1947 (9 ) Eunice in USA; Daddy still in India

1947  # 9  Mummy in USA;  Daddy still in India

Excerpts from Daddy’s printed prayer letter home.

Jan 10^th, 1947

175 Wodehouse Road

Middle Colaba

Bombay, India

Dear Friends of Israel: 

It seems somewhat like slighting an old friend to replace “Marina House, Marine Lines” with the above, our present address.  The reason for the change will appear presently.   Mail directed to the former address will still reach us, however for our very good friends, the Arcullis, are now occupying our flat.  We praise God for all the refreshing times we have had with Jewish and Christian friends, within the narrow confines of the Marina House flat – the scene, in fact, of most of our joys, as well as struggles during our five years in Bombay.

Ere this, most of our friends will have learned that Eunice and the children are now in America.  The final decision for the family to leave India came about rather suddenly, even thought the question of furlough had been in our minds and before the Lord for many months.  In early August of last year, after receiving intimation that a boat would be leaving Bombay for San Francisco in a few weeks, we had assurance that it was God’s time for Eunice and the kiddies to go, even though I myself was unable to accompany them.  Obviously, the difficulty of Eunice’s caring for three little ones during a month’s voyage, and that followed by a three-day inland journey was carefully considered; it was indeed the main factor that had dissuaded us from pursuing a similar course previously.  Yet, because we obtained a guarantee from the shipping company that the conditions on board were reasonably good, and in addition, knew that some close missionary friends were also sailing on the same boat, we had liberty of spirit in completing arrangements for passage.  With humble thanksgiving, we testify to the Lord’s goodness during this period of decision and preparation.

So, as the “General Gordon” took leave of Bombay on August 22^nd, it listed among its passengers four-fifths (numerically) of the Buffam family - the remaining one-fifth watching the receding vessel from the unfriendly planks of Ballard Pier.

It was the unanimous opinion of the second-class (in this case termed “emergency-class”) passengers that the conditions on board were extremely disagreeable, verging on the unbearable.  The boat was a troop transport, and had not been prepared for civilian travel – certainly not for children’s travel.  Eunice writes that many experiences en route are better forgotten.   If it had not been for certain missionary companions, whose labor of love on behalf of the children greatly lightened Eunice’s tasks, the voyage would have been much more arduous for the family than it was.  Real friends are indeed the gift of God!

Shari’s note “Hmmm, we are mentioned, David”!

Now to be more specific in respect to our buchhas. ( the Hindi word for children)  There is Anne Bethel, now past four, and David John, just two.  In addition and herein is the principal reason for waxing specific – there is Sharon Grace, born last March 29^th.  Having arrived in this world since our last printed letter, Sharon hasn’t been properly presented to our Testimony family; but truly the delay has made her even more presentable.   She is now the sunniest of our sunny trio.  (Our friends will, of course, make the usual allowances for wholesome parental pride.)

The first day aboard, Sharon Grace got something in her eye, and was confined to the ship’s hospital throughout the entire voyage.  Actually the incident was a blessing in disguise, for the little lady fared considerably better than the other members of the family.  As Eunice observes, Sharon took one look at the second-class “dungeon” and decided she would have none of it, and wangled her way into the first-class hospital and into the doctor’s heart.

At this date, the family is comfortably settled at Eunice’s mother’s farm in Cazenovia, Wisconsin (no street address necessary - the postman knows everyone in town.) 

 Picture taken with Grandma Rose, Mummy, and cousins.  Roger and Curt Mortimer, Sharon and Judy Brown

Grandma Rose, Buffam and Mortimer kids.

 

Shortly after meeting her grandma and all her new uncles and aunts and cousins,   Anne Bethel, perhaps too jubilant with her newly found freedom on the farm fell and broke her left arm. 

Then following this accident, all the children contracted whooping cough.  The coughs have now almost subsided, but the little ones, having known only India’s warm climate, are not finding it easy to adjust themselves to Wisconsin’s icy winter.

  

Cousins!  Left to right beginning at the top:  Vernon Crawford, Roger Mortimer, LeRoy Crawford, Sharon Brown, Allen Scott, Norma Crawford, Curtiss Mortimer, Judy Brown, Anne Buffam, Jimmie Crawford and David Buffam.

My own plans, in respect to joining the family in America, are still not settled.  It is possible that, as the way is opened, I will leave India within six months.

