Congo (69) Luebo, Congo [BMS] [DCS]

Luebo, Congo BeIge, Africa,

March 6, 1922

Dear Friends:

It doesn't take the months long to roll by out here. We have now been out here a little over a year, although it seems like only a few months. It also seems little more than a month or so since we wrote you, though by the calendar it must be several.

You have no doubt all kept posted on Dr. Egbert W. Smith's visit to the African Mission field, our Secretary of the Executive Committee of Foreign Missions. He reached Luebo on February 7th, in company with some of our missionaries, two returning from furlough and two recruits making their first trip. The coming of Dr. Smith has been a long looked-for and prayed-for event for us, and his arrival was an occasion of great pleasure to us as well as to the natives.

The arrival of the "Lapsley" was quite an inspiring sight, as it always is. We can hear the whistle of the boat some 20 or 30 minutes before it reaches our beach, which gives us time to get down there for the beach is about a mile from our station). By the time the "Lapsley" came in sight around a bend, about a quarter of a mile from our landing, there were gathered something like 2,000 natives waiting to welcome them. As the boat drew near the shore this vast crowd began singing "Onward Christian Soldiers," after which there were loud cheers and shouts of welcome to those on the boat. Many of the natives had palm branches in their hands waving them.

You will no doubt have a detailed account from Dr. Smith of his experiences on the way out; how they had to wait two weeks at Kinshasa for a boat; farther up on the river got stuck on the sand banks twice, and once for two whole days.

The night of Dr. Smith's arrival, he began the Conference. He had sent out some time previous a questionnaire covering every phase of our work, and which we had gone over before his coming. So in these Conferences with Dr. Smith, we went over these questions carefully, thus giving him a fair knowledge of our work, including many details. This was not done hurriedly, and as every part of our work was covered, the reports on these conferences should give our Committee and Church a complete account of our work, methods, plans, and problems; and we might add that Dr. Smith is a genius at getting to the heart of things with questions. His long experience with Mission work, and his recent trip to our Missions in the Far East are manifest. Of course, these conferences on Luebo station cover largely the work of our station, and he will hold these conferences on each of our four other stations. He will return to Luebo as he goes out.

All the morning long we have heard the firing of guns, some times five in rapid succession. They are shooting these guns at a mourning party for the death of a young man. The noise of the guns is connected in some way with the aim of driving away the evil spirits who are supposed to come after a person's death. The gun is really a combination of their old custom with the white man's from seeing the government officers fire the salute over their dead comrade's grave.

The evil customs connected with these "mournings" are the source of great temptations to the native Christians and of oftentimes great wickedness to those who engage in them; some of which are ridiculous, but the larger part are the kind of wickedness that Paul describes in the last half of first Romans. Many of them have been redeemed from the grasp of these terrible vices, but in comparison to the population, only a few, and thousands of them are still dying in such sins. Pray for them. A few days ago, one of our workmen, who is on my workline and who is not a professing Christian, asked me to be allowed to go on a journey, stating that a close relative of his wife had died in a village some distance away. When I told him about the wickedness of these mournings, he said, "Yes, but if I don't go and take part in this mourning with my wife, what will the people say, her relatives and mine who are now there? They will accuse me of deserting my wife, and will try to take my wife away." Thousands of these villages have never had a teacher or evangelist, and do not even know that there is a Better Way.

We have just received news from Mutoto that a dormitory of the Morrison Memorial Bible Training School was struck by lightning. I should have said two dormitories. Ten of the students were shocked, but no one killed, and the two buildings were burned to the ground; they were built of sun dried brick and covered with grass. We have just been making every effort to improve this school, and to increase the number of students, and now with no finances in view for rebuilding, it looks like a hard burden for our brethren at Mutoto, and for us all. It has been our aim to put up permanent brick buildings with tile roofs in the next few years, but it looks as though we were financially unable to begin this year. Temporary quarters are being erected in the shape of mud huts.

