p. 15 | La Paz, Bolivia by W. O. Cluff

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 1, 1914

La Paz, Bolivia

By W. O. Cluff

Knowing that our people in the home land are anxiously waiting to hear from those who recently left for their respective fields of labor, I shall report from Bolivia.

At Jamaica we left about half our company — Brother and Sister Wellman, Brethren Aalborg and Furnival, and Sister Johnson, the mother of Sister Aalborg. We spent the day at the home of Brother Wellman, which was an agreeable change from the seasickness which we had suffered thus far on our journey.

The next morning we left Jamaica for Colon, arriving there August 25. Here we took the train to cross the isthmus, seeing a large part of the canal.

That night we left Balboa on the "Guatemala" to sail down the west coast. After sailing seven days we reached Callao, Peru, where we had the pleasure of meeting the brethren of that field. We passed several pleasant hours discussing the work, both in South America and in the home land. Here we transferred to another ship to continue our journey down the coast to Mollendo, which ended our sea voyage. Mollendo is known as one of the worst harbors in the world, but after much difficulty we were safely landed.

We had much trouble with our baggage, not being accustomed to do business with the natives; but Brother Westphal came ashore with us and helped us out of our trouble, for we could not speak a word with the people. Finally, with much running about and discussion, we succeeded in getting right prices, which were in great contrast to the rates the natives asked us in the first place. We then were delayed because of the customhouse officials. This necessitated our having to stop overnight in Mollendo.

The following day we began our long journey up the Andes, reaching Arequipa in the evening, where we were met by Brother Brooks. It was indeed a pleasure to meet a brother of like faith in this place; and we shall always remember the kind entertainment he gave us. The next morning we continued our journey up to Puno, where our Indian mission is located. At this point we realized what "high altitude" means,—headache, nausea, and faintness. We had expected to meet Brother Stahl at this point, but the telegram did not reach him in time.

Arriving at Puno, we had to change for a steamer waiting to take us across Lake Titicaca, the highest lake of its size in the world, its elevation being 12,599 feet. On board we met the assistant superintendent of the Bolivian Railroad, who showed us many courtesies, and asked us if we were not the persons that Mr. Stahl was expecting. Receiving an answer in the affirmative, he could not praise Brother Stahl's work enough. You may be sure we rejoiced to hear our work so highly recommended by a man of the world. He gave us to understand that the Seventh-day Adventist mission was considered by him and others in La Paz the only one that was doing a good work for the Indians.

On arriving at Guaicho, the Bolivian port of Lake Titicaca, we were met by Dr. Foster, an American missionary, who greeted us cordially, prophesying success for our work. On leaving Guaicho, a few hours' travel by rail brought us to the Alto of La Paz. Looking down some five hundred feet, our gaze rested upon a beautiful city situated in a deep basin. Our hearts beat faster at the thought of meeting our colaborers in the field. Though the station was full of people, it did not take long to recognize one another, and the meeting was one we shall never forget. These dear laborers, who have been praying so long for help and working so faithfully under such hard and trying circumstances, made us feel at home at once.

On leaving the station for our mission home, many strange sights met our gaze. A city of colors it could rightly be named. Indians walking through the streets with their many-colored blankets, the chola women in their fancy shawls, and the solemn black dress of the true Bolivian men and women, all served to increase our interest in our field of labor.

Three weeks have passed, and our time has mostly been taken up in becoming accustomed to our new surroundings, and in making furniture out of the boxes in which our goods were packed, an economy which we found necessary on account of high prices. Also within this time I spent five days in bed with the characteristic "mountain sickness."

The prospect of the work strikes us as tremendous. We had been here only a few days when Sister Wightman was called out on a case, and now a call has come for Mrs. Cluff and Sister Stahl, and only today I was asked to go into the interior city of Cochabamba to help out in a typhoid epidemic.

We praise the Lord for these openings. They greatly encourage us, and our prayer is that we may continue in health and strength, and be able to answer the appeals that come to us. W. O. CLUFF.