p. 9 | Experiences in Ecuador by Wm. W. Wheeler

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 21, 1910

Experiences in Ecuador

By Wm. W. Wheeler

WM. W. WHEELER

Our home has been turned into a sort of hospital for persons from the United States who have come here as a last resort to be cured of tuberculosis. Besides these, we have been taking care of other sick ones. The first who came was a woman from California. She was with us seven weeks, confined to her bed all except the first four or five days. She never had made any profession of religion, but at the first was able to study, and before she died, seemed to rejoice in all she learned of the “everlasting gospel.” We believe she sleeps in Jesus. Her brother was with us, sick, for two or three weeks afterward. Another remained with us one week, and then started back to his home in Georgia. The next day another patient came. He is rallying some, but evidently his months are not many. Thus far I have been kept from attending the union conference in Argentina.

These and some others have come to Ecuador as the result of reading an article in a United States magazine to the effect that Quito is the “consumptive’s paradise,” a sure and certain, permanent cure within a year’s time, though there may be only a portion of one lung left. It seems a little strange that such a word should be sent out, for it rains much more in Quito than in this place [Ambato]. This we consider by far the better climate, but this is not nearly so beneficial as many dry parts of the United States. Many of the natives here die of

consumption. I am told that it is one of the most common diseases of the coast, and that of the many who have come to the interior with it, only two have been known to recover. The people are fearful of it. They will not have a person sick with tuberculosis in the house, if it is possible to get rid of him. Americans coming here with it are refused admittance to the hotels, or are turned out into the street in about two days, or as soon as their condition of health is learned. Just imagine yourself here, able to walk but a few steps, neither you nor your companion able to speak a word of the language, denied entrance to a hotel, and having to sit on the curbstone until some one is found who can speak in your tongue. This was the experience of the first patient who came to us. The man with us now was just about to be forcibly put out of the second hotel in which he had tried to stay, when word was brought to us. We could but say, “Bring him here”—just a little of the “Do as you would be done by.”

If those who think of coming here could realize before they start, some of the many inconveniences of this country, compared with the many conveniences of the home land, they would certainly not come here to regain lost health. As far as we ourselves are concerned, we are as happy and healthy here as we ever were anywhere. And then we have learned some valuable lessons here that we could not well have taken in the United States.

The language is coming little by little. I am happy to see that the more I get, the faster I can add to it on all sides. Bible reading is one of the fastest ways of fixing the language in the mind. I believe that in all the Spanish classes in our schools, the Bible should be made one of the class books almost from the first day.

We feel slight earthquake shocks every few weeks. From our garden we see the volcano Cotopaxi, often snow-covered, sending forth almost constantly a column of smoke. Another snow-capped volcano is seen on the other side. Two more snow-capped mountains are in sight from a hill behind the house. But it was not to view the beauties or the terrors of nature that we came. Who else will come and help warm the cold hearts with the fires of the love of Christ? I certainly hope that the Lord will have some one ready soon, who may be sent to assist us in this needy mission field.

Ambato.