likely cost -a hundred dollars a month, with prices as they are at present.
love them! They were assurances

ious to give him the training he every Christmas, and how we did

NAOMI WRITES MRS. BARE

Nov. 9, 1945

much needed foir full-time evangel istic work, and has been greatly the missionaries had to practice the wrote your address for me.

letters again we could not send Dear Mama Bare; regular letters nor packages. So I was got Aunt Gladys' letter. She
Then I

missed during his absence.

old New England maxim,

"Use it up, wear it out. His support should be continuous, Make it do, do without." that we may make full use of his And especially the last stern precept. abilities and training, and those of Read the quotations from Miss his wife as well. I have no recent Schwake's letter, headed "Supplies estimate from the field as to the Needed Quickly." probable cost of his support. The At last we have a chance to re latest estimate, while he was still lieve the situation. Can we let this single, was that he would need at opportunity pass? As Miss Palmer leafft a hundred dollars a month and the Backs go to the field, shall for himself. we not outfit and equip them in However, any amount pledged for such manner as shall at once ex

could write more. You may know my English is poor. Every word
you must guess. Sometimes I am so

much miss you and Doctor, and your dear children. Were they big and
every day go to the school?

am pleasure I
sisters and

have spiritual
brothers for

Mother,

back for me. Many, many thanks you pray daily for me. I suppose your body is home, your heart going out in the Tibet work. This is my own experience. I at School, my his regular support will help, and press our confi'dence in them and ghost go out to Batang home. May
we will be grateful for It.
A need which has

our love for Him whose ambassadors

more

God with you daily. Please greet my

arisen

recently, with the necessity of start

ing a new station, is that of a build

they are? And shall we not send by every dear one. them the clothing, the medicines, Your daughter, the supplies and equipment that will Naomi Ho

Page 4

THE TIBETAN msSIONARY

EDGAR NICHOLS COMING HOME

I am particularly eager to get Mr.
Nichols is home. his Our sister, churches Mrs. need

SUPPLIES NEEDED QUICKLY

Please
sent two

inform

everybody not
Nothing

to
has

mail any more boxes till I get some years' ago. I come through. hate to think of

to meet this splendid character.

so like

He

Bare.

Gladys' Schwake.

I we get definite word that Melba and the Backs are coming, which we pray may be the case, I plan to start early in March for home. I hope we will meet here or some

where along the way.

I really appreciate the great work Melba has done in promoting the
work of the Mission and the self-

so many things we need so badly being lost. Then, too, there is the loss of sacrificial money which grieves me more. I am on njy last legs with winter things. I think I can make this winter by patching every time I wear my winter garments a week. Stock ingsI wish you could see what I am wearing. I would be a fine one
for a hard time social.

sacrificing

spirit

she

has

shown.

Gladys and I have often said that

it surely seemed the will of God for

If the boxes do not get through, next winter I will go native. I dread
the thoughts of those coarse woolen stockings for they scratch. The boots are heavy, the dresses sweep the ground. Lois Bare wore them, however, and liked them for their warmth, so I guess I can endure. I have no more mending wool. Have some of the girls post those
cards of tan wool In their letters.

her to go home when she did for it would have been very difficult to have promoted the work without MR. EDGAR NICHOLS her help. I just received the September Ti betan Missionary and am much which were rotted to the gums. His pleased with Back's article.Edgar seconds were creeping out beneath Nichols. and on the sides. Had them both
break off at the crown. Had to lance

BUSY AS USUAL

(Continued from page 1)

and a baby boy was born at ten forty-flve a. m., whom I've named
Moses. I was reminded of Moses

in the bulrushes. We nearly had him in the hay. The mother was in very poor con dition for days, but this, the eighth flay, slie^Ts ~mucir~'Tm'proved. Good food and proper clothing are doing
their work.

Needless to say, the mother has no milk for him and I am feeding

Jiim with a dropper. Edgar found a bit of baby food at his house so my young "sparrow" has a formula. He surely looks like these young unfeathered baby birds.
The chances are I have taken a

My cotton floss for mending is also the gum and go up after the root. getting down to rock bottom. I'll The one root broke in two pieces and soon have none to mend, bo why I had to go after it a second time. worry. I am in a bad fix at present as my Honestly, what I have had to do one and only pair of glasses is brok without any previous training is the en and must be sent to Chengtu. I limit. I was so glad to have Edgar have had terrible headaches from the stand by and help me pray. I give eye strain. So it goes in the wilds, the Lord the glory for it was His always something out of fix and strength and wisdom or I would months before it can be fixed- ajid have failed. I was so nervous I gotten to you.Gladys Schwake. Pray much that I may quickly get nearly fainted when it was over. to the field with the supplies I am There are usually six at my table taking for the work and those who and often eight. I have been so are there, especially the glasses grateful to Edgar for loaning me Miss Schwake's mother secured for
his efficient Tibetan woman Ache.
She is one of our dearest Christian

her, which she is needing so badly. Travel is slow and uncertain, and
the roads into Tibet infested with

girls.

She takes over the cooking

and baking.

nucleus for Melba's orphanage. Then

I have three school children in and

Gwei Yin's two-year-old Marko. Naomi's mother, with whom he slept,

recently has had a severe heart at

tack, so we are trying to stive her.

Gwei Yin has two other boys who sleep in her bed, one six years and a baby of nine months. In this land it Is a case of lack of bedding so children sleep with their parents. It Is a frightful practice, but what can they do? In Gwei Yin's case her husband is only home occasion ally as he sleeps at the barracks with
his soldiers.

I am having daily backaches these Palmer. days but the Lord sustains me de spite all that. Edgar and I take PRAYERS NEEDED turns, it seems, having bed rest. Rupees had soared to the value I am always thankful we have never yet been down at the same time. of three hundred dollars at the close of the war! We were wondering If Gladys Schwake.
the sky -was to be the limit. It ap pears that China is finding herself again.

robbers, but God is able. He knows the needs, and He cares.Melba

A recent letter from Edgar Nich

ols reveals fear that his wife and

It grows increasingly difficult up

here to get grain. We can, however, testify to the watch-care of our prec ious Redeemer. As our need, so he supplies. We have an added responsibility

family have not been receiving ade

Funds for either him or his family may be sent to Mrs. Edgar Nichols, 4902 Pratt St., Om aha 4, Nebraska, or to C. W. Nich ols, Route 3, Box 369, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. quate support.

