Andrews University Extension School, South American Division

FROM January 2 to Febru­ary 25, an extension school of Andrews University was held in the Colegio Adventista Brasileiro in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Eleven years had elapsed since the first one, held in Monte­video in Uruguay. The stu­dents canxe from Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, Ecuador, Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru. The proportions in terms of lan­guages were roughly two to one—two Portu­guese-speaking students to one Spanish-speaking student. This could logically be expected since the school was held in Brazil. Three subjects were offered for a total of six semester hours. R. A. Anderson dealt with evangelistic and pastoral leadership; A. L. White, with the Spirit of Prophecy in the Advent Movement; and the writer, with the basic elements in principles of pastoral psychology and counseling. Classes met Monday through Friday, with separate sessions for each language group. Chapel periods each day, with two round tables a week, supplemented the classroom work. The division spent a large sum of money in order to make this session possible. In addition, approximately three months of working time for each student were in­vested in this enterprise. This represents about thirty-six years—a tremendous fig­ure when viewed in the light of probation­ary time. However, J. J. Aitken, president of the division, and L. H. Olson, the secre­tary, assured us that from their standpoint the sacrifice was worth while.

The men themselves gave up their yearly vacation and left their families for more than eight weeks. Once again they were students, living in a dormitory and eating in a cafeteria. They were making a sacrifice and at the same time enjoying what was a privilege. Their serious dedication to study and their intense hunger for knowledge and inspiration warmed the hearts of the teachers. No group of men could have worked harder.

This is true, too, of the faculty and staff. R. A. Anderson, before the school session, opened a large evangelistic campaign in Sao Paulo. He continued giving his serv­ices there even while teaching. A. L. White had a series of evening meetings for the students and local community members. Both men had additional meetings in the Sao Paulo area, besides flying every weekend to serve churches in other cities of Brazil.

Enoch Oliveira was one of the busiest members of our staff. In his capacity as secretary of the Ministerial Association of the South American Division, he acted as host the whole time we men were in South America. Before the session he carried a major burden in the Sao Paulo campaign. During the school period his services were generously given at every point. After the session he directed several ministerial in­stitutes in which Elder Anderson and the writer took part before returning to the United States. These lasted three days each, and were held in Buenos Aires, Santiago, and Lima.

Particular thanks are due to the transla­tors, without whose services the school could not have functioned. They were: Geronimo Garcia, Emmanuel Zorub, Wer­ner Vhymeister, Leslie Rhys, and Sieg­fried Kuempel.  Professor Kuempel acted as chairman of the group and represented them on the faculty. They not only trans­lated for every class and meeting but helped in many ways to achieve the results obtained at the end of the eight weeks.

The union and local conference offices in the area reflected the welcome and sup­port of the division. The staff of the host college treated us royally, particularly as to living quarters and food. In fact, sus­ceptible persons might have been "spoiled" by the good treatment we received. Presi­dent Dario Garcia, who was getting ready to go to the United States, and Dean Ed­ward Nelson, left no stone unturned to aid us in carrying out our program.

Ordinarily teachers cannot, right after a school session, go directly to the fields from which their students have come and to which they have returned. But this was the opportunity that Elder Anderson and I had. (Circumstances made it necessary for Elder White to return home at the end of February.) We met the officers who had unselfishly arranged for their workers to be at the school during the summer. They gave us firsthand reports of the appraisals brought back by their men and also added their own observations. These can be sum­marized by saying that the students had been inspired, had set for themselves wider horizons, and had been through a period of growth. Naturally, we were delighted to know that the school had accomplished its mission and that it was considered not only a worth-while venture but a major contribution to the division. Prayers were continually ascending for the Lord's bless­ing on the extension school, and it is evident that those prayers were generously an­swered.

Our brethren in South America have a difficult field in which to work. They have problems on all sides, and the near future will surely bring new ones. Increasing ten­sion is evident in religious and political areas. In some parts of the country spiritualism is rife, with its attendant complica­tions. However, this is not the place for a detailed analysis of problems in South America. Nor does a short stay and some reading qualify one as an authority. This much can be said: The workers in this part of the vineyard are diligent, courageous, and dedicated, and the field as a whole is wide open for the Advent message. These ministers take ordination seriously and try always to be worthy of their commission in the Lord's army. As things build to a final crisis in South America we know there will be men ready to meet the challenge.