p. 13 | Experiences in Cuba by Joseph Clark

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 20, 1905

Experiences in Cuba

By Joseph Clark

JOSEPH CLARK

Two years ago I came here with my family to do self-supporting missionary work, and began day-labor in a large improvement colony, conducted by American capitalists. Later I worked in the young orange groves covering one thousand acres. I have enjoyed opportunities for doing personal work.

When we came here, we could not rent a house. But we have since been blessed in buying a small house and ten acres of good land, with some orange-trees and nursery stock, on time, only paying interest, which is the same as rent. This company gives colonists the privilege of working for them just when they wish, and is very kind about the Sabbath.

The Lord has blessed all of us in selling some of our small books, Spanish and English Testaments, and Signs, and distributing several thousand pages of literature to natives and Americans. We have been permitted to do more for the American negroes here in five months than we did in the States in five years.

The Northern Baptists have begun to hold occasional meetings here. People of the different races gather in the hall, and join in singing familiar gospel hymns, and seem hungry for the word of life. I hope that we may soon have a minister located here. He could find plenty to do among the American settlements, while studying the language. This would help him to get acquainted with the work for the natives.

In business the natives are very shrewd; in their homes they are very kind and hospitable. This causes one to desire to work for them. Many can read. Wages are not so high as in the States; sugar, honey, rice, native fruits, and clothing are cheaper; flour is four cents a pound, corn two cents, beans ten cents. Two crops of corn and beans can be raised each year. Bananas, pineapples, and oranges can be raised during almost all the year.

A few middle-aged men who wish to leave the cities, and who have good health, and are not afraid of pioneer life, could work here in the country. Cuba seems to be a healthier place than the Gulf States. The language is not difficult.

While this is a very difficult field for canvassers of Protestant books, owing to low wages and high expenses, still the present looks like a providential time to at least begin the work in this long-neglected near-by field.

The dry season, from November to May, is a favorable season for people from the Northern States to enter Cuba. No bad fevers prevail. The government is actually getting our towns cleaner, from a sanitary standpoint, than are many towns in the United States.

Those coming here to do gospel work should bring books and Bibles in both English and Spanish, and be prepared to spend some time and money in this pioneer work to get it started. They should not expect to make wages.

All the large towns have a number of Americans. Several American colonies need thorough work. Those having a regular income could come here and learn the language and do good work. It costs more to farm here than it does in the States. Do not expect perfection in Cuba.

I believe there is considerable property among our people that is not being made use of, as rings, jewelry, town lots, farms, etc., which, if sold now while we can sell, and used to start a work in needy mission fields, would result in the salvation of precious souls. Brother, sister, do you want to help some Cuban to be freed from sin? The work is the Lord’s. If he impresses you to do something, do not say No. Our time to work is becoming shorter.