Bolivia by E. W. Thomann

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 6, 1908

Bolivia

By E. W. Thomann

COCHABAMBA.—A young man whose great uncle was the late Catholic archbishop of Sucre, Bolivia, having had a talk with me in the street, came a few days afterward with three other students, and asked for Bible studies. I hung the prophetic chart on the wall, and gave them a study on Daniel 2. A few evenings afterward they came again, and we studied Daniel 7. The next time they came, they proposed the subject. So we studied about the foundation and heart of the church, and kindred subjects which they proposed. Several became convinced that Peter was neither head nor foundation, that he was not a pope, and was not infallible, and that we have to take the Bible for our instructor in matters of faith. More and more students came, so we decided to have a meeting every evening, having had none before except on Sunday afternoons.

Some evenings we have over forty students from the high school,—these are all Catholics,—and with the others who come, the attendance sometimes reaches nearly fifty. Some of these are becoming much interested. One of the students, a bright youth of about eighteen, seems to have given his heart to the Lord. He is much interested in the studies, and already some of his schoolmates have begun to call him the “Adventist.” He tells us that he is being persecuted for the truth; but he seems to be firm, though his father is a very zealous Catholic.

The evening after last Sabbath we were asked how many Adventists there are in Bolivia, and I said, “Two,—I and my wife,”—he added, “And with me there are three.” This young man speaks Spanish and Quechua, and understands also a little English. We agreed to teach him English in exchange for his teaching us Quechua; so we are studying that language, and he is in that way preparing himself to be able to read our English literature. We hope the Lord will make a useful and faithful laborer of him.

I have hope that soon we may be able to organize a Sabbath-school, and also a little company of Sabbath-keepers here at Cochabamba. The Lord is at work. He has opened the way, and he will also give the victory to this precious truth.

Brethren, pray for the work in this dark, Catholic country. It is one of the last countries entered by the message, and yet it, too, must be warned before the Lord can come.

E. W. THOMANN.