LD

Go ye . . . into all the world.

amasismiamiraiumessmoili

Volume 68 First Quarter, 1979 No. 1

so-

An Indian leaves
his spears
and arrows for,
the Book.
 I eneral Conference Corporation of ,Seoenth-Day /4dvenfish
South American Division
Clkii• Postal 07.1043 70000 Brasilia, DP, Bradt

To the
Sabbath School Members Around the World

Dear Brethren:

It is my privilege to once again address the members of this wonderful inter-

national institution--the Sabbath School.

Although separated by geographical boundaries, national flags, ethnic and

language differences, we are united through the ideals of the Blessed Hope and
the surety of our faith.

This unity of ideals leads us to a plan of mutual action. Consequently, the

church around the world will join together in the carrying out of the following
projects with the Thirteenth Sabbath Special Projects Offering for this quarter:

Hospital in Santa Cruz, Bolivia

The 24,000 Adventists in Bolivia unanimously request the establishment of the

medical-missionary work in their country. Although they are aware of the
challenges they face, they are convinced of the importance of the "right arm of
the message" in the finishing of God's work in their territory.

Belgrano Clinic in Buenos Aires, Argentina

The contribution of the Belgrano Clinic to the Argentine missionary strategy has
been notably outstanding. As the clinic enlarges its installations and modernize:
its equipment, it will enhance the effectiveness of the Adventist program of
penetration in the aristocratic sections of this great capital city. A portion
of the Special Projects Offering for this quarter will assist in the modernizatior
of the clinic's equipment.

Academy in the South Argentine Conference

For our Argentine brethren, Christian education is more than a simple option; it
is imperative. Thanks to its educational institutions, the work of God in the
Austral Union has cast deep roots, experienced an increase in membership, and
reached admirable denominational strength. Keeping this in mind, the members wou]
like to add another school to their chain of institutions in the southern part of
the country.

We feel certain that the S Sch.ol members around the world will contribute
generously, as in the pa offerings, advancing the projects mentioned

Wi anticip ted gratefu ness, your .rother in the Blessed Hope,

noch de Oli,eira, Pres de

South American
Your Thirteenth-Sabbath
dollars will help:

Reopen the medical

work in Bolivia

Build a new academy

in Argentina

Upgrade the Belgrano

Adventist Sanitarium
and Hospital in
Argentina
 FACTS AND FIGURES
[Sources of Information: The CBS News Almanac; Reader's Digest Almanac;
World Book Encyclopedia; The World Almanac.]
ARGENTINA (area-1,072,067 square miles). Capital—Buenos Aires.
Argentina, located in Southern South America, is the second-large.t South
American country. Its boundaries stretch four times as far as the State of
Texas. The terrain varies from subtropical lowlands to the highest peak in
the Western Hemisphere, Aconcagua. This natural tower rises to a majestic
height of 22, 834 feet. More than 60 percent of the country's land is suitable
for agriculture. However, 90 percent of cultivatable land is used for
pasturing livestock. Currently, there are two animals for every person living
in Argentina.
Eighty percent of Argentina's population live in an urban environment. The
majority of city dwellers work in the nation's leading industries of meat
packing, textiles, and auto manufacturing.
Meat forms an important part of the Argentine diet. Of course they also
have their unique specialties too, such as: empanadas, small pastries
stuffed with meat, fruits, or vegetables; puchero, a thick stew; or mate, a
very popular tealike brew.
Most Argentines wear Western clothes. However, many who live in the rural
areas wear loose-fitting trousers.
BOLIVIA (area-424,162 square miles). Capital—Sucre (official); La Paz (ac-
tual).
Frequently called the "Tibet of South America," landlocked Bolivia consists
of three distinct topographical regions: a mineral-rich high plateau region,
an extensively farmed middle region of semitropical rain forests and
somewhat drier valleys, and the sparsely populated Amazon-Chaco low-
lands. Bolivia contains the highest navigable body of water in the world. The
famous Lake Titicaca, 12,506 feet above sea level, covers 3,261 square
miles on the Bolivia-Peru border.
Approximately two thirds of the 5 million Bolivians are farmers. The farmers
are known for growing more than 200 different varieties of potatoes, one of
the staple dietary substances of the country.
Only 2 percent of the people are miners, but the tin comprises 80 percent of
Bolivia's exports. Bolivia actually supplies 12 percent of the world's tin.
The middle-class Bolivians live in small homes made of brick or adobe (clay
bricks dried in the sun). The houses are generally covered with mud or
stucco and have red tile or corrugated tin roofs. Most of the lowland farmers
live in one- or two-room homes with mud walls and thatched roofs.
In general, the city dwellers wear clothes similar to the people in the United
States and Canada. However, many of them wear the long woolen ponchos
(loose, robelike garments that extend to their knees) over their shoulders.

