Mabel Jane “Tussy” Tustin – Promoted to Heaven
By David Moyer, Director
From the human standpoint, it is with great sadness to report the home going of Mabel Jane Tustin on December 23. “Tussy,” as she is affectionately known by those who were privileged to work with her in Africa, was born in Pennsylvania on June 8, 1925. Her parents were committed Nazarenes and raised their four children in a committed Christian home. “Tussy” often shared her gratitude to the Lord for her upbringing. She remembered morning and evening family prayer times which influenced her deeply. The Tustin home was always open for visiting evangelists and missionaries. She recalled Mary Anderson as one of her favorite missionaries. When Mary visited the Tustin home, Mary would sit on the floor and tell stories about India to the four children, and Mary always had some trinket to share with the Tustin children. God had His hand on “Tussy” at a very early age.
At the age of 12, “Tussy” felt God’s call to be a missionary in Africa. She recalled many visits to the altar to make sure that God had forgiven her sins, and then to seek sanctifying grace concerning a “terrible temper.” God met her needs and she was off to Eastern Nazarene College, then to nursing school and on to graduate school in Pittsburgh.
“Tussy” accepted a position as lecturer in the school of nursing. At God’s appointed time, she tried to resign to enter missionary service. Her superior literally thought that she had lost her mind, and encouraged her to seek counseling, which she did not do. Finally, a doctor on staff tried to discourage “Tussy” from going to Africa by saying bad things about Africa, but “Tussy” remained firm and committed to do God’s will, which led her to Ethel Lucas Memorial Hospital, at a place called Acornhoek in the then Eastern
Transvaal, Republic of South Africa. This was in 1960. “Tussy” was put in charge of the Nurse’s Training School, a position she carried out with distinction for 20 years.
But "Tussy” was also concerned about people who did not know the love and forgiveness of God in Jesus Christ. She committed herself to pastor a “tree church” in a place called Buffelshoek. There, under what she called “the most beautiful tree in the area,” the Word of God went forth. One Sunday some boys were digging by the tree trunk, and dug up a bee hive of black African bees. “Tussy” knew from previous experience that she was allergic to bee stings. The bees covered her entirely, and she knew she was in trouble and sought help from a nearby house. Two witch doctors happened to live there and they covered her tightly with a blanket, and she lost consciousness. An ambulance from her hospital was called, and the driver was told to drive fast as “Tussy” could be dying. He told “Tussy” “to please not die until you get to the hospital!” Miraculously, “Tussy” survived and had a complete recovery.
Time passed and one Sunday the two witch doctors came to the church under the pretty tree at Buffelshoek. They returned occasionally, and then they attended on a regular basis. A revival campaign was scheduled, and the two witch doctors repented of their sins and found joy, hope and peace in Jesus Christ. “Tussy” believed that the “sting” was worth it all to see two witch doctors find real peace and joy in Jesus!
In 1980, “Tussy” tried to retire at Casa Robles, but was persuaded to continue in missionary service there as the resident nurse, a position she faithfully held for 14 years. She finally retired in 1994, and enjoyed living at Casa Robles until her final promotion into the very presence of the Lord whom she loved and served so well.
FOUNDATION UPDATE
By Charles Gates
The Casa Robles Foundation will celebrate its third anniversary of incorporation as a non-profit foundation January 5. The intervening years have recorded a growing interest in the foundation and its purpose of providing the operating and development expenses of Casa Robles Nazarene Missionary Retirement Center from the foundation’s investment income.
The Casa Robles Foundation will be fully funded when its established goal of five million dollars is reached. Interested individuals, local churches and districts have responded to the challenge of funding the Casa Robles foundation through memorial gifts, contributions and in estate planning. The Sacramento district and the Southwest Region of Nazarene Missions International honored the life and ministry of former General N.W.M.S. President Beverlee Borbe by contributing a substantial gift to the foundation in Mrs. Borbe’s honor.
Mrs. Maybelle E. Reed was recently honored by a gift to the foundation. Mrs. Reed, whose late husband, Dr. Harold W. Reed, was president of Olivet Nazarene University for twenty-five years, has been a faithful friend and supporter of world evangelism and missionaries.
