I was doing some research for a Church History Course we will be teaching when I came across the story of Mary Slessor (1848-1915). Fascinating story! But what really caught my attention was her involvement in saving the lives of twins.
She was a 5 ft. tall, blue-eyed redheaded Scottish woman who went to Nigeria as a missionary when she was 28 years old. At the time, Nigeria was full of superstition and witchcraft. She became known for her love of children and unwanted babies would show up at her doorstep. She discovered that twins were thought to bring a curse on the whole village and were ritually sacrificed or thrown into the forest. Apparently she saved hundreds of twins, as well as other children. Hence the statue in this picture. She hired local girls to care for them.
Apart from her ministry with children, she ws an incredible missionary who had amazing adventures and showed great courage in many terrifying situations. She was known both as the White Ma of Africa and as the White Queen of Calabar. She was asked to sit on the local court and was buried in Nigeria with a full state funeral.
We were in the Peace River country this last weekend - 6 hours north of Edmonton- to do a Visioning Seminar. While there we went to the small town of Fairview (only 3500 people) to see an African Drama put on by the local Theatre and Dance Company. I enjoyed it immensely - the costumes were incredible. Mostly children were involved.
It also gave me a chance to test out my new camera. No flash photagraphy was allowed so I had to take pictures in a dark room without a flash. I was sitting 5 rows back and using full zoom. I was pleased at how well they turned out without a flash.
An Oregon Junco hit the window of the place we were staying the weekend before and gave me a chance for a closeup.
The weekend before we were near Slave Lake teaching a Church History course from the Reformation on. It was inspiring to do the prep- so many heroes to talk about.
