1948 (10) Daddy and Mummy on furlough in the States and Canada

1948  # 10  Daddy and Mummy on furlough in the States and Canada

Excerpts from Daddy’s prayer letter…

Washington, DC USA

February 12^th 1948

Dear Prayer-Friends of Israel

All of our previous Printed Letters, having been issued from Bombay, India, were especially designed for “foreign” friends-Americans, Canadian, English, Australian.  As we prepare this ninth letter in America’s capital city, we are thinking of foreign friends, but now particularly of those whom the Lord has given us in India, the land of our adoption.

We have been together as a family since last August, when I returned from India on the Marine Adder.

After the reunion of the family in Chicago (when David and Sharon had to get acquainted with Daddy almost all over again), we proceeded to Cincinnati for six weeks of fellowship with friends there and in nearby cities.  Then northwards to Eunice’s home where I made my initial bow to many of my wife’s lifelong friends.  There was also opportunity to present the needs of India’s Jews, and of India generally, to quite a number of evangelical churches in Wisconsin.  We praise God for such open doors of ministry, and for fellowship with “second-mile Christians” who envision the need in the regions beyond.

Continuing our trip, now in a car generously granted us by Rodney Brown, Eunice’s brother-in-law, we journeyed through Michigan to my home in Perth, Ontario, Canada, where my folks met Eunice and the kiddies for the first time. (Everyone soon loved everyone else!)  

Still questionable who is who, but I believe it is
Back Row:  Daddy, Uncle Harold, Mummy

2^nd row:  Uncle Cliff’s girls, Anneth and Barbara

3^rd row:  Aunty Greta’s, Richard David, Shari,

Uncle Merle’s Ron and Anne

Then, after three happy weeks in and around Perth, we continued on to Boston, then to New York and to several cities in Pennsylvania, and finally to Baltimore and Washington.   Along the way we stopped overnight at many smaller towns.

In all our travels, we have enjoyed the most precious fellowship with God’s people, often, as strangers and without credentials, being received wholeheartedly into the circle of saints.  Basking in warm Gospel gladness, we have come to appreciate in a new way the richness and fullness possible in the Christian’s experience.

Such experiences have brought us low before God.  He has shown us our lack of zeal and earnestness in reaching the lost for Christ, as well as other glaring weaknesses in our witness to India’s Jews.  With enlightened minds and refreshed spirit, however, we are anticipating our second term of service with even keener joy than we knew as we entered upon our first.  Frequently, instead of hurrying along, we have been able to enjoy quiet fellowship with friends, whereby each of us has been comforted and encouraged by the others faith.

Perhaps the most thrilling experience of our trip thus far was participation, with Brother Charles Cline and others, in an open-air street-meeting in New York City, at the busy intersection of Broadway and Forty-Fourth Street, where throngs of Jew and Gentile theater-goers are reached with the Word.

The most refreshing experience, physically and spiritually, resulted from a month’s stopover in Elizabethtown, Pa.  Through the timely provision of the Lord and the thoughtfulness of His people there, we were granted the use of a lovely little cottage in snowy Beulah Heights, the Bible conference grounds of Mt. Calvary Church “ Our ‘ittle house in the ’oods” as David affectionately calls it, became very dear to all of us, especially during the Christmas season.

My most fearful experience?  Preaching my first sermon in the village of Lanark, Ontario, Canada, my birthplace, before many boyhood friends.

Daddy goes on to talk about the way he perceives things in India   (Shari’s addition… India is going through an incredibly difficult time with the British leaving and the partition of Pakistan/India.  A British man drew a line on a map to cut up the country.  The Hindus who found themselves in Pakistan were killed by the thousands, and the Muslims in India were killed by the thousand)   Daddy continues….The Apostle Paul’s injunction to Timothy, to “endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ”, may become more pertinent than previously.  If we are called upon to suffer first-century severity, however, we shall undoubtedly also know something of first-century resurrection power.  Believers all over America are praying for India-especially now, following Mr. Gandhi’s assassination, that the tide of revenge may be restrained.

Brother Martind Rajnoor, who was associated with us for several years in our ministry to Bombay’s Jews,   returned with me to America, and is now embarked on a two years, course of Seminary study.  

This Indian brother, whom we love dearly in the Lord, is a trophy snatched from Hinduism.  As he earnestly goes on to know the Lord, we commend him to your prayer-interest, that his sojourn in this country may be abundantly fruitful. 

Daddy shares that they are so thankful for their fellowship with the Ohio Messianic Testimony in Ohio, but feel at this time they should “render our resignation to take effect Feb. 1^st”.  “The decision was reached not without much grief of spirit, for we love Dr. Reid personally and deeply appreciate the innumerable acts of thoughtfulness on his part towards us in the past”  He continues… We have no plans for the future in respect to fellowship with another mission;  but, acutely sensing our need of such relationship, we are seeking the guidance of the Spirit in our next step.