This Saturday I had a nerveracking job on my hands in that I had to pull two teeth for a student.
THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY

in these days in seeking for a new

location, so please be much in pray er for us.Gladys Schwake.

. 562, P. L. & R.

6709 Plymouth Ave.

University City 14, Missouri

THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY

September, 1946

EDGAR NICHOLS RETURNS

large part of the citizenry of Batang Valley assembled at the hot spring a couple of miles above the town, on the morning of March 20, 1946, to bid farewell to their be loved teacher and evangelist, who af ter nearly eight years among them, was returning for a furlough in the homeland. Though many tears were
shed at parting, he did not leavf

them comfortless; for the nurse. Mis.

Gladys Schwake, evangelist Josepl Wang, and other faithful Christian' are there to continue the ministry of the Gospel in word and example, and they have the assurance of hi own purpose to return, God willing after furlough.
After three weeks of caravai-

travel he reached Kangting, wherr he had hoped to find the motor road open, but instead, had to get carrier; for four days to Ya-Gan, where he and his companions were among the overload of passengers who obtained truck transportation to Chengtu, at a price.

NICHOLS FAMILY llE-UNITED

FAREWELL! BACKS GRANTED PASSPORT After many discouraging delays Kliis Back stopped with us Sep and months of waiting. I am now tember 2nd after bringing the final actually on my way to the Tibetan message at the Southwestern Conven At Chungking, May 11, he wrote, "The day after my arrival here I Border. This will be my last message tion. He has his long-delayed pass port and is making a final tour to went to the American Consul to get to you before I leave America. I sailed from San Francisco Sun fulfill his appointments, and then my passport renewed and to as' about transportation by the A.T.C | day, July 28th, on the M. S. Rose- will attend to matters of passage and As the army is to discontinue that i ville, a Norwegian Freighter. My freight shipment. The travel fund is service shortly, and can not carry! cabin-mate is a young woman my short, but there should be no diffi all applicants whose petitions have own age. of the China Inland Mis culty there, when the loyal brethren already been received, they woulf! sion, who has spent one term of over knpw he is ready. They already know not even accept my application. 1 eight years in China. Our interests the urgent need out there on the went over to the Chinese National! are much the same and we enjoy Border, and I think they know how Aviation Corporation, and was aske(! each other's company. Food and ac to pray. Mrs. N. H. Bare.
to wait five weeks. Boar-d here i.=? commodations are excellent.

$4,500.00
day!

National

currency,

per

We arrived in San Pedro July 29tl:

and are scheduled to sail today.

Na-wha, Mrs. Joseph Wang, has been in delicate health; the altitude

Perhaps my appearance counted July 31st, if we are not further deagainst me for I was sweating in mv layed. From here we go direct tc old woolens. I had found a second Shanghai, taking about three weeks hand suit for sale, but as it wa? The Lord is leading and will con
priced at $200,000. ($100.00. in

; here seems to be hard on her heart, ! but it is hoped she will soon make : an adjustment to local conditions.
Given reasonable health, she will prove a valuable addition to the mis sion personnel. Lois Bare.

good American money) I decided follow the advice of my Scotch friend

at the China Inland Mission whr

tinue to do so, as I journey onwarc' toward Batang, where Miss Schwake-

said, "Don't, buy here, prices arr terrible." In this Dilemma, I went again to the Consul and prevailed upon him to make out an application for me, and while there, decided to call on Chaplain Haines, a friend of
my friend, the afore mentioned

Scotchman. When I introduced my self he said, "O, you're the chap from Batang!" He was having tea with a guest to MOZONE'S PASSING whom he said, "Dr. Ainsley, meet, We recently received word from Mr. Nichols, just down from Ba Kangting that Mozone, one of our
tang!"

anxiously awaits my arrival. Th-f Backs are continuing their effort to secure a passport, supplies and boxes to pack them in, and passagi to China. Pray much for them anc do all you can to help them, fo: they are greatly needed on the field Your prayers and support arc deeply appreciated and I am sure the Lord will bless you as you servp Him in this way. Melba Palmer

BA WANG HANG BAPTIZED My precious student, Ba-WangHang was baptized on Sunday, June 16th. It certainly was a precious ex
perience for us all. He left us June

19th to return to his home province, which is Hopei. He will keep in

touch with me as he travels. He

faithful Christians, has passed away. "Are you," asked Dr. Ainsley, "the It was a shock to all of us, but our M'r. Nichols who sent his family home sorrow was tempered with joy, for for him but I am convinced that he a few years ago?" we know that even his death was i. knows where to seek his wisdom and
"Yes." witness for his Lord.

still has a father living and wants to get back to see him once more. 1 Then he wants to go into some special Christian work. When he gets home he wants to tell his people more about the gospel. Pray much for my laddie. In this man's land such a decision is not easy. There will probably be plenty of ridicule

(Continued on page 2)

Marguerite Bare.

strength for the fray. Gladys Schwake.

-A

PaiEe 2

THE TIBKTAN >aSS10NARr

EVANGELISTIC RESULTS Issued Quarterly We are sorry to report no baptisms EditorMiss Melba Palmer, Batang, in 1945. We could perhaps have had
Sikang, West China.

TIBETAN MISSIONARY

THE SCRIPTURES SPEAK

"But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment; yea,
I judge not mine own self. For I

a few but we find it pays to wait on

Associate Editor-.;Mrs. Arthur H. the Lord and let them show us We Schaal, 6709 Plymouth Ave., Uni whether they mean business. versity City 14, Missouri. have seen so much of the hypocrisy
Missionariesr-Miss Gladys F. Sch- of some in former years that we
wake, .R. N. and Miss Melba Palm may be over careful, but we want er,. Batang, Sikang, West China. them to realize the importance of sincerity. The mental development Missionaries on FurloughMr. and of these people is very slow.

know nothing against myself; yet

am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the' Lord." I Cor. 4:3,4.

l^rs* Edgar Nichols, 4902 Pratt ^t., Omaha, 4, Nebraska.

Texas.

Now for the number of Christians

Should I be judged of men I fear the judgment.

Fo^er Missionaries^Dr. and Mrs.

in our little group. I think in all we

who were baptized but their lives belie their testimony, so I am giving Forwarding -Secretary^Mrs. Arthur only those who really have tried to H. Schaal. obey the Lord. Missionary. RecruitsMr. and Mrs. The Sunday School is much better

Norton H. Bare, Box 45i, Abilene, number about thirty-flve. A few come

For God alone knows what my heart contains.

