Ecuador, South America
By Thomas H. Davis
SINCE the first of the year we have moved to Ambato nearly two hundred miles from Guayaquil, in the mountains. Here the climate is much cooler and there is no fever. The people generally in the interior are much more fanatical than those on the coast. Monday is dia de feria, or market day here in Ambato. On that day thousands of people, mostly Indians, bring in their produce. On one of these days I was out selling our books and papers. Several said they would like to burn them. One woman took the New Testament away from her husband who was going to buy it, and threw it on the ground. Another day when I was out, a man threw my book into the street, and said he would like to kill me. One woman spat at me because I was not a Christian, so she said. While the lower class are very fanatical, some of the more intelligent ones are buying the books and papers to investigate the truth. Yesterday I made a trip by horse to Pilileo, a town some twelve miles from here where the Lord gave me favor with the people, and I was able to put into their hands three copies of “Christ Our Saviour,” three “Gospel Primers,” three Testaments, and sixty Senales. We are sending for a thousand Senales a month this year to use in missionary work. Elder Casebeer has begun a small English school for children in Ambato. We were hoping by the time the school started some one would come from the States to take charge of it, but as yet no one has come, so Brother Casebeer will be somewhat tied down until relief comes, and he has a chance to go from place to place as an interest is awakened. My intentions are to work the surrounding towns from here this winter while the hot weather lasts on the coast, then go back there to follow up the work. While up here this winter I want to take present truth into the capital, Quito. Let us pray the Lord to send more laborers into the needy field.