For the time being, our general address will be as indicated below.    Dr.Dorothy DuVall, whose name appears in this connection, has long been Eunice’s closest friend. (they met while at Moody)  The address in Baltimore is that of the eye hospital in which she is practicing.  

 Address in America c/o Dr. Dorothy DuVall   1214 Eutaw Place, Baltimore 17, Md.

February 25^th, 1949

A long letter to Brother Lefever in Elizabethtown, Mt. Calvary Church.  Daddy’s words in quotes.

After much explanation, “ Consequently, we now, with freedom of spirit and joy of heart, apply to the association for World Evangelization for fellowship in our witness to India’s Jews”. 

Daddy goes into his doctrinal convictions and financial situation.  He comments, “At present we have on hand about $600.00, which represents most of a bequest from my Mother’s estate.”   Also, “Heretofore we have carefully avoided any appeal for, or mention of the need for funds, and have had many assurances that this is the Lord’s plan for us.”  This was Daddy’s and Mummy’s policy throughout the years of their lives.

“A few weeks ago, when we observed that there would be a delay in completing Mission plans, we accepted a temporary pastorate here in Cutler, at the United Presbyterian Church.   If the Lord permits, we shall be here until shortly before we leave.  Eunice and the kiddies are here with me, and we are grateful for the freedom we have in presenting the Word of God.”

A return letter from Brother Hiram W. Lefever of:

Association For World Evangelization

(Incorporated with the Eastern Ministerial Union, Inc. of Pennsylvania)

He explains that they are just a clearing house, so to speak, for missionaries.  Talks of  Brother Keener who works in Haiti and brother Atwood, in  Honduras.

He invites Daddy and Mummy to join with them, and invites them to their annual meeting at Beulah Heights, July 18 – 21 to meet others and tell of their work and to their annual Missionary conference in August 14 – 21.

He closes his letter with,

May Asher’s blessing be yours also.  

And as Barnabas said—Cleave unto the Lord.

To finish off Daddy and Mummy's time in the States and Canada, a prayer letter from Cutler, Illinois. May 3^rd 1949

After expressing their joy in joining with The Association for World Evangelization as a clearing-house, he says: 

We are now in the process of obtaining permits, visas, and other papers necessary for foreign travel.

We are enjoying much liberty in the ministry of the Word and good fellowship with the folks in this friendly little town of Cutler, Illinois.   As the Lord permits, we shall remain here until late May, after which we will probably make farewell visits to our families in Wisconsin and Ontario. 

During this extended furlough, the Lord has renewed our strength so remarkably that we feel we have sufficient vigor stored up for a long term in the East.  The hand of God has been constantly upon us for good filling our hearts with food and gladness:   And speaking of food, we are quite sure that six o’clock suppers, in place of eight o’clock dinners in India, have contributed to our general well-being.

Daddy goes through a very careful explanation of all the funds they received on their furlough. 

Total: $3,905.90!  (for almost 3 years!)

Grave difficulties have confronted India during the past year and a half of independence, yet considerable real progress has been made.  The prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru has shown remarkable vision in dealing with problems arising from independence and the immediate future of India appears to be reasonably secure.

India’s sixty million “Untouchables” have officially become equal citizens instead of pariahs.  However, since caste is deeply rooted in the Indian consciousness, it cannot be ruled out of existence, nevertheless this drastic move indicates the trend in the New India.

Israel “the tribe of the bleeding heart and the weary feet,” is now free to enter the homeland after its long night of dispersion.   Dr. Chaim Weizman, Zionist leader, has declared that the word “homelessness’ most nearly characterizes Jewry of past centuries; now “the wandering Jew” is going HOME.   And Yet, God’s covenant-people refuse as a nation to believe in Jesus as the Messiah.  We feel a great responsibility to pray earnestly that God indeed might fulfill His purpose for His own Name’s sake.  So much the more as we behold the Day of the Lord approaching.  The next ten or fifteen years will be an intensely critical period for our staggering world.

Many of our Jewish friends in India have departed for Eretz, the Holy Land and others are preparing to leave.  The dark-skinned Bene-Israel comprising more than half the thirty five thousand Jews in India, are more closely allied to the Indian people through intermarriage and customs than to their Jewish brethren in other lands.  The so-called “ Baghdaddi” Jews, descendants of settlers who came from around Baghdad two hundred years ago are more eager to join the trek to Palestine.

The Jews of India have manifested such responsiveness to the Gospel that we are confident there will be a rich harvest of souls before our Lord “breaks the blue and comes through”.

As we return to the land and people we love, we are grateful for God’s assurance that He will make us a “new sharp threshing instrument”.

Very sincerely, in the fellowship of the Gospel to Jew and Gentile,

John and Eunice Buffam

Anne Bethel 6 ½, David John 4 ½, Sharon Grace 3

“Our heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they may be saved.”

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.....