But Mary had to stay at Akpap longer than she expected. At last she was able to come again to Itu and to visit the school and the church services.
"You have done wonderfully well," she told the three workers. "God has blessed your work. My heart was filled with joy when I saw so many people, young and old, at the services. And your school is filled with people who want to learn book and learn the will of God. Now we must build a church and a schoolhouse."
Mary began mixing the mud and doing the other work that was necessary for building a building in Africa. The native workers and the people of Itu helped her gladly. It did not take long with many willing hands to build a church and school. Two rooms were added to the church building.
"These two rooms are for you, Ma," the people said. "You must have a place to stay when you come to us."
After the church and school were built, Mary went back to Akpap. Here she heard good news.
"The Board in Scotland has given me permission to be your assistant at
Akpap," said Miss Wright.
"Wonderful!" said Mary. "Now I can spend more time at Itu and more time in the jungle."
On a beautiful morning in June, 1903, Mary packed her clothes and supplies and marched the six miles down to the landing beach at Ikunetu. Here she waited for the government boat which would take her to Itu. She waited and waited. At last she found one of the natives and asked, "Where is the government boat? Is it late?"
"No, Ma, it long time gone."
So Mary had to walk back six miles through the jungle to the mission house at Akpap.