Self-Supporting Missionaries for Bolivia by Ed. W. Thomann

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

Self-Supporting Missionaries for Bolivia

By Ed. W. Thomann

CONSIDERING the need and conditions of the gospel work in Bolivia, I came to the following conclusion: If some of our faithful brethren in the States who have learned trades would come down here to this dark and neglected field, they might let the light of the threefold message shine at the same time that they were earning a moderate living by working at their trades.

For instance, if three young men who know how to make brooms would come, they might locate, one in La Paz, one in Sucre, and one in Cochabamba,—three of the principal cities,—and there they could make and sell as many brooms as they would need to maintain themselves, and also give Bible studies, distribute literature, etc., and serve as backbone to the companies of believers that might gather. Brooms are imported from the States and from Chile.

They would have to bring broom-corn seed, plant it, and do the work of broom-making from the very beginning. They would not make a great business out of it, but sufficient to give them and some of the new believers that might work for them, a modest living. I would be glad to give all the necessary particulars about the country and conditions, to persons who would desire to come to labor in that way in Bolivia. And I hope there will be such.

A self-sacrificing mechanic might also do a splendid missionary work, if he would go around from one little town to another, repairing sewing-machines, etc., and at the same time give literature to those who can read, and possibly sell some books, too.

Also shoemakers, or, better said, repairers, who know how to use that kind of leather glue or paste which is made and used in the States, could get work from the best people in the cities, and have many opportunities to spread the truth. There are plenty of shoemakers here; but the most of them do very ordinary work, and as far as I know, there are none who use or know how to use glue, or even know that it is used to mend shoes.

As the Testimonies are showing that our people in the States should spread over the world, going to places where there are no Adventists, I believe that a

few would do wisely to come to Bolivia. I mean not that they would make more money, or even as much, as in the States, by working at their trades, but they would at least support themselves, and, besides, they would be witnesses for the gospel truth, and that is what the Lord requires from us all.

Ed. W. Thomann.

Casilla 7, Cochabamba, Bolivia.