And God alone has led me every
moment.

Sometimes in paths still shunned

by men's small brains.

Ellis R. Back, 635 Vernon Avenue,

Venice, California.

attended

now than

when we first

AT ELK MOUNTAIN
A hapl)y reunion occurred at Eflk Mountain Christian Service Camp when Mrs. Bare and the girls.found themselves fellow campers with the Newlands. The two families had

got it started after our arrival. We now average about forty in normal attendance and at holiday time close
to one hundred. There was no Sun

EDGAR NICHOLS RETURNS

(Continued from page 1) day School when we arrived and only one meeting a week on Sunday. "Well how in the world did you We now have meetings on Mon get out of there?" day, Wednesday, and Friday nights

"I rode a horse." journeyed across China together in and Saturday is our prayer night for "Over seventeen - thousand foot 1934, had labored together on the special matters. Joseph was teaching Tibetan Border from 1934 - 1939, a Bible class on Tuesdays and passes?"

and the Newlands were often named Thursdays but his health has not in the prayers of the Bares during been so good for a time so for two

"Yes, without the least distress".

"Praise God," he said "Wonder

the dark days of- the Santo Tomas weeks now he has had no classes imprisonment. "God is unto us a those nights. This young man needs ful, wonderful!"

" God of dsirvefahce, and unto J^o- the earnest-prayers of ~our -peopler "Then ^e told" ChaplBn Haines~m^ vah, the Lord, belongeth escape from He is deeply spiritual and the devil story for he had met my family at death." Psalm 68:20. is trying him in all possible ways. Ya-an, and had been impressed by
^Mrs. N. H. Bare.

FOOD PROBLEMS Our spring came so early this year that the frost took most of our fruit and nuts. I am so sorry because of new recruits coming out and with
children who should have fruit.

This past year we have been hav ing unexpected opportunities with the school children while they are patients here in my home. Several of the normal school boys are greatly interested. Pray for these as they need much prayer. The schools are manned by teachers who drink and carry on in anything but a whole

their faith and courage. Upon this turn of my fortunes Chaplain Haines supplied me with a good light-weight suit, shirts, ties, and other essential
items, an outfit that would have cost the equivalent of $200.00 here in Chungking. Then he took me back

Well, the Lord knows all these things. He has called and sent and

plane. We are hoping that when the Will enable over the difficulties. The numerous other instances of Lord grants us the building of our I am hoping my tomatoes will Christian village later, we may have God's gracious and timely provision thrive because they are good sub a school for our Ohristian children for me would fill pages. I acknow stitutes. I had to buy many seeds and get them out of that environ ledge them gratefully, but must not this year and came nearly not hav ment. Brother Shao's oldest boy at dwell upon them lest I draw atten

some atmosphere.

to the A.T.C. and secured their pro mise to give me a place on the next

ing any carrots. We subsist on car- tends Normal here and such a tion to the provision, rather than fots and cabbage in the winter. I change in a boy in one year I have to Him who provides."
am really tired of both. never seen. He is running with an Just now we eat spinach daily. I impudent set of boys and I am sick

have planted a few parsnips and have at heart to note that he no longer

On June 2nd, he reached San Francisco, learned that Miss Palmer

some lettuce coming up now, for attends Sunday School and church had not yet sailed, called his family in Omaha, and started home via which I am thankful. I believe the regularly. Glads^s. Schwake. Eugene, Oregon, where Miss Palmer Lord is schooling me a bit, for I am and he exchanged reports on the the type who enjoys varieties in On J'une 9th, my husband fell status of the work, each had left, food. Monotonous eating soon brings through a glass door, cutting his left and on the fields to which they, re me to the end of my .appetite. It will be some spectfully, were going. Mr. Nichols My evening meal these days con arm very badly. sists of bread and milk. Mornings time yet before we can know wheth was joyfully reunited with his family I have a cereal or eggs, at noon eggs, er he will regain the complete use in their home at Omaha, June 8, spinach and bread. We have ex of his fingers; as the nerves were 1946, a reunion of which he says, "I hausted potatoes long ago and can severed and had to be tied. We wish delighted myself in the Lord, and not have fresh ones for months. to thank our many friends who in He has given me the desires of my This year my garden crop is very terceded for him in prayer and who heart, I committed my way unto Him, and trusted, and he has brought it poor so far as potatoes are con sent him so many nice cards. ^Mrs. Arthur H. Scliaal. to pate." ^Lois Bare. cerned. Gladys Schwake.

THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY

Pag 8

JUNIOR
MY TRIP OUT OF TIBET
(Or Diary of an Eleven Year Old)
by MARGUERITE BARE (Continued from Dec. '45 issue) July 10, 1939. Today has been a

MISSIONARY

July 26, 1939. Well,. we finally "Now I guess our Margy wiir smile got away from Draw-chu-caw and again!" and I did, and. Oh, I'm are still at Leh-ding. I had chills so happy! It would be perfect if
last night and Aunt Gladys said I tossed and groaned all night.
It was just about one o'clock when we got here, and Aunt Gladys kept asking me how I felt and I said, "all right," but I've had a headache all day because I have malaria again. I didn't feel like eating, and so she came over to me and paid, "Honey child, your eyes don't look right. Has all that interpreting made you sick? I said no, I was all right, because I
didn't want to be a burden on their
hands. Just then Aleh came in and

Mama
now.

and

the

family

were

here

xather sad day.* I miss Mama so much

hardly know what to do. I miss all the others too, but the Nichols are
Teal kind to me. We left Lham Di this morning

I had to go to bed as soon as we got here because I still have a fever. Aunt Gladys says I mustn't write in this, very long. (Continued on page 4)

.at about eight o'clock. I cried until

.1^ couldn't cr^ any more. Daddy's

face got. all red except that around 3iis lips it got real white. The boys didn't cry but they looked so sad that I had to cry harder. Men and "boys usually don't cry about such -things, but I think that often they feel worse than we who do cry. I have a lovely horse. It likes to gallop, and it and Dorothy's horse are friends. That's a good thing because we get to talk more. Phyllis' Ihorse is too wild for her, and so she is going to trade for a gentler
liorse. I wouldn't trade if I were she "because I think it's more fun to have

SEPARATION
(Written at Lham-di, July, 1939,.soon after the departure of Marguerite
with the new missionaries, for Batang. Due to flood and robbery this flve day trip took seventeen days). I have let my Marguerite be taken from me, Five days journey wearisome and slow. Five days and a river, with no bridge across the river,
On the bandit-ridden road I let

said the loads had come and where

did we want our beds put. Aunt Gladys told me, and I told him, and then he said, "Huh na-ndu rih," (You are sick) and I said, "Dzeen mah Iho." (Don't mention it). Aunt Gladys asked me what he said. I didn't want to tell her, and so looked reproachfully at him, and he shook

his head, pointed at me, and put his

hand to forehead. She said, "There,

her go.

