This temporary church was opened in May, 1829, and in the following month, after very careful examination, six candidates for baptism were selected from among the inquirers.  Speaking of these converts Robert Moffat said, “It was truly gratifying to observe the simplicity of their faith, implicitly relying on the atonement of Christ, of which they appeared to have a very clear conception, considering the previous darkness of their minds on such subjects.”

They were baptised on the first Sabbath in July, a large number of spectators from the neighbouring towns, and a party of Griquas, being present.  In the evening the missionaries, the new disciples, and a Griqua, twelve in all, sat down to the Lord’s table.  In connection with this event an interesting anecdote is related showing the strong faith of Mary Moffat!

On one occasion, some time before this event, when all seemed dark, her friend Mrs. Greaves of Sheffield had written to Mary Moffat kindly inquiring if there was anything of use which she could send.  The reply returned was, “Send us a communion service, we shall want it some day.”  Communication between the Kuruman and England was tardy then, and before an answer came to her letter the darkness increased, and the Bechwanas seemed as far from salvation as ever.  On the day preceding the reception of the first converts into the Kuruman Church, a box arrived from England, which had been twelve months on the road, and in it were found the communion vessels that Mary Moffat had asked for more than two years before.

Great as was the change, the missionaries rejoiced with trembling.  They knew that there were great prejudices to be overcome, and that the relation in which the Christians stood to their heathen neighbours would expose their faith to trial.  But they prayed and believed that He who had begun the good work would carry it on.

The change of heart speedily produced a change in dress and habits.  Those who had been baptised had previously procured decent raiment, and prepared it for the occasion with Mrs. Moffat’s assistance.  A sewing-school had hitherto been uncalled for, the women’s work having been that of building houses, raising fences, and tilling the ground; now Mrs. Moffat met those who desired to learn as often as her strength would permit, and soon she had a motley group of pupils, very few of the whole party possessing either a frock or a gown.  The scarcity of materials was a serious impediment to progress, but ornaments, which before the natives had held in high repute, were now parted with to purchase the skins of animals, which being prepared almost as soft as cloth were made into jackets, trousers, and gowns.  When a visit was paid by a trader, British manufactures were eagerly bought.

In the progress of improvement some amusing incidents occurred.  A man might be seen in a jacket with one sleeve, because the other was not yet finished; or others went about in duffel jackets with sleeves of cotton of various colours; gowns like Joseph’s coat were worn, and dresses of such fantastic shapes, that to tell the fashion of the same would have been a puzzle.