The communal trouble which Bombay has been experiencing for six months has seriously restricted our ministry to Israel.  Our street-meetings, the most effect means of reaching and interesting the Jews, have had to be abandoned entirely.   Open-air gatherings of any sort are prohibited.  For over four years, we have held three or four street-meetings each week, so it is not easy to reconcile ourselves to the new conditions.  But God has kept a door of witness open in that we may continue our home visitation, although, since tension still exists in most parts of the city, we must exercise care whenever we go into the affected areas.   The Colaba section of Bombay, where most of the Jews of moderate and considerable means live, has been spared thus far, and because of its cosmopolitan nature, will probably remain free from trouble.

It seems clear that, during this transitional period of the New India, we must expect periodic outbursts of communal rioting.   India has been experiencing this for many years, of course, but the present perplexities are undoubtedly greater than ever before.  The aims and ideals of the Hindus and the Muslims, in respect to the governing of India, are very distinct from each other, and will require stalwart statesmanship on the part of the leaders to guide this great sub-continent out of its present miasma of distrust and strife.  May God save us from further horrors such as Calcutta experienced last September!  If there were ten such leaders as Mahatma Gandhi, and some means of inculcating his high principles into the masses, the problems would be readily solved.  But, as with every other nation, it is one thing to preach and another to perfect that which is preached, especially in such a land as India where ninety percent of the people are illiterate.

For us Westerners, the present danger is not nearly so great as in certain earlier periods of rioting.  Many of us have actually found that, in recent months, a somewhat better spirit exists towards us than was true previously.   Perhaps the considerable measure of goodwill accruing to Britain because of its willingness to part with power in India, extends to all Westerners; perhaps, since the severe differences exist only between Hindus and Muslims, other communities enjoy the happy product of man’s better part.

Now that our principal means of witness is home visitation, we are emphasizing weekly Bible classes in Jewish homes. Soon we expect to have ten or fifteen of these, since a good number of our Jewish friends are willing to have us come weekly at an appointed time.  Generally they appreciate the opportunity of studying the New Testament.  We earnestly request our prayer-partners to keep this ministry before the Lord, to the end that some of the interested ones may come into living faith and full assurance of salvation.  Although there have been a few who have already professed faith, we long to see these and other Jews bringing fruit to perfection and boldly witnessing for the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am very thankful to have the opportunity of a ministry also to Christians, in the Bombay Baptist Church.  My work there, which is necessarily limited, will continue for a few months, or until a resident pastor is raised up.  The address at the head of this letter is that of the church, where I have my living quarters and office.  Occasionally Jews attend the services; Christmas morning a good number were present. 

(This next paragraph is a typically “Daddy”!}

We are not unconscious of the fact that our printed letters are overly weighty, but the writing habits of a lifetime are not easily altered.  Perhaps if we inject a word about the weather it may help, although, at this late stage in a letter, the remedy is probably superfluous.  At any rate, the weather is a pleasant topic of conversation in Bombay these days, for it is almost ideal.  The temperature doesn’t go below sixty at any time, but when it reaches that point it is cold for us. 

Finally, dear friends, let us pray one for the other.   We ourselves feel the need to pray more, and to be more prayed for.

Very cordially yours, in the fellowship of the gospel to Jew and Gentile,

John and Eunice Buffam

India Messianic Testimony to Israel

(India Division of Ohio Messianic Testimony)

April 10^th  a letter to Daddy from a special preacher in India, Brother Bakht Singh

Daddy on the far left, Bakht Singh next to him

5 Observatory Road

Kowloon

HongKong

My Dear Bro Buffam

May His Name be highly magnified in and through you.

Thank you very much for your kind letter received this morning at San-Francisco.  I have been very much conscious of His Presence during the past 5 ½ months throughout my travels in U.S.A. and Canada.  The Lord has granted me a glorious time according to His faithfulness.  God willing, I am leaving for Tokyo on the 12^th night and then for Hong Kong on the 20^th night.   I hope to reach India on about 8^th May  D.V.

Praying that the Lord may abundantly refresh you both during your stay in U.S.A. 

I am Yours in His Eternal Bonds,

Bakht Singh  II Cor 2:12-14  John 10:47  Acts 11:21  Acts 16:5

A letter from Mummy to Daddy

Cazenovia, Wis.

