Old Location Bible School

Rosemary's Rcmblings
32 Warnborough Mansions
Bulawayo, Rhodesia, Africa
January 17, 1967
Dear Christian Friends:

Greetings from Rhodesia in the name of our Lord Jesus. Judy and I arrived in Bulawayo on Sunday
afternoon, January 8, at three o'clock. Dr. Watters, Gladys Jongeling, and Johnson (the Walters' driver) met

us at the airport. During our trip we had no trouble with immigrations or customs. Our suitcases were never
opened. However, the suitcases were overweight which caused us no end of headaches. Our shipping
papers had arrived a few days before us and we took them to Watson's Shipping, who will have the barrels
brought from Cape Town by train. It will take about three weeks.
I left my home on Sunday, January 1, and traveled to Hoopeston, Illinois by car. On Monday, January
2, we drove to O'Hare Field in Chicago and caught the 6:00 P.M. flight to London. We arrived, in London at
8:00 A.M. We rented a chauffeured Hertz car and enjoyed a tour of London. We saw the changing of the
guards at Buckingham Palace, No. 10 Downey St., Big Ben, the Thames River, Westminster Abbey. and
Cathedral. It was quite cold and so we were happy to return tO' the aii*port and board our plane for Edin
burgh, Scotland. We had two and a half days in which we visited Edinburgh Castle and walked , the, Royal
Mile. We were the guests of Norman and Ann Watters, and John and Florence Jenkinson, son and daughter
of Dr. and Mrs. A. C. Watters, with whom we are working. We also went for a walk along the .ocean, but
found it quite cold at this time of year.
.
. .
We left Edinburgh on Friday afternoon, flew back to London, then in Paris we stayed pvemight. From
Paris we went to Rome and had two fueling stops, Athens and Nairobi, before landing at Johartnesberg, South
Africa. The last lap of our journey to Bulawayo was a little rough, since rain was predicted for the area. We
arrived at three o'clock, right on schedule, and were delighted to see roses blooming at the airport.
We were driven straight to our flat and then had tea with Dr. and Mrs. Watters. At 6:00 P.M. we
worshipped with the Colenbrander Avenue Church of Christ. Dr. Watters brought a very good message on
missions.

We met Mrs. Elizabeth Vallance (John was under the weather), Mrs. Isabel Knapp, Peter

and

Ruth Hadfield, and Mrs. Mansill, Hazel's mother, along with others. Gladys Jongeling was our very gracious
hostess as Mrs. Watters is not able to be out yet for very long at a time. The ladies at the

church gave us

two bouquets, mums and gladioli. The flowers brightened our apartment (flat) and boosted our spirits.
On Monday afternoon Johnson drove us out to Old Location where we got our first sight of the new
octagonal building and the old church building. The new building is quite nice but still not completely finish-

ed or furnished. They are badly in need of 100 pounds or about $300 for tile to cover the cold concrete
floor. All the children under eigrht sit on the floor for the worship time each Sunday. There are fourteen
new classrooms and the old building is still used. We met Stephen Nyoni and his wife, the preacher at Old
Location Church, and one of three African preachers in Bulawayo. On Thursday night Gladys was to deliver
some new Bible School literature to Miss Hazel Mansill, Superintendent of Old Location Bible School and so
we were able to meet her and visit for a few minutes with her and her family.

We have spent some time in unpacking, shopping for must items, and doing business, such as opening
a bank account, seeing Watsons Shipping, visiting immigration, etc. Some time has been spent in letter
writing. I have not felt too ambitious yet, since we have usually been up late at night and up by 7:30 in the
mornings. It is quite warm here during the day in contrast to the freezing temperatures of the midwest. It
was 83 yesterday and the low at night was mid 60's. Itrained four days last week. Everything is green and
flowers are blooming everywhere. We are delighted with the summer weather.

Our flat has four rooms and a bath plus an office space in which to work, connected to Dr. Watters'
office. The Watters have moved up to No. 66 and we have No. 32, while the office is No. 31. Judy sent out
some letters for Mrs. Watters and we have run off one hundred for Dr. Watters to send out. He is compiling
a mailing list, so that we might get his report in the mail.
Mr. and Mrs. John Vallance have just completed directing a one week Vacation Bible School at the
Bahrem Green Church. They started the week with 39 students and finished with 140. We were able to

att^id-the closing pr-Ggram-<m-Sunday evening^-Hadr-we-arrived-one-week earlier, we-would pr-obably- have

been out there in the middle of it, but since we are hardly rested or adjusted we were excused. Tlie Bible
School gave their offering to the Old Location Sunday School to purchase tile for the floor. If you would like

