p. 14 | Guadalajara, Mexico by Grace White

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 5, 1914

Guadalajara, Mexico

By Grace White

GRACE WHITE

At the recent meeting of the conference committee I was sent to Guadalajara to see what I could do in evangelical work in this city where our work was started in Mexico. We have a nice little chapel, but a very small congregation. These few members are of good courage, and are fervently praying for laborers to be sent into this harvest field. The week of prayer was a season we felt did us good. The attendance by our people was almost perfect, and there were nearly always interested visitors. The last Sabbath the offering was about seventy pesos.

We have treatment rooms in the same block in which the chapel is located. There is a fair amount of patronage, considering that no attempt is made to get patients, as there is no one to look after them. Dr. Alice Swayze is able to be there only two or three hours in the mornings, and there is only one nurse, a Mexican woman, who is quite efficient, and who has stayed by the work very faithfully.

The people like the water treatments because they can see the good results so soon, and they recommend them to others. From what I have seen, I am sure that a good doctor with two proficient nurses — a man and a woman — would soon have all he could do. And it would pay financially, too, for these people almost invariably bring the price of the treatment. The results I long to see,

however, are the opportunities that would come to give the truth to them.

Although this is a very strong Catholic place, yet those who have been helped are ready to listen to those who help them. I go to the treatment rooms several times a week, and I have thus had chances to visit with some and to give out tracts, and am even giving Bible readings to one patient. One man told me he would like to learn to cure the people, for he feels such a longing to help them. He is a Christian and seems sincere. He comes to our meetings occasionally, and we hope to get him to study our literature. At present he is teaching in a neighborhood town, and comes to Guadalajara only when in need of treatments. The town where he is seems to be malarial, and doubtless he sees much suffering. Thus it appears there would be plenty of openings to give the message if only we had "the entering wedge."

When I think of the many in the homeland who might "come over into" Mexico "and help us," when I think of there being only one minister in all this republic who can marry and baptize, and of the people who desire those rites,—and, because of lack of laborers, some of them die without having their plans carried out,—then I wonder how long it will be until our prayers for help will be answered.

There is need of ministers, canvassers, doctors, nurses, Bible workers, and teachers in all parts of this country. It is true, conditions are rather unsettled in some places, but as yet none of our people have suffered because of those things, nor have we felt that the Lord would have us move to easier places. The work must be done though the times are "troublous." We can see how God is protecting his work and favoring his workers. The message must be given to this people also. We know there are honest hearts in Mexico, those who long for the truth, and we feel sure they will be given the chance to obey it. Who wants to share in the work that he may have a right to the reward? Who will say, "Here am I; send me"?