Experiences in Bolivia by Otto H. Schulz

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 29, 1911

Experiences in Bolivia

By Otto H. Schulz

AFTER working sometime in Cochabamba with our books, I left for Oruro in midsummer, at the end of January, taking the route over the mountains. After climbing for three days, I found myself fifteen thousand feet above sea-level, in the region of perpetual snow and cold. Many times I had to cross the cold, rushing mountain streams,—sometimes from forty to sixty in a day. I had to follow a narrow path, leading along the sides of the steep mountains. Sometimes this path was not more than six inches wide. I could hear the thundering of the mountain stream hundreds of feet below, and could look down on people who seemed to be only a few inches tall. Many times I shut my eyes in order not to become dizzy, and at times I had to hold on to whatever I could grasp to keep from falling.

Along this trail one finds no houses nor shelter to protect one from the inclement weather. The mountains are perfectly bare, save for moss, which serves as food for the llamas. One day, tired, hungry, and cold, I reached an Indian hut. Stepping inside, I found a company of drunken Indians with their wives, drinking and making hideous noises blowing on cow-horns. With this noise, they kept me awake all night.

In many places the Indians are half wild, and they are very dirty and lazy. They spend their time in drinking, chewing coca, and smoking. Going on from there, I came to the town of Challa, a very fanatical place. Knowing that I was a Protestant, the people peered at me from every side. Some began to scoff and call me bad names. Three years before, as three North Americans were passing through this place, the priests stirred up the people to persecute them, because he said they were Protestants. I knew that at any moment a mob might arise against me, but I showed no fear. Stepping up to the house where the people scoffed at me, I asked: “What do you want? Do you know who I am? Please let me alone!” They seemed astonished and said no more to me, though one Indian grabbed my hat, and wanted to fight.

To impress upon the people that I had no fear, I walked up and down the main street so boldly that no one threatened me again. The Lord was on my side, and sent his angels to guard me.

The priest had told the Indians that if a gringo (foreigner) came through the town, they were to give him nothing to eat, because such were heretics. I could not even buy food. One family promised to make me a rice soup for supper, but it was never brought to me.

That night I lay upon the ground in a house, with a stone under my head, but the cold and hunger would not allow me to close my eyes. I asked God to give me food; and in a little while, a white man came to the place, knocked on the door, and brought me some food and a lighted candle. So God answered my prayer again.

In Oruro, Brother Stahl and I had difficulty with the authorities in canvassing for “Home and Health” and “Patriarchs and Prophets;” but we thank God that he has protected us up to the present. Our health is good.

We have great trouble here in keeping a place in which to live, as the Catholics will not allow us to remain in their houses when they find we are Protestants,—in their eyes, heretics. We must, therefore, move sometimes as often as every month. The owner of the house in which we now live, a very kind woman, told my wife that the bishop of Cochabamba had given orders that we must get out, because I am canvassing for religious literature. He himself bought a copy of “Home and Health,” and says it is a good book. If I would canvass for health literature only, he would have nothing against me; otherwise, we can not stay in the house. It is very hard to find rooms. The people will ask such questions as these: “Are you Protestants? Do you believe in the Virgin Mary? Do you confess to the priest? What is your work?” etc.

Two women have tried to convert my wife to the Catholic faith; but she in turn has given them lessons from the Bible, trying to point them to Jesus as our only Saviour.

I very much need a good brother whose trust is in the Lord, to accompany me in the work here. It would be a great help and strength to me when I am alone among these people, who have such a hatred against Protestants. Who will come? Who will leave his home and friends to take up the work with a struggling brother in a land where the people are in a condition that is worse than heathenism?

Bolivia needs workers to bring light and truth to lost souls, and to tell them that Jesus will soon return to this earth again. Otto H. Schulz.