Page 31 - Protestant Missionary Activity in the Arabian Gulf

17

station of Ainarah, which now "became another major Mission
outpost on the same scale as Bahrain and Basrah.

The big mission building program of the post-war period

affected more thah just the medical facilities. Schools,

houses, churches and land were also being purchased by the

Mission or built during this period of expansion and consoli­

- dation. At long last a proper residence was constructed for
;
the missionaries in Bahrain in 1917, who -until this time had

been living under arduous and unhealthy conditions, 41 Mean-

while in Kuwait in 1916, a strong, handsome and comfortable
mission house had been put up to house Dr. Mylrea and his

family, and the following year a house was built for the Cal-

_
verley 3. 42 In 1922 a girl's school was founded in Bahrain and

in 1931 an evangelical church was erected in Kuwait. Thus, at

all the Mission stations, land was being purchased, buildings

put up and the Mission work carried out with energy and dedi­
&
cation.4^

One of the most important developments of the post­

war period scoured in New York rather than in the field. In

1924, finally recognizing what was already a fait accompli,

the Reformed Church Board of Foreign Missions finally granted

official recognition to the Arabian Mission and amalgamated

it to the Board of Foreign Missions. 44 Thus, by their own

efforts and determination the "First Pioneers" had been able

to launch an independent mission in an area previously con­

sidered unreachable, and through the dedicated efforts of a

few teachers, doctors and preachers finally gained acceptance