It has been some time since we have reported through the REVIEW the progress of the work in this country. Sometimes we who are in the mission fields get so interested in our duties that we almost forget that we owe a duty to our brethren in the home land. Since the time of our camp-meeting held in the Bay Islands in March, we have been working hard to press the message onward into new countries, and reach the dark places in our territory.
In May we moved the headquarters of the conference from Belize, British Honduras, to the present location, Guatemala City. We are now in the very heart of darkened Catholic Central America. Here is the nucleus of the superstitions that have made slaves of the countries over which Rome has held sway.
VILLA BLANCA AND THE MISSION WORKERS, GUATEMALA CITY
The Lord went before us in entering this country, and in locating in this city, which is the capital of the republic, as well as the largest city in Central America. We have rented, as mission headquarters, a large house in the best part of the city. In locating here we have endeavored to place ourselves in a position where we could have an influence with the wealthier class as well as with the poorer. This good location has been a help to us in accomplishing this object. We have a company of workers here now, but the mission house is large enough for us all to live in. The accompanying picture is of the mission house, known as Villa Blanca.
This is a very delightful country to live in; the climate is perfect, neither too hot nor too cold. One can wear heavy clothing the year round, or wear light clothing with comfort. Practically every kind of fruit and vegetable is grown here, and they can be had the year round.
Our work in this city, of course, will move slowly at first. There must be a seed-time before a harvest, and now we are in the seed-time in this republic. Yet the Lord has wonderfully opened the way for us to reach the people. He has told us that in many of the dark places of the earth the way is being opened for the quick advance of this message. When we thought of entering this republic, we had in mind opening a school here for our young people in this conference, and making it a missionary factor by admitting outside pupils.
To open such a school one would have to get a permit from the government; and this would not be the easiest thing, as these people are not very favorably inclined toward mission work. After coming here we met an American missionary who has been conducting an English mission school in this city for six years. On account of failing health and overwork, she desired to sell the school to some mission society. A mission society here tried to buy it some time ago, but she did not sell to them.
However, from the first, she has wanted to sell to us, because, she said, she felt we would carry on the work that she had been trying to do. She seems to have been well acquainted with our work in Michigan. Almost as soon as we spoke of buying, the other missionaries tried to influence her not to sell to us, saying it would be a “terrible thing” for us to get started here. After praying much over the matter, and counseling with others, we decided that it would be a good opening for us. From the first, we have felt that the Lord was in this matter, but it means a great deal to take over a school like this, not having the money to buy, nor having the teachers to carry on the work. Yet we have taken hold of the promises of God, and on the tenth of September we closed the deal for the Guatemala English School. In all, we pay four hundred dollars for the school. This includes desks for seventy pupils, tables, chairs, maps, and such supplies as go with a school. The influence that the school has gained in the past six years we felt would be worth a great deal to us. The enrolment at present is about fifty, and these are of the best class in the city. The president of Guatemala has shown the school many favors in the past. There is no reason why it should not be12self-supporting with good management. It has been in the past, and we believe that it will be in the future. The Lord has sent us teachers sufficient to carry on the work for a time (with the music teacher we now have four), but we need three hundred dollars to finish paying for the school property. We paid one hundred dollars down.
If there are those who would like to help start this school, the offering would be greatly appreciated at this time. We have walked out by faith in buying this school, but we are sure that when the Lord makes an opening like this, he has also somewhere the means to pay for it. It is true that at this writing we do not know where the money is coming from to finish paying for this school, but it will come; of that we are
sure. Any one wishing to help in this work, may remit to the writer by New York draft, addressed Box 218, Guatemala City, Central America. Be sure to get a duplicate draft, as we frequently have trouble getting money that has been sent to us through the mails.
We are now teaching in the school in connection with the old teachers, in order to get the confidence of the patrons. January 1 we shall take full charge, as the new term begins then. We are now getting out the calendar for 1909, and will be glad to send it to any who wish to see how a mission school can be carried on in a Catholic country.
The work is onward throughout our conference. We have just concluded a two months’ trip through Honduras and the Bay Islands, which was attended with the Lord’s blessing. One church was organized in Ruatan, and a new church building dedicated at Coxen Hole, where the camp-meeting was held last spring.
The conference is now having a gasolene launch built in Ruatan for our work along the coast and through the islands. It is thirty-two feet long and eight feet beam. The work will be much better organized in this field when this boat is in operation. We have been able to raise nearly all the money needed to build it without calling for donations from any one.
We rejoice to see the progress of the message in all the world, as it is an omen to us that the work is almost finished, and we can soon lay down the burdens and meet with friends and loved ones in the new earth: Remember the work here in your prayers, and work while you pray.