to help in this project, send your offering to Dr. Paul Benjamin, Box 178, Lincoln, Illinois 62656, marked
Bulawayo Fund. This is a long holiday (vacation) from school for the children here, they will begin a new
term the last of January.
I want to thank all of you who have helped, that I might travel the 10,000 miles around the world to live

and work for Jesus among these people. Some of you have planned a definite amount you will be able to give

to this work, but others have hesitated, now that I am in Bulawayo a definite commitment would be helpful,
sent to Mr. and Mrs. Willard Ragel, R. R. No. 1, Loogootee, Illinois 62857. If at any time a surplus should
be reached it could be used for materials for the now 1,550 boys and girls who attend Old Location

Bible

School. Also, Judy and I will be saving for a car, I have a sore heel now from walking and some places

we

will need to go are not within walking distance.

One last thought I would like to leave with you. In Westminster Cathedral in

London, on

one of the

pulpits were the words, "Attempt great things for God." May God bless each of you as you attempt great
things for Him.

Love in Christ,
Rosemary

ROSEMARY SWARMS
OLD LOCATION BIBLE SCHOOL
CENTRAL AFRICA MISSION

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
U. S. POSTAGE PAID

Loogootee, Illinois

Bulawayo, Rhodesia

Permit No. 1

Africa
MACEDONU CHRISTIAN CHURCH

\::7

M/M WiUard Ragel FA

R. R. 1

Loogootee, 111. 62857

(p.

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Rosemary's Ramblings
CENTRAL AFRICA MISSION

Rosemary Swarms
32 Wamborough Mansions
Bulawayo, Rhodesia
Africa
COLENBRANDER AVENUE

CHURCH OF CHRIST

May, 1967

Dear Christian Friends:

It has been two months since I last wrote to you. I have had many of you in my thoughts and prayers,

though; but I have been so busy, first in the work then running around that I have not taken time to write.
SUNDAY SCHOOL

This Sunday is just finishing a series of thirteen lessons on "The Life of Christ." Last Sunday we had
revision (review) and this Sunday the students will be given a test to determine how much they have learned
about our wonderful Saviour, Jesus Christ. On Easter Sunday part of the pupils were privileged to see a film
about the death of Christ and they were touched greatly with the realness that the motion pictures brought to

them. They were asked by the superintendent, Miss Mansill, to write essays about the bi-scope (film) and she
gave prizes to the three best ones. Some of the teachers gather at the Sunday School each Wednesday to
prepare for the next Sunday's lesson. This part of the progi'am is directed by Miss Gladys Jongeling. Judy and
I assist in teaching the lessons and Mrs. Eileen Hay gives the devotions. Please pray for our twenty-four
African teachers as they strive to prepare themselves to teach their pupils the Gospel truths.
YOUTH PROGRAM

Judy and I work together with two European Youth Clubs on Saturday. Tlie Junior group meets at the
Hadfield House, next door to Colenbrander Avenue Church of Christ at 2:30 p. m. They are an eager group

averaging about fifteen each week. They enjoy the games we play together as well as, the "Quiet Time" and
refreshments. One week we took them on a lorrie (truck) for a picnic. Thirty showed up for the outing. Our
African driver was named Zacharius. The boys and girls played hard, sang lustily, and came home tired but
happy. Junior Crusaders are fun!!

The second group meets also at the Hadfield House on Saturday, but at 7:30. This group is simply called
"Youth Club" and is composed of teenagers. This group is a matter of much prayer for us and we would
appreciate very much if you would remember them, also. We have at least ten young people who should be at
Youth Club every week, but only three or four show up at one time. We are planning some special programs
with these young people and hope in this way to interest them in the things of Christ.
SCRIPTURE CLASSES

Our first term of school closed April 26, so we have four weeks holiday from our Scripture Classes. These
classes are 1/2 hour each week in the public Schools. I teach on Tuesday morning at two African Schools
Lobengula and Mzilikazi Primary Schools. I have fifty in each of these two classes. Miss Landry and Mr.
Stephen Nyoni, preacher of First Church of Christ, Makokoba Township, each have classes of similar sizes.
I enjoy the Scripture Classes with these children very much. Sometimes I am amazed at what they have
remembered and again I am most disappointed because they have forgotten a point that I think is important.
On Thursday morning I go to Hugh Beadle Primary School for the first time, to take over Mrs. Vallance's
class, since she will soon be moving to Gwelo. Judy is taking Mr. Vallance's class at Luveve Secondary School,
which is on Friday morning. These last two classes may be temporary until the Berry Kennedys return the
first of July. Finday mornings I go to Ncofhlea Secondary (High) School at 7:30 a. m. I have twelve teenagers
who do not seem very interested. Please pray for them that they will develop a zeal for Christ.
LANGUAGE

We attended a language class in Sindebele for ten weeks last term. The new term is just beginning, so
we shall rsume our studies soon.