We want to again urge our friends to write to us. We have received some very kind and encouraging letters from friends, for which we are most grateful.

With our best wishes and prayers for each of you, we are

Yours in the Masters service,

Mr. and Mrs. B. M. Schlotter

Nashville, Tennessee, May, 1922

Any letter with five cents postage or postcard with two cents postage, addressed to Mr. and Mrs. B. M. Schlotter, A.P.C. Mission, Bibanga, Kabinda, Lomami District, Congo Beige, Africa, via Cape Tow, will reach them in due course of mail.

Congo (68) Luebo, Congo 3/2/1922 [DCS]

Luebo, Africa

March 2, 19922

Dear Sarah:

I got your letter a long time ago, but I have many letters to write and not much time to write. I am teaching in the native school. Do you know what native means? We call the black people of this country natives; they learn very well; and I like to teach them. I have only girls in my class; there are sixteen in all.

The people in this country are very different from ours, as they do not speak our language, and they do not wear many clothes, for this is always a warm [climate]; we never have winter, so they do not need many clothes. In many ways, Africa is different from America.

Even the animals are different from ours. I will send you a picture of me and my little pet monkey, he is a very nice pet and I want to bring him home with me when I come. It is not a good picture, but I thought you would like to look at it. My husband goes out into the forest and kills monkeys sometimes, only the ones he kills are much larger than this one. They are about the size of possums at home.

I hope you will be at Kiam when I come home for I would like very much to see you then. I will go home about two years from now, I suppose. Do you like where you are living now better than Polk Co? I think the Indian Village is a mighty good place to live.

Write to me again sometimes. Your friend,

Dorothy

Congo (67) Luebo, Congo 2/25/1922 [BMS]

Luebo, Feb. 25, 1922

Dear Mother & Daddy:

The past few weeks have certainly been busy ones for all of us here at Luebo. The coming of this party, and then the full-week Conference with Dr. Smith, have kept us going at full speed. The party with Dr. Smith arrived on February 8th, and with him were Dr. & Mrs. Stixrud, Miss McKay (teacher, and probably to remain at Luebo), and Miss

Porter, trained nurse. As we have been looking forward to this visit of Dr. Smith, it certainly has been a great pleasure and treat for us to have him actually on the field, and the man all of us would prefer out of the entire Committee.

Dorothy will no doubt tell you all about how happy we both were to get your kind and thoughtful remembrances to us. The dresses for Dorothy are fine, and she was very proud to get them, as well as myself. Dr. Stixrud brought me a silk shirt and a fruit cake as a gift from you, and for-which I want to thank you many times. As we are keeping the Club this month, the fruit cake came in very well.

Well, as to Dr. Smith's visit. Dr. Smith is not limiting his time, but wants to get away as soon as possible without passing over anything. We began our Conference the night of his arrival, and finished on the morning of the 17th, having two sessions daily; from 8:30 till 11:30 in the mornings, and 7:30 till 9:30 in the evenings. He sent out in advance a questionnaire containing 100 questions, and which covered practically every phase of our work. We went into detail with every nook and corner of our work, and with his gift of getting a hold on things and knowing how to get the information out of others with questions, I suppose he has an accurate knowledge of what has been done, is being done, and is being planned, for our field. Being familiar with all the other fields in the east, their-problems and plans, it didn't seem difficult for him to grasp the situation.

One of the greatest benefits we feel from his visit is the spiritual atmosphere that comes with him. His stay has meant a great deal to us. On the 17th he left for Lusambo on the Lapsley, where he will stay about a week or less, and from there he goes to Bibango, which will take him about six days; at Bibango he will perhaps stay a week; from Bibango he goes to Mutoto. At each of these stations, he will hold a conference with the members of the station as he held with us. Then after his Conference with Mutoto he will remain there for the Meeting of what we call our Stated Meeting of our Ad-Interim Committee, which in effect is a semi-Annual Meeting of the Mission. As this meeting was scheduled to be held just about the time Dr. Smith was to be at Mutoto, they have arranged for him to be present at this meeting of the Ad-Interim Committee. After this meeting at Mutoto he will return to Luebo, and from here go to the Bulape station, which is only two days from Luebo. Then he will return to Luebo to go down river by the first steamer, back to Europe.

