p. 9 | What Nurses Can Do in South America by John V. Maas

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 31, 1910

What Nurses Can Do in South America

By John V. Maas

JOHN V. MAAS

Almost from the beginning of our association with the work in South America, we have believed that the medical missionary branch would be most effective among these people, since they are very suspicious of any doctrine except the Catholic confession. So it is unnecessary to say we were made glad by the news that five trained nurses were coming, of whom two were allotted to Uruguay.

The writer at once went to Montevideo, to arrange for their services in that city, the capital, in which live one fifth of the inhabitants of the republic, with no representative of this message.

At our general meeting held January 28 to February 4 we were happily surprised by the arrival of Sister Fannie Brockman and Sister Kerr, who said they would join us in Uruguay. It was, however, deemed best for them to attend our training-school in Argentina for three months, to study the language. After a time, they accompanied Brother Hammerly, a trained nurse from Gland, Switzerland, and his family, to the city of Montevideo. The way has opened for them, and they have been recommended from one house to another to relieve the sick.

One day a rich estanciero (a man who owns a large tract of land) came to the city, from a distance of nearly two hundred miles, to find a good nurse to care for a case of smallpox. Miss Kerr accepted the call, having been recommended by friends of the man. While there two more came down with this disease. But the good Lord gave strength for the service, and blessed with healing. Thus in every case the people have interested themselves more or less in the truths we believe.

Just yesterday a brother came to my house who had passed a night at the neighbors of this estanciero, who told him that a young lady in the estancia was greatly interested in the truth. The people, however, have been very reserved, owing to the prejudice that exists. But the Christian example has been

most effective. Already we have been urged by persons from other cities to open this work, they promising their help and influence. Ladies are more sought as nurses than gentlemen. It might be said that Sisters Kerr and Brockman have been more than self-supporting since they began labor here, in spite of a strange language in a strange country with a strong opposing element. We hope others, for the love of humanity, will deem it a privilege to leave home land and friends to seek and save that which is lost. This field is white for the harvest.

Montevideo.