Margy, even he could see it. I knew I have sent my little girl the hard way from ine. That she may be a blessing, and She took my temperature, and -dogs today. We tried to count them, be blest, but they were 'way too many for had Aleh put up my bed, but the bedding was drenched from last God's presence can annul the dreadthat.
vild horse.

We saw lots and lots of prairie you were sick."

This place Js Mbong Ding, the nights torrents so she wrapped me in place Mama used to talk about. It's her coat. When I began having chills

_ ful^istance,^^
The way He guides us in, is always

best. again she filled her hot water bottle and gave it to me and had me take an aspirin-phenacetin tablet. Aleh These things I know, and knowing, sent her from me. hung up the oil sheets for curtains But knowledge does not heal the around me, and 1 went to sleep. I aching heart; the road and up a ways. We are a dreamed that we were back at little bit crowded (seven in one Tsakalo, and I was in bed in Mama's I want to see her grow, to touch her, teach her. Toom), but it doesn't matter be room, like I used to be, and that a cause it's only for one night. Five days inay mean months, may whole bunch of Tibetan men burst We had quite a bit of fun this into the room and said I had to go mean years apart. afternoon. The Nichols are cheering at once and be their interpreter! I've sent my Marguerite at God's me up a lot. We went down to the That woke me up, and Aunt Gladys clear bidding. river and jumped from stone to was rubbing my forehead softly, and For all my hurt may He have stone till we got to a pretty little I was crying as if my heart was praise and song.

kind of cold here, but there is lovely scenery. The Nichols and I are stay ing at this house. It is quite close to the river. Aunt Gladys and Aunt IMelba are staying at a house across

Island with lots of flowers and grass, broken. I tried to stop when I woke May God forgive my tears and bless and played we were stranded on a up and realized what a baby I was my daughter, desert island. Dorothy and 1 selected being, but Aunt Gladys told me to The while I cry, "Oh Lord of ^ spot on which we would build a Hosts, how long?" cry as hard as I <pleased because I shelter, and Phyllis and Lois went could cry for her and Aunt Melba out hunting. After a while they came because they were homesick for their How long? The time is in His holy back. Lois was supporting Phyllis keeping, mothers, too. She said that before who was pretending she was half But pray for us that we may I woke up they heard me say "Ob, drowned, but really she had slipped faithful be, Mania, please don't let them take me and gotten her foot all wet. Aunt away," and that reminded them of Tsakalo lies behind, Gartok is wait Mabel said that if things like that ing. when they left their mothers. were going to happen, we had better Today we preach the Gospel In Aunt Gladys says if I don't stop
-not play. Uncle Edgar said he wanted
to go to see the Tibetan mill. John
Lham-di. writing in this, she will take it away from me, and Aleh has brought me Perhaps our road goes on through 'did, too, and so we jumped off our darker dangers. some hot tea.

July 27, 1939. Today, for the the child could bear. myself just In time. We came back first time in seven years I saw my He guides and we will trust His liere after looking at the mill. Doro- birth place, but better yet, 1 saw tender mercy. the Nichols again for the first time "thy wants me to go with her to see

island and from stone to stone, and I slipped on one stone but caught

Through hardships greater than

Aunt Gladys and Aunt Melba, and in a week! The four cousins came H'm tired of writing. out quite far to meet us, and when Fifteen days of travel omitted. Aunt Gladys saw them, she said.

But, oh Beloved, remember us in

prayer!
^Lols Nichols Bare.

Page 4

THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY

My Dear Teacher,

world's good but I

still hold my easily belongs to a woman's nature;

and I am so inclined. I can shed, a touching-

are so busy. You do not even find erty has been the road to success. tears even when reading story. Walking through a few minutes rest. You are always Take for instance Columbus, Frank seeing these beggars and lin, Yo-fe, who were poor in their with your patients looking after them youth but became successful in later lects of life'I am moved

I am sorry to trouble you for you ambitions high. In many lives pov

and trying to improve their bodies. You try to relieve their weary minds

the streets other derito tears at

I can

life.

times

for

their misfortunes.

In our lives God gives two things. too. This ailment of mine has given you much concern too. We are very First the material things, then the somewhat the same state myself. My dear teacher 1 stand before hope of eternal things. I am .now grateful for your help. you tonight speaking so many words looking to God to help me to grow During this two weeks of my stay I am afraid I will tire you. I hope:

only offer them comfort as I am in

in your home I have been wanting to spiritually, mentally and in my work. tell you some of my thoughts. The I hope to help my country and the

you will forgive me as I am only a

difference in our language and your world in general. I have faith in student. I cannot say more at thi&

very busy life have made this a bit

were better I might be able to say

the statement in Heb. 2:1. My awkward so I am writing down my therefore must grow. In Rom. thoughts for you. If only my English it tells me to have patience to for it. I will wait patiently

faith time. My candle burns low, so I must go 8:25 to bed. May God be with you in your wait upon busy life for Him.
Your student, Ba Wang Hang.

what I think. Some people here do

God.

I am not looking for the comfort not even understand my northern Chinese. I am fearful to have some of material things. My one desire one to interpret for me lest they do is to get rid of this sin which I not convey the true meaning of my know to be within my heart. My lif"
words to you.

