The picture displays a Scottish 10 Pounds Sterling note: the areas Mary ministered int primarily in Nigeria.
Mary Slessor, inspired by Livingstone and the great wave of missionary enthusiasm volunteered her services to the Foreign Mission Board. She sailed from Liverpool to Calabar Nigeria in August 1876. When she arrived she realised the huge challenging task before her. She knelt and prayed, “Lord, the task is impossible for me but not for thee. Lead the way and I will follow”. Rising from her prayer she said, “Why should I fear? I am on a Royal Mission. I am in the Service of the King of Kings”.
In time she mastered the local language so the locals admitted that she could use their tongue better than they themselves could.
Settling in the village of Ekenge. She heard of a chief that was near death in a village nearby. The people knew if he died many would be sacrificed or buried alive with him to travel to the spirit-world. After a canoe trip and eight hours of struggling through mud and torrential rain with a fever she staggered into the hut of the dying chief. She gave him a dose of medicine she had brought along with her and she nursed him. The next day he awoke.
The whole village gathered and wanted to know about her magic powers. She said to them, ” I have come to you because I love and worship Jesus Christ, the Great Physician and Saviour, the Son of God who made all things. I want you to know the Father and to receive eternal life which Jesus offers to all those with contrite and believing hearts”
“Ma’s ” name was known far and wide as she was held in high esteem and was known for her kindness and bravery.
Part 3 to follow.