4 WORLD MISSION REPORT PROJECTS DESCRIPTION . . . READ PAGE 3.

SABBATH, JANUARY 6
Wanted—A New
C.-ademy
by Walter Weiss
[President, South Argentine Conference!
"Pastor, when will we have a school
where we can send our boys and girls
to study in a Christian atmosphere?"
many parents anxiously ask. "Pastor,
when will there be a school for us?"
ask our youth who have not been able
to find room in one of the two board-
ing academies in Argentina. The few
that do find a place must travel great
distances from their homes. Some
must travel more than 2,000 miles
from the extreme southern part of the
country to the north, where our two
schools are situated.
The South Argentine Conference
has the greatest number of members
in the Austral Union. In 1977 the
membership was 11,300. The youth
membership of the church is 1,100. Of
that number, only 180 have been
granted a place in our schools. Do not
we as a church have a great responsi-
bility to the 920 young people who do
not have the option of choosing a
Christian institution for their educa-
tion?
In addition to protecting this army
of youth from the fatal philosophies
that abound everywhere, including in
the schoolrooms, it is urgently neces-
sary to fulfill the demands of an ex-
panding church. Evangelistic
workers, professors, teachers, secre-
taries, accountants, editors, doctors,
recreation directors, and nurses all
need to be trained with a spirit of
GIVE YOUR STORY LIFE . . . TELL IT IN YOUR OWN WORDS!
service and fidelity to the church.
There are more than 13 million in-
habitants living in the South Argen-
tine Conference who need to hear the
gospel. The church needs to prepare
consecrated men and women to finish
this great work. The need is urgent!
The two boarding academies in Ar-
gentina are filled to capacity. The one
day school in Buenos Aires cannot
accommodate very many of the boys
and girls, because they do not live
close enough to the school to travel
back and forth each day. The various
committees have studied this need
and have authorized the conference to
proceed with plans to build a new
boarding academy within its terri-
tory. What is it that we need besides
the necessity and the desire to have
this school?
The conference owns 600 acres out
in the country in the southern part of
the province. The property is situated
about 340 miles south of Buenos
Aires and 1,400 miles north of the
most southern church. Here, just as
in several other locations on the Ar-
gentine pampas, the land is fertile,
assuring a productive farm for a
school.
In 1965 Werner Vhymeister ar-
rived in Mar del Plata. He had a con-
viction to persuade our church mem-
bers of the importance of Christian
education. Carlos was among the in-
terested listeners. He was a young
man about 20 years old who had
always believed that to attend an
Adventist college was a privilege re-
served for those who had lots of
money. Even though he knew he
didn't have adequate funds, he deter-
mined in his heart to serve the Lord
completely. With the arrival of Pro-
fessor Vhymeister, Carlos' desire to
5
obtain a more complete preparation
was intensified. However, the acad-
emy in Buenos Aires was 280 miles
away and the boarding academy at
River Plate College was more than
600 miles away.
How was Carlos going to obtain the
preparation that he so greatly de-
sired? Finally, he decided to speak to
Professor Vhymeister. There in the
pastor's study of the church they
talked and made plans. On his return
to the college, Professor Vhymeister
arranged for Carlos' admission. He
could work as an industrial student to
pay part of his tuition, but he would
need to pay the remainder himself.
Carlos decided that with the
Lord's help he would save every cent
he possibly could. While working
during the hot summer he deprived
himself of the cold drinks that seem
so good on a hot day. He also sold a
motor, a bicycle, and some tools. With
the money he was able to accumulate
he began school in 1965.
His parents were very unhappy
with his decision. They could not un-
derstand Carlos' attitude and they
could not accept the gospel message
that was told to them. College life
completely transformed his life
through the influence of teachers,
work supervisors, and fellow stu-
dents. The Christ-centered education
helped to mold Carlos' character and
personality and strengthened his call
to serve the Master.
Even after his first year, Carlos did
without some of the much needed
personal necessities. Carlos tells us
that one time he had to use a bar of
laundry soap for brushing his teeth
because it was cheaper than tooth-
paste. Another time he took from a
trash can a shirt that he wore for
6 WORLD MISSION REPORT
several years. On several occasions,
he had to borrow a shirt to attend
classes. Even though it wasn't easy,
Carlos considers these privations a
blessing from the Lord because only
by relying on Him was he able to
finish his studies.
While attending college, Carlos
met the young woman who is now his
wife. He completed his teaching
course, and graduated as a licensed
minister. After graduation, while
serving as dean of men, he was in-
vited to work in an evangelistic cam-
paign directed by Pastor Juan Sicolo.
He had the joyous responsibility of
offering other students the financial
assistance that he himself had re-
ceived in school just a few years be-
fore. Unfortunately, he was unable to
assist all of them. Each year there are
those who have to postpone studying
in an Adventist college because the
school does not have room to accom-
modate all those desirous of attend-
ing.
"For that reason," Carlos tells us, "I
view with great satisfaction the plan
to build a boarding academy for the
Adventist youth of the South Argen-
tine Conference."
Sabbath School members, our
young people need a Christian educa-
tion. It is for this reason that the
South Argentine Conference is ask-
ing you to help in building a boarding
academy that will fulfill this urgent
need of our young people.
PROJECTS DESCRIPTION . . . READ PAGE 3.
SABBATH, JANUARY 13 believed that in this way he was pro-
tecting the interests of the members
An Announcement, a of his own congregation.
Five days passed after the an-
Dream, a Decision nouncement arrived. That night, Mr.
Salgueiro dreamed that a sudden ill-
by J. A. Justiniano ness came over him, and that he had
to go to the hospital for treatment.
]President, East Bolivia Mission
However, the doctor told him that he
didn't have the time to care for him.
There are many ways that Satan Mr. Salgueiro cried out, "What hope
uses to keep men bound for God's is there left for me, then?" The doctor
final judgment, but they all have one recommended to him to attend the
purpose: no one to be saved. However, Adventist church, where he would
the plan of the Saviour is totally meet the only ones who had the
different. He has provided each be- remedy to cure his illness. He was
liever with an option—eternal life. jolted awake, unable to sleep. He
How did the Lord work through an contemplated the meaning of this
announcement and a dream to save dream, wondering what it meant for
one of His children? We shall find out him.
in the following inspirational story. The next day, Mr. Salgueiro
Samuel Salgueiro was born into a worked exceptionally hard trying to
very staunchly religious family. overcome the uneasiness he
When he was a young man, he met a felt. When the time came to leave for
friendly young lady. The only thing the meetings, he got ready secretly
that Samuel didn't like was that and then told his wife he was going
Gladys was an active member of an- for a walk. Then he left for the Ad-
other church. He was always uncom- ventist church, leaving his bewil-
fortable at her house, and nearly dered wife wondering why he was
always found her reading the Bible. taking an evening stroll, something
He usually snatched the Bible from he had never done before.
her hands and left it in some faraway Covertly, he entered the meeting
place. He would become so disgusted hall, but felt right at home from the
over the matter that he would lose his very start. The sermon about the
control over his emotions. In spite of home left him satisfied, and he con-
the religious differences, however, tinued participating with true dedi-
the two were married. cation in the Bible studies that fol-
In 1970 a printed announcement lowed the introductory talks.
was delivered to their home, inviting Mr. Salgueiro revealed the secret of
them to attend a series of meetings his evening "walks" to his wife, and
being conducted in their city. Of she also showed a desire to become
course, Mr. Salgueiro would never more closely acquainted with the
lower himself to attend these cultural truth of the Word of God. Jesus was
meetings supported by a church of right when He said, "Search the
another denomination. He even scriptures . . . they are they which
seemed to mock the programs and testify of me" (John 5:39). Once