The postal service is" improving,

letters are coming through in rea

I told Yosa last, night that when

I wanted to talk to you personally

I would tell you in my own way

I do understand a little Tibetan but

is an open book before you and my sonable time, and mean more than Grod. I have hidden nothing. You ever. Some of our correspondents do recall that I was very frank with not realize that postage on an air you about myself and my past. I mail letter is seventy cents a half would like to see others stirred up ounce, but that a slow letter can in like manner. May the whole come for five cents for the first world come to see Jesus, is my ounce and three cents more for an

it is so limited that I fear to make

requests lest I seem to command,

the latter being very impolite to a Chinese. Like as not it would not matter to you to have an error but I would dislike that very much. I -have not been happy in this situa tion. Now that my two weeks in your hom^ are up T should like to write
ou.

prayer. Every one should have a re additional ounce. I am even receiv ligion and particularly Christianity. ing THE CHRISTIAN DIGEST now.
We know that religion is vital tc
mankind.

I recall having heard a

story a*

one time about a polar bear. Thi; bearwas aiding oa- an 4ce*brg no realizing that the ice-berg was afloat
in a warm current with its base

and Oh what a treat it is! It sug gests Bible conferences at home, how I yearn for them! Gladys Schwake.

(Continued from page 3)

_ My dear teacher I am much like

I had to ride with Aleh all day melting fast. Suddenly the ice-berj a sheep having gone astray. In times sank carrying with It the polar bear. because Aunt Gladys didn't think I had enough strength to stay on a past I have been walking in dark

taught to trust the Heavenly Father ligious foundation soon find them for protection. This gave me the selves in the bear's predicament open door, Christ Jesus, from be spiritually. How terrible this would
hind which shines a light for me to be. There are still so many people
guide me to glory. I have the happy
however, in just the place that thf

ness. Through your guidance I was Some people not having a sure re

This can have a spiritual application

horse.

Aleh

told me I

could

lean

back on him and go to sleep if I wanted to. At .first I didn't, but

pretty soon i did, and he wrapped

his robe around me to keep me warm. When I woke up, he was smiling down at me and told me that I was pretty when I was asleep. We were climbing the last pass before Batang, and he showed me the place where Dr. Shelton was when he was shot. There, was a rock there that is to be: .engraved some day for a monument to him. Further up he showed 9ie-where the

feeling that polar bear was and do not seem tc comes in poasessing a family. I realize it. Tliey are like the polai esteem the Church as my family, the bear, lost.: Lord Jesus as my Father, and the Though I,have a weak body and

mission ^ as my mother. Though I a rather simple mind still I have a

have grown as old as I am I have feeling that some day I should like never experienced the love of a to preach the gospel, thus helping

mother. I am now enjoying the love these that are still seemingly asleep. of Jesus and your motherly kindness. Lest theirs be the fate, of the polar I am at a loss to show you my grati- bear. I am so young and besides I robbers were hiding./^hen they shot _tude._I aiDL.not giveit-ta^flattery but have so lit^. knowled^ how; shall D^-^ Shelton., , ,

speak from my heart, .'^^r^tetndiies^

has made an impressi^on upon me.;
a Christian. There will be some who

su'g^ as I preach. I h^e !d'ay H AuijtrSladys^ tp,be able to put all other things and now I think I'll, be a nurse.
I

I have finally decided to become aside and go and.preach the gospel,

don't think I'll write in this,

i believe I ha,ye. a suitable nature

for this work^ .l'hough I.am a man

any more, because I'm out of Tibet,

now, but some day I'm going to write still in my emotions I am of a wo "MY TRIP BACK TO TIBET," and pose in mind. I may be ppor in this man's nature. Some.say that weeping It will be much better.

will probably despise me for they will

have some other pur

think that I

THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY

Sec. 562, P. L. & R.

6709 Plymouth Avenue University City 14, Missouri

if2u>c/xA.X^

THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY

Vol. a

December, 1946

A REPORT FROM EDGAR NICHOLS

Since returning to my home in Omaha, Nebraska, I have travelled more than four thousand miles, have

MR. REES HAS PASSPORT

Greetings in the name of our dear
Lord and Saviour.

visited forty-four churches, besides

teaching in one Christian Service Camp and speaking on the programs
of the Lake James and Cedar Lake

Schools of Missions'. This has been a rather full program for one who is supposedly resting up and recup

erating for return to the Mission Field next year. Following my

scheduled

There is very little I can say at have no reports to make on any traveling that I have done. However, I am sure you will all rejoice with me that I now have my passport validated for travel to China. There was no difficulty in getting it. I just wrote to the Canad ian Legation and asked them what I must do. I was told to send my passport and they would validate it
this time, as I
for China.
I would

home to
Christmas.

itinerary, I be with my

will reach family for

I was also informed that

visa from

have to have a

the

Chinese

consulate.

will

be

Mrs. Nichols and I have never had

granted that whenever I am ready

to leave for China.

living link support. We have always had every need supplied. But now it will be necess'ary for some church or churches to guarantee our mini mum requirements before we can receive passports. Although the;
churches we have visited have been

With what little I can spare from my salary as pastor, after household
A TIBETAN "BAGGAGE CAR"

expenses, I am starting to buy some

necessary supplies.

Please pray that the funds will

generous in their- offerings, when traveling expenses and the living ex penses of my family are subtracted, it doesn't leave much to apply on our travel and equipment fund for
return to Tibet. If Mrs. Nichols and

HIGH COST OF TRAVELING

Please tell people that our new recruits will need plenty of money
to get to the field. It has cost me

nearly fifteen hundred dollars U. S. already and will likely cost at least
another thousand U. S. or more to

will be able to leave as soon as possible. Melba wishes that I could go along with the Backs, but that seems improbable now as they are planning to leave before the end of this year.
William O. Rees.

come in so that I

I were receiving living link s"upport, most of this money could go for our
return.

get as far as Chengtu.

Then I have

no idea what it will be from there

on. I can't count on it being less Probably it has not been under than three thousand for the whole stood by most that during the past journey (from home) and it may be two and one-half years, my family much more than thatand I am has received only such funds as were only one person. Of course, I am designated for them. That is, they taking many supplies for the mission have received nothing from the Gen and buying things along the way, eral Fund, as we felt the donors but the others may be doing the wished this money to be used on the same. field. In the next is'sue we will try Melba Palmer. (This' was written from Shanghai We are asking the Lord for these on October 20th.) specific needs;
to have a financial statement.

