Fabian Estrada was one of the brothers who had accompanied the missionary from Potosi to seek out the Inca Indians and to buy the property among them. He had been one of the first to be saved in Potosi. One day he came to visit the missionary and his wife. They were both shocked when they saw how ill and thin he looked. He had worked many years in the tin mines of Potosi and had developed silicosis, a lung disease which results in the early death of many Bolivian miners. The missionary and his wife took care of Fabian, trying to get him to rest as much as possible. In a few weeks his health was very much improved, but not enough for him to ever go back to work in the mines.
One day Fabian, who spoke both Quichua and Spanish fluently, said to the missionary, "I know that I cannot return to work in the mines. I wonder if I could help you in the missionary work by trying to take the Gospel to certain places where you have not been able to go? But I am concerned for my wife and children in Potosi."
The missionary replied, "Let's pray about it, because I am very exercised about a district in the south of the Department of Potosi, called Uyuni, where I have heard that the Gospel has never been preached. It is a long way from here. Do you think it would be too much for you to visit those parts?"
Fabian immediately answered, "I would be so happy to do so, with the Lord's help. But what about my family?"
"Well," said the missionary, "by the grace of God, my wife and I will try to help your wife and children, for our Lord has promised to •supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:1919But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)). I will give you enough money to rent a mule for the trip to Potosi, where you can visit your family and buy a backpack and certain articles that you can sell along the way, such as needles, knives, scissors, thread, and a few pieces of material for the ladies to make dresses."
His wife was happy to see him looking better and to know that he was free to leave the mines and serve the Lord whom they both loved and trusted. She decided to find some kind of work. The missionary promised to see that the children would be able to go to school.
Fabian and his wife purchased different things which they thought would sell among the Indians. Then he bought a second class train ticket to Uyuni. From there he walked to the little village of Chita, trying to sell what he could, and also looking for opportunities to preach Christ, giving out many Gospel tracts along the way. It was a very fanatical province and he met with much opposition everywhere. He was feeling much better now that he was outdoors so much and able to rest now and again.
He went from door to door selling his goods, speaking a word here and there for his Savior. He became very friendly there with one man named Lino Bueno, who showed a great interest in the Lord Jesus.
Some years before when Lino Bueno was a young man he had heard about the Lord Jesus, and often longed to hear more about Him. Even though Fabian spoke so convincingly and seemed so happy, Lino decided to think more about what Fabian was teaching after the Big Feast and parade which was to be celebrated. He was the Band Master and thus had a special part in the parade. Each man usually wore a belt holding sticks of dynamite, one of which they would light now and again and throw to scare off the devil. It was a heathen feast, and most of the men became very drunk.
Because he too was drunk, Lino Bueno was too slow in throwing a stick of dynamite. It detonated in his hand, blowing his hand off and his eye out. When he woke up in the hospital, the first thing he thought about was deciding for Christ as Fabian had begged him to do before the feast. He prayed, "Oh, Lord Jesus, I believe you love me and died for me. I know I am a sinner. Please don't blow my head off! I accept Thee as my Savior now." What peace came into his heart right then! He is still enjoying that peace with his family.
Fabian did not stay for the feast. He did leave a Bible for Lino Bueno, but he never knew that he was saved.
A whole year Fabian trudged up and down preaching the Gospel to the Indians in that large southern section of Oruro, but he saw no visible fruit from his labors. Weary and downhearted he returned to the missionary and said, "Brother, I'm so sorry but I haven't seen any response to the Gospel. I know it is the power of God unto salvation, but I haven't had the joy of leading one soul to Christ." The missionary tried to comfort him with the Scripture in Eccl. 11:11Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. (Ecclesiastes 11:1), "Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days." Also Psa. 126:66He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalm 126:6), "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bring his sheaves with him."
When the Chaco War broke out between Bolivia and Paraguay, Fabian was drafted into the army, and the missionary became a chaplain. One day a Commander of one of the regiments sent a message to the Chaplain: "There's a man who wants to see you. He is dying." He left at once, going through the jungle to the outer trenches, and there he found dear Fabian, just skin and bones, about to depart to be with Christ.
"Oh, dear brother," said Fabian feebly, "I'm so glad to see you." He tried to get up on his feet, but he was too weak. Kneeling down in the trench beside him, his friend who loved him so prayed for him and they both wept together. When it was time for the missionary to leave, Fabian whispered, "Brother, I'll see you in the morning."
Early the next morning the missionary went back to the trench, but all there was left of dear Fabian was a stick with his name on it, stuck in the ground to mark his grave. He had died during the night. Like so many thousands of other men who had perished in the war, they had just dug a hole and buried him in the jungle. But dear Fabian was at Home with the Lord, to await the trump of God and that glorious resurrection morning-that "morning without clouds" (2 Sam. 23:44And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain. (2 Samuel 23:4)).
The stick which marked the grave of Fabian has long since gone, but God has erected a monument to his memory that neither time nor eternity will ever erase. That monument is the life and labors of Lino Bueno, one of the richest trophies of the Lord's grace among the mountains of Bolivia. Lino, who was saved through hearing the Gospel from the lips of Fabian Estrada, has served the Lord in those remote mountainous regions. Many an Indian brother has cause to thank God for the life-giving message heard from his Ups, for he has won many for Christ. As a result there are in that area at least fifteen assemblies of believers, gathered simply to the precious Name of Christ, fruit of His wonderful grace and the faithful labors of Lino Bueno who was brought to know the Lord by Fabian Estrada.