Dear Friends:
These stories are all true. They are about real people, many of whom are now with the Lord, awaiting the glorious day when we shall be CAUGHT UP TOGETHER TO BE FOREVER WITH OUR LORD!
The Bolivian Incas were a people very much neglected by their own government. When the missionary first arrived among them, they did not even have hospitals or schools. He was able to start several schools and, and many of the boys from those schools earned teachers' certificates and are now teachers themselves.
Since those early days of the missionary's work among the Incas, the government has taken over all the schools, allowing boys with teachers' certificates to continue teaching in the schools. How thankful the missionary has been that they were also permitted to continue with the fifteen minutes of Bible study and prayer every morning!
The eldest son of Demetio, whose story is included in these memoirs, is a Director of one of the schools. The son-in-law of Lino Bueno, whose story is also included, is also a Director. Both of these men are saved and gathered to the Lord's name, and trying to serve Him in some little way. Dear Lino Bueno wrote recently, "I am not able to write very much, my eye is failing me, and my wife and I are ready to depart to be with Christ. She is very frail, but happy in the Lord."
It is wonderful to see these dear Indians "gathered to the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ" and to know that there in Bolivia He is in the midst even as He is with us here. The knowledge they have of the Scriptures is amazing, truly showing that "they received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily" Acts 17:1111These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11). Many of the native brethren have been the means of bringing others to Christ and of helping them see their place at the Lord's table, "without the camp" (Heb. 13:1313Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. (Hebrews 13:13)) and "afar off from the camp" (Ex. 33:77And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought the Lord went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp. (Exodus 33:7)).
The missionary is not able to visit them anymore because of his age and health, but the Lord has graciously raised up faithful young men to continue with the work for Him in Bolivia.
We trust you will enjoy these stories, written to show how God in His love is still working and saving souls in His own gracious way. Our prayer is that telling you about these dear Inca Indians will be a blessing to many.
Frances Smith