GIVE YOUR STORY LIFE . . . TELL IT IN YOUR OWN WORDS! 7

again this fact was proved, for study-
ing the Bible put this couple in con-
tact with Christ, whom they cheer-
fully accepted as their personal
Saviour. The meaning of the dream
was completely solved. The Adventist
Church had the cure for the "illness"
of this family; the contact with the
Great Physician had cured them of
the disease from which all humanity
suffers. The acceptance of this treat-
ment led them to baptism, and today
they are joyfully sharing our blessed
hope.
An announcement and a dream
brought such an encouraging result.
Many more decisions will be obtained
through our evangelism programs.
On March 31 the Thirteenth Sabbath
Offering will help more "Mr. Sal-
gueiros" learn about Jesus.
SABBATH, JANUARY 20
The Mass-Media
Miracle
by Enrique Chaij
lRadio-Television Productions director, Austral
Union]
At 8:30 A.M. on Tuesday, June 2,
1964, the principal radio station of
Buenos Aires began broadcasting the
program "A Light in the Pathway," a
short daily program designed by the
Adventist Church. The objective was
to communicate a five-minute mes-
sage of faith Monday through Friday.
8 WORLD MISSION REPORT
God blessed this new activity
from the very beginning. Starting
with only one station, there are now
more than ninety stations broadcast-
ing the Adventist message each day
to the three countries comprising the
Austral Union: Argentina, Paraguay,
and Uruguay.
From Ushuaia, the southernmost
city in the world, to La Quiaca, Ar-
gentina's northernmost city, from the
Andes to the Atlantic, millions of lis-
teners are hearing "A Light in the
Pathway." It has become a spiritual
breakfast for those who are in the
midst of spiritual darkness. The pro-
gram has become popular with all
levels of society and has received rec-
ognition from many organizations.
The most outstanding recognition
was from the Catholic Church in
1974, when the program received its
annual award for the best family
program. However, all these honors
are valueless unless we can show
some results of this work.
Year after year, thousands of peo-
ple enter the ranks of the people of
God as a result of the seed continually
and persistently sown by means of
this radio work. Therefore, it is un-
derstandable that the program has
been transformed into an evangelistic
tool of the first magnitude, used ef-
fectively by pastors and church mem-
bers alike. For this reason, other
Spanish-speaking countries have
shown great interest in broadcasting
the program. The leaders in Brazil
have developed their own version in
Portuguese, also called "A Light in
the Pathway." The Portuguese ver-
sion is broadcast over more than sev-
enty stations today.
The year 1970 marked another im-
portant milestone in this mass-media
PROJECTS DESCRIPTION . . READ PAGE 3.
evangelism. It was in 1970 that "A
Light in the Pathway" was first tele-
vised. Today there are twenty chan-
nels that show this weekly program.
Through these two mediums, the ev-
erlasting gospel is presented to a
multitude of homes that could not be
reached in any other way.
The following are a few examples
of how these homes have been in-
fluenced by our programs. A certain
woman hated her former husband so
much that she purchased a gun with
which she planned to kill him. Provi-
dentially, she happened to listen to
the broadcast on "loving" our ene-
mies. After hearing the broadcast,
she abandoned her plan to commit
murder.
In another case, a man was at the
point of committing suicide. Just as
he was about to pull the trigger, a
voice from the radio said, "If you feel
desperate, think on God, have cour-
age, and give your heart to Him."
Hearing this short message, the man
knelt down and for the first time in
his life prayed to God, saying, "0 God,
forgive me for the terrible thing I was
about to do."
A man and his wife had been sepa-
rated for several months. On the day
they were to be interviewed by a
judge in order to be granted a divorce,
they began to talk to each other in the
waiting room of the judge's chambers.
They discovered that they had both
been listening to "A Light in the
Pathway" and were touched by the
Holy Spirit. They began mentioning
the different programs that had made
the greatest impression on them.
That morning, instead of asking for a
divorce, they became reconciled and
determined to have a successful mar-
riage.
GIVE YOUR STORY LIFE . . . TELL IT IN YOUR OWN WORDS!
It has been reported to us that
several bus drivers turn on their
radios each day to let their passen-
gers listen to the Adventist broadcast.
Many of these passengers prefer to
arrive late to classes rather than miss
the daily program. In some of the
rural schools, the teachers interrupt
the class each day to allow the stu-
dents to listen to the broadcast. Some
listeners record the program so that
they can listen to it over and over. In
the large cities especially, colporteurs
use the name of "A Light in the
Pathway" in their presentation.
Many times it gives them easy access
to people's homes. Within the radio
and television audiences are found
people from all professions.
At the end of 1976, a huge
Christmas program was presented in
the famous "Luna Park" stadium in
Buenos Aires. It had the largest at-
tendance of any program presented
by our church in many years in the
Austral Union. Two days later, the
same program was presented in the
seaside resort city of Mar del Plata.
The sumptuous theater rented for the
occasion turned out to be much too
small to accommodate everyone. It
was packed to capacity, with more
than 2,000 persons waiting outside,
unable to enter.
It is thrilling to see the spirit of
love and sacrifice with which many
respond to radio and television evan-
gelism. This is illustrated by the case
of Brother Gabriel Suto. Brother Suto
sold his own home and donated the
money received to our programs. It
had been impossible for anyone to
dissuade him from doing this. This
dear brother of advanced age now
lives in a small wooden dwelling that
a neighbor built in his back yard.
9
Although he now has no home of his
own, he is preparing with humility
and faithfulness to live in a mansion
in the kingdom of heaven.
This is the true spirit of abnegation
and generosity. Because we want to
hasten the soon coming of Jesus, we
preach the gospel through radio and
television and other mediums the
Lord has granted us. For this reason,
we give of our material goods because
we desire to reach our heavenly home
as soon as possible. Will you unite
with us and give generously this
coming thirteenth Sabbath so that we
may finish the work in this part of the
Lord's vineyard? God will reward and
bless everything we do in His behalf.
SABBATH, JANUARY 27
Argentina Medical
Work Mushrooms
by Pedro Tabuenca
[Medical director, River Plate Sanitariumi
The beginning of the medical mis-
sionary work in South America was
in the year 1895 when Brother Ole
Oppegard, a nurse trained in Battle
Creek Sanitarium, arrived in Argen-
tina as a self-supporting missionary
and began preaching the health mes-
sage with the gospel.
Dr. Robert Habenicht, the first
missionary doctor to South America,
arrived in 1901. He began seeing pa-
tients in the vicinity of River Plate
College. A great share of his time was
10 WORLD MISSION REPORT
spent traveling in the horse-drawn
carts of the Russian immigrant
farmers whose homes were far out in
the country in the province of Entre
Rios.
Soon the patients began arriving at
his house in search of competent
medical help. Many times Dr. Ha-
benicht had to perform operations on
his kitchen table in order to save the
life of a patient. After the surgery, he
would put them in the beds of his own
children, who then had to sleep on the
floor.
With this dedication and self-sacri-
ficing attitude, Dr. Habenicht offi-
cially founded the River Plate Sani-
tarium in 1908, with accommodations
for six inpatients. This was the be-
ginning of the first medical institu-
tion in South America.
Over the years, the prestige of the
hospital increased greatly, a result of
the efficiency and dedication of mis-
sionary doctors Habenicht, Westphal,
and Hammerly. Patients came from
far and near, necessitating enlarging
the facilities and adding young doc-
tors, graduated from universities in
South America, and nurses, grad-
uated from River Plate's school of
nursing.
Other medical missionary institu-
tions were opened with the help of the
doctors and nurses inspired by their
service at the River Plate Sanitar-
ium. In nearly all the medical insti-
tutions of the church in South Amer-
ica, one finds medical personnel
trained in this institution.
The staff of the River Plate Sani-
tarium feels the responsibility to ex-
ercise a positive spiritual influence on
its patients. In each physician's of-
fice, there is a literature rack that