Just now we have been having station meetings at nights to clear up some of the matters brought up at the Conference with Dr. Smith. And as we are having the Club this month, that means that we have very little time to ourselves, or for anything like letter writing.

You asked us in one of your recent letters to be sure that we let you know that we received that certain letter. I haven't the date before me, but am sure you know to which letter I refer. As it seems to me we have all of us misunderstood each other, and as we have already explained to you in detail just what we meant, and that we have no objections to your using the letters in the manner which you said you had been using them, I'll not go into any further explanations. I want to assure you though, that there has been no effort on the part of either one of us to make trouble out of nothing, but it was merely a misunderstanding of what you meant. I trust you will see it this way.

We have both been keeping well; Dorothy hasn't gained any, but has had fairly good, that is, just about as good as usual--which means that I don't want to exaggerate, although I believe she has been in what you might call good health. I have gained a few pounds.

With love to all.

B.M.

Congo (66) Luebo, Congo 2/8/1922 [DCS]

9:30 A.M., February 8, 1922

Dearest homefolks:

It's some exciting time here at Luebo this morning. A message came at 12:30 last night saying the Lapsley was coming into Luebo this morning so we are listening with all ears. I guess there will be one of the biggest crowds of natives down to the river as we have told them about Dr. Smith and they are very much interested, in fact everyone is excited. I'm sitting out on my porch, so I'll be sure and hear it blow. The Lapsley has a very distinct blow, and one does not have much trouble telling it from the other boats. It is a double whistle--one blows a while then they both blow together.

I had my back room all fixed up nice and ready for Miss Porter, but last night, B.M. went to shut the windows and left Pussy in; she slept in there all night on the bed , and this morning there was a "wet place" under her so all the linen had to be changed. , (Such is life, not only in the Congo, though, as I have had such things happen at home in, America.)

I have started to fixing my porch to use as a place to sit. B.M. is putting up the swing and Stegall send me four pretty chairs from the Industrial school, made of “nkodi” -- looks like wicker furniture --only understand they are not that fancy. I already had two, which I bought.

{Footnote: Nkodi means a wicker chair or similar to one.}

Sunday

This is where the whistle started blowing and I was too excited to write more, in fact I got ready to go right down to the boat as you have just about time enough after the whistle blows to get to the landing. We started to having our meeting that very evening, and Dr. Smith did not even give us time to follow out our plans of welcoming him, but they did serve their cake and drink that night after the meeting and Mr. Vinson presented the Dr. with the key of the station, (one very large key made of the wood of one of Montgomery Wards goods boxes), and the other was an ivory key, (very small), made by an industrial school boy. Wish I could remember his talk well enough to tell you, for we laughed ourselves sick. Perhaps B.M. can tell you. It has been over two weeks now since that evening. Our meetings are ended and Dr. Smith and the Lapsley carrying Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland and their household to Lusambo left yesterday. I mean day before yesterday.

We feel very much benefited by the meeting. I learned more about our station, the work, etc., than I could have ever learned elsewhere. Dr. Smith is such a good man, and so alive spiritually. His presence alone would do one good. However, it has stirred up things that make the future of this station look somewhat gloomy, but I hope it won't be so bad as might be expected.

Now I don't want to wait a minute longer to thank you for that box you sent me. I'll let B.M. speak for himself. You cannot know how much I appreciate it. I like the dresses so much and they fit me perfectly. I have not worn the organdy yet. The linen dress is just a beauty, there is so much work on it and I'm afraid too much money. believe more compliments have been passed on the little gingham, but I have worn that more than any. I'm afraid to say which one I like best for they are all so pretty. But the dinner sets were what I really needed more than anything and oh! that set you made does look so pretty on my table and I am so proud of it because my mother made it for me. You must have spent lots of time and work on it. Thank you a thousand times. I have used it only twice so far because there are five of us when the club is here, and they are more like homefolks. The other set is on my table now.

