I. KALBERMATTEN by I. Kalbermatten

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 14, 1911

I. KALBERMATTEN

By I. Kalbermatten

Bolivia

LA PAZ.—I am glad of the privilege of sending a few lines to the REVIEW in regard to the work here in Bolivia. About seven months ago, my wife and I were sent to this field from Argentina by the South American Union Conference. Since arriving, we have been associated in the work with Brother and Sister F. A. Stahl. There is much work to be done here. Until a few years ago, the message of the soon coming of the Lord was not known in this country. We find it very slow work to get these people to understand and accept the message. Though we enjoy complete religious freedom here, fanaticism reigns supreme.

La Paz, the capital city of Bolivia, has seventy thousand inhabitants, fifty thousand of whom are native Indians, and nearly all unable to read. They speak the Aymara language, and very few of them can speak the Spanish. Several months ago, Brother Stahl and I began to hold meetings for the Indians, gathering them together in one of the parks. For some time we had an attendance of from fifty to eighty. Brother Stahl presented to them the evil effects of alcohol and cocaine, showing the importance of being free from these vices in order to be prepared for the soon coming of Christ. Notwithstanding we had to speak to them through an interpreter, they listened with much interest.

Not only the Indians attended our meetings, but also a number of educated persons. Among these was one lady, a widow, who seemed to be honest and to fear God. This woman soon offered to help in our work. As we were then in the rainy season, and it often rained at the time we wished to hold our meetings, she offered the use of her large new house, situated near the place where we held our meetings, whenever it rained.

After these meetings had continued about a month, the priests warned the Indians against listening to “those deceivers and heretics,” and as a result, the poor Indians soon stopped attending our meetings. But the work we had done had not been in vain. The lady in whose house we held the meetings is now a faithful observer of the Sabbath, and is rejoicing in the soon coming of Christ. As she is a person who has considerable influence, she is a great help to us in proclaiming the message in this city. Already several are studying the truth with her.

A number are also reading our books and papers with interest. The most of my time is occupied in colporteur work with periodicals and books, and visiting the interested ones. Although I am not a nurse, I have had the privilege of taking care of a typhoid-fever patient for twenty-two days; and thanks to our Heavenly Father, he is now well again.

Brother and Sister Stahl are well known, and recognized in this city as very successful nurses. Sometimes calls come from places a day’s ride by train from here. My wife and I will soon be left alone in this city, as Brother and Sister Stahl are to take up their new duties among the Indians in Peru, where already there are about one hundred who are keeping the Sabbath. Our prayer is that God may also bless their work where they are going.