GRAIN SHORTAGE AT BATANG

We are faced with a grain short

age each year growing more acute. This year it is terrible. Here the
wheat harvest is over some months and we have not been able to buy winter supply. Simon is so discour aged at timesshe nearly runs her legs off trying to get grain for me and Yohan at school. We are living
from hand to mouth as it were. This

asked him to help for the children's sake. The corn has been practically dried out on my field as well as Ed Rees. his life for the cause of Christ in gar's, though I laid out forty rupees 3. Living link support, travel and West China. He died some weeks to Jen Na's husband to water it and equipment funds for Mr. and Mrs. ago of typhus or typhoid just as care for it. Gwayen is heartsick; Nichols. Morses were starting their journey she had to help me so much and 4. Property purchase fund of out for furlough. there has been so much running for $5,000.00. Those who are left to carry on this case of her husband's that we

PRECIOUS TO THE LORD Word has just reached me here the Backs. (in Shanghai) through members of 2. Living link support and travel the China Inland Mission, that equipment funds for William 0. Warren Dittemore has already given
1. Travel and equipment funds for

last trip to town was so unsuccess

ful that she went to Pastor Lee and

(about without him will need our prayers as uever before in these days of re adjustment. May the Lord give 6. Sawmill (about $200.00). added strength, courage, and com 7. Motor launch for use on Yanzte fort to Isabel and baby Janet in their River (price unknown). bereavement, as they carry on with 8. Electric generator (water pow out their dear one. Our deepest sym er), machines and tools (about $2,pathy goes out to them. 000.00). "Precious in the sight of Jehovah 9. A missionary doctor or nurse is the death of His saints."Psalms to relieve Gladys Schwake. 116:15.
Edgar Nichols.
Melba Palmer.

5. Motion picture camera $225.00).

two were unable to get over there to supervise it. Joseph and Na Wha

have been watching the Church field,

So that has been a relief. It will be

some better, as that girl has worked hard over there. Ho Shung has gone today to stay until harvest, as we heard that a few of the helpers are planning to take some of the harvest

before they divide with us. Yes, the

regular Chinese squeeze, you know.
Gladys Schwake.

Page 2

THE TIBETAN mSSlONARY

THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY

Issued Quarterly EditorMiss Melba Palmer, Batang, Sikang, West China. Associate EditorMrs. Arthur H. Schaal, 6709 Plymouth Ave., Uni versity City 14, Missouri. MissionariesMiss Gladys F. Schwake, R. N., and Miss Melba Palm er, Batang, Sikang, West China. Missionaries on FurloughMr. and Mrs. Edgar Nichols, 4902 Pratt St., Omaha 4, Nebraska.
Former MissionariesDr.' and Mrs. Norton H. Bare, Box 451, Abilene,
Texas.

DO YOU WANT MORE NEWS?

There has been considerable agita

TEE SCRIPTURES SPEAK

"And lo, I am with you always,
even unto the end of the world."
Matt. 28:20.

tion for increasing the number of

issues of the Tibetan Missionary from four to six each year. It has been our desire for some time to do

Christ promised to be with us al

ways

this, but we have hesitated on two

accounts.

If we His command would obey.

First of all, Mrs. Schaal has very willingly undertaken the handling of the paper and the forwarding of

So why do we hesitate ever To'follow His leading and way?

Our burdens will be His care al
ways.

money to the missionaries, and most of you have no idea what a tremend
ous task this is. It Is practically a full time job for one person, yet
she does it in addition to caring for

Our pleasure His joy to provide. And when we find danger or hard
ship We in His kind refuge can hide.

Missionary RecruitsMr. and Mrff. her family. Ellis R. Back, 635 Vernon Avenue, ary work.

Hers is a real mission

Oh, let us lean hard on His pro

mise. And take Him right now at His word; We'll find greatest joy in His ser vice. And others of Him will have
heard.

Venice, California, and Mr. Wil

liam O. Rees, 2740 College Ave nue, Berkeley, California. Forwarding Secretaries Mrs. Ar
thur H. Schaal.

Because I know from experience what a lot of hard work Is Involved

in these tasks, I do not like to ask

her to assume any more. If she Is to do this, she must have more co Ellis R. BackMr. J. WyclifEe operation and help by those who are Busch, 931 Scenic Drive, San in a position to give It. Now that I Bernardino, California. have left the States, an even greater
For Mr. and Mrs. burden is left her than before. If

late to enter the school, so is sitting there wondering what to do. I wrote perience with printing knows that him to wait for Jen's coming and one reason why the Lord has not while it is the most satisfactory he could decide what best to do opened the way for us to go to Tibet method of relaying news Cand the about him. I radioed, just before sooner. He knows best. While I only effective way for a circulation the radio went dead, that I want was in the Christian Hospital, Dale as large as ours), it is also an ex him to find work as quickly as pos and Karen stayed at the Mothers' pensive way. We have tried not to sible, for Kangting is the most ex and Babies'. Home and Ellis at the use any money for this purpose that pensive place he could be at present. Chrl^ian Old People's Home. After has been sent to use on the field. If Here he will be losing nearly two getting out of the hospital, I too this policy is continued and the num years of school. He cannot get in spent considerable time at the Chris ber of issues Increased, it will he
al issues. Anyone who has had ex
tian Old People's Home. necessary that more money be sent Ellis and I would like to take this for the expenses of printing, mailing,
now until March.

APPRECIATION On October 10, 1946, I underwent a major operation at Christian Hos pital in St. Louis. This was a rather unexpected operation and I am glad that it was possible for me to have it in this country. Perhaps this was

you can do anything at all to lighten her work, I am sure it will be great ly appreciated.
Another reason for our hesitancy

HO DU BOW AND BA WANG HANG

Ho-Du-Bow has been transferred

up to Kangting by the C.I.M. be

cause he was not well down at

Chengtu. He got up to Kangting too

is the problem of financing addition

Ba Wang Hang hais decided to go

to the Bible school. I am now wait

opportunity to thank the Christian etc.

