HAVING been called to this field of labor, we landed at Bocas del Toro about four weeks ago. We found the work in fair condition, although left without a laborer for about seven months after Elder Hutchins’ death. Brother Brooks, a native of the Bay Islands, standing at our left in the picture, had charge of the work here until we came. The mission building is a good one for this place.
MISSION HOUSE AT BOCAS DEL TORO
Since coming here, we have been busy visiting interested ones, holding meetings, and encouraging those who have already taken their stand for the truth. Truly there has been an awakening. We believed that the time had come when the work should be placed on a more solid basis by organizing the believers here into church fellowship. Brother Hutchins was intending to do so when sickness and death prevented. The organization took place Sabbath, March 28. Five were baptized, and others expect to be baptized next Sabbath. Twenty-one united with the church, and there will be between twenty-five and thirty members when all are taken in who are ready. They are somewhat scattered among the islands, which are very numerous, about four hundred stretching along down the coast some forty miles. We are anxious to visit these islands with the message for this time, but we find it difficult to do this without a steam launch of our own, as we can not go where we would, nor when we would, when depending upon others. We hope soon to be relieved of these disadvantages and perplexities.
Just now is a favorable time to enter these island homes with the proclamation of the truth. We find them good fields for the canvassing work. One of our brethren who has been in the truth but a short time—I was the first Adventist he ever heard preach—was induced to try canvassing. In three hours he sold $20.50 worth of books, and the next day he sold fifty dollars’ worth, Colombian money, which is equal to twenty dollars of American money. He takes the books along, and sells for cash.
There is a great work to be done here, and so few to do it as yet! When I face the situation, and realize, as I certainly do, that this work must be finished soon, I fall back on the Word of God for my confidence, and the watchword, “The Message to the World in this Generation.” We find ourselves all absorbed in the work. We brought our hearts with us when we came to work for this people. We have learned the blessed experience that wherever we are in this world, that is the best place to work. We have no country of our own; we seek one to come. The people are of a different race; it is a different country, different customs, etc.; but the work of the third angel’s message has the same true ring as it is sounded from the lips and hearts of this people that it has in the United States.
Bocas del Toro is situated on the island of Columbus. Its population is about three thousand. The principal houses, both for business and for residence, are built along the water’s edge, the back part extending out into the water a little, the front facing the street, of which there is but one principal one. The walk is in the middle of the street, as there are no horses and wagons here. Merchants deliver their goods in steam launches.
There are but few pests. We use nets over our beds, as a protection from the mosquitoes. Although this is the warmest season of the year, we have seen but three house-flies. We are told that they never come in sufficient numbers to become a pest. Staple articles are expensive here. Flour is seven dollars a barrel; butter is forty cents a pound; eggs are forty-five cents a dozen. The temperature scarcely ever goes above eighty-four degrees. All things considered , we feel that this is not a bad place in which to live. Our health was never better.
