Caracas, Venezuela by S. A. OBERG

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 8, 1915

Caracas, Venezuela.

By S. A. OBERG

S. A. OBERG

At the time I mailed my last report, I sent my wife and our babes to Trinidad. Only five months before I had gone down so light-hearted to welcome them, and now, with a heart that felt like lead as I sent them away, I returned to my work, but it seemed that my heart went to sea with them. [Sister Oberg was forced to leave Venezuela to obtain needed medical help.] Four weeks have passed since then, and, praise the Lord, I have not known where the time has gone, so rapidly has it flown.

Just before my wife went, a shipment of “Practical Guide” (Spanish) arrived. I had no canvass for it, so set to work to improvise one, and at the same time began a canvassers’ institute for two Trinidad Spanish-speaking men, who were recently baptized. We spent eight days together, then went to work.

BRETHREN MAXWELL AND STAUFFER HELPING INDIANS ON THEIR CHAPEL AT LANCA, PERU, ON THE WESTERN SLOPE OF THE ANDES MOUNTAINS

I also started to work in La Guaira, our port town, because in that town a minister and his wife are very much interested in the truth, and while with them I could begin canvassing. During the week, I spoke twice in his church; and as for the book work, I took $106 worth of orders, at the same time collecting over $42 on subscriptions for the Spanish magazines. Last Monday I had my delivery there. I occupied the pulpit again the Sunday night previous. The entire congregation is interested and asking questions. I delivered $95 worth of the orders taken, making $137 total receipts for the week’s work.

Two or three incidents stand out prominently in the week’s work. I had in my possession a letter from Brother Cornforth’s wife that she had written to Trinidad, asking to have the Venezuela missionary look up her father, Mr. A. H. Kell. I inquired after him, and found him a busy English engineer in charge of the big harbor corporation. He was anxious to hear from his daughter, and especially glad to meet me because I could tell him of her. As he has a Spanish wife and family, I took the opportunity of making him acquainted with our work, in which he was much interested, so much so that he subscribed for our three papers, and took the medical book besides, paying me $6.25 in cash for the order. Later I met his wife, and while visiting with her, she wanted to know how it was that I came to look for her and Mr. Kell. I explained that although I had not seen her daughter, yet by being members of the church and body of Christ her interests become mine, and mine hers, so that as soon as I knew that her parents were in La Guaira near me, I at once made it my business and pleasure to become acquainted with my sister’s father and mother. This seemed to touch her heart. As I was leaving, she said, “Don’t forget your mother lives in La Guaira, and you must come to see her often.”

[Since receiving this article, word has come that Sister Oberg must leave Trinidad, where she hoped help might be afforded while her husband labored awhile alone in Venezuela. It is quite probable both of them, with their children, are now on their way to the States. Sister Oberg is suffering from a tropical disease that can be relieved only in a colder climate.—T. E. BOWEN.]