SECRETARIAL

Judy has been typing notes for Dr. Watters for his book on education. I have typed letters for Mrs. Peggy
Pennington and am now sending out the reports from the Mission Conference held at Nuanetsi for Mr.
Pennington. With my own correspondence, newsletter, and lessons to write,I manage to keep busy.
PRIVATE LIVES

We have had our car, an Opel Kadett for over a month now and we have managed to keep it very busy.

Besides going to our Scripture Classes, the Sunday School, and Youth Clubs, we have taken it on two trips.
Judy, Dr. Watters, Mrs. Smart, from Scotland, Don Baughman from Nigeria, and Ruth Hadfield went to Fort
Victoria. Alice Fishback took Judy, Mrs. Smart and Mr. Baughman out to Mashoko Christian Hospital. They

visited with Donna Kreeger and others at the hospital and had a very nice time. At that same time I was in
Salisbury visiting with the Dr. Jerry Smith family. Dr. Smith is studying in Salisbury.

For the second week of our holiday away from school, we went with Jack Pennington to the Mission
Conference at Nuanetsi. The Tom Courtneys are the only family at the mission, so many had to camp out. The
meeting seemed to be profitable business wise, as well as, in fellowship and inspiration. It was our first
Conference and one which we will not soon forget, because of the thrilling trip we had getting into the mission

station. After leaving the tar mat, we drove over dirt roads that turned into weed covered roads. We crcssed
a couple of river beds, climbed the banks, and almost lost the right front wheel in a gulley at one point. After

opening and closing about twenty-five gates and being lost twice we arrived safely (with the help of Tom
Courtney in his Cessna 180). We did enjoy the Conference, meeting the other missionaries and having fellow
ship with them.

We did stay in Bulawayo for the third week of the holiday, but we did not stay home. We took Mrs. Smart
to the park, museum, Khami Kuins, Matopo Hills and Rhodes Grave, and to see the churches of this area. Miss

Mansill gave us a tour of the African Locations we visited a clinic, nursery, recreation center. Arts and Craft
Center, and two of the nicer homes. The homes were very nice and the second family had twins just three weeks
old, so we got to see them, too. We also visited an African Store to observe what the people are buying and at
what price. We enjoyed our tour very much.
The last week of our holiday we spent at the Wankie Game Reserve and Victoria Falls. We drove to the
Gwaai River Hotel on Tuesday and went into the Game Reserve from there. We were able to see a herd of
twenty elephants, as well as four others. One old elephant was giving himself a shower with dirt and water.
We found it rather amusing to watch him spray himself, first on one side then the other, then over the top
and don't forget the bottom. We also, saw zebra, giraffe, worthogs, irapala, a crocodile and an ostrich, plus
a number of other birds that I am not familiar with. We enjoyed our day in the game park and our picnic
lunch, even though we did have to eat it in the car.
On Thursday morning we left the animals behind and drove to Victoria Falls. The rainy season has just
ended so the Falls have the most water going over them of any time of the year. There was so much spray
that at times you could not see the falls. We walked through the rain forest and got soaked to the skin. We
stayed overnight at the Victoria Falls Hotel and returned to Bulawayo on Friday.

Upon returning, we found that our guests had changed from Miss Sarah Stere, who had returned to
Mashopo, to Miss Marcia Thomson and Miss Marilyn Richards. Miss Richards had just come from the
States and the girls were on their way to Mashopo, also. Mrs. Smart left this week on Tuesday for Malawi.
So now school is back in session and we must settle down to work.
YOU CAN HELP

Please be praying for our Sunday School Teachers and their pupils at the Makokoba Township Sunday
School. There are 24 African teachers and 1550 pupils enrolled at the Sunday School.
Be praying for our two European Youth Groups, especially the teenage group where the interest is low.

Pray for Judy and I that we may be able to serve Christ well in Bulawayo.
If one or two churches could send us their VBS Visual-aid Packets and Teachers Books, we could use
them for VBS at Colenbrander Avenue and Barham Green. It would be a good idea to write to us first about

this. If you do send material mark it PRINTED MATTER - NO VALUE. Of course, it is of value to us, but
if you do not mark it like this, we will have to pay custom fees and we cannot afford to do that.