One certainly gets lots of use out of an oilcloth set. I used the set the evening Dr. Smith ate with us, as two of the men were invited out to supper. I have enough stockings now for all of Luebo station. ?? Carroll sent a half dozen twice and you sent me some. The way stockings wear out out here, I don't think I have too many, though.

I'm going to close this letter now and write you a long one real soon. After Dr. Smith's two weeks of meetings, we have had station meeting nearly every night to discuss and note on things that were brought up in these meeting with him, seems like we have absolutely no time we can call our own anymore.

All your letters were so sweet and dear to me. Want to look over them again and· see if there are any questions I have failed to answer.

Lovingly,

Dorothy

Congo (65) Luebo, Congo 2/3/1922 [BMS]

Luebo, Feb. 3, 1922

Dear Mother & Daddy:

In just a few more days, we shall finish up our first year at Luebo, for we arrived here on February the eleventh of last year. But it doesn't seem to me like a year since that time.

We had a little pleasure this afternoon in the arrival of the box that Carroll sent; it came in good shape. The shoes are a trifle large for Dorothy, but I think she will be able to wear them all right. They certainly are nice shoes, and good material. There was also a pair of Keds. There was quite a nice assortment of candy and mints that we are enjoying. Some of the chocolate candy was rather dilapidated, for it is not good health for chocolate candy to take such a long, warm trip.

Just at this moment we are in the state of a large expectation, for we are looking for the party of missionaries any day now, in which party is Dr. Egbert W. Smith. We have everything ready and waiting for them. The visit of Dr. Smith means quite a bit to us and is an important event in our mission.

This is the "Club" month at our house again, which term I believe you understand. We still have three members, but Mr. Gilliam will soon be leaving for Mutoto, where he was recently stationed, and which reduces the "Club" to two members. Mr. Gilliam was placed at Mutoto to take charge of the Normal work at our Bible Teacher's School, "Bible

Training School," or to be more accurate, "The Morrison Memorial Bible Training School." I want to send you a copy of our Minutes of the recent Annual Mission Meeting. While this is not secret matter, still I'll ask that you do not pass it around. Anything that you wish to mention to others of a general nature contained in these minutes will be O.K. These were printed on our press, which you know is one of my jobs. We are now at work on our new Constitution and By-Laws of our Mission.

We take pleasure in reporting the arrival of a new missionary, brand new, in the person of Miss Annie Boyd Cleveland, who arrived at the home of the Clevelands Saturday a week ago, Jan. 24th. She and her mother are both fine; I saw Mrs. Cleveland out on the campus with her this afternoon.

When this reaches you it will no doubt find you at the beginning of Spring, April, I suppose, with the woods beginning to put on new clothes and appearance.

With much love to all,

B. M.

Congo (64) Luebo, Congo 1/17/1922 [DCS]

Luebo, Belgian Congo, January 17, 1922

My dearest homefolks:

Since my last letter I have been appointed to several "jobs" here on the station, 1st Librarian, now I don't know just what that work is yet. The Library is our meeting place, so one job, of course, is to keep it clean and keep the books in order. There are papers that come under the name of the Library and I will have to keep them straight. This morning Mrs. Stegall called me over to take over the entertainment stuff, such as sheets, spreads, curtains, slopjars, pitchers and bowls and all kind of things for fixing rooms for visitors. Stegall had appointed me to that position at last station meeting. Now this is quite a big job here at Luebo as there is always someone coming here, perhaps to stay for only a few days, but I'll have to drop my work and fix a room for them. I don't mind the fixing room proposition so much though as deciding where to put the people. The station is so large now--and prospects of it being much larger. There are only two places to put visitors now, the White Hospital entertaining room, where visitors are not supposed to stay--only patients, and my back room, and we certainly don't like to keep people back there at all. Our path to the back yard, toilet, and everything is right in front of the door and it isn't only unpleasant for us, it is for them also. This may seem selfish, but if I have a home, I want it private and not a regular hanging out place for everyone who comes through. I have been appointed as organist for English services, as Mr. Martin is going to leave soon to visit the out stations, or rather itinerary work and will stay until time for him to go home in April. Now I am going to tell you something that I believe will make you glad. I have asked Mr. Martin about keeping the piano in our home. There is no one else on the station who pretends to play sheet music.

