The Needs of the Indian Mission Work
By F. A. Stahl
Elder F. A. Stahl, of the Indian mission in Peru, writes from La Paz, the capital of Bolivia:— “This year we have opened a mission for the Indians here in La Paz, as we have in this city sixty thousand Aymara Indians. We combine the medical and the school work with the gospel, and have found this way very successful. “This Indian work will connect in a way with our Indian work on the shores of Lake Titicaca, as the Indians living there come to La Paz to find a ready market for their produce. In this way also the message will be carried between these two mission stations. We need more workers to help care for these interests. “We need an industrial farm,—this has been under consideration in Bolivia for the past three years,—a place where we can educate the Indians and at the same time benefit the mission by the work done. The fact is, we believe that such a farm in the right place will be a strong factor in making this work self-supporting. “Besides, such a place at a low altitude would keep up the health of the workers. They could get a change and at the same time be working. There is so much work to attend to that we do not like to leave the field for a change. There are other cities at a lower altitude where one might go for a change, but as there are no railroad connections it is hard to get to them. Since opening our mission for the Indians here in La Paz, an Indian who attended our first meeting told us of a fine farm, only one day from La Paz, which could be bought for six thousand dollars. This farm is at an altitude of seven thousand feet—just the thing—and has a temperate climate. “Prices are very high for produce at all times of the year. For example, potatoes are from $3.20 to $5 a bushel, and everything else accordingly. So I repeat that if we had such a place, it would be a paying investment, and especially would it pay by preserving the health of the workers. We are praying and hoping that the necessary amount can be sent us from the General Conference so that we can buy this place at once; for at this very time all the workers that are in Bolivia need just such a change as this industrial farm would afford.”