Retired missionary, Margaret A. Birchard, a long time resident of Casa Robles and strong supporter of the foundation, passed away October 23. Gifts in her memory were received from churches, family members and the Washington Orthopaedic Center of Centralia, WA. Also, gifts to the Foundation have been received in memory of Mrs. Alice Wheeler of Hookset, NH, Rev. Harold Hampton of Nampa, ID, Mrs. Maxine Little, Vicksburg, MI, Dr. Orpha Speicher, Alhambra, CA and Mrs. Emalyce Springfield, of Ft. Myers, FL.
The treasurer’s report of August 31, 2001 to the Casa Robles Board of Director’s second semester meeting held September 13 showed investment assets of $228,018.34. Since that report, a total of $9,050.00 has been received. In addition to these cash gifts, an R.V. and an automobile have been donated to the Foundation for sale.
The Board of Directors and the retired missionaries appreciate your prayerful support of the Casa Robles Foundation. The new foundation brochure is available for distribution. Please contact Rev. David Moyer, Casa Robles Director, 6355 Oak Ave., Temple City, CA 91780 or telephone (626) 286-9455. You may e-mail at .
MISSIONARY MEMORIES
By John H. Holstead
As I sit in my comfortable office at my Casa Robles home, in front of my old faithful computer, my mind changes gear to reverse. It is December 1956. I was 27 years old and going headlong into 1957 to continue our new missionary career!
It was late November 25, 1956 when the old “garbage scow” of a freighter, the Mallory Lykes, was preparing to sail for the Far East. This pair of innocent, naïve missionary candidates, having completed all the Mission Board requirements, full of faith and confidence in God, pulled anchor from the port of New Orleans. Our ship floated peacefully across the Gulf of Mexico and quietly through the Panama Canal and back up the coast to San Pedro, California. Thank the Lord for Dramamine.
It was now December 9, as we departed for Yokohama, Japan. We traversed through hurricane conditions with the waves totally covering the ship. We lay in our bunks hanging on for dear life.
We had a shoehorn experience to the Orient by spending January 1, 1957 in Tokyo, Japan with our dear missionary friends. Shock was not the name for it! We grew up before the term and idea of culture shock had been invented! We continued our journey by ship to the port of Keelung, Formosa! The land where God and the Church of the Nazarene had planned for us to plant the banner of our denomination! So completed our “slow boat” trip to China of 43days!
January was a new year! January was an incredible revolution to our lives! We learned to eat many new concoctions, always laced with white rice! The children of Taiwan called us “big nose.” (Years later in Hong Kong we were called “foreign ghosts.” There were no politically correct appellations at that time! We rode in pedicabs since taxis did not come to Taiwan until many years later.
We were immediately immersed into the study of one of the word’s “easiest” languages, Mandarin Chinese! This was one of the vital keys to communicating Christ!
January was not only the beginning of a New Year for us but the beginning of a new life style! Jack and Natalie Holstead would no longer be the same old boring couple. We were taking on a new identity as we attempted to emulate the customs and live amongst the Chinese. Life for this Canadian lad and New Hampshire girl dramatically changed.
January made us aware of the lost condition of so many people as they worshipped the too-many-to-count idols. The first place we lived in Taipei was surrounded by at least 23 temples and shrines! January renewed our commitment to share the Gospel that Christ was the only way of hope and salvation. Yes, it was in January that we were confronted with many problems, incredible hurdles, introduced to new friends, new thought patterns. We were unable to escape the dreaded loneliness that invaded our hearts. Here we were on the other side of the world, separated from family and friends of another world! We knew we had only five years to go before furlough.
We now enter the New Year of 2002! You and I have never gone this way before. But by His grace, we will not only survive but will do so as Dean Bertha Munro of ENC fame used to say in her classes, “Not somehow, but triumphantly.”
DID YOU KNOW?
By Phyllis Perkins
>Anne Alexander reports that it has been her joy to have her son Robert with her for Christmas. They celebrated with friends Grace Stock and Mary Lou and Phil Steigleder as their guests.
