Luebo, Congo Beige, Africa
June 18, 1923
Dear Friends:
Since writing you last I have been transferred to a new location, although this change will not take place until the first of November. The Mission has assigned us to take charge of the Union Mission Hostel for the last three months of our term, located at Kinshasa; and we shall try to give you an idea of what this Hostel is, its purpose, etc.
The terminus of the Matadi-Kinshasa railroad (more commonly called Matadi-Leopoldville) is on Stanley Pool. The big steamers from Europe land at Matadi, an inland port on the Congo River. At Matadi we take the little railroad to Stanley Pool, to the City of Kinshasa (three miles from Leopoldville). At Kinshasa all missionaries going inland, up the
rivers, take the river steamers. And as a great many missionaries of the different Missions are constantly passing through Kinshasa, and as it became more and more difficult for these missionaries to find accommodations while staying there to take the train for Matadi or the boats up river, five of the Missions decided to build a Union Hostel (or Hotel). This Hostel was completed nearly a year ago, and until a permanent manager is found to take charge of this work, the different Missions involved are each sending a couple there for six months (in the case of our Mission it will be two couples, each for a period of three months.)
Those of our Missionaries who have stopped over there on their way in or out, pronounce it a success and a blessing for our Missionaries. Even though a place is found in the Kinshasa hotels, the environment is such that makes it often very disagreeable and uncomfortable for missionaries, for there is no form of prohibition in Kinshasa, either on strong drink or some other forms of vice just as repulsive. There is a population of something like 400 white people at that place, and a large number of natives, considerably over 10,000
As we are due to leave Luebo about the first of November mail should be addressed to us at Kinshasa (as per address below) upon receipt of this letter. Also, we are scheduled to leave Kinshasa for our furlough shortly after the first of February, mail will not be likely to reach us on the field if it leaves the States later than December 15th. However, this letter should reach you in early September.
Kinshasa is not a location to be desired, and the work will no doubt be trying. So we ask for your prayers. With our prayers for you, we are
Yours in His service,
Mr. & Mrs. B. M. Schlotter.
Nashville, Tennessee, September 1923
Address: Mr. & Mrs. B. M. Schlotter, Union Mission House,
Kinshasa, Congo Belge, Africa. Letters 5 cents, postcards 2 cents.
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