Colombia by J. B. Stuyvesant; Carrie Stuyvesant

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Mar 2, 1905

Colombia

By J. B. Stuyvesant; Carrie Stuyvesant

St. Andrews Island.—Doubtless many of our friends will be glad to learn of our safe arrival on St. Andrews Island, to take up the work which Brother Smith and his wife were obliged to leave about a year ago.

The Lord’s hand was manifest throughout our journey, protecting and helping us. When every way was so hedged up as to make it seem impossible for us to go, he enabled us, in a most unexpected manner, to dispose of our little home, and provided us with the funds for transportation, and then led us safely past many difficulties and dangers, to our destination.

We left Lamar, Mo., at 10 P. M., October 3, arriving at Tupelo, Miss., about noon the next day. Here we had to wait about eleven hours for our train to Mobile. But, expecting this delay, we had brought with us about two hundred packages of tracts, each package containing several tracts treating upon some of the most important truths for the time, and while we waited, little May and Paul helped me place them in the homes of the people. We reached Mobile the next morning, and after an exceedingly hot day and restless night there, bade adieu to our native land, about 10 A. M., October 6, on the steamship “Fort Gaines.” We very unexpectedly met an old friend in Mobile, who accompanied us to our steamer, and there prayed with us, which did us much good.

The sea and weather were very calm,—so we were told,—but there was sufficient pitch and roll to rob the voyage of most of its pleasure, after we had enjoyed the fresh air and beautiful water for a few hours. After one good meal at the table, all of us except Paul abandoned it until the last day out, and spent most of our time trying to nurse one another.

We were all glad when we reached Bocas del Toro, Panama, early Tuesday, the eleventh. Elder and Mrs. Knight met us in their little launch, and took us to the mission, where we stayed almost three weeks, waiting for a vessel to carry us the rest of our way, a journey of about two hundred miles north and a trifle east.

While waiting there, we had the privilege of visiting the Bellevue church, which is built out in the water in the lagoon, and which is reached principally by boat, though there is also a path bridged out from the shore.

Here we found a fine company of earnest, happy brethren and sisters, who gave us a most hearty welcome. It was grand to hear them sing. We enjoyed several good meetings with the Bocas church, and visited a number of our dear people on the various keys, by means of the launch. That is the only means of conveyance there, as it is water everywhere. One end of many of the houses in Bocas is built over the water. The warm welcome we received did us good. We were glad to notice that our brethren here possessed the real Advent spirit and love of the truth.

When we had to wait so long for a boat to St. Andrews, we were inclined to regret that we had not started a week earlier, and so have caught one of two little schooners that had sailed a few days before our arrival at Bocas; but when we arrived here, after another five days of seasickness, and learned that those vessels were both becalmed and drifted about fourteen days, part of the time without either food or water, we were certain that the Lord had helped us decide the day of our departure.

The next vessel after the one we came on was also becalmed, and part of the time without water, requiring twenty-one days for her trip. We had to come in the most unseaworthy of them all, but were becalmed only one day, and arrived in five days.

The dear ones here, who have been so long without help, were delighted to see us come. The little company was nearly discouraged, and some have left the Lord’s service. But we have had the joy of seeing some fruit gathered in, for which we are truly thankful. During the week of prayer, five of the students took a stand for the Lord, and one back-slider returned to the fold.

Our school is small, but is doing excellent work, under Mrs. Stuyvesant’s guidance, and we trust will be a means of salvation to others.

I have canvassed some, with fair success, but it is almost impossible to get the people to attend any meeting but their own.

A Baptist preacher first introduced the gospel into this island when most of the people were slaves. During his lifetime he had, and his successor now has, almost as full control of the people here as the pope ever had in Rome, and many who would like to attend our services are afraid of the church officers. A few are coming quite regularly, however, to our Sunday night meetings, and are interested in the studies in Daniel and on the signs, and our own little company is being strengthened, and seems anxious to hear and obey the whole truth for this time.

Elder Knight accompanied us here, but could not remain. We expect another visit from him on his return from the States, and hope to be able to organize a small church at that time. We are glad to be here. We like the people and the place, and are certain that we are just where the Lord wants us, and so feel confident of victory in him. Remember us before the throne.

J. B. and Carrie Stuyvesant.