contains a Bible and magazines on
PROJECTS DESCRIPTION . . . READ PAGE 3.
the topics of health and salvation.
Each day chaplains and Bible in-
structors visit the patients who con-
tinually fill the 180 beds. Evening
worship is held for the ambulatory
patients, and before each operation,
the surgeons pray for the guidance
and help of the Great Physician. In
this way the seed of the gospel is
planted in many hearts, and very
frequently we have the pleasure of
seeing precious souls find spiritual
health, as well as physical health.
In one case, Wilhelmina, a married
lady, had been seriously ill. Although
she had never been to our hospital
and lived more than 165 miles away,
she asked her family to take her to
the River Plate Hospital because of
what her neighbors had told her
about the care she would receive. On
arrival, she asked the Lord to guide
the doctors in her treatment, and God
heard her prayer in a special way.
It was necessary to operate three
times before Wilhelmina fully recov-
ered her health. Frequently her hus-
band and children stayed with her
during her periods of convalescence.
She was given a Bible and started to
read it. She prayed fervently that the
Lord would give her understanding.
On one occasion she asked her doc-
tor what she should do about the
problems of Sabbath observance. The
counsel she received was that she
should obey God and leave the conse-
quences entirely in His hands.
There in the doctor's office they
both knelt down and prayed to the
Lord. Wilhelmina surrendered her
will to God with the firm decision to
serve and obey Him at whatever cost.
The Lord blessed her decision, and
with infinite wisdom solved the prob-
lems for which she had seen no solu-
GIVE YOUR STORY LIFE . . . TELL IT IN YOUR OWN WORDS!
tion. A few weeks later she was bap-
tized. At her baptism, her two sons
expressed a desire to follow Jesus in
the same way. Wilhelmina rejoices in
the truth of the soon coming of Jesus.
Her two sons have been united with
our church and are now in our college
preparing for the ministry.
The testimony of these and many
other precious souls might be
summed up in these words: "It was
the spiritual influence of the hospital,
the love and happy service of the
staff, that led us to search for the
source of their joy and their inspira-
tion and to find Jesus."
Please accept our heartfelt thanks
for your help this coming thirteenth
Sabbath.
SABBATH, FEBRUARY 3
The Lost Earring
by Felisa Rando
'Evoqgelist's wife, South Argentine Conference)
On the front of an Adventist church
there was a large sign that read "Va-
cation Bible School." Some children
and adults read the sign. However,
few paid any special attention to
these words. But Alberto remained
looking for a long time. He also saw a
girl sweeping the sidewalk in front of
the church, and he asked her, "Does it
cost a lot to come here?"
"No, it's completely free," re-
sponded the little girl with a smile.
11
 "Can anyone come?" As Alberto
spoke, his facial expression changed
into a big, radiant smile.
"Of course; you just have to sign up
if you want to come," answered the
girl, whose name was Zulema.
"Then I'm going to go tell my
mother," he said as he prepared to
run home to give the necessary infor-
mation. Before he left the church, he
told Zulema, "My mother doesn't
want me to come. She says you are all
crazy, but since I cried a little, she
said she would let me come for a few
days. However, just as soon as she
sees that she doesn't like something
that you tell me, she will make me
stop coming."
The Monday that the children were
waiting for finally came, and the
classes began. At first everyone lis-
tened to a beautiful story. Other ac-
tivities that everyone liked were the
singing and the games the teacher
taught.
"Oh, Mom, if you could only see
how nice it is!" cried Alberto when he
arrived home. His mother said noth-
ing.
But the fourth day Alberto learned
a surprise. The teacher said that ev-
eryone could talk to God. She spoke of
something called prayer. He had
never heard anything like this at
home. At home during lunch he asked
his mother, "Mom, why don't we ever
pray at home?"
"What are you talking about?" The
mother looked at her son. He had just
said something that she didn't like,
and she thought it would be better for
him to stop attending Vacation Bible
School. "Alberto, I think it will be
better that you not go anymore to
that church, because they've started
telling you things that I don't agree
12 WORLD MISSION REPORT
with. Also, I don't believe that you
can talk to God and tell Him things,
as you say."
"But, Mom," Alberto insisted, "the
teacher says that we can tell Him
about all that happens to us. We can
tell Him things, just as I tell you
things. The teacher told a story of a
little girl who had cut her finger with
a knife. She prayed to God, and He
helped her, so that it wouldn't hurt so
much. I really like that, because I also
hurt myself and it really hurts a lot
when you put alcohol on it."
"Well, let's consider this conversa-
tion finished. You will go no more! I
see that they are only teaching you
foolishness." Then Alberto's mother
started talking about something else.
The next morning Alberto didn't go
to the Vacation Bible School. He was
sad because he had come to know his
teacher Clarita well and enjoyed the
stories that she told, but he was obe-
dient to his mother and wouldn't go
unless she gave him permission. But
then something happened.
When Alberto's mother returned
from the market that morning, she
had, without realizing it, lost one of
her earrings. When she saw Alberto,
she asked him to help her look for it.
She thought she had lost it in the
house, because she had looked on the
road and couldn't find it. Alberto
looked everywhere, under furniture,
out on the patio, in the washroom, but
the earring did not appear. Then
Clarita's word came to his mind. If he
ever needed help from God, he had
only to ask and God would help him.
So he knelt down, bowed his head,
and prayed, "Dear Jesus, please help
my mother to find her earring. You
know where it is."
Later he went to where his mother
PROJECTS DESCRIPTION . . . READ PAGE 3.
was and told her not to worry, that only recognize God listens to prayer,
they would find it. and she let Alberto attend Vacation
"Son, I'm happy to see your opti- Bible School from then on.
mism, but I'm not going to find it When we give our Thirteenth Sab-
anywhere," answered his mother. bath Offering, let us remember chil-
"But, Mom, I know what I'm say- dren like Alberto who want to learn
ing. I've asked Jesus to help, and He more about Jesus and that we can
will let you find it. Any moment now help build a school for them in south-
He'll tell you where it is." As Alberto ern Argentina.
nodded his head Yes, sure that Jesus
wouldn't let him down, his mother
denied it.
"Those Adventists have already
filled your head with foolishness.
They believe that you live in dreams." SABBATH, FEBRUARY 10
"Mom, shall we look again?"
"No, I've already looked every- Strengthen the Right
where. It can't be in the house." Arm
"What if I go by the road where you
went and look there again?" by Richard Gates
"No, Alberto. Don't insist that I lost
it there. I already looked, and besides, [Former missionary in Bolivia!
anyone could have found it by now."
"Mom, I hadn't prayed yet!" South America is variety, a kalei-
"Quit this foolishness! What's al- doscope of people and landscapes of
ready happened is enough." incredible extremes. This is where
Alberto didn't give up. He looked God's providence and people have
out and prayed out loud, "Jesus, You been united to create a strong church.
know where it is. Please let us find it South America is the southern half of
so that Mom will believe in prayer the New World that Columbus dis-
and will let me go back to Vacation covered.
Bible School." Bolivia is part of that world, a
His mother heard him, thought a wonderful part of America! Named to
moment, and then said to him, "I'll let honor Simon Bolivar, a South Ameri-
you go look wherever you think you can hero, Bolivia stands landlocked
might find it. If you can, I will let you away from the sea but protecting the
go to the Adventists' school, but I'm very heart of the continent. Its people
sure you will not find it." are diverse, being descendants of the
Upon hearing this, Alberto joyfully ancient Incas. The country was col-
jumped up and shouted, "I'll be right onized by Spaniards; it has been in-
back; I'm sure I'll find it!" He went habited by several dozen jungle
out, but didn't have far to go. As soon tribes. Its millions march with the
as he went out the door, he saw his rest of humanity steadily toward the
mother's ring right on the sidewalk, climactic encounter with the King of
in plain sight. the universe . . . but will they be
When his mother saw it, she could ready?