April 30, 1947

Dear John,

Your aerograph of April 22^nd came yesterday.  I’m sorry about all the trouble at the church.  I guess you are getting a taste of what so many missionaries have to contend with on Mission stations.  But I’m sorry you have had  to be burdened with all of that mess.  Maybe David’s family being there will help a bit, but I suppose by this time they have gone to Alibag.  I hope you have been able to go with them, and will get a little rest.  I can tell by your letters that you are good and weary.  I do hope you can soon get home.  You didn’t say anything in this letter about a job on a boat.  I wonder if you have had any success.  Anne said this morning,  “I told God to Bring Daddy home this minute, but He didn’t “  I said,  “ We will have to pray some more, Anne”.   Maybe these pictures were included with this letter; writing is on back of the pictures.

 This is taken on the ice below the barn.  Anne went with me over across the field to take a message to the men who were sawing wood that day.

Peek-a-boo Daddy!  I'm sliding along to cheer you up.  Don't you wish you could go skating with me on the ice like this?  Its lots of fun, but I haven't been out very much since it has been so cold.  Love from Anne and big big kisses all over your nose, cheeks n neck!

 I think we surely will have to pray in earnest, for it seems to me you should be getting on to a boat very soon.  With the conference coming in August, you should get here as soon as possible.  I guess you know this without my my telling you, but I wonder if Dr. Reid realizes what money will be necessary if you can’t get a job.   I think he feels it is very important that you get home in time for conference, and I think you’ll have to hurry to get here now.  There are only 3 months left, and you must allow at least six weeks for the journey.   We should have a little lee-way for at least a week or so with your mother before we go to  headquarters to stay a month.

I’m sorry about Mr. Baker’s illness.  You have probably had some good chances to talk with him during this time.  I do hope he’s better.  I wonder, too, about Subakti’s eyes.  You must be glad to have  those children around since you can’t have your own.  How is Mrs. Khan?  How is she meeting that amount she had to pay after the court case?   Have they found any place to live?  I had a letter from Rachel Judah and one from Diana Saul.  I hope to be able to clear up some of the India letters during the time we are away in Reedsburg.  The children and I are going up there on Monday and will be there for two weeks  I’ll be taking the Sunday evening meetings in the church there.   I had a meeting last night at Valton.  That is Dorothy’s husband’s home church, so there was a good crowd.  It was a union meeting of the Wesleyan Methodist and Friends churches.  We had supper with the pastor and Mrs. Hahn and lovely fellowship with Mrs. Minne Shore, a lovely lady with whom Dorothy used to live when she taught school over there.  She said, “read your letters over and over again, and get them often to see what the children’s names are.  Anne was with me and she made up to Mrs. Shore very sweetly which pleased Mrs. S. very much.  She sat beside her during the meeting.

We had a good time in Limeridge on the 29^th April.  That was a Mother and Daughter meeting and supper, so Anne got to go to that, too.  Before the meeting we had supper and lovely fellowship with another family who are real prayer helpers and good friends, Mr. and Mrs. Tom McDonald.  Mr. Mcdonald is gradually going blind—Anne sat on his lap with her arms around his neck for the first half hour while we were …  (no second page!)

June 16^th, 1947  at Bombay, India

Daddy’s application for nonimmigrant visa to the USA

Nationality:  British subject by birth – Canadian citizen  British Passport no. C.114110  issued by H.B.M. Vice Consul at Chicago, USA  on Aug 25 1941.  Renewed valid until August 25, 1951

On back:

Admitted at San Francisco, Calif. On Oct 14 1947, under Paragraph 2, Section 8,

Hmmmm….must have been some kerfuffle when he entered the USA…..

Registered Mail from the US Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service

Oct 14, 1947

Mr. Cecil John Buffam

c/o Mrs. C.H. Duvall

817 Patterson Street

Bay City, Michigan

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your arrival at this port July 28, 1947 on the Steamship “Marine Adder”,, at which time you were excluded from admission to the United States by a Board of Special Inquiry on the ground that you were an immigrant not in possession of the required valid immigration visa.

Your appeal from the excluding decision of the Board of Special Inquiry has been sustained, and it has been ordered that you be admitted to the United States as a temporary visitor under the provisions of Section 3 (2), Immigration Act of 1924 for a period of 1 year. 