If you have any Sunday School Picture Rolls or Bible pictures that you are not using and could afford
to send, we could certainly use them. With 24 class rooms to provide visual-aids for, it keeps us busy. If some
class or group would like to do this as a project, we would certainly appreciate it. Please mark any material
sent PRINTED MATTER - NO VALUE.
THANK YOU!

Thank you for your prayers and for your financial support. May the Lord bless each of you as you serve
Him.

In the Master's Name,

ROSEMARY SWARMS

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

CENTRAL AFRICA MISSION

U. S. POSTAGE PAID

32 Wamborough Mansions
Bulawayo, Rhodesia

Loogootee, Illinois
Permit No. 1

Africa

JUN ? 0
MACEDONIA CHRISTIAN CHURCH

M/M WiUard Ragel F. A.

R. R. 1

Loogootee, HI. 62857

1/
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Rosemary's Rcmblings
CENTRAL AFRICA MISSION

Rosemary Swarms
32 Wambcroug-h Mansions
Bulawayo, Rhodesia
SABBATH AND SAMUEL
JAIROS JIRI SUNDAY SCHOOL

October 27, 1967

Salibonani: Greetings in the name of our Lord:

On Tuesday morning, when. Judy and I returned from our African Primary Scripture Classes, Berry
Kennedy greeted me by saying, "How would you like to go to Binga and work for your other boss for a few
days?" After some discussion, I was able to give away all my responsibilities and we had called to leave a
message for Jack Pennington, to meet the train at Dett the next afternoon. The rest of Tuesday I spent getting
the loose ends of my work done, banking, and packing. At 8:30 Wednesday morning my train pulled out of

the Bulawayo Station and we chugged along at 20 m.p.h., stopping at each little village along the way. I had
a two hour discussion with a Rev. Willie Von Beck of the Dutch Reform Church, but was unable to convince
him that immersion is the only way to be baptized. After this stimulating conversation, I retired to my "cubby
hole", for the train cars are made into compartments, to write a couple of letters. Finally at 2:30, I spied Jack
leaning against the Land Rover pick up truck and decided this must be Dett. It was and we were soon on the
road for the last 110 miles to Binga with two stops scheduled. We stopped at Kamativi Tin Mine and then made
a side trip to one of the bush schools, that Jack supervises. The school needed a new roof and Jack had the
tin on the truck. We unloaded the tin at the school, after traveling there on a non-existent bush road. At

Binga, Peggy was waiting supper for us and after supper and a nice bath, I was happy to retire for the night.
During the next two and one-half days, I was able to type 36 stencils of tests for Jack, as well as, seeing
some of the country and meeting some of the people. On Saturday evening Jack once again took me the 110
miles to Dett and I boarded the train at 10:20 and rode until 6:30 the next morning. Judy and Julie Holder

(a new Christian) were at the station to meet me. After eating breakfast, we went off tO' Sunday School and
Church.

Sunday afternoons are now busy since we started the Sunday School at the Jairos Jiri Rehabilitation
Center. It begins at 2:00 and ends at 3:30. We now have about 75 students enrolled in the four classes. Miss

Hazel Mansill has taken the 13 blind children and is doing a wonderful job with them. For the lesson "Jesus

Calms the Storm" she had IVIr. Hay make tiny sail boats of wood and paper and with a pan of water she let
them each one feel "see" the storm and how the boat pitched in the storm. (The storm was made by blowing.)
Judith Ncube has a class of about 15 children. Judy has about thirty of the 9-12 year olds and Gladys Jongeling has those over 12. Miss Jongeling's Class is not large, 14 or 15, but there are 8 of them that have asked
to be baptized. The service is to be this Sunday, October 29. We are very happy that these young men who
are crippled physically, desire to walk in Jesus' footsteps spiritually.

August 29th and 30th was the quarterly mission conference. It was held here in Bulawayo, so we had as
guests, Dorthea Parker, nurse from Mashoko, Alice Fishback, printer from Ft. Victoria and Margaret Dennis,

teacher from Dewure Secondary School, Gutu. We enjoyed their visit and the fellowship we had with all the
missionaries who attended the meeting.
Just one week later, September 4-8, we were in a Holiday Bible School at Colenbrander Avenue.

Judy directed with Mi-s. Kennedy as co'-director. John and Glo Hoyt directed the music and played the organ.
I was in charge of the Nursery Class. Fortunately for me the class was small and I had two helpers, so we
got along well and enjoyed our week very much. Tlie closing program was held on Sunday evening with almost
all the fifty children participating and many parents attending the service.