GIVE YOUR STORY LIFE . . . TELL IT IN YOUR OWN WORDS! 13

 The human mind, God's patented
computer, holds an amazing record of
memories and information. From this
record, I would like to share some
stories and details for your Sabbath
School today.
God's "people" are just that—peo-
ple. If you really knew them, you'd
love them. After all, people make up
God's church, not schools, church
buildings, hospitals, or airplanes. Ten
years is a long time, but then, not
really so long in perspective. That
was the time God gave our family to
work for Him in Bolivia. When we
left, our hearts stayed behind with
the people: Jose, Freddy, Miguel, Ro-
lando, Juan, Maria, Neisa, Asunta,
Irma, Emma, Doris, and all the
others. Each name pulls a picture out
of memory's file, and each has won
victories and exercised diligence to
become part of the divine family.
Only God knows the struggles and
poverty, the sacrifices that made each
what he is today.
It helps sometimes to understand
that many of the far corners of God's
vineyard may never be economically
independent and may always have to
look, hope, and wait till others feel
sufficiently motivated to help carry
the burden of finishing God's work. In
many cases, our brethren find it dif-
ficult to earn more than the equiva-
lent of several hundred dollars yearly
in cash. Unless those in better cir-
cumstances unite to help build and
evangelize, the gospel will never be
spread or it will be done so slowly that
many will pass into eternity un-
warned.
It is said that the heart of David
Livingstone, that great missionary to
Africa, was moved by a view of the
ascending smoke of a thousand vil-
14 WORLD MISSION REPORT
lages that knew nothing of the
Christian message. And so our hearts
are also stirred by those in great need
as we look and wait to take Heaven's
message to villages and people in re-
mote places.
Approximately two decades ago,
Bolivia was designated as one area to
receive a portion of the Thirteenth
Sabbath Offering. Now again that
special offering, which allows mission
dreams to come true, is going to help
build a hospital in the town of Santa
Cruz, located in the tropical eastern
half of Bolivia.
If you have any doubt about the
effectiveness of medical work as a tool
of soul winning, let me share this bit
of my life. In 1963, three ministers
held an evangelistic series in a vil-
lage called Guayaramerin in north-
east Bolivia. We had only a small
budget equivalent to US$500. In a
period of six weeks approximately
100 people were baptized into the
Adventist family. Wonderful! But do
you know why? Medical work had
been started and maintained sacrifi-
cially by Doctors Pitman, Bottsford,
and Wensell in that village. I can
assure you that, compared to subse-
quent and similar evangelistic proj-
ects in other villages of that area,
there was a different spirit in
Guayaramerin.
Since 1965 the eastern, tropical
half of Bolivia has been accessible to
missionaries by private plane. The
mission aircraft operate under the
official aviation program of the South
American Division. The aircraft are
an incalculable blessing in transpor-
tation. Geography may not al-
ways have been interesting to me in
the classroom, but changes occurred
as I flew over Bolivia in a Cessna on
PROJECTS DESCRIPTION . . . READ PAGE 3.
the King's business. Perspective
makes the difference for geography.
It is in this flat savannah jungle ge-
ography that the mission hospital is
to be built.
Have you ever looked into a
mother's eyes as she holds out her
dying child for help? Oh, how I wish
Jesus were here to diagnose and treat
this case. How much longer will we be
on this planet? When can we go
home? How soon will the rush to ac-
quire goods and services be over? You
can do something about it if you re-
ally wish. Yes, the smoke of a thou-
sand villages gets into my eyes too;
they water, they burn, they weep for
a world that suffers.
If an Adventist hospital with car-
ing, knowledgeable Christian person-
nel will hasten the King's return,
then let's be doing the job.
SABBATH, FEBRUARY 17
Fighting Giants
by Oldemar I. Beskow
[Director, Belgrano Adventist Sanitarium and
Hospital, Argentina)
The proud natives of Buenos Aires,
capital of Argentina, call their city
"Queen of the River Plate," which
means, literally, queen of the silver
river. It is undeniable that this huge
metropolis situated on the southwest
bank of the River Plate with its
GIVE YOUR STORY LIFE . . . TELL IT IN YOUR OWN WORDS!
beautiful wide avenues, its spacious
parks, its teaming commercial, social,
and cultural activity, fully deserves
this admirable title.
Great Buenos Aires, composed of
the federal capital and the satellite
cities, with its 9,000,000 inhabitants,
is without a doubt one of the greatest
urban conglomerates in the Southern
Hemisphere.
But we are painting an incomplete
picture of Buenos Aires if we com-
ment only on the beautiful and at-
tractive aspects of the city. As is true
in all cities, there is also a somber
side: the trash, the contaminated at-
mosphere, the physical and moral
pollution, the dangers awaiting body
and soul behind the bright facades of
the concrete and steel jungle. There
are also millions of people who need
to receive the news of the soon-corn-
ing Saviour.
Speaking of the medical missionary
work specifically, the servant of the
Lord says, "Now is the opportune
time to work the cities; for we must
reach the people there. . . . Thousands
of people in our cities are left in
darkness, and Satan is well pleased
with the delay." "In this work physi-
cians and gospel ministers are
needed. We must press our petitions
to the Lord, and do our best, pressing
forward with all the energy possible
to make an opening in the large
cities."—Medical Ministry, pp. 300-
302.
In 1960, the Austral Union ac-
cepted this challenge, and decided to
start a medical missionary work in
Buenos Aires by opening a small hos-
pital and clinic. They renovated an
older building that had housed the
offices of the South American Divi-
sion. Under the direction of Dr.
15
Carlos Drachenberg and Dr. Klinton
Weiss, a small but determined and
self-sacrificing group of nurses and
administrative personnel opened the
hospital doors. Soon their doctors' of-
fices and waiting rooms were full of
patients who were attracted by the
assurance that they would receive
competent medical attention from
honest and dedicated physicians.
Many people knew of our medical
missionary work at the River Plate
Sanitarium located in the interior of
Argentina and the kind of care given
there.
It was not the original plan to have
inpatients with operating rooms and
all the other necessary services for
hospitalized patients. They planned
to accept ambulatory patients only,
using a small laboratory for clinical
analysis and an X-ray lab with a hy-
drotherapy department in keeping
with the counsels of the Spirit of
Prophecy.
But soon the demand was so great
that a few rooms on the second floor of
the thirty-five-year-old building were
furnished for bed patients. This ar-
rangement was very inconvenient,
because there was not even an eleva-
tor to move the patients.
If you could have been present
when a seriously injured patient was
carried up the stairway very slowly
and carefully on a stretcher by the
director of the institution, a physician
or radiologist, and a couple of nurses,
you would have found it inconceiv-
able that such a thing could be hap-
pening in Buenos Aires. With such
precarious conditions it was incom-
prehensible that the patients pre-
ferred to come to the Belgrano Hospi-
tal instead of one of the excellent
hospitals in the city.
16 WORLD MISSION REPORT
Because of great respect for medi-
cal service, Buenos Aires has medical
facilities comparable to the great
cities of more developed and techni-
cally advanced countries. There are
specialized centers in every branch of
medicine, with most modern and
costly equipment. The number of
physicians in relation to the popula-
tion is one of the highest in the world.
With only twenty-two beds and the
limited equipment at the Belgrano
Hospital, it seems impossible to carry
out the effective plan of reaching the
millions of people in Buenos Aires
through medical missionary work.
This enormous undertaking, carried
on by a small struggling group of
missionaries, reminds us of the
struggle of David against Goliath, the
defenseless-looking boy against the
strength and armor of the giant.
But what is impossible for man is
possible for God. David attacked the
Philistine giant in the name of the
"Lord God of hosts," and he con-
quered. Through the blessings of the
Lord, the Belgrano Adventist Hospi-
tal is already well established and
has real prestige in the community it
serves. Many patients find relief from
their physical infirmities, answers to
their spiritual anxieties, and hope of
the good news of salvation.
Nevertheless, it is imperative that
we enlarge and remodel the hospital.
The immediate plan is to double the
number of beds, to install an elevator,
and to equip the operating rooms sat-
isfactorily. Our funds are totally in-
sufficient, so we ask for help from our
family around the world. By your
prayers and a generous offering we
will be able to have an institution in
Buenos Aires that will properly rep-
resent our work, and, as the "right
PROJECTS DESCRIPTION . . . READ PAGE 3.
arm of the gospel," open the way for
the preaching of the last warning
message.
SABBATH, FEBRUARY 24
The Hungry Lion
by Timothy D. Korson
[Teacher, Kivu Adventist College, Zaire, Africa]
(Note: We as a church have a world mission.
Even though the Thirteenth Sabbath Special
Projects Offering will go to the South American
Division this quarter, this week's report will give
an insight to some of the happenings in Zaire.)
Interviewer: Is it possible that two
families became Seventh-day Ad-
ventists because of a hungry lion?
Missionary: Yes, that's just the way
it happened.
Interviewer: Where did this story
take place?
Missionary: In Zaire, Africa.
Interviewer: Zaire used to be called
the Congo, didn't it?
Missionary: Yes, the Congo became
independent in 1960. Since 1971 it
has been called the Republic of Zaire.
Interviewer: Tell us a little about
Zaire and the Adventist work in that
country.
Missionary: Geographically, Zaire
is about the size of the United States
of America east of the Mississippi
River, making it the eleventh-largest
country in the world. The population
of Zaire is about 26,000,000, or about
one eighth that of the United States.
In Zaire we have more than 42,000
GIVE YOUR STORY LIFE . . . TELL IT IN YOUR OWN WORDS!
Seventh-day Adventists, which is
about one Adventist for every 600
persons.
Interviewer: Those are interesting
statistics, but the story about the lion
you told me earlier speaks specifi-
cally of the power of God in Zaire.
Why don't you repeat it for the Sab-
bath School members this morning?
Missionary: I'll be glad to. [Turn to
the audience and tell the following
story.]
Some of you may be familiar with
the town of Butembo (Boo-TEM-bo),
Zaire, as that is the mailing address
of our secondary school in Zaire. This
story took place just northwest of
Butembo, in the district of Man-
guredjipa (Mong-goo-red-GEE-pa).
The district leader, Muhindo (Moo-
HEEN-do), along with our evangelist,
Ngungwa (N-GOONG-gwa), had been
holding meetings in this area from
time to time, and a small company of
believers had been formed.
On one trip into this area,
Ngungwa, with several of the new
converts, was holding an effort in the
village of Njiapanda (N-gee-a-PAN-
da). As they went visiting from hut to
hut, they came upon the family of
Mulume (Moo-LOO-me), whose
children were very ill. As was their
habit, our workers went in and
prayed, asking especially that the
Lord would heal Mulume's children.
The Lord answered their prayer, and
the children began to get better. This
encouraged Mulume to attend the
meetings regularly.
One afternoon, as our workers were
visiting in Mulume's home, Mulume
expressed his belief in the presented
messages and stated that he felt con-
victed that he should no longer eat
pork or other unclean meat. Because
17
of this conviction, he would be going
