The city of Cuenca, Ecuador, with its eighty thousand population and thirty-eight Catholic churches is called the "Catholic Capital of Ecuador." Official statistics indicate twelve hundred priests there. Between May 26 and June 1, 1967, Cuenca was the site of a national eucharistic congress. During the month preceding the congress five hundred centers of Catholic study, on the style of our branch Sabbath schools, were conducted throughout the city.
Twelve days after the congress was over Pastor Ruben Pereyra, Ministerial Association secretary of the Inca Union, began evangelistic meetings in this city. Following the first two weeks of meetings we received from him the following report:
"The first night we had around six hundred persons, the second we had more than one thousand two hundred, and the third night many went home because they could not get in; so the fourth night we had two sessions. But there was created a grave problem: While the first session was going on, with some eight hundred to nine hundred persons in attendance and many standing in the aisles, those who had come to the second session waited in the street. The avalanche of people was such that on the second night of this method it became dangerous. Because of this, we rented a second theater for the second session. Last night we had the sixteenth conference, with the two theaters full: One had a capacity of 650 seated comfortably, and the second seated 1,300 to 1,400. We had priests in the audience every night. One night we counted seven.
"I am beginning now