Bridging the Gap Breaching Barriers: The Presence and Contribution of (Foreign) Persons of African Descent to the Gaboon and Corisco Mission in ... 50 (American Society of Missiology Monograph)

From its very beginning in June 1842 the Protestant Mission in Gabon included men and women of African descent--African Americans Americo-Liberians and West Africans--all teachers and advanced students from the Cape Palmas (Liberia) Mission who transferred with the mission to its new location on the Gaboon estuary. All came voluntarily and wholeheartedly. They served as teachers evangelists preachers and printers building the early foundation of Christianity in Gabon. Many eventually returned to their homelands but others stayed for the duration of their lives assimilating into the local community. This book celebrates the contribution of persons of African descent who served with the mission from 1834 until 1891 a time of complex and controversial race relations in America which seeped into mission relations overseas. Private missionary correspondence and journals reveal the interrelationships roles and contributions of these individuals and also the underlying perceptions of nationality race and gender. One must grieve the injustices evident in the stories yet marvel at the giftedness faith determination and commitment of those who served often with no official recognition. I introduce you to Mr. B. V. R. James Lavinia Sneed Charity Sneed Menkel Mary Harding and others--may their stories inspire you!