On Returning to South America by J. W. Westphal

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 30, 1909

On Returning to South America

By J. W. Westphal

My return journey from the General Conference, after some labor in the States, on the whole was very pleasant. I had some opportunities for missionary work on the way, in fact the best I ever had on any journey, and I hope that some day it may result in fruit. My wife was at Buenos Aires to meet me. After remaining there a few days, I went home, and found all well. The school has had a most prosperous year. It has been filled to overflowing, over one hundred twenty names having been registered during the year, and the regular attendance having been about one hundred. As I saw how poorly equipped we are to receive students and to prepare for a future increase, I could but wish that we might soon have the five thousand dollars promised us for this enterprise. We will, however, do what we can, and perhaps in the end it will be better for us, and for the students also, to learn the cost of institutions. The school is well organized, but the funds will not be sufficient to carry it. The conferences will have to help out very materially. We are somewhat perplexed about the future. We need now a Bible teacher. Dr. R. H. Habenicht has been the Bible teacher heretofore, but conditions now make it necessary for him to devote his whole time to the medical work. We greatly need more workers.

The sanitarium had been closed by the authorities, but before I arrived, it was reopened. Patients are again coming, and as rapidly as we have a room completed in the new building, it is filled. We are offering the people very inferior accommodations, but I hope in time this may be improved. After all, I believe that our sanitariums will not do their work in the great material advantages they offer the people, but in the help they give the needy. If this is done, they will prosper.

Comparatively little has been done in the Argentine Conference during the year; there have been so few field laborers. Some have been stationed in Buenos Aires. The work seems to be opening up in that great city. Of course the fruit comes slowly. But a good foundation is being laid, interests are being awakened, and there are prospective converts. Several have been baptized during the year.

Brother Trummer is enthusiastic in preparing canvassers for the field. Quite a number have volunteered, and I hope to see good results during the season. With reference to the other South American countries, I can not say much, since I have had but few letters; but what I learn is favorable. Peru especially seems to be doing well. Brother F. A. Stahl, of Bolivia, calls for a teacher. Brother J. V. Maas, of Uruguay, asks for two more nurses. I believe that in all cases where new missionaries are requested, there is the promise of self-support from the time the field is reached.

On my way here I stopped over in Brazil one day, and had a profitable council with the brethren there. The Lord's blessing is with them. There are perplexities to meet, but I believe they will readily overcome these. They were anxiously awaiting the return of Brother F. W. Spies.

Brother John Lipke, of Brazil, is here at our Argentine conference, and will remain with us for a short time, in the interests of the young people's work. He has a special gift and burden for this, and it is something which needs attention. Later on he will do something in this line in Brazil; in fact, he has already begun.

Brother Hartman has reached the union conference office in Buenos Aires, and is of good courage. We have just learned that Brother Novak, of Mexico, will reach Buenos Aires in a day or two, and we have written the brethren there to meet him.

J. W. WESTPHAL.