AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN CONGO MISSION
Luebo, Belgian Congo
May 28, 1922
Dear Mother and Daddy:
It has been now a couple of weeks since we have written you, which doesn't happen very often, but these past few weeks have been full of those unexpected events which devour so much of one's time here at Luebo. In fact, interuptions form a large part of our life here, as I think I have already written you, and as you have also doubtless read from my letters to you.
First it was Dr. Smith getting off, a meeting or two with him, et cetera. Then the Hobsons were here from Bulape, and stayed with us for about six days, and now Miss Larson has just come and the party is getting away for Mutoto and Bibanga, about which Dot is writing you.
Everything has been moving along smoothly enough with us; Dorothy is back in school, now, after the month of vacation, for you know we have three months of school followed by one month of vacation the year around, instead of three months of vacation on a stretch. One of the most important events to us lately is the medical examination we have both had. The Mission at our last annual meeting passed an action that every missionary should undergo an medical examination every year, so carrying out this action we have taken ours, and I am glad to report that the doctor found us both in fairly good condition, what you would call normal. The only exception to Dorothy was that her blood is a trifle thinner than most people after a year's stay, but I account for that by the fact that she has been living in a kind of subtropics all of her life.
The important item is that we expect to go on our vacation in about two weeks, and have planned to go up to Bulape for at least the larger part of this time. About three miles from our station at Bulape, there is a beautiful little lake, and the Bulape folks building a little rest house there for just such purposes. So we will be able to enjoy both fishing and bathing in nice clean water. And you know how Dorothy enjoys both of these. We are both tickled over the prospect. The Hopsons may come out and spend part of the time with us, as their vacation time is due now too. I want to add a little explanation here, for this may sound inconsistent, for when we came out together I'm pretty sure none of us would have thought of spending any vacation together, but I'm glad to say that's all over now, and we are on the best of terms.
We have about given up the idea and hopes of doing much with chickens and are getting rid of all of them except a few good seting hens. We are not properly fixed up to raise them and it seems to be more difficult to raise the little fellows out here, the larger part of the difficulty being due to the fact that conditions are so different here, I believe.
I wish you could see our new table boy. His name is "Mukambala"and his head reaches just a little higher than the table. He is a dignified little chap, nearly always solemn. But he seems to be a good little chap; he's a brother to one of my little apprentices in the printing Office. He has the hardest kind of a time to get the knives and the spoons out of the cupboard as the drawer is up pretty high.
Just now we have one of the best libraries on the station, with some of the best literature in print. Mr. Martin sent us his library and asked us to take care of it for him. Among his books are the famous "Harvard Classics," and you know what they are -some of the best books or a good part of the best books. Then he also has some splendid religious books, as well as some of the light reading. He also has the big Webster's International Dictionary, which we are keeping. In other words, we are surrounded with the wisdom of the ancients and the moderns; here's hoping we will imbibe a portion of it…
We had a nice little mail yesterday afternoon, among which some mighty nice letters from you. We are trusting that your attack of appendicitis will prove to be a mild one. We are especially glad to hear how you have been improving in getting so fat! Please save me your formula!!!
With lots of love,
B. M.
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