It was the usual "Fair Time" in Vitichi, the second Capital of the Province. Many attended-some 4,000 people each year. Business men from all over Bolivia set up "marquees" (or large tents), laden with every kind of clothing, foodstuffs, pots, pans, needles, threads and other items. Patrons brought cattle, sheep, goats and other animals for sale. Cowboys from Argentina brought dozens of donkeys and mules to sell.
It was of special interest to all concerned, and more especially of interest to the missionary and Indian converts, for they were able to carry the Gospel to so many souls during those days. One evening the missionary, his wife, and several young believers had a special meeting during which they decided to go to the Fair.
Six young brothers volunteered, each one with his donkey with saddlecloths and extra ponchos. A "poncho" is a warm blanket of sheep or llama wool with a hole in the middle to enable the wearer to insert his head through it and thus cover his whole body. Great excitement prevailed as each one made the necessary preparations to stay at the Fairgrounds for several days. There they could testify by singing Quichua hymns and speaking for the Lord Jesus. Also, they planned to purchase things most needful for the coming year before returning home. The missionary always took with him a good supply of the Gospel of John, New Testaments and Gospel tracts for distribution.
The missionary was concerned as to how his wife could travel the long distance-twenty-one miles-to the Fair. He had a donkey named "Jacko" which he had trained for his wife to ride. He decided she should ride Jacko while he accompanied her on foot. The Indians had their donkeys to bring back supplies, but they were not trained for anyone to ride on.
The missionaries, their young Christian friends and their mules with all their supplies left home early in the morning and arrived late the same day. The missionaries' companions were given money for food. (Open kitchens and restaurants were everywhere.) He and his wife located a suitable room in one of the small hotels.
Every morning they and the young believers met for prayer before giving out the Gospel, singing hymns and distributing the Gospel of John. The missionary's wife quietly went among the women and children, giving out Gospel tracts and trying to speak a loving word to some who understood Spanish.
One afternoon, after being at the Fair for several days, and after having purchased flour, sugar, wheat, coffee and other necessities for use at home, they came upon the Mayor of the Village. He knew the missionary so he came over to speak to him and his wife. When he asked the missionary how his wife would make the long journey home, the missionary replied, "Mounted on Jacko, my donkey!"
"She certainly will not go back that way!" the Mayor emphatically responded. "She will travel on my wife's special mule. I had her trained in Argentina especially for my wife. She is very tame, and if you cannot reach home and are forced to spend the night in the woods, you will just tie her right foot to a tree and she will stay by you as a lamb would."
Because they left late in the afternoon, they did have to pass the night in the woods. The young believers tied the mule's foot to a tree, took the loads from the other donkeys and heaped together their saddlecloths to make the missionary and his wife a suitable bed. They slipped into their ponchos and spread their goatskins to sleep on. Then they built a big fire to keep away any mountain lions which might be lurking around. All night the brothers took turns in keeping the fire going. Thus they passed a very comfortable night and reached home early in the morning.
The missionary sent the mule back to the Mayor with a special letter, thanking him from the heart for his kindness. He suggested that if he ever wished to sell her, he would be very glad to buy her. A letter by return mail from the Mayor said he would talk things over with his wife. Two weeks later another letter arrived saying his wife was so concerned when she saw the missionary's wife riding on Jacko that she would be glad to sell the mule for $100.00, as she needed some American money.
The missionary bought the lovely six and one-half year-old mule for the price arranged and brought her home to his wife. She named her "Betsy." What a comfort and blessing Betsy was to dear Rose during the few years she lived! Betsy served the missionary for over twenty years and was his companion on many a Gospel trip. During the years she carried him over many hundreds of miles of hazardous roads and never once fell.
The missionary will never forget one special event which occurred while riding Betsy in the mountains. He had been away on a Gospel effort in a new and rugged section of the country. Rain had fallen, making it difficult to cross the rivers. The Indian brothers, six in all, suggested they follow a "goat track" and thereby avoid the rivers which were in flood. They very carefully wended their way to the "goat track," the missionary going ahead so the Indians could watch him in case he had any trouble.
Suddenly he came to a big landslide which had wiped out the track completely, and stones were still rolling down. What was he to do? Because of the landslide the path was narrower than ever. It was impossible for him to get off Betsy and impossible for Betsy to turn around. The Indians behind him were afraid to disturb Betsy. What was going to happen to their dear friend? The missionary bowed his head and prayed; then speaking to his faithful Betsy, he stroked her neck and said, "Betsy, it is up to you!"
Betsy rose up on her hind feet, with the missionary on her back, and swinging her front feet rapidly over the precipice, she just made the turn back the other way. The missionary marveled at the maneuver! He remarked later that he had never been through such an experience in his life. Surely the Lord heard his prayer and strengthened Betsy the mule to act in such a manner.
The Indians accompanying the missionary joined in prayerful thanksgiving when he reached them where they were waiting for him. Together on the mountainside they read Psa. 34:77The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. (Psalm 34:7): "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them."
Betsy lived to be thirty-one years old, a good old age for a mule. The last few years the missionary would not mount her, but every morning when he went out to feed her, she would nudge him with her nose, waiting for him to mount. Instead the missionary would kindly stroke her saying, "Betsy, I just can't do it, you are too old!" Betsy would look at him and slowly turn away.