S. JESPERSSON by S. Jespersson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 2, 1906

S. JESPERSSON

By S. Jespersson

Algeria

ALGIERS.—This field is a difficult one, and the corruption is very, very great. But the message is to be preached to every nation, and we must not consider so much the difficulties themselves as how to overcome them. Our health is good, and we are glad to be here, and we praise the Lord that we have the blessed privilege of being laborers together with him. It is a great satisfaction to know that the brethren in America remember us at the throne of grace.

The weather has been unusually cold this winter, so there have not been so many tourists as in previous years. The winter season is now practically past, and erelong it will be very warm. We shall probably have to go away from here for at least two months, on account of the heat.

With the help of the Lord, we have been able to make a good beginning, and we feel encouraged in our work. We have labored quietly, so as not to arouse the spirit of prejudice before gaining a foothold. This is essential, as the Catholics have a very strong hold, and the Protestant missionaries are also against us. Several of the latter had heard of the truth before we came, and had rejected it, so they would certainly prefer not to see us here. Two Europeans are studying the truth very earnestly, and we hope they will soon take a firm stand on the Lord's side. They have been warned by the other missionaries. But as those who have warned them do not show from the Bible that we are wrong, our dear friends continue to come to us to learn more about the will of God, and we are having blessed seasons of prayer and study. Others are more or less interested.

We have also made a beginning with the medical work. As we have no establishment, and no means to get one, we give only massage and such treatments as can be administered in an ordinary room and in the homes of the patients. During the past month Mrs. Jespersson and I gave one hundred and five massages, and this month it will perhaps be a little more. This, we would say, is good, considering the fact that there are twenty masseurs in this town of about one hundred and twenty thousand inhabitants, the greatest part of whom are uncivilized. As there is a good medical college here, the doctors are very numerous, and some of them have a hard time to make their living.

We are thankful to our kind Heavenly Father for the humble beginning, and it is our earnest desire to serve him faithfully until the work is done, and Jesus comes.