>Fran Courtney-Smith spoke at the LaPuente Nazarene Church Faith Promise convention. She hosted a group from Alhambra Nazarene Church who came for supper and to make “goodie bags.” Later in the season, they sang carols and distributed the bags to Nazarene missionaries at the Kensington Home. She attended a joint Christmas service of all three congregations at Alhambra—English, Chinese and Spanish, and she spent Christmas day at the home of Frances Vine.
>Doyle and Ellie Flory had a busy month of Christmas activity. They were Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus at the Casa Robles Christmas party on December 10. The week before Christmas they spent Wednesday evening with friends at Alex DePeppes restaurant. The next day, staff ladies took Ellie to Colonial Kitchen to celebrate her birthday. Melinda and Griffin (daughter and grandson of the Moyers) joined them. On Christmas Day, the Florys were with daughter Tina, her husband Gregg and their sons. Son D.J. joined them later after work.
>Charles and Roma Gates had a month of joy and happiness as they attended their grandsons’ programs at church and school. They appreciated the Buena Park Crescent Avenue Nazarene school choir, which came to Casa Robles to sing the Messiah. In addition to evenings out with friends for dinners and parties, they attended the Christmas Eve services at Rose Drive Friends and at Pasadena First Nazarene. Chuck sang in Upland First Church’s “Round Table Carol Sing.” Their family had lots of fun being together and playing games. They look forward to God’s leading and blessing throughout 2002.
>Jack and Natalie Holstead continued one of their Christmas traditions by taking three of their grandchildren to see the play, “The Christmas Carol,” on December l. The following day, the Holstead family (children and spouses and grandchildren) gathered at the Casa Robles “Holstead Hilton” to celebrate the third birthday of granddaughter Sara, daughter of Kathy and Tom Huizar. On Christmas Sunday, Jack spoke and shared Christmas past in Taiwan, Hong Kong and China with the Disciples Sunday school class at Pasadena First Church. Christmas Day, Jack and Natalie hosted their family and several friends to a turkey dinner and afterwards a fun time of opening gifts. As Tiny Tim so eloquently said, “God bless us everyone.” “The Lord did exactly that!”
>Mary Meighan enjoyed the community choirs Christmas celebration at Pasadena First Church and the cantata at Temple City Nazarene. She appreciated hearing from so many friends this Christmas. “What a joy the season is, in spite of saying goodbye to John Wise, who is spending this first Christmas with the Christ Child.” Mary entertained Carolyn Lehrke for a visit following Christmas. A special surprise was going to Disneyland with Scot Johnson who took the Casa Robles staff.
>Joe and Ellen Penn attended the Los Angeles District Pastors and Spouses Christmas Dinner at Pasadena First Church on December 3 and the Bresee Sunday school class dinner party on the 21st. The Steve Rodeheaver family from San Diego were their special guests at the Bresee Nazarene Co-Workers missionary chapter Christmas meeting and luncheon on December 14. On Christmas Day, they were in Hesperia with son David and his wife Ruth, daughter Marilyn and her family, daughter Beverly and husband Wayne Strickland from Texas and Ruth’s sister, Karon Campbell, and family from South Africa. On the 28th Ellen fell and broke her hip and was taken to Huntington Hospital in Pasadena where joint replacement surgery was performed.
>Floyd and Phyllis Perkins stayed home and entertained family and friends. Marge and Gwen Collier came to dinner on December 14, Rebecca Clayton and Jonnie Gregory came to tea on the 18th. Grandson Colin Perkins from Portland visited from the 20th to the 25th. Granddaughter Joanna Perkins came from SNU in Oklahoma on the 23rd, and her two sisters and families, Marie and Jason Benton from Olathe, KS; Elise, David and Esther Mosher from Colorado Springs, CO; arrived December 28. Alone or with guests, Floyd and Phyllis visited the Aquarium in Long Beach, The Huntington Library in San Marino, and attended “The Nutcracker Suite” in San Gabriel, and “The Glory of Christmas” at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove.
>Bill and Edna Rudeen spent Christmas day with the relatives at the home of daughter LoAnn in Buena Park. They also celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary four days earlier. Robert Alexander was a visitor in their home.