Women's Benevolent Association

ing to hear if Dr. Chia will admit him; but to safeguard him for our which is in charge of this fine benev quent news from the field would work, we must not let him accept olent work that Is being done In the send at least a dollar a year as his that scholarship fund money. Well, Christian Hospital, Christian Old or her share of the expense, desig the Lord has 'been my hitherto and People's Home, and Mothers' and nating It for that purpose, and If I know he can be my henceforth Babies' Home. We would like to everyone who writes to Mrs. Schaal also. Gladys Schwake. recommend this DIRECT SUPPORT would send a stamped, self-addressed benevolent work to all Christian Another wonderful thing that we envelope for her reply, Some of the Churches and Churches of Christ. must praise the Lord for, is the fact difficulties would be removed. ^Katherlne Back. that Mabel's friend and my special Please let us know by your words Buddy among these Chinese of and actions what your wish Is In ficials' wives, a Tren Tal Tal, has POSTAGE RATES REDUCED this regard. In the meantime, we written me that she has given her Postage on air mail letters to will be prajdng for guidance.Melba
If every person who desires fre

heart to the Lord and that when I West China has been reduced from Palmer. come down there, she wants to he seventy cents to twenty-five cents a baptized. Hallelujah! half ounce. Regular slow mail is (Several members of the Univer Gladys Schwake. still five cents for the first ounce and three- cents for each .eddltional sity City Christian Church and of David and Lois Rees have now left postage from the States have ibeen helping me In the work of to their field of service. Any gifts and the shortage of writing paper mailing these papers. It Is through sent to them should now be sent to China to

ounce. Due to the Increasing rates of the Christian

Old

Peoples'

Home

this continent and are on their way

there, we cannot expect to hear fre their help in this way that I can their forwarding secretary, Mrs. H. quently from our missionaries there; handle this added work. Nina L. Humphrey, Carthage, South Da but words of encouragement to them Schaal.) kota. Checks should NOT -be made would mean a great deal and help payable to David or Lois, but rather them In this great work they are Cards mailed In January should to Mrs. Humphrey and designated doing. reach Miss Schwake by her birthday as offering for Lois or David. Nina Schaal. April 5. ^William O. Rees.

THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY

Faga 9

J U N I 0 R
A LETTER FROM
wore

M I S S10 NARY

one. When they finally ex Safely to Kweilin. I stayed with a plained the reason, I put it oh. We friend at this place. In this home had lost mother that morning. My I had freedom to pray daily as I felt (Joseph's Wife) young heart was deeply touched. It led. During my prayer time one day Dear Brethren; the Lord brought conviction to my I first of all thank the Lord for left me with an aching void. saving me by His grace. I have been At the age of eleven I was very heart. I felt the burden of my sin

NA WHA WANG

saved to serve and -nritness to His

ill, even unable to take a little water.

I did not
doctor

so keenly that it felt like a

knife

Slory before thous^ands of unsaved. Yes, set apart for His work alone. I am a native of Hong-kong. Dur ing my youth my family were very wealthy. I was much loved by my
parents
child.

know

what

this
to

illness
know

being thrust into my heart. I wept

before the Lord and asked for for

was, only that I was very feverish.

The seemed not

giveness of my sin. I was heard and

either. I grew worse daily. That comforted. Sunday my father went to church. When a sinner confesses his sin
Our Pastor asked-him-where I was. and is truly repentant, God will hear Having learned that I was ill, he him and in His tender mercy for

for

was

an

attractive

My father was a Christian which brought me in contact with Chris

tianity early in my youth. He was associated with the newspaper serv ice for many years. My mother was an ardent Buddhist, keeping diligent
ly all the doctrines of Buddha.
doctrine.

She

srought to cducate us children in this

My brothers and some of my sis ters died young. I, therefore, be came aaf a precious pearl in the eyes of my parents. Now I have given you an outline of my family, I will enlarge upon my life history. When I first began to retain things in my memory, I was six
years old. I recall that father and

gathered some of the church mem bers together and brought them over to pray for me. He asked me to close my eyes while they prayed for me. Following this I slept four hours. When I ajvoke, my skin itched. I told my sister this. She looked to see what was causing this. After looking at me she called to my father and told him. "Why fath er, this is the measles." In a week
I was better. This was the first

give.

I John 1:9.

My desire now

is to see others confess their sins

and turn to the Lord, thus to be saved, experiencing as I did the Lord's great mercy in one day.

After joining my father at Chung

king, I became interested in Dr.

Chia's Bible School, where I spent

some time training for His service. During these days of training, I be
came interested in the border work

among the Tibetans. I also met my

miracle that the Lord performed on

husband there.

We were severely

me. Many are the miracles He per

forms which call forth astonishment.

tested before we were married and still are being tested. I will leave
that for another time.

I for

was old enough now to think myself or rather more inde

We covet your prayers, please, and

pendently. The Lord saw fit to take thank you for your faithfulness to mother often argued on the differ- away my only remaining sister at us over here. In the Lord Jesus ^nces in their religions. It finally this time. This was .even a greyer Is the victory, as we all-know, came to the point where mother took sorrow to me than the passing of my Sincerely, us three children and separated from mother. Having reached this age of Na Wha Wang. lather. Father then went to Singa independent thinking, I began ques pore. We began living in Buddhist tioning why all these so very dear to THE SCHOOLS OF MISSIONS surroundings. My recollection of me had been taken away from me My mother, father, and I had the those days were full of ghosts, of by degrees. Why all this sickness privilege of attending two School of which I was very much afraid. and broken family ties? I finally Missions camps this summer. This

from Singapore, thus bringing'us to passed through some similar trial or joined us at Omaha so that we might gether again. At that time the Lord distress. I Cor. 1:9. I came through make the trip together. began working in me. Not long after my twelfth year quite uneventfully. The fellowship at Lake James was this my parents sreparated again. At the age of thirteen, I was a truly wonderful. We met mission This time I accompanied my father. citizen of Hong-Kong when the Japs Time then passed very fast and came in and captured the city. How quite uneventful up to the age of we praised God that we were able to nine. I began attending Sunday escape from under their hands! We
aries from China, India, Japan,

At the age of seven, I lost my sec reasoned it out that the Lord was being the first time I had ever at ond sister with diphtheria. At the preparing me for special work such tended one, I felt thrilled and eager age of eight, my father retui;ped as comforting others who may have to go. Aunt Lois and Marguerite

Korea, and the Philippines besides

School and church with father, in went to Kwany Chow Wan. stead of going to some Buddhist father finally had to go tO| temple. I was much happier these Chungking .because of the pressure
brought to bear by the Japs. This One day my cousin came to my left me lonely indeed. My next lather out of breath and whispered thought was how shall I bear this something to him. My father's face wandering existence. I endured this became very sad. My siETter said, for a year. Then the Japs came to
years.

several home missions, as the Appa lachian Mountain Mission, the Jew My ish Mission, and the St. Louis Ben
evolent work.