Thursday, January 19, 1921.

Will take my letter up with the same subj. The station heartily agreed to my keeping the piano down here. It will help me so much. I believe I play better than when I left home. The little organ is really better for playing hymns, and the piano has improved greatly with use. I have not been able to practice on it much up there, but hope to do better with it here. I have started to teaching in the native school, started this morning, or rather for the first two days have asked to sit in the class and watch the native teacher. Mrs. Stegall is teaching Sankie some, but Sankie has been in bad health, has malaria and has had fever for almost two months now, not much, about 100 each day I believe, and she does not want her to attend school regularly. There is no telling when she will be able to come again, so as they are short of teachers in the native school and Mr. Gilliam asked me to take a class, I consented. Don't know how Mrs. Stegall likes it, as she has been so afraid they would get me in the school, but I did not feel like sitting down and doing nothing when they needed me there, and really I feel that I need something like that pretty bad so as to get on to the language better. I'm picking it up real fast now, but everyone says the way to learn it is to teach. I have the first reader class, but they are not graded like our books at home so some day after I learn more about my work I will tell you.

Kemp and Rowena sent us the cutest little kitty yesterday. The last one we had someone stole and we fear it was our table boys as they don't like for us to have a cat. One thing--they don't always get the scraps, and then she is often in the way; but if this cat goes there is going to be a palaver somewhere.

Continued in next letter.

Lovingly,

Dorothy

Congo (63) Luebo, Congo 1/14/1922 [DCS]

January 14, 1922

Dearest Homefolks:

Someway I can't make up my mind to write you a letter so I'll write you a note. There hasn't very much happened of interest around here these days, at least nothing that would interest you. There have been several changes of houses making room for the Stixruds and the people who are coming with them. The house Miss Larson was living in is called the Stixrud's house and we are looking for them the first of Feb.

You have no way of knowing how glad glad glad I was to get your picture and it is so good of you too. Seems to me if the picture speaks true you are looking much better than when we left. I hope you won't continue to teach school and ruin it all. I was also glad to get the other pictures, too, but you see this is the second picture you have ever had taken that I remember. I hope you will thank the taker of this picture for me when you see her or write to her.

This is a very scratched up and messy letter. I hope no one sees it but you and Daddy. I am writing in a very big hurry. The mail may close before I finish. I want to tell you now if there is a longer space between my letters than usual that we missed a mail on account of change of stamps. The letters were sent back. Notice the difference.

It will be all right for you to make up a letter out of my old letters for the friends. I think it will help very much, as I won't have time to write to them. I have two dozen on my immediate list now. Not that I write to them all the time, no by no means, only owe them letters. I got another letter from Miss Evans in the last mail saying she was to be married soon and that she found her romance at Kerrville also. You might have heard it, but if not, know you are interested. Oh! please give the Livingston people my love; I have been putting off their letter so long, but hope to get at it soon.

All those things you say the Stixruds are bringing are mighty nice and I need the center pieces so badly and the luncheon sets also. I certainly am anxious to see them. The package from Carroll hasn't come yet, but there hasn't been any more packages come since the letter, and didn't any come in that mail either.

B.M. is afraid my letter will get left, so goodbye to all.

Lovingly,

Dorothy