Besides the new Sunday School work at Jairos Jiri, which we are very happy about, we are teaching Bible
Knowledge in the African Secondary Schools this term. Mr. Kennedy, Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt, Judy and I all have
at least one class each. I go for two periods on Wednesday at 11:00 and on Friday from 7:30 to 8:50. I have
sixteen Form 2-B girls. They are so good and want to leam so badly, that it is a real challenge to teach them.
They will have their Junior Certificate Exams the week of November 13 and need to pass the test on Bible
Knowledge.

Donna Kreegar spent two weeks with us recently, for her holiday. We enjoyed very much geting to see
Donna and visiting with her. I had gone by plane (taking Greg Van Dyke's air rifle with me) to Ft. Victoria
on a Friday morning, to go with Alice Fishback and Mary Bliffen (Nurse from Hippo Valley) out to Gutu.
We went to Soti Homecraft School where they had lunch for us, then we had a short service with the girls

at the school. Mary led them in some choruses and I gave the Bible Story with an object lesson (a clay well)
"The Samaritan Woman". Then we taught them a new chorus "Jesus Gave Her Water".

They asked us to write the words and they all went away singing, just like the song says. We spent
the evening as dinner guests of Margaret Dennis. Doug and Frances Johnson and their two sons, were also
guests and we enjoyed a lovely Chinese dinner and an evening of fellowship. We stayed overnight with

Margaret and she and Lynn Johnson went with us the next morning to another village school, where^ we
judged their home craft show. They had embroidered burlap aprons, knitted baby clothes, crocheted doilies,

beads, bread, c^es, jelly, oil, peanut butter and sudza. The judging was hard as they were all fairly well
made and the food look^ good. Previous to the judging we had been served tea and had had a short church
service-songs, introductions, welcomes, thank yous and a short sermon by the manager of the Sbti Sdiool.
(He is blind, but speaks good English, as well as, Shona.) After the judging we bid them farewell. They gave
us cooked chicken and bottles of soda to drink (I would say cool drink, but it wasn't very cool.) on the road
back to the mission. We arrived back at the Johnsons in time for a lovely lunch and then we hurried away to
get to Ft. Victoria, so that Mary could get back to Hippo Valley befcwe dark.

I had felt badly on the way to PT;. Victoria that I could not go on to Mashoko to see Donna, since I was
over half way there, but as the weekend was planned it would not be possible for me to go. However, when we
got into Ft. Victoria on Saturday afternoon from Gutu, we found a note from Donna saying she was in

Bulawayo. This lighten^ my spirits and I enjoyed the Sunday worship services in Ft. Victoria. Our teenage
missionary boys had complete charge of the service and they did an excellent job. Monday evening Alice took
me to the airport and instead of me meeting and welcoming Donna, she was welcoming me. I was so pleased
that she could spend some time with us for we had much news to tell one another after two years.
Another opportunity of service has been opened to us. Last Tuesday evening at 6:00 Berry and Amy
Kennedy, Judy and I went to the Joel Sitole home to meet with seven Sunday School teachers of the Luveve
Church of Christ. Judy gave the Bible lesson, I gave the Teaching Tips and Berry had devotions for them.
We are very pleased that seven teachers came as they only have four classes, but attendance is close to 200,

which means they ne^ more teachers. We are prajdnff the Lord will guide us in teaching these Sunday School
teachers to present the Word in a more effective way for Our Master.

My letter has been long for it has been two months since I last wrote. During the school terms, we find
plenty to do all the time. Amy took my European Primary class at Hugh Beadle this term since I had the
Bible Knowledge Class, but Judy's class at Baines Primary (European) has grown to 70 students, so we asked
the headmaster for a second room, and I now have 35 of the younger students. Judy has about 35 of the
Standard Fives.

We are to help with Holiday Bible School for Barham Green (Colored) Church January 8-12 and will
start teachers meetings for them next week. During the holidays, we hope to go to Mashoko for the wedding
of Marilyn Steinmetz and Peter Nathan. January will take us to the mission at Chidamoyo.
We are busy and happy in the Lord's work. We do spend some time playing but I haven't room in this
letter to tell you about that. Thank you for your prayers and support. God gave His only Son, Jesus gave
His life, how can we give less than our best? May God bless you each one as we work together to build His
kingdom.

In the Master's Name

Rosemary

CENTRAL AFRICA MISSION

32 Warnborough Mansions
Bulawayo, Rhodesia
Africa

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

U. S. POSTAGE PAID
Loogootee, Rlinois
Permit No. 1

MACEDONIA CHRISTIAN CHURCH

M/M WiUard Ragel F. A.

R. R. 1

Loogootee, Illinois 62857

ReturnPostage Guaranteed

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