Yada yada yada…..

Your British passport  #C-114118 is returned to you herewith, endorsed to show your admission to the United States under the condition mentioned above.

All for now!

Comment from Facebook by Joy Chase

Joy Chase These are really good memories and beautiful family photos, too. I remember your mother Shari Donaldson and Beth Buffam very well, she was so beautiful. I noted mention of the Durhams who knew my parents. Mr Durham died of Typhoid because he would not take anitbiotics (probably fairly new at the time) and my dad always regretted that he relied on homeopathic medicines which could not cure this disease. Mrs Durham stayed on in India and when my sister Margo Heyburn's first husband Gaston Singh died in 1977 we tried to find my dad who was on a preaching tour in Bombay (my mother had gone back to Australia). We did not know where he was staying and I called Mrs. Durham's Gospel Bookstore in Bombay and sure enough, she had seen him in church and called around and got him on the phone to the family. So quickly time passes.

1942-1946 ( 8 ) Daddy and Mummy's First Years Together

1942   #8    Daddy and Mummy’s first years together

Daddy and Mummy started out in Calcutta, and in April of 1942 moved to Bombay.

Mummy’s memoirs… After our marriage, we went to live in Bombay in a small two-room apartment on the fourth floor.   Marina House, Marine Lines, Fort Bombay 1  (This was our home until I was 12 except for furlough.  To take a taxi there or give directions, it was always across the street from the Liberty Cinema )   

Being a country girl at heart, I wasn’t sure I could ever get used to the city.  But the first days there brought to my mind the lines of a poem …

Obedience
By George MacDonald
(1824-1905)

I said: “Let me walk in the fields.”  He said: “No, walk in the town.”
I said: “There are no flowers there.”  He said: “No flowers, but a crown.”

I said: “But the skies are black;  There is nothing but noise and din.”
And He wept as He sent me back – “There is more,” He said; “there is sin.”

I said: “But the air is thick, And fogs are veiling the sun.”
He answered: “Yet souls are sick, And souls in the dark undone!”

I said: “I shall miss the light,  And friends will miss me, they say.”
He answered: “Choose tonight If I am to miss you or they.”

I pleaded for time to be given. He said: “Is it hard to decide?
It will not seem so hard in heaven To have followed the steps of your Guide.”

I cast one look at the fields, Then set my face to the town;
He said, “My child, do you yield? Will you leave the flowers for the crown?”

Then into His hand went mine; And into my heart came He;
And I walk in a light divine, The path I had feared to see.

It was in that tiny apartment that we learned to love each other.  We had determined to start each day with reading the Scriptures, singing hymns and praying together.

From a letter Daddy wrote to Anita Durham in 1982

Please convey to your siblings our warm love and gratefulness for each.  And what shall we say about your dear mother (Her father passed away years ago during a typhoid epidemic..our Anne and their Anita survived.)  As one who has been more to us than any natural sister or brother, we long to see her at least once more here on earth.  We remember how your parents took us under their wings upon our arrival in Bombay in 1942, and they were an immense encouragement to us for many years.

Less than a year after our marriage, the Lord blessed us with Anne Bethel.

Part of a prayer letter home: 

June 25, 1944

We praise God for continued good health – a great boon on the mission field.  Eunice has been in India for almost six years, and perhaps feels the pressure of things more than I do after only two and a half years.  It has not always been easy to attune our daily routine to Oriental tempo, but we have recognized the necessity of some adjustment.  As a result, we have been able, even in Bombay’s enervating climate, to conserve our vitality and thus maintain a good measure of joy in our daily labors.

Many friends have asked about Anne Bethel.  All the world loves a baby.  The little lady is now eighteen months old , and is of course now engaged in language study.  Already she has acquired an effective, if now copious and distinct, vocabulary of semi-English, semi-something else sounds.  We suspect that we have an embryonic scientist on our hands, for Anne Bethel has an obsession for minute things = tiny particles on the street, tiny animals, etc. indirectly she is doing her share of Jewish witness for she has, by a little smile softened many of those stony hearts of which the prophet Ezekiel writes.

Hmmm… no special information about David John or Sharon Grace  although we do have pictures!!! 

David John arrived 12/26/44 

Feb 1, 1946 (excerpts from Daddy’s long letter home!

