Death and Sickness Strike

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Our first son, Noel, was born healthy through the assistance of our loved Lillian Dennis, a nurse who had accompanied us to the heart of Africa. We had no doctor within 500 miles, though, and gradually the little fellow began to weaken. No cause could be found, although more recently a
name has been given to this condition. He went to be with Jesus on his first birthday and was the first white baby buried in our part of Africa.

Noel’s death gave opportunity to tell of a crucified and risen Jesus and the promise of eternal life to the people, who believed that at death their
spirits went into a leopard or snake. One little fellow named Fatake, who saw the little body put into the ground, followed through with questions. He became a notable light in his village, and his story was put in booklet
form.

Then Pauline, not so far as we know through any effect of the loss of little Noel, began to show signs of anaemia. It was then thought possible that she might have the pernicious form, which would be fatal. So by C.T. Studd’s advice, we took the 500-mile journey by foot and carrying hammock to the main station of the African Inland Mission (AIM). There, at Aba, near the Sudan frontier, Dr. Woodhams diagnosed and treated her through the kindness of the AIM.

It turned out only to be simple anaemia. Pauline greatly improved and was fit to return after some weeks. But I was kicking my heels with
inactivity while with her at Aba. I had never thought of trying my hand at translating, but why not?