p. 275 | The South American Union Conference

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 20, 1913

The South American Union Conference

By J. W. Westphal

J. W. WESTPHAL

There are many evidences to show that the Lord is blessing his work in this field. In some respects the past year has been the most difficult we have had. There has been considerable sickness among the workers and their families. Bolivia has suffered most. All the workers have been seriously ill, most of them with typhoid fever. Brother Ramon Beltran, of Peru, a native missionary, died, while Sister A. N. Allen, Brother and Sister O. H. Maxon, and Sister W. R. Pohle have been either seriously ill or very poorly, two of them not being very well at the present time. Elder Damaso Soto and Brother and Sister C. E. Krieghoff, the latter of the Chile office, have passed trying experiences with feeble health. In Argentina Elder Luis Ernst, who has been working in the south of the republic, has lost two children with diphtheria. In their affliction the Lord has graciously sustained and comforted the parents. Mrs. Westphal, Sister Lude, Sister Kerr (matron of the school), and Sister Rojas (wife of Elder L. A. Rojas, of Paraguay) have all spent time at the sanitarium, some of them very seriously ill; and some of the nurses have been close to death’s door with typhoid fever. Sister Frances Brockman, of Uruguay, found it necessary to return to the States on account of poor health.

Even the physical blessings far outnumber these apparent evils, while our spiritual blessings have been many. The union conference was a season of great

blessing. The recent camp-meeting in Argentina was one of the best that I have ever attended. The sanitarium graduated its first class of nurses, six in number, and these will nearly all be in the field under conference employ. The sanitarium has greatly improved its condition financially. The school has had a splendid year, and eight or ten of the students have been baptized.

Since the camp-meeting in October forty-four have been baptized in Argentina, and others intend to take this step soon. In Buenos Aires the work had grown until there was a church of ninety-five. It became necessary to divide it and organize two new churches, making three in all. The interests in the city are promising. To the Indian church at Puno, Peru, eighteen have been added, making a church of sixty-two. The interest among the Indians is spreading to other localities. The work in Montevideo is growing and promises excellent results, several having accepted the truth recently. These are only a few of the more prominent blessings received.

In finances the Lord has also blessed us. In nearly every field the tithe has increased over the previous year, while the offerings also have been good. The thirteenth Sabbath Sabbath-school offering for our schools in South America was over $175 in the Diamante church. We can not report for the rest of the field as yet.

The canvassing work, under Brethren E. M. Trummer, John Lorenz, and R. B. Stauffer, has made splendid progress. It is the best year we have had, but we need more leaders. We have every reason to be greatly encouraged in our work. We ask that our brethren continue their prayers in our behalf.

Diamante, Argentina.