Correspondence, February-December 1959
Scope and Contents
Correspondence describing Vera Thiessen's experiences and work as a medical missionary for the Africa Inland Mission (AIM) in the Belgian Congo (now Zaire) to her family, which included her parents, Rev. and Mrs. J. D. Thiessen, her sisters Carol and Lois, and her brother Jack. A few letters were written to friends as general prayer letters. The time period covered by the letters is 1946 to 1976. Topics discussed include her experiences as a missionary with Africa Inland Mission, Africa Inland Church, political conditions in many parts of Africa, and specifically the conditions in the Congo before and after independence, African life and other mission-related topics.
The letters record Thiessen's departure from New York for the Congo in 1946, early adjustment experiences, language study, and the medical work she did in AIM mission stations in Oicha, Rethi, Blukwa, and Nyankunde. They also contain information on various mission boards besides the AIM, including Roman Catholics and Jehovah's Witnesses.
The letters also contain information related to political conditions in many parts of Africa and specifically the conditions in the Congo before and after independence. They also include information about the African Church in the Congo and some sketchy reports of the work done by the AIM in Tanganyika Territory, Kenya Colony, Nairobi, Uganda Protectorate, the Sudan, and French Equatorial Africa. Some of this information refers to anti-white feelings, persecution of missionaries and native Christians such as the Mau-Mau threat of 1953 in Kenya. Also of significance in this collection is the picture painted by Miss Thiessen of the nationals and their various practices relating to marriage, burial, and other aspects of African life.
Dates
- Created: February-December 1959
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions on the use of this collection.
Extent
From the Collection: 0.50 Cubic Feet
From the Collection: 1 Box
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Repository Details
Part of the Evangelism & Missions Archives Repository