In Ecuador, the location of our meetings was the town of Santo Domingo del Colorado, two hours’ travel from Quito, in a very temperate climate. The union has a nice hall and some facilities there, and these were very adequate for our needs. Part of the first week was spent in a seminar in which we studied pastoral ethics, pastoral doctrine, leadership, and organization. It was a blessing to spend this time with our co-workers and to share counsel, teaching, and experiences. Various difficulties were considered, and questions were answered and clarified. The brethren were thankful and asked when the next opportunity would be for another seminar. Truly there is a great need to give the workers more help and training. During the day, we held the seminar, and in the evening the word of God was preached to the members and visitors in public meetings.
Step by step, the work is developing in different areas. It was particularly inspiring to hear the experience of a Catholic priest who was converted. We plan to publish this man’s story in an upcoming issue of The Sabbath Watchman. There is very good interest in the truth in different places, but there is a lack of missionaries and funds to print books for canvassing. The delegates’ meetings and public conference were a great blessing. More than 500 people came together for the conference; the hall was filled, and young and old were happy, praising the Lord with songs and experiences. The group “Renacer” presented some very nice music. After the conference, I heard that some visitors had made the decision to accept Jesus.
BOLIVIA
The second country on our schedule was Bolivia. We did not have enough time to conduct a seminar; but with God’s help we could share useful counsel, help clarify various issues, and answer some questions during the committee meetings and delegates’ sessions. During the past few years, the work in this country was shaken because of a movement which had new ideas concerning the message of justification by faith and some other doctrines, which affected a certain number of souls. Although the workers and leaders dedicated time and energy to face the emergency, it was not easy to convince souls of their mistake so they would come back to the church of God. But now, after some years, some of them have made their experience and have begun to see things differently.
The public conference was held in Tolata, near Cochabamba, a village where most of the houses are built of clay. It was a joy for the believers to attend the conference from the different parts of the country, and the churches and groups were well represented. Some of the conference participants traveled many days to be able to attend the meetings. The hall, which belongs to the church, was not so big, so people stood in the doorway and listened from the windows. We met and listened to brethren who had been deceived; now that they had returned to the church, they were eager to give their testimony, thanking God for preserving them. Of the sermon topics requested, one was on Revelation 13 and the Sunday law, a very sensitive subject in Bolivia, where many winds of new doctrine are blowing. Prayers, seminars, books, and financial help are needed in Bolivia so the workers may meet the difficult conditions and the canvassing may go forward. Among the canvassers, I was privileged to meet a 70-year-old sister who works for the Lord every day. Praise the Lord!
PARAGUAY
The time came for us to travel to the South Union, which encompasses Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. The meeting location was a hot place–Asunción, the capital city of Paraguay. Subjects included in the seminar we held there were pastoral doctrine, history of the church, church identity, the 144,000, and justification by faith. We were also able to share ideas, discuss problems, analyze conditions and needs, and present proposals for solutions. The Lord was very close. During the meetings, we could see how the work is progressing in various branches. A great deal of serious pastoral work is needed, along with a true spirit of sacrifice and prayer to reach souls. In Uruguay, where the spiritual soil is hard, we thank the Lord that His work has progressed in recent years and there are good prospects for the future.
The Lord was with us during the delegates’ meetings and conference. Among the sermons that were presented was one titled “A Lamp in Your Hands” and another titled “Light Which Will Bring a New Pentecost.” Because of national economic problems in Latin America, the South Union also has passed through difficulties. There is a need of workers for the Lord’s vineyard. Further development of the canvassing work, especially in Argentina where the distribution of literature is well accepted by the people, would be a great blessing for a number of reasons. May the Lord give the brethren wisdom to be able to do a good work in this direction.
CHILE
The last leg of our journey took us to Chile. The conference, held in a hall belonging to the church, was very nice. One of the sermons presented was, “Behold, I Come Quickly.” The seminar took place at the headquarters of the Chilean Union in Santiago. The subjects we studied included justification by faith, functions and goals of the law, pastoral doctrine, tithes and offerings, and church identity. This type of study has proven to be very necessary and timely for our ministers and workers so they are able to all speak with one voice, to avoid confusion among the members, to develop confidence and harmony within the church, and to achieve good results in preaching the message. It is also a help in discovering shortcomings and weaknesses in our personal ministry. The Lord truly helped us, and the brethren were thankful and happy.
One day we were able to visit a village on the coast of the Pacific Ocean–San Sebastian–where we have some members. One elderly brother of about 70 years of age has contributed a plot of land and purchased materials with his own funds to build a chapel. He is a mason, so he has been able to erect the building; but it is not yet finished. He is working with great joy to finish the project. Additional funds are necessary, and he is praying for additional help.
During the conference of the Chilean Union, we had the joy of seeing five souls make their covenant with the Lord. May they receive great blessings from heaven! Very sweet, delicious tropical fruits grow in Chile, and we enjoyed them very much. This country is also open to receive the message, but there are few canvassers in the union. May the Lord help them to raise up more or obtain some from other countries; this would surely give a good impetus to the work. Following the delegates’ meetings, conference, and workers’ meetings, time ran out, and the moment of departure came all too quickly. Among the last questions which touched me was, “When will you come back? Please come soon!”
–Antonino Di Franca, Italy