on a long journey into the forest to
explain to his meat suppliers the dif-
ference between clean and unclean
meats, according to the Scriptures.
Because of the length of this journey,
he would miss a meeting so he asked
our workers to pray for him while he
was gone.
Early the next morning Mulume
left on his journey. After several
hours he was well into the forest,
when he met Muhiyi (Moo-HE-ye) re-
turning from the forest with his two
hunting dogs. Mulume continued on,
but after several miles he noticed
that one of Muhiyi's dogs was close on
his heels. That's strange, he thought.
Why would Muhiyi be coming back to
see me? But Muhiyi didn't come, and
the dog walked beside him for a while
and then trotted ahead. Suddenly a
lion appeared in the path, and Mu-
lume froze in his tracks. He was sure
that he was destined to become the
lion's dinner. But the lion turned, and
pounced on the dog instead, devour-
ing it before Mulume's horrified eyes.
Mulume could do nothing but stare
with trembling agony. He felt sure
that if he were to turn and run, the
lion would come after him too. Even
after the lion finished eating and
slipped into the forest, Mulume stood
there, not daring to move.
Soon Muhiyi came walking back
down the path, looking for his miss-
ing dog. Mulume, still with pounding
heart, pointed to the dog's paws that
the lion had not eaten, and exclaimed,
"Surely the Lord has spared my life.
There are missionaries back in my
village whose God healed my chil-
dren, and today those missionaries
are praying for my safety. That is
why your dog took my place."
18 WORLD MISSION REPORT
Today, Mulume, his wife and chil-
dren, along with Muhiyi and his
family, are all Seventh-day Adventist
Christians.
Interviewer: It certainly seems as if
God is with His work in Zaire.
Missionary: Yes, He is. We do have
large problems, but God is leading
His work in that country.
SABBATH, MARCH 3
The Necessity of a
Practical Education
by Egil H. Wensell
(President, River Plate College, Argentina]
In the countries of South America
during the past century, there was
almost total ignorance of the plan of
salvation presented in the Bible. Al-
though at the beginning of the nine-
teenth century a small number had
accepted the Sabbath message and
the second coming of Christ, the gen-
eral population remained in total
darkness regarding the gospel.
The Adventist message was first
brought to the Austral Union region
around 1890. The first Adventist pas-
tor arrived in 1894. A few weeks
later, he started the first Adventist
church in the province of Entre Rios
in Argentina. This church is located
about twelve miles from River Plate
College and is still operating today.
The newly formed group of mem-
bers felt a great burden to carry "this
PROJECTS DESCRIPTION . . . READ PAGE 3.
gospel of the kingdom" to those who
did not know the good news. To do
this work efficiently, it was necessary
to give adequate training to the
young people going to far-off places.
Although the new group was few in
number and didn't have financial
backing, the Adventist River Plate
College was established. From that
time until the present, hundreds of
young people have graduated and
dedicated their lives to active service
in the church. The latest figures show
that more than 1,300 workers have
received their training in this insti-
tution.
The field of service of these mis-
sionaries extends far beyond the ter-
ritory of the Austral Union. We find
them throughout the South American
continent and even in Africa enthu-
siastically serving in the Lord's work.
Thinking of the beginning of the
educational work in the Austral
Union, we want to mention the gen-
erosity of many from far and near
who encouraged the establishment of
the River Plate College.
Among them, Ellen G. White in
1909 contributed to the missionary
spirit of the college by making a do-
nation of 264 copies of the book
Christ's Object Lessons. The funds
from the sale of these books were
used for some urgently needed im-
provements. This same spirit has en-
dured throughout the years. In 1973
the student missionary program was
established for college students de-
siring to share their faith.
The student missionary program at
River Plate College is organized in
the same way a conference is organ-
ized, with a president, treasurer, sec-
retary, and departmental personnel,
and with the corresponding duties
GIVE YOUR STORY LIFE . . . TELL IT IN YOUR OWN WORDS!
being fulfilled by the students. Pro-
fessors from the college act as super-
vising counselors. The student mis-
sionaries are assigned their own
territory by the local conference, with
districts, churches, and groups to care
for each Sabbath. Working together
with the local church leaders, the
students, professors, and members of
the church dedicate the hours of the
Sabbath to visiting homes, giving
Bible studies, and guiding souls to
Christ.
The program receives financial as-
sistance from the church for traveling
expenses. However, almost all the
expenses are covered by the students
themselves.
The young people have joyfully re-
lated beautiful experiences of win-
ning souls for Christ. In the four
years prior to the date of this report,
the following numbers of baptisms
were a direct result of the student
missionary work: in the first year, 31;
in the second, 46; in the third, 55; and
in the fourth, 206. We thank God for
these victories in an area where in-
difference and prejudice make it very
difficult for people to make their de-
cision to unite with the people of God.
This practical education is marked as
an important necessity for students.
Ellen G. White writes in Christian
Service, page 64, "It is necessary to
their complete education that stu-
dents be given time to do missionary
work." This instituted philosophy has
resulted in a marvelous experience in
the River Plate College, renewing the
missionary spirit in many students
and producing a joyful revival.
A group of students involved in the
student missionary program decided
to work for Christ during their sum-
mer vacation. During the extreme
19
summer heat, most people take their
vacations, and traditionally not much
missionary work is accomplished. The
first summer, the students chose the
city of Villaguay for their field of
activity. Villaguay is located about
161 kilometers (100 miles) from the
college. There had been a very active
church in Villaguay, but unfortu-
nately it had dwindled away to a
group of fifteen persons. A professor
from the theology department was
selected to be the speaker. He was
assisted by nine young Bible instruc-
tors. A tent for 300 people was set up,
and invitations to the meetings were
distributed. There was such a great
interest displayed that at times there
were more than 700 persons in at-
tendance. Two meetings were held
each night for two and one-half
months. At the end of the evangelistic
meetings, 112 people gave their
hearts to Christ and were baptized.
The following year, the students
chose a town about 700 kilometers
(435 miles) from the college. Because
it was impossible to find a teacher or a
pastor to direct the effort, a young
theology student, barely 20 years old,
was asked by the other students to be
the evangelist. In many respects, the
location they had selected presented
difficulties. First of all, it was very
hot in the summer, sometimes up to
104°F. (40°C.) with no air condition-
ing. Second, there were very few Ad-
ventists in the city, and it was located
far away from the main centers of the
country. However, there were some
advantages. The local conference and
the Chaco Sanitarium and Hospital
personnel were very excited about
holding an evangelistic effort in that
sector of Argentina. The Lord blessed
the consecration and faith of the stu-
20 WORLD MISSION REPORT
dents, and as a result of the work of
two and one-half months, they bap-
tized 85 people.
It is a wonderful experience to lis-
ten to these students tell of the bat-
tles won and the miracles that oc-
curred in the struggle against sin.
They testify with thankful hearts to
the powerful intervention of the Lord
on their behalf.
The Adventist River Plate College
began the past scholastic year with
721 dormitory students and a total
enrollment of 1,356. Theology was
the most popular major.
In the Austral Union, there are
three secondary schools, two of which
are boarding academies. These facili-
ties are insufficient, and many young
people are deprived of the benefits of
a Christian education. It is urgent
that we establish other secondary
schools in this territory, to continue
training workers for the Lord.
With the help of Sabbath School
members around the world, we can
soon build a new educational institu-
tion that will train our youth to has-
ten the coming of Jesus.
SABBATH, MARCH 10
"Seek, and Ye Shall
Find . . ."
by A. Monserrate
[Sabbath School director, Ecuador Mission]
Adolf Patino had heard that the
Bible is the Word of God. He decided
PROJECTS DESCRIPTION . . . READ PAGE 3.
he wanted to verify this personally, so dor Mission carrying a very well-
he determined to buy his very own wrapped package of money that
Bible. After he purchased the Bible amounted to more than $1,000. How-
he studied on the bus to and from ever, he did not remain a stranger for
work each day. It just so happened long.
that a fellow rider on the bus was an Recently, the Sabbath School di-
Adventist. Seeing Adolf so absorbed rector of the mission invited Adolf to
in the Bible, he took the opportunity his home as a guest. He talked exten-
to share his faith with him. This sively with him. The sincerity of
short encounter had the effect of in- Adolf was very evident. He spoke of
creasing his curiosity, because he had his desire to be baptized and told the
never heard anything that stirred his Sabbath School director how God had
heart so much. been blessing him since he dedicated
At home, Mr. Patino continued his life to the Lord. When he began
studying the Scriptures. Because of counting his blessings he could find
his study, he discovered his obligation no other explanation than a manifes-
to return to the Lord a tithe of all his tation of the blessing of the Creator.
income. Once he understood this His income had increased in a no-
truth he started setting aside 10 per- table way. He had evidently become
cent of his earnings, although he did the object of divine generosity. There
not know just what to do with it. How in the fertile valley of Ecuador, Adolf
was he going to give it to the Lord? and a number of friends and neigh-
About this time he was visited by bors with whom he had shared the
some Christians, to whom he men- third angel's message were baptized,
tioned the tithe problem. He felt re- uniting their lives with the children
luctant to give them his tithe, for he of God.
realized that they were not com- At the rate this group of faithful
pletely in agreement with the Bible ones are holding meetings, the gospel
and therefore could not represent the will spread rapidly. These members,
real church of God. He continued with the enthusiasm of their first
putting aside 10 percent of his in- love, decided to build their own place
come, still wondering what he should of worship with the best materials
do with it. available. Like David of the Old Tes-
His sincerity accompanied by his tament, Brother Patino determined
Christian life aroused the interest of that God deserved the very best
the people in the district where he church that could be built from ce-
lived. They started meeting with him ment. They have already constructed
on the Sabbath, although none of a beautiful structure. This church is
them had been in contact with the outstanding in the area and has be-
Adventist Church. These believers come the point of reference from all
grew in number. At last they located directions. It can also be a point of
an organization that taught the prin- reference for the spiritual hunger of
ciples they had discovered in the the souls in this immense territory of
Word of God. the Inca Union. The Thirteenth Sab-
Adolf Patino was a stranger when bath Special Projects Offering has
he arrived at the offices of the Ecua- been designated to help reopen the