There were also a number of re

cruits who were studying for the

missionary field or were ready to

"It is like a thunder storm on a

that place also, thus forcing me to

fine day."

I was wondering what flee for my life again. I left one

had happened to us. Later my father morning early and not long after asked me to change from the red that the Japs arrived there. dress that I was wearing to a white
one I occasionally wore on Sun days. I was surprised at this re

My one comfort was that I could come to the Lord for help. I was reminded of the many times prev I learned more about different miSf quest. In the afternoon my father iously He had come to my aid with sion fields than I had learned in all came home with a piece of black numberless blessings. He had prom the rest of my life! In every field the cloth which he asked me to wear. ised to take care of me. I was much need for more workers was as great I refused to do this as I recalled distressed by cold and hunger. He, as in our own. Tet I think that that when my sister died we all however, kept me and brought me (Continued on page 4)

leave as soon as possible. Marguer ite and I were included in this group as missionary recruits to Tibet. Each recruit had a chance to speak if they wished. All missionaries were given a chance to tell about their field. Every talk or sermon was ex ceedingly interesting and inspiring. In the week I spent at Lake James,

Page 4

t h e TIBETAN MISSIONARY

walk in his fields. It is going to save them a challenge of TAKING and Nina, I want to tell you that your this dear girl's property and make SENDING the Gtospel of Christ to

HELP HIOM THE LORD

heartache through your husband's her one of the finest iw^orkers we

accident brought to us an encour
have, ever had.

the Tibetans.

agement regarding a case we had

here." It was an old man with a frac tured arm. It is the type that some

We have made it May God continue to show His to ask for offerings hand in His child's behalf, is my the Tibetan work, prayer. With all the prayer back challenge with the

our policy NOT to be taken for but to leave a

people

and iC

times set up a gangrenous condition ing I have at home I should not be they felt it worthy of support, they becausre of the old age and poor cir discouraged. I have been severely would support It wUhout asking
culation.

tried at times of late but I know that

them to. This has been a fine policy

and we intend to continue with it.

This new doctor that the govern ment has here was on this case with me. He became frightened, I guess,
and insisted that the old man was

Rom. 8:28 still holds good.

I have

going to die and we had better pull

out of the case. I told him as-a Christian nurse I could not do such

a thing; but that I would trust my God to help me as He has done in the past. Rather a bold statement for
me to make to an official of the

town; but I felt I must let him know

that it has not been my own wisdom
that has done the work around here.

come to see Jesus in everything that However, we have been receiving a comes up daily and it has made the number of requests from our friends going so much easier than would saying, "Let us know of your needs for if you don't, how do we know otherwise be the case. He is train ing me still, and I thank Him for what to send you." Katherine and this. "Keep praying and He will hear. I have living-link support guaran teed to us but the only support for Gladys Schwake. the children is fifty dollars this yeai* which one group is giving. Our NAOMI WRITES MRS. BARE greatest need is the transportation Mama Bare: At dinner time today I received fund. We had estimated that we your letter. My heart is very glad. would need three thousand dollars I had been troubled. To tell why, to get us to the field, but with re
Miss Palmer has not come at all, I cent word from Miss Melba Palmer thought "This year she will not we know that this will not be suf come." For her every day I have ficient. We feel now that it will cost offered prayer to the Lord Jesus. I close to five thousand dollars to

I knew it was taking a chance, for

the old fellow was not obeying or

ders, as is characteristic of most Ti betans. Another thing was the fact that my Gwayen's husband was re sponsible for thiff condition and to save this precious girl from losing her field through a law suit, I want ed more than ever to have God help us. We set out "to pray this tiling through, although my text books told me that it was a long chance with .old age. I was jreminjied of Gen.

prayed that if she had started, she might come to us in peace and safe ty; and that if she had not started, I might receive a letter. Surely my prayers have been heard.. She will come quickly, I think, be fore it is cold. To travel up coun try, the Tibetan eighth month is
best. The ninth month is colder.
I -have much thankfulness that I
am in school.

take us and our goods to Batang.

We still need about three thousand

dollars;

however, we are not let

ting this hold us back but are going

on with our preparation to sail as soon in the near future as we can.

For we KNOW that GOD will pro vide our needs through His people.
Transportation is quite a problem in these days of strikes; but we feel that by the time we have all our goods packed that the way will open up for us. Please pray with us that the ways and means for us to go to Tibet will soon be met, and we can go to that great and needy field, and there teach and preach the

i^8:14, "Is anything too hard for the Lord." How often the Holy Spirit

From that good picture I see Dr. has encouraged the saints with that Bare and yourself have not become part of that verse. old. Before I saw the names, I When your letter arrived telling thought, "With them are friends"; of God's* mercy to you in this acci but then I saw "Marguerite and dent of your husband's, I interpreted Maribel." Elder bi'other has come that part to my Gwayen as we walk home? Please dq not be angry, I simple New Testament message of ed home from this old man's house can not write his name. Jesus Christ.Ellis R. Back. to show her that we were in the To all who are praying for the right to have chosen to stay by the Saviours' work and for me, iny greet old fellow although all things looked ings please give. Also please pray THE SOHOOIiS OP MISSIONS so dark. She thought it such a won much. (Continued from page 3)

derful way the Lord had of giving us

some outside encouragement, eveh though it was by way of another's

Naomi.

every missionary requested prayer

above everything else. The usual

suffering. Tell your hui^band that by For the past three and a half selves could, not go to some misision his suffering he has helped to deep months I have been visiting various field, they could at least help sup
en the spiritual life of this precious congregations throughout the United port and pray for those on the field. girl of mine. She has been through States, telling them of the great The week at Cedar Lake was just fire wijyi this husband of hers. It need to TAKE and SEND the Gospel as inspiring as at Lake James. Many seems to have brought her Into a of our Lord, Jesus Christ, to the of the missionaries who had attend deeper love for the Lord than she Tibetans. I have only been able to ed Lake James also attended the ever had before, to witness what He speak In about one-fourth of the Cedar Lake School of Missions. has done for your husband and now states, and to a few congregations There was one new home mission for thitf old man. The old man has in each of these states. But when represented there. It was the work recovered and today when I called ever and wherever I have had the among the Negroes. on him, he had to be called from a opportunity, I have tried to leave -^Dorothy-Nichols.
THE TIBETAN MISSIONARY 6709 Plymouth Avenue

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