ANSWER:
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Christian missionaries in East Africa were faced with various problems which clipped their activities at times. These include:
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They faced the problem of language barrier. This
was because East Africa had a multiplicity of languages
hence rendering communication between the missionaries and the
local people very difficult.
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There was a problem of the influence of Islam.
Arabs being the first group of people to arrive at the coast and
interior had deep rooted Islam into the people thus making it
difficult for the people to easily adopt Christianity. For
example, by the time Sir Edward Frere arrived in East Africa
(1873) Rebmann had only 6 converts.
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Existence of tropical diseases was yet another
problem faced by the Christian missionaries. Tropical diseases like
malaria, small pox, claimed many missionary lives thus making
progress in their activities very difficult since they could be
left very few in numbers.
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Another hardship was caused by geographical
barriers. These included hilly areas, rivers, lakes and forests.
These hindered their free movement to various places thus a threat
to their activities.
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Divisions and quarrels between various missionary
groups for example Catholics versus Protestants was a hindrance to
their activities. This could create divisions and biases among the
believers thus weakening their capacity to convert more converts.
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Poor transport was a hindrance to the missionary
activities in East Africa. This was due to undeveloped roads at the
time to help in the movement of missionaries from one place to
another.
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Presence of hostile tribes in East Africa
was also a problem that faced Christian missionaries. The Nandi
and Masai who believed that strangers were not supposed to pass
via their land could attack and kill many missionaries thereby reducing
their numbers compared to the increasing number of converts.
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The presence of wild animals was also a threat to
the missionary activities in East Africa. Man enters in
Tsavo National Park consumed and threatened many whites. This
clipped their activities at times.
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The missionaries faced the problem of lack of
supplies. They for example lacked enough money, accommodation and
drugs. This was because they originated from very far (Europe)
thus making it difficult for them to have full time and constant
supplies. Such put their lives at risk and could sometimes lead to
death.
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The Christian missionaries faced the problem of
stiff contradiction and rivals between European missionaries and
traditional Africans. Customs like polygamy, satanic worship, etc
were deep rooted into African communities which proved a threat
for the missionaries to successfully uproot them.
The missionaries made their work
difficult by involving in politics and judicial systems which were
beyond spiritual jurisdiction. Local leaders could misinterpreted them
as political rivals and organize their masses for resistance against
missionary activities.
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