In 1922 My Great-Grandfather Frederick Gordon Spear travelled to Yakusu, deep in the Belgian Congo where he spent time at the Baptist Mission Hospital. This is his account of that time taken directly from his journals. Where I'm not sure of his handwriting I'll do my best guess.
Monday July 17.
Left Woolacombe 9.15. Took through coach on 24hrs combe train from Mortehoe to Paddington then on to Ipswich!
Meeting in Schoolroom 7.30 (Missionary P.M) Spoke on "the Field is the World" and "Vessels meet for the Masters use."
Father sees H & Me off at Mortehoe. I noticed he wore his dark glasses though there was little glare.
Tuesday July 18.
Left Hillcrest 8.0pm in motor to Harwich where we arrived 9.30 (25 miles)
Left Harwich 10.20 with L.C.P. Rather too much noise to sleep well.
Wednesday July 19.
Had Breakfast on board & went ashore walking with L.C.P straight to Queens Hotel Antwerp. Found our rooms still occupied by their previous owners so spent morning in Antwerp.
Lunch at Hotel where the Albertville was berthed to see luggage. Found all mine quite easily (Eventually!) Many others were seeking theirs - I do not know how many found: the stuff was all packed in such huge piles with labels etc well concealed. Whether one saw luggage or not made little difference to action: Where sight did not satisfy - faith survived the deficiency: we shall know tomorrow if our trust was justified when we seek our goods on board.
Had dinner in Hotel 7.30. We were 12 in all including party and "Farewellers". During the meal we played "Telegrams" on the letters C.E.WILSON To be sent on to the Mission House as farewell greetings!
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Great work. I will look forward to reading more about this time in his life! Are you going to catch up then do a post on each day of the journal?
ReplyDeleteIt will depend on how much he's written each day. these three are quite short the next entry is quite lengthy. I'll aim to do at least one per day. It would be nice to get caught up though!
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