Page 203 - LD215 History of the Church in Africa A4 final

Evangelical Missions and African Initiatives

also died after she had joined the party in 1861 rather than live a life of
solitude in England.

In 1865, Livingstone began his third and final expedition to the interior
of Africa. He chose to begin on the island of Zanzibar, a stronghold of
Islam and a center for slave trade. His focus was unchanged: he believed
with all of his heart that commerce and Christianity would bring
answers to his beloved Africa and its people. He was deeply troubled by
the effects of slavery, for in Zanzibar he witnessed the stockades and
auction blocks for slaves. As Shaw notes, “Livingstone once saw such
a stockade packed with eighty-five captives, most of whom were only
about eight years of age” (1996, 193).

Beginning at Bagamoyo on the coast of Tanganyika, he moved inland
and was not heard from by the western world for years. In addition to
his other objectives, he was obsessed with finding the source of the Nile
River. Convinced that he would find it in Western Tanganyika, he headed
in that direction, travelling with African companions who had become
like brothers. He often spoke to them about his Savior, Jesus Christ, and
they witnessed his personal devotions. He was at peace with himself
and his surroundings with the exception of the horrible slave trade and
his failure to find the source of the Nile. In time, his correspondence
influenced change in the slave market.

Livingstone faced difficulties like a warrior. At times, Arab slave
traders stole his supplies and he lacked food. On other occasions, he
was overcome with fever for days and he also suffered from bleeding
hemorrhoids. Rumors finally surfaced which indicated that he had died.

Journalist Henry Stanley went to investigate the unknown factors that
seemed to surround his possible death. However, in 1871, Stanley found
the aged Livingstone on the shores of Lake Tanganyika and greeted
him with the famous phrase: “Dr. Livingstone, I presume.” Stanley had
brought much-needed supplies and the two became dear friends. One
of the most significant testimonies about Livingstone’s life came from
Stanley when after spending four months with him he wrote:

I lived with him in the same hut, or the same boat, or the same
tent, and I never found a fault in him. I went to Africa as prejudiced

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