GIVE YOUR STORY LIFE . . . TELL IT IN YOUR OWN WORDS! 21

medical missionary work in Bolivia.
Will you respond to this challenge?
SABBATH, MARCH 17
Saved in Santiago del
Estero
by Raquel Bellido
[Theology professor, River Plate College, Ar-
gentina}
Tears came into Maria's eyes. She
had been so sad since her mother had
died! Her "mother" was the lady who
had taken care of her since she was
born, treating her like her own
daughter. As Maria cried, she heard
the harsh voice of her aunt.
"They've spoiled you. You're going
to have to learn to live differently
from now on."
Why was her aunt so unkind? Why
had her sister, from the time she was
small, made fun of her and contin-
ually irritated her?
When her sister married and took
Maria to live with her and help in the
house, matters didn't improve a great
deal. It seemed as though Maria's
brother-in-law took special pleasure
in scolding her.
One Thursday night, while alone in
her room, Maria told Jesus that she
couldn't bear to live with her sister
anymore. She pleaded for Him to find
another place for her to live. After
22 WORLD MISSION REPORT
having made this request with tears,
Maria went to sleep.
"Hurry and get up. Your sister
wants you to go downtown to run
some errands."
Without delay, Maria got up.
Maybe she would be able to see the
air tent that everyone had been talk-
ing about lately.
The tent was truly impressive and
looked like a giant white worm.
Fascinated, Maria approached it and
read the invitation to see a film about
the life of Jesus. If it was about Jesus,
it had to be good. And it was free. The
best part was that at the time the film
was to be shown, her brother-in-law
and sister would not be at home, so
they would not need to find out that
she was attending.
In a large crowd of people, Maria
listened to the message of the love of
God; a warm feeling filled her heart,
and she promised herself that she
would come to the tent whenever she
could.
A short time later Maria was re-
ceiving Bible studies at the tent.
When her sister and brother-in-law
discovered this, they refused to let
her return under any circumstances.
Because of this decision, Maria de-
cided to run away from home.
It was a Friday night when she
gathered her few belongings into
three cardboard boxes and a little
bag. She wrote a note explaining
what she had decided, and at two
o'clock in the morning she lowered
her packages from her bedroom win-
dow and then jumped out herself. The
note was left on the bed.
Maria didn't know what the evan-
gelist would say to her, but she hoped
that the people from the tent would
allow her to live in their home. Once
PROJECTS DESCRIPTION . . READ PAGE 3.
in the street, she went to the market
to wait for daylight. At six-thirty she
went to the tent.
When the evangelist saw her and
heard her story, he told her kindly
but firmly that she should return
home and convince her family that
they should let her be baptized. Maria
obeyed. Praying and trembling, she
returned home. She knew her family
better than the evangelist did. What
would happen now?
No one had awakened yet when
Maria returned, so she wasn't pun-
ished for running away.
Her sister watched her continually,
and when they left the house, they
were careful to lock her in. The days
went by rapidly, until the day of the
baptism arrived. Maria's sister had
told her that Maria was not to leave
the house that day. But suddenly she
changed her mind and asked Maria to
go to the market for some soft drinks.
Maria had not stopped praying, and
saw in this request the Lord's help.
She had a dress inside the bag of
soft-drink bottles and ran quickly
toward the supermarket. She left the
bag at the market and arrived out of
breath at the tent just at the moment
when the baptismal candidates were
to be presented. Without a moment's
hesitation, Maria joined them. The
evangelist, surprised and happy to
see her there, assumed that she had
received permission. Maria came up
from the water that morning too joy-
ful and thrilled to give any explana-
tions. It was five minutes to twelve
when she entered the supermarket
with her hair dripping wet. She won-
dered what would happen when she
would return home.
The market was crowded, and when
she entered, someone called her
GIVE YOUR STORY LIFE . . . TELL IT IN YOUR OWN WORDS!
name. Her sister, worried about the
delay, had just telephoned the store to
see whether Maria was there. Maria
heard the clerk as she replied, "Yes,
she is here, but it is so crowded.
Please excuse . . ."
These small manifestations of
God's care encouraged Maria to wit-
ness for Jesus to her family.
When her sister and brother-in-law
found out that she had been baptized,
they were furious. They decided to
send her to a reform school in Cor-
doba. However, in order to enroll her,
they had to appear before the juvenile
authorities. Yielding to Maria's
wishes, the judge declared that the
best place to send her would be River
Plate College.
Maria is now preparing herself to
be a missionary.
Sabbath School members around
the world, don't you want to give a
generous offering this thirteenth
Sabbath so more "Maria's" can learn
how to share Jesus with their fami-
lies?
SABBATH, MARCH 24
Operate Now, or Else
[The following is a thrilling letter written
by Mr. and Mrs. Eric Monnier, currently
serving as missionaries in Brazil on Luzeiro
XIV, to his parents, Elder and Mrs. S. F.
Moonier.)
It is 9:45 P.M. and I do not know
why I am writing to you, for it would
23
 be much better if I went to bed.
Francoise and I are worn out. Each
evening I hold an evangelistic meet-
ing, and I've just come back from one
to which Francoise, for once, didn't
accompany me—and here's why. Yes-
terday my wife performed a Caesar-
ean section!
Soon after we rose yesterday morn-
ing, Francoise was taken to a woman
in childbirth. At 6:00 A.M. she re-
turned with the woman in a ham-
mock, and we took her aboard the
Luzeiro and put her in our consulting
room. The poor patient could do no
more; for several hours she had been
struggling to bring her baby into the
world. My capable wife (a nurse) had
me fetch everything that was needed
while she tried to induce the birth.
But there were complications, and we
hardly knew what to do. We asked
God to intervene, but Francoise said:
"There's only one way—a Caesar-
ean!" The nearest doctor was six
hours away, and the woman would be
our responsibility during all that
time. I said, "It's out of the question to
operate," but my wife had already
made her decision. Two lives were in
jeopardy.
We made one last attempt, but it
was hopeless. Then everything hap-
pened very quickly. Francoise used
the only anesthetic available-30
carpules (approximately 60 cc) of no-
vocaine from the same syringe I use
in my work of pulling teeth—and
then made the incision without shak-
ing, while I tried to hand her the right
instruments at the right time: for-
ceps, scissors, clamps, et cetera, hav-
ing first sterilized them most care-
fully. With some difficulty she drew
out the baby—it was a girl. She
passed her to me, and I tried to clean
24 WORLD MISSION REPORT
her somewhat, holding her by her
feet, but with very little confidence,
for a terrible doubt had taken hold of
me. I had in my hands a lifeless little
form, with bulging head, and with
swollen and blackened lips. I picked
up the stethoscope, but could detect
no heartbeat. "0 God, what can I do?"
Francoise set about stitching up the
mother, tying off the blood vessels,
even while blood was flowing every-
where. Francoise saw me holding the
baby, and for the first time since fac-
ing the dilemma she seemed to lose
her nerve. Which should we try to
save, the mother or the child? I was
upset and said to her: "Carry on,
you'll manage. This is no time to
dither. I'll look after the baby: you
save the mother." Francoise went
back to stitching. I realized that I
could do nothing more for the child,
and that the father, quiet and very
brave, had grasped the same truth,
and said to me: "Can I wrap it up?"
But Francoise cried: "No, don't let
him do it. I want to see her. We must
save her." It was then my turn to feel
sick. I again took up the stethoscope
and tried once more, but there was no
response, and I didn't know what to
do. Francoise declared: "Let's concen-
trate on the mother, or she will surely
die." I put down the child and went to
my wife's side, to help as best I could,
or just to encourage her.
Two hours after the ordeal had
begun, all was over, and the wife was
recovering in bed. Then Francoise
burst into tears, crying, "What about
the baby?" When she had calmed
down, we thought things through and
concluded that the child had been
dead an hour or more before the
mother had come aboard the Luzeiro.
We then gave our patient antibi-
PROJECTS DESCRIPTION . . . READ PAGE 3.
otics, and examined her closely, not-
ing her rapid but feeble pulse and
high temperature. We prayed.
I tried to rest, but awoke with a
start as I heard my wife calling me. I
jumped up as she said: "She's gone
into shock because of the antibiotics!"
Our patient was in a terribly excited
state. I seized her two hands and tried
to calm her, and Francoise managed
to give her an injection. As the hours
slowly passed, an improvement took
place. There was no hemorrhaging,
and there appeared to be no infection.
Praise God! Both the patient and
Francoise slept.
[Six days later, Francoise continues
the story:]
We are beginning to recover from
that overloaded week that had so
strained our nerves. Our patient is
doing well. She and her husband are
still on board. She is able to walk and
has no pain in the abdomen except
when she eats. Her pulse is growing
stronger with a regular beat, and she
has no fever. I again gave her antibi-
otics, in spite of her earlier negative
reaction, to guard against infection.
For a long time she had liver trouble
and was unable to take medicine eas-
ily, and of course that does not help.
But she has not hemorrhaged since
the operation, and feels quite well.
It seems that her baby had suffered
from her prolonged labor, and I doubt
whether anyone could have saved
her, but I felt sick that I had not been
able to care for both of them at the
same time. I would never have at-
tempted the operation if I could have
seen any other solution. If the family
would have tried to take the mother
to Manaus, she would certainly have
died on the journey. I feel that God
greatly helped Eric and me. On
GIVE YOUR STORY LIFE . . . TELL IT IN YOUR OWN WORDS!
thinking it all over, I realize that it
was not I that acted, for I would never
have had the courage to do so, but
once again our heavenly Father was
by our side. Since the operation, she
has never felt the slightest pain
around the incision, and, thanks to
God, all danger has disappeared.
They are a lovely couple, brave and
tactful. The husband is very con-
cerned about being an expense to us,
but I'm glad he's here, for he cares for
her much better than I would ever be
able to do. If there's the slightest hint
of trouble, he tells us immediately.
They have three children, and would
make fine Adventists. We're going to
do our best to lead them to Jesus and
bring them to church.
[Eric continues:]
Each morning I pull an average of
100 to 150 teeth. I am told that I do
too much, but can I send these people
away while they suffer so much?
Some of them come great distances to
reach the Luzeiro. If I turned them
away, I would feel I had failed in my
mission. The Lord has greatly blessed
us. Each weekday evening I conduct
evangelistic meetings, and there is
always a good attendance. Our mem-
bers are being trained for complete
involvement in total missionary ac-
tion. More than forty Branch Sabbath
Schools have already been estab-
lished.
God is powerful. We witness so
many miracles, some in the physical
realm, as this successful Caesarean,
and many in the spiritual realm. We
will have more than twenty baptisms
in our district this year, my first year
of service. But the challenge is so
great. There are more than 1,000
miles on this water avenue called the
Amazon, with tens of thousands of
25
people living along its shores.
Father, Mother, we are both very
happy in His work!
SABBATH, MARCH 31
The Future Will Be
Different, Thanks to
You
by Richard Dena
[Sabbath School director, East Bolivia Mission]
Probably more than one Sabbath
School member may have difficulty
finding Bolivia on the division map.
However, if you look at the map of
South America, you will find Bolivia
landlocked right in the heart of this
great continent.
Although Bolivia has a land area of
more than 424,000 square miles, the
population is no more than 6,000,000.
With only 14 people per square mile,
Bolivia is considered to be a very
sparsely populated country. Another
interesting feature is the varied cli-
mates of Bolivia. A suitable location
can be found for-any person, plant, or
animal, as long as no major diffi-
culty is experienced in adjusting.
Nevertheless, things have not
always been easy in this nation,
where, from the birth of its political
life, it has been involved in a series of
bloody revolutions and coups that
have paralyzed the country and sub-
merged it in unspeakable stagnation.
This was the social and economic
26 WORLD MISSION REPORT
condition that dominated Bolivia in
1930, when the Adventist Church
took the first steps to establish medi-
cal missionary work. The government
of the country requested us to be re-
sponsible for the administration of
two hospitals. One of them was in the
eastern part of Bolivia, on the border
with Brazil. The building had been
used as a winery before we began
using it for a hospital. Once it was
remodeled and the necessary equip-
ment was installed, this facility pro-
vided medical attention for the Indi-
ans and other patients in the area on
a much greater scale than they had
ever enjoyed.
Up until this time, the hospital ad-
ministration had not thought it pos-
sible or necessary to use vehicles in
this region, but now they decided to
purchase a launch to traverse the
waters of the Mamore River and its
many tributaries, thus increasing the
medical service greatly in this part of
the country. The launch service was
responsible for saving many lives
that would have otherwise been lost.
Patients requiring major attention
were taken to the hospital.
The other hospital entrusted to us
by the government was in Chulu-
mani, an almost-inaccessible region
of the interior. The original five-year
contract was renewed many times.
Finally in 1961 the government ex-
tended the agreement for another
twenty years.
The location of the hospital has
made it a costly enterprise for the
denomination. However, all our ef-
forts have been amply repaid by what
this service represents to the patients
who have scant resources and for
whom it is impossible to travel to the
distant cities where they could find
PROJECTS DESCRIPTION . . . READ PAGE 3.
medical aid. This work was so suc-
cessful that a nursing school was put
into operation with the approval of
the Ministry of Health of Bolivia.
These hospitals always maintained
the practice of caring for the patients
even if they could not pay for their
treatment. This meant that each year
thousands of pesos were used to treat
very poor patients, although patients
and their families were encouraged to
make some effort to pay the cost of
their medical care.
Finally the hospital purchased a
mobile clinic equipped to care for
emergency cases in the area. It seems
as though emergency cases never
stop. The doctors and nurses are on
call twenty-four hours a day to an-
swer the call for help.
It would take many hours to give
all the details of the silent but
praiseworthy work carried on by the
hospitals in these two locations, let
alone mention the contribution of the
launches and the mobile clinics. Un-
fortunately the church was forced to
entrust the hospitals to the adminis-
tration of the state.
From a political viewpoint, the tur-
bulent years since that time have be-
come a matter of history. The econ-
omy is recuperating rapidly, and
along with it a nation moves forward
to become a part of the more ad-
vanced nations of the world.
The Bolivia of yesterday is not the
Bolivia of today. Material progress is
evident everywhere. We as a church
should actively participate in con-
tributing to the social, moral, and
cultural development of this nation,
which has such great possibilities.
Your generous Thirteenth Sabbath
Offering will be a major factor in
reactivating the medical missionary
work in Bolivia and helping to finish
the work in these last days.

