"Elenga"
Sun. February 18, 1923
My dear Mother, Father & Aunt Nennie:
We are still out on the road, but start for Luebo tomorrow and reach there on Wednesday morning. I think one of the best things about going on the road is the fact that you can appreciate home when you do get back. We have had a real pleasant and successful trip but there are lots of hardships in the path. One of my biggest trials is that the native houses, even the best of them, are very poorly roofed and we have to keep our helmets on most all day. You will please remember that helmets are heavier than the ordinary hat.
A messenger reached us yesterday from Luebo bringing fresh bread from Miss Black, but best of all mail from America. I don't get much mail anymore but generally get at least one from you and sometimes more. Yesterday I got a nice letter from Lucile also. She says she is going to be at our homecoming if possible, in fact says she is going to put off her next visit to Terrell until that time. I'll tell you what my plans are later, but want to tell you about my trip now.
Mon. Nga11e Nkoko. At our last village we got the heartiest reception that we have gotten anywhere. About one hundred men, women and children met me (B. M. came a good deal behind as he was hunting monkeys) a mile from the village and escorted us in with hammock songs and of course there was many a hand shake. There are so many people and they all want to "feel' your hand that one gets very tired before all the performance is over with.
The children are sure to come around for their second and third "hand feel''' and one couldn't afford to turn them down as he would get his "feelings" hurt. This is only one of the trying things about the native. After two weeks of work on the road, I feel that I could only get away from the natives for a while, be in a clean house, and breathe fresh air, I'd give quite a lot. Now this does not sound very encouraging for a missionary, but I'm not the only one who feels that way, in fact Rowena told me she was the same way. You know something of what it is in dealing with the Indians, but of course they are not compared with these savage natives and then there are so many more.
Later March 4. Didn't get this letter finished; I can't write out on the path; there is too much noise. Can't think of anything more that would be interesting to you, only B. M. killed four guineas, four monkeys, and four
hawks. He certainly does like to hunt, and we enjoyed the guinea meat so much as food is rather scarce on the path.
I was powerful glad to get back to Luebo again. The Lapsley is in and the Whartons and Miss Larson are here ready to start for home. Surely makes me homesick to see them leaving.
I got your two letters, one written before and one after Christmas yesterday and did enjoy them so much, but will have to answer them later. Want to write a few other letters tonight, haven't written to anyone but you in such a long time.
We tried the "backward" party over at Rowena's the other night and I think it proved a success. Rowena and I dressed backward and we played some real cute games. Rowena is the best friend I have had in the Congo now and I can't see why we shouldn't stay so. For this I am thankful. I made up my mind when she came to Luebo that I was going to like her and so I do.
Lovingly,
Dorothy
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