Page:Kvartalshilsen (Kvinnelige misjonsarbeidere). 1913 Vol. 6 nr. 4.pdf/3

steep mountains with a deep abyss on one side, we had to walk barefoot most of the time on the rocky roads. It was a hot walk; but finally, we reached the valley and could ride. The river was too deep to ride through, so therefor we had to go this long and difficult road. We had to go through the river once that night, it was deep. Late at night we reached the large, Armenian village of Passar, which is up high and beautiful. A large crowd of spectators soon gathered around us, a friendly shoemaker welcomed us to his house, and the teacher helped us in every way. On the 3rd day at noon we reached the Upper Sheikh's house, we wanted to ride past, but they urged me to visit the Sheikh's wife, who was sick, so I got of the horse and was led into a large hall. The Sheikh himself was extremely friendly and polite, and he did not allow us to go on until we had dinner. He himself took care that no one came in and disturbed me, and a servant stood and waved the flies away while I ate. This sheik is widely known and owns a lot of villages and lots of land. He is also kind to the Christians and very hospitable to all. He runs a big house. He has only one wife, which he seemed to love very much. She was older but had retained some of her former beauty. Since we stayed so long, we could not reach Farkin that day, so we took it easy and we also had the opportunity to speak to the Sheikh about God, and he gladly listened. We had a hot day afterwards; but towards the evening it was wonderful to ride, and at last the moon rose. The sabtie we were with didn't know the way, and the worst thing was that he didn't know where we could ride through the deep river. The village we were to spend the night were on the other side of the river, close by. The Sabtie and Rupen screamed and shouted for 1 hour before anyone came to show us the crossing point; but finally, they understood what we wanted, and two men came and led the horses through the water, which was very high and in most places impossible to ride through. That night we stayed on an open roof, but it was so full of fleas that we didn't get much rest; but the people were friendly and helpful. It was an Armenian village and one of the few poor in that part of the country, otherwise I got the impression that the people in and around Farkin suffer no distress in bodily terms; but in a spiritual sense things are bad, the Armenians in that area are greatly influenced by the Kurds, around Musch they are quite different and have retained their nationality more pure and spotless. - Over the years the Armenians are becoming more and more dear to me and I can understand them better and feel with them in all their hardships and unfortune. Armenia has become my second homeland. I know, it is the Lord Himself who has put this love for the land and the people in my heart, and it helps me through and keep me up, so that I can endure and after all, wait and hope for great things for the oppressed, unhappy, tormented people.

The next day at noon we reached Farkin and were welcomed by the dear sisters there. Farkin is beautifully situated and has many large gardens, it is an old and very interesting town; but you know it so well from Sister Thora's accounts, so I will tell no more of it. It's terribly hot, I hardly think I could endure living there. In the 6 days I was there I couldn't sleep for the heat and insects. It was now amusing to see Sister Thora's little home and field of labor, though the doors seemed closed when I was there, so they were thinking of trying somewhere else. Tuesday the June 17th, I rode out with sister Thora to receive Pastor Lohmann. It was a great, great pleasure to meet him and Sister Hansine, but it was mixed when Sister Thora crashed with the horse into a ditch. She was not at all