THE NORTHERN EUROPE-WEST AFRICA DIVISION

WILL BENEFIT FROM THE
SECOND QUARTER, 1979
SPECIAL PROJECTS OFFERING ON JUNE 30

GIVE YOUR STORY LIFE . . . TELL IT IN YOUR OWN WORDS! 27

Think Thirteen
First Sabbath Second Sabbath Third Sabbath

Fourth Sabbath Fifth Sabbath Sixth Sabbath

Seventh Sabbath Eighth Sabbath Ninth Sabbath

Tenth Sabbath Eleventh Sabbath Twelfth Sabbath

Thirteenth Sabbath

Thirteenth Sabbath calls for an especially

generous gift. Look at the back cover map and see
the special needs Thirteenth Sabbath's
offering will go to meet. These projects depend on
a larger offering and that depends on you.
SPECIAL
MISSION
EMPHASIS
FOR
SABBATH
SCHOOL
1. GLOBAL ASSIGNMENT—two tape-cassette reports
each quarter in an anchorman news format.

2. MISSION FILM— an annual 13-minute 16mm color

movie.
3. MISSION SPOTLIGHT—a monthly multimedia
presentation featuring the division to benefit from the
Thirteenth Sabbath Special Projects Offering.

For further information contact your conference

Sabbath School department.
 IS YOUR MISSION PRESENTATION DULL?

Your mission presentation will be dull in your Sabbath School

program unless you make it alive, inspiring, exciting, and
meaningful. The success of your report depends on YOU.

Consider the following suggestions for a successful world

mission report:

1. Read the appropriate World Mission Report article. Take

time to consult the dictionary or atlas for any unfamiliar
words, names, or cities. Pronounce the unknown words out
loud several times until they become comfortable to say.

2. In order to acquire some interesting background facts on

the local culture and people, take time to read the
following readily accessible sources of information: Na-
tional Geographic magazines, encyclopedias, almanacs,
and travel books. For brief statistics, read the Facts and
Figures, page 4, and the church's South American figures,
back page, of this issue of the World Mission Report.

3. When you have decided what extra points of interest you

plan to include in your mission presentation, make a brief
outline that you can follow. Put yourself in the writer's
position and practice your report several times, using your
own words.

4. If possible, prepare some colorful visual aids. For instance,

an enlarged division map, a simulated drawing of one of
the Thirteenth Sabbath projects, a costume representing
the local dress, a country's flag, or a hat from the featured
country. Use your creative imagination for effective aids.

5. Finally, give your mission report with enthusiasm and

conviction.

30 WORLD MISSION REPORT PROJECTS DESCRIPTION . . . READ PAGE 3.

Issued quarterly by the Seventh-day Adventist Sabbath School Department,
Washington, D.C.

PRINTED IN U.SA.
 SOUTH AMERICAN DIVISION

• Quito Manaus s•*•

ECUADOR •
Guayaquil

NORTH BRAZIL UNION

Recife

PERU BRAZIL

EAST Salvador I
• Lima
INCA UNION SOUTH
Brasilia BRAZIL II
... Lake Titicaca BRAZIL •
•La Paz UNION
• Santa Cruz
• de la Sierra UNION

•
BOLIVIA Rio
Campo Grande
de Janeiro
Sao Paulo
•
CHI LE •- _
I s,0
Asuncion
AUSTRAL
UNION

Cordoba Santa Fe ;
• •
URUGUAY
Rosario • Montevideo
Santiago
Buenos Aires L •
La Plata •

ARGENTINA •
Mar del Plata

1. Medical Work in Bolivia

2. Construction Belgrano Clinic
3. Construction of New Academy

Church S.S.
Unions Population Churches Memb. Memb

Austral 31,098,000 175 35,628 40,15

Chile 10,438,920 126 28,892 22,5f
East Brazil 64,002,165 261 72,418 76,0:
Inca 29,288,491 274 90,025 107,01
Tierra del Fuego 77
North Brazil 15,393,009 35,020 44,95
South Brazil 49,207,000 398 129,379 148,61
Division
Totals 199,427,585 1,311 391,362 439,5(

Fiouresaa of Third Quarter 1977