Brazil by A. B. Stauffer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 10, 1907

Brazil

By A. B. Stauffer

AVARÉ.—It is now more than two weeks since we came to this place. I delayed writing until we should be permanently located, but for lack of means we could not take any land.

AVARÉ is a nice town of about four thousand inhabitants, mostly Brazilians. The people are very friendly to us. Besides ourselves, there is only one German family here. About two miles from town lives an American family, whose members are also very friendly, and like to read our papers. The mother and three of the children visited us last Sabbath.

The Protestant churches have no foothold at this place yet; so this, as all territory west from here, is an entirely new field for missionary effort. By living the truth, we hope we can do something toward giving this message to this people. Not far west we have the Indians, who must also hear the truth.

At present we live in town, and do a little baker’s business to pay expenses. We are anxious to take land, and get permanently located. I desire to do missionary work for the Brazilians by showing them how to farm, and, if possible, make some experiments, about which I can write to our people in the States who may desire to know more about farming in Brazil.

This is not a mountainous, but rolling country, mostly cleared or burned timber land, and for general farming I think it is as good as any land I have seen in Brazil. The climate is very pleasant and healthful. To-day is the first cloudy day since we have come. There is plenty of good water.

The chief industries of the Brazilians are coffee culture and cattle and hog raising; but corn, beans, potatoes, rice, cotton, sugar-cane, peanuts, manioc, fruit, etc., do well, and bring as good prices as in the city of Sao Paulo. This is because the Brazilians do not cultivate these things to any extent. Any one knowing how to handle the plow, with some practical knowledge of cultivating the above-named products, can make money from the start. Manioc and aipim grow very well here, but

there is no mill to make farina (meal), which sells at from four to six dollars a sack. Arrowroot does equally well, and sells for a much higher price. These are plants which the ants and grasshoppers do not destroy, and one can always depend on a good crop, as it never fails, no matter whether it is a cold, rainy, or dry season.

Had I from eight hundred to one thousand dollars in cash to buy a suitable tract of land for this industry, and to put up a small farina mill, I could do well. Some fine places are offered me very cheap, where I could go in with the plow; but without money, I can not make a purchase.

While thinking what to do to get a start, the thought came to me that perhaps a brother farmer in the States, who has means, and is thinking about coming to Brazil, would be glad to help me with the needed amount, so I could go ahead, and make some profitable experiments prior to his coming. I will gladly pay interest, if I can only have the money for a few years. Seed-time begins next month, and it would be well if I had the money in hand now; but eight or ten weeks later would not be too late. This would be money well invested, that will bring returns in due time to the work in more than one way. And who can tell but that it may be pioneering the way for the message to go to the great interior of Brazil? At least it would be planting a beacon-light on the great frontier.

We are well and happy, and our trust is in Him who opened the way for us to come here, and we believe he will help us to gain a livelihood in such a way that we may be a light in this place.

A. B. STAUFFER.

Avaré, E. do S. Paulo, Brazil.