Week 9: Mary Slessor
Character Traits: Courage, Determination, Honesty, Integrity, Patience, Humility, Compassion
Mary Slessor is remembered for her strong faith, resilient character, and unprecedented breakthrough with numerous Nigerian tribes. She was born in 1848 to Mary and Robert Slessor. Her father’s struggles with alcoholism and unemployment forced Mary to help support her family from the young age of eleven. She spent much of her youth working long days at a jute mill alongside her mother, and also balanced continuing her education. Her mother told her many stories about David Livingstone and his daring missionary work in Africa. Mary was always captivated and inspired by his testimonies. When he passed away in 1873, Mary knew that she was called to continue the daunting missionary work in Africa. Her rough, difficult upbringing had divinely prepared her for the mission work in a Nigerian village known as Calabar. Calabar was new territory for the Europeans. They had only discovered the village thirty years prior to Mary’s entrance on the scene, and they warned her of the violent and sacrificial nature of the natives. Some among the tribes of Calabar viewed newborn twins with suspicion. They believed that twins were a bad omen and often abandoned twins to die. Mary saved hundreds of twin babies and put an end to this dreadful practice. She also helped heal the sick and stop the practice of determining guilt by making the suspects drink poison. As a missionary, she went to other tribes, spreading the gospel to many who had never heard of Jesus; many today are inspired by her diligent and faithful example.
“Why should I fear? I am on a Royal Mission. I am in the service of the King of kings.”
―Mary Slessor
Image credit: William Holl, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Easy Recipe from Nigeria: Nigerian Puff Puff
https://www.farawaykitchen.com/recipe/nigerian-puff-puffs/
By Courtney of Faraway Kitchen
Cook time: 15 minutes, Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes, Serves: 16 Puff Puffs
Ingredients:
1 and 1/4 Cups Warm Water
2 Teaspoons Active Yeast
1/3 Cup Sugar
2 Cup Flour, sifted
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Nutmeg
2 Tablespoons Powdered Sugar, to top
Instructions:
1) Mix warm water, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and activated yeast. Set aside to proof (aka activate). Your mixture will start to bubble and/or foam after 5-10 minutes. This means it’s ready.
2) Mix water/sugar/yeast with sifted flour, remaining sugar, salt, and nutmeg until combined. About 1-2 minutes. Dough will be sticky.
3) Cover the dough with a dry towel and set in a warm area to rise for 1-2 hours. Once the dough has doubled in size, it is ready.
4) Heat cooking oil on medium temperature.
Tip: Test with a drop of dough to see if it is hot enough. Dough will rise to the top right away if it's ready.
5) Use your hands to drop in balls about 1 Tablespoon each. Fry in oil for 2 minutes or until golden. Set on the baking rack immediately.
Tip: Dough is very sticky. Do not try to roll into balls. Simply scoop some with fingers and drop into oil while twirling/pinching the dough off into oil.
Serve: With powdered sugar. These can also be served savory with a Nigerian Pepper Sauce!
Biographies:
Mary Slessor: The Barefoot Missionary by Elizabeth Robertson
White Queen: The Story of Mary Slessor by Donald M. McFarlan