The world is becoming constantly more aware of the Jew.  His dominant place in the affairs of men and of nations is obvious.  Representing only a tiny part of the worlds, population, the Jews are nevertheless, all too frequently, occupying front-page space in our newspapers.  Israel is the enigma of our times.  


Shari’s input-The holocaust took place around 1941–1945; Israel became a nation May 14^th 1948

Concerning personal matters, all four of us are well and happy.  We were absent from Bombay for 3 months, until the end of November.  For the first month, September, we were together in Landour, a beautiful hill station in the western Himalayas.  This being the first real vacation we have had since our marriage about four years ago, it was greatly anticipated and enjoyed.   We were guests at Childer’s Lodge, a missionary rest home very well known to many of our India friends, where we thrived on good food and good fellowship.  During this month, one of the two hottest periods of the year on the plains, we tasted a pleasing sample of America’s September days and October nights.  Nestled among several peaks over seven thousand feet high, the last two thousand feet being reached only on foot or in “dandies” (small boat-like affairs carried on the shoulders of coolies)  Landour affords a refreshing change for tired minds and bodies.

Anne Bethel was intrigued by the many new kinds of animals, insects, and flowers.  All readily found a place in her heart.  Not being concerned with caste, she bestowed her delights as freely upon mongrel dogs and lowly weeds as upon those of prouder pedigree.  The innumerable monkeys, jumping from tree to tree, were an endless source of interest.   Both Anne and David soon began to acquire roses in their cheeks, eventually looking as if they had spent a winter vacation with their grandmother in Wisconsin or Ontario.

Eunice and the children remained In Landour until the last of November, while I myself turned towards, Bombay.

The question of furlough has been much in our minds of late.  We had expected that passage would have been available err this, but the end of the war did not relieve, but rather aggravated temporarily the shipping problem.  Civilian passages are still greatly restricted, although at the time of writing the outlook is improving.  Considering the unsettled condition of shipping, as well as the discomfort of present day travel, we have peace of heart in postponing furlough.  This turn of events has brought mild disappointment to our loved ones more than to ourselves.  Eunice’s father is in failing health;  my own father passed away about a year ago.   However, we trust that we may patiently await the Lord’s time.  By the grace of God we are all in good health, and this extra time in India before furlough will in no sense be a hardship but rather a continuance of our joy in ministry.

 

 
Daddy and Mummy spent a lot of time in language study during this time, and began visiting homes and open air evangelism, looking for opportunities to share about Jesus, the Messiah and had another baby!
 

Sharon Grace arrived March 29, 1946

 Daddy’s Memoirs:  Because of a possible Japanese invasion of India, in 1946 the government recommended that foreigners leave India.  Since I had been in the country for just four years, I felt I should remain in India, so Eunice and the children boarded a refugee ship; bound for America.  This was a troop ship with four-tier bunks, and Eunice had a trying time keeping three young children in the bunks at night (though Shari got something in her eye and the nurses loved her so much that they kept her with them the rest of the way!)

Mummy’s passport states that she had the opportunity to step off the boat at Manila, Philippines  ( with 3 children under 5)  if she really wants too!

Newspaper report

On Sept 22nd about noon, Mrs Eunice Buffam and her three children arrived at the great Union Station in Chicago, Ill, enroute to her home near Cazenovia, Wisconsin where her mother, Mrs Warner Scott, eagerly awaited her daughter’s arrival with the three grandchildren, from Bombay, India.  Mrs. Buffam’s brother-in-law, Mr. Rodney Brown, and her oldest sister, Mrs Gilbert Mortimer and the writer were waiting in Union Station to meet this faithful missionary from far-off India, where she had spent nine years in devoted service , the last five of which were in union with her husband, Cecil John Buffam.  We all had lunch together, talking of many things; and then parted.  The writer to return home to Cincinnati and Mrs. Buffam, with her relatives, to drive the remaining 225 miles to her home in Wisconsin, in her brother in law’s car.  Mr. Buffam carries on alone in Bombay, in spite of riots and manifold disturbances; feeling led of the Lord to do so lest the work suffer.  His return to the States, probably sometime in the next year is in the hand of the Lord, even as Mrs. Buffam’s return at this time has been evidently in His hand.   What a wonderful Saviour we have!  Remember them and us all, in your prayers.

Cordially, W. T. Reid.


To be continued.....