The letters date from December 16, 1921, to March 31, 1936, and contain accounts of their departure from the United States and their first experiences in Africa in 1922. Succeeding letters told of their African experiences relating to language study, adjustments to the new culture and people, and of their work in education, evangelism, and medicine at their mission station.

There are descriptions of the Kikuyu people--their way of life, their values and aspirations, and many of the superstitious and witchcraft practices which were a part of their daily lives. Of particular interest is the account relating to Dr. David Livingstone. Andrew and Martha were able to talk to Matthew Wellington, the last living porter who was responsible for locating and transporting the body of Livingstone from the heartland of Africa on to the coast of Zanzibar and finally to London.

There are one or two letters included which were written by natives to the Ruchs. A preface and an appendix, written by Martha Ruch, are included, as this was an attempt to create a book about the Ruch's African experiences. In the preface, Martha mentions an article she wrote entitled "The Night of Witchcraft."

These letters were retyped by Martha Ruch. In a June 15, 1979, letter to the Archives, she stated, "The enclosed copy is verbatim from our letters with repetitions and personal family matters deleted."