“I must help them more.  I must lead more of them to Jesus,” said Mary.  “Many are sick.  I will give them medicine, and at the same time tell them about Jesus who makes the soul well and the body, too.”

As Mary gave out medicine, many people would often crowd around her to hear her “Jesus talk.”  She told them of Jesus’ love for them.  She told them how He had died that they might be saved from everlasting death and be made pure.  Mary had her hardships.  Often she would not be able to get home at night and would have to sleep in the open.  It was not easy to be a missionary, but Mary was gladly willing to do it because she was working for Jesus and saving souls.

One day a man came to the mission house.

“I am the servant of King Okon.  King Okon has heard of the white Ma.  King Okon has heard how the white Ma loves our people and is kind to them.  King Okon invites the white Ma to come and visit our country.”

“I shall be glad to come if I may tell your people about Jesus, the Saviour,” said Mary.

“Sure,” said the messenger, “you come and make Jesus-talk.”

When King Eyo Honesty VII, Mary’s old friend, heard of this invitation, he said: 

“Our Ma must not go as an ordinary traveler to this savage land and people.  She must go as a lady and our mother, one whom we greatly respect and love.”

He brought his own canoe to Mary and said, “The canoe is yours to use as long as you wish.”

Mary’s eyes filled with tears of thankfulness.

“King Eyo,” she said, “I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I accept the offer of your canoe in Jesus’ name.  I know God will bless you for your kindness.”

“God has blessed me,” said the king.  “He has sent our white Ma to us.”

The canoe was long and slim.  It was painted in bright colors.  At the front end bright-colored flags were flying.  In the middle of the canoe was a sort of tent to protect Mary from the sun.  The Christian natives had brought gifts of rice and these were put in the boat.  Crowds of people came to say good-by to the white Ma.  At last it began to get dark.  The thirty-three natives who were going to row climbed into the boat.  Torches were lit and the boat started upstream.

As Mary lay down in her tent in the middle of the boat, she heard the rowers singing as they rowed.

“Ma, our beautiful beloved mother, is on board,” they sang, “Ho!  Ho!  Ho!”

She thanked God that He had protected her in Old Town.  She prayed that He would protect her still as she went into a part of the country where no one had yet brought the news about a loving Saviour.  She prayed that He would bless her speaking, so that many people would believe in the Lord Jesus and be saved forever.

As she prayed, the rowers continued singing their made-up song:  “Ma, our beautiful beloved mother, is on board.  Ho!  Ho!  Ho!”

Mary fell asleep and the canoe carried her silently through the night to a new part of the country and to new adventures.