Venezuela by Mr. F. G. Lane; Mrs. F. G. Lane

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 20, 1910

Venezuela

By Mr. F. G. Lane; Mrs. F. G. Lane

We left Barbados for our present field of labor, July 25, accompanied by Brother R. E. Greenage, who is to open treatment-rooms in Caracas, and thus, start the medical work. While we looked forward with pleasure to our work in Venezuela, it was with sorrow that we bade farewell to the little island of Barbados, and to our many kind friends both in the church and out of it. We were glad to know that we left the church in a good spiritual condition, and we pray that God may continue to bless the little company there.

On the morning of July 26 we reached Trinidad, and were warmly welcomed by Brethren J. B. Beckner and E. C. Widgery. We found the brethren in Trinidad of good courage, and the work in a prosperous condition. It was our privilege to speak to the believers on the evening of the twenty-seventh, and on the evening of the twenty-eighth we continued on our journey.

Our boat, which was a small one, called at several little towns along the coast. The most interesting of these was Margarita, where large pearl fisheries are conducted. Araya is a small town in a desolate region which is the inexhaustible source of Venezuela's salt supply. A third point of interest was Cumaná, where Columbus first touched the South American shore. We reached La Guaira, the port of Caracas, on the

morning of August 1, and after spending some time getting our luggage through the customs, enjoyed a ride by train through twenty miles of beautiful mountain scenery before we reached Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. After four or five days' search we secured a house, and are now fairly well settled, and are working on the language.

Caracas lies about three thousand feet above the sea, and for a place at this altitude the climate is all that could be desired. It is a pretty city in the business district, but the resident portions are very uninviting, and there is much room for improvement in the sanitation. Most of the necessaries of life are very high. While there seems to be an abundance of fruit and vegetables, meat, which is very cheap, is the chief article of diet.

There is indeed a crying need for the truths of the third angel's message; but how unequal to the task we feel as we look over this great field, whose people are wrapped in the darkness of Catholicism! We can only lay the burden upon the Lord, who alone is equal to the task, and who will finish the work. Our prayer is that he will direct and guide us as we hold up the banner of truth. We desire the prayers of our brethren in the home land, that a company of commandment-keeping people may soon be gathered out in Venezuela.

MR. AND MRS. F. G. LANE.