Description Amanda McKenzie

Pango Efate

Mon, Aug 14th/73

My Dear Mother

With us writing and receiving letters is a task in which there is both sorrow and joy; and no doubt the same feelings are peculiar to all our dear friends when similarly engaged. But the season of separation is short @ the most it is short we may meet again on earth and we may not. Our Father's will be done; but in Heaven there will be no parting. The vessel procured for this voyage is now on her way to Lanto. She left us on Saturday morning after lying here a week in order to settle Mr. & Mrs. Armand. You will all be glad to hear that they are within threemiles of us

on a small island they two being the only inhabitants @ present. The people among whom they will work are a short distance from them. The island on which is house is built is considered a more healthy situation than that on which the people live. The will have an interesting and we trust a very encouraging field of labour. The Church will feel the death of Dr. Geddie very much. The Lord has blessed his labours here. But it is not until a person has visited a heathen island that they see the work that has been done on Aneityum. Another heavy blow on the church is the wreck of the D.S. Tho Synod have decided to buy the vessel which brought our supplies this year. She is a larger vessel and a better

sailer. On her return to Sydney she will probably remain eight months to undergo repairs. We have laid in sufficient supplies but it will seem a long time to do without letters. We should be so engaged in the work I suppose as not to wish or long for letters when we know they cannot come. John was absent four weeks to the meeting of Synod. Mrs. Armand remained with me.  Jessie too as usual helped to gladden our home. She is very lively and full of spirit but very lazzy about walking. Her first birthday is past & she has not attempted to walk alone. They tell me she is a second Amanda, so like me. This is our coldest month yet many days are uncomfortably warm almost as warm as this season in Nova Scotia. 

We often imagine you all @ work and sometimes wish to be with you; but only for a time. We are not weary of the work. Trials we have but who has not. There are those in every clime who turn their backs upon the truth. 

Thursday Aug 21st.  You will see by this that I am getting my writting done by snatches. I cannot leave the girls very long @ a time as they are inclined to slight their work. But they are much more attentive than they were. Our work is totally different from theirs, so it takes a long time for them to thoroughly understand and do themselves without being looked after. But this we consider part of our work among them. No doubt by this times you will be looking for our letters. We are expecting the vessel every hour. Give my love to Mr. McKenzie and all to whom I have not written. I would like to have sent letters to all but have not the time. From your Affectionate Daughter Amanda

The lock of hair is Jessies.