The Bolivia Mission by W. O. CLUFF

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Aug 13, 1914

The Bolivia Mission

By W. O. CLUFF

W. O. CLUFF

Our regular weekly trip to the alta (high above La Paz) headquarters of our Bolivia Mission, is a very interesting one. We rise at 4 A. M., saddle our horses, and start on our way before daylight.

Recently with Luciana Chambia, our Indian worker, we started as usual, reaching the top of the mountain about 7 A. M. The mountain is about one thousand feet high, with a very abrupt rise. We walked part of the way as it is a hard climb for the animals. From the top, one can see estancias (villages) jotted here and there for miles around.

We reached the first village at 8 A. M., and were informed by an Indian that there was to be a feast in the next village, and that all the people in the four estancias we intended to visit were going to attend. I felt that it was unfortunate that we should have taken that day to go; for every one who can possibly walk goes to these feasts. They are feasts of the Catholic Church, where all get intoxicated before the day is over. We found Indians selling alcohol inside the churchyard, dancing and drinking, dressed in gayly spangled clothes made for the occasion, and with long flowing false hair. When we realize that all this is done in the name of the Lord, we can understand how much effort we as a people should put forth for these poor ignorant Indians. How my heart ached for them! I could not tell them how wrong it was to connect the dear Saviour with such feastings, because I could not speak the language.

After treating several sick persons, we rode over near the church, and here we met the chief of the village, whose daughter I had treated some time before. He came up to me and shook my hand heartily. I told him through my interpreter that I wished to take a picture of his people dancing. It is very hard to get pictures of these feasts, for the Indians do not wish to be published broadcast in this manner, the picture showing them all in their drunken revelry. I feared he would refuse me, but I suppose because of the help I was giving his Indians he got those together who were dressed for the occasion, and I obtained some very interesting pictures [two of which accompany this article].

As we were about to go, an Indian came to us asking, “Señor doctor, won’t you please go to a sick woman who has been stabbed?” She was in another village two miles farther on, one we had

never visited. I told him we would go if he would guide us there, as it is very hard to find the houses by direction.

I found the woman very sick, with a gash three inches long under her arm, and one in her breast five inches long and very deep. The wounds had been inflicted three days before, so that the flesh could not be drawn together. After removing the filthy clothes and bandages, I washed and cleansed the wounds, re-bandaging them, and left her feeling more comfortable. The deep wound had started to suppurate, and if it had been left much longer there would have been considerable trouble in getting it to heal.

COSTUMES OF INDIANS ATTENDING DRUNKEN CHURCH FESTIVAL

These, dear brethren, are the conditions we find among these people. On other trips I make, I find many cases equally as bad. Many get well in a very short time. The Lord is indeed guiding in a wonderful manner; for some of the cases I have seem to me almost impossible to cure, but they get well. I am realizing more and more that my Father in heaven is with me daily, directing my hands and giving me wisdom to do that which I of myself could never accomplish. The medical work in these fields calls for consecrated men and women; and it is my prayer that God will keep me faithful so that his presence will be with me daily. For what could I do alone?

We cared for fifteen persons on this trip—not so many as the week before, but we can see the work growing. The great need now is to get the language, for through the medical work the way is opening to tell the people the great message for this time. We are using all our spare time in studying Spanish. While on these long trips, I take my New Testament in Spanish and English and study while in the saddle. This I find an excellent plan, reading God’s Word and translating it into the language of the people for whom we are laboring.

BOLIVIAN ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
WHERE FESTIVAL WAS HELD — BOLIVIAN ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH WHERE FESTIVAL WAS HELD