p. 16 | The Bolivia Mission by J. W. Westphal

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jul 11, 1907

The Bolivia Mission

By J. W. Westphal

J. W. WESTPHAL

The last republic of our South American field is now being definitely and permanently entered by the third angel’s message. Repeatedly we have announced that laborers would go to Bolivia to open up the work; but for one reason or another, our plans aborted. But now this republic is set off as a separate mission field, with Elder Eduardo Thomann as its director. Brother Juan Pareira, who is now there on a short missionary trip, will assist Brother Thomann.

About the year 1900, Brother Pareira made the first visit to Bolivia, in the interest of the third angel’s message. While endeavoring to spread the truth, he was, through the instigation of the priests, arrested, and sentenced to be executed. A lawyer, and a judge who is still interested in the truth, became interested in him, and with some work secured his release. He left for Chile, and Bolivia was again without a laborer or representative of the message. At a later time Brethren Thomann and Escobar made a visit to Bolivia, taking many subscriptions for the Senales de los Tiempos, and scattering much literature. Since his tragic experience, Brother Pareira has made trips to this republic. Thus the two appointed for that field know something about the situation and the difficulties to be met. Elder Thomann volunteered his services for Bolivia, and the fact that Brother Pareira is there now voluntarily on his third visit, despite his hard experiences, shows that he has a heart for service.

Up to about a year ago, the public preaching of the gospel was prohibited. This is now changed, and religious liberty is granted. The people are said to be mild in disposition; but, under the influence of the priests, who still exercise great power over them, they are exceedingly fanatical, and the days of danger in the proclamation of the truth are not yet past. We are thankful for this protection of the law, and glad that we can follow so quickly the Lord’s opening providence.

This will be one of our most difficult fields. It has no seacoast, and is thus cut off from immediate touch with the world. This may be one reason why it is one of the last republics to proclaim liberty. The populated part is an elevated plateau of from twelve to thirteen thousand feet above the sea. The winters are dry and cold, while the summers are not very warm, but wet. The soil is sand, and vegetation is scarce. The domestic animals are sheep and goats and llamas. Foods are necessarily not plentiful, and the varieties, few. The people are ignorant and superstitious. Only one hundred thousand of its one million five hundred thousand inhabitants can read at all. It is at this altitude, and surrounded with these conditions, that these brethren will have to do their work. They have not sought an easy job. There are no Sabbath-keepers, but several are interested. We would ask our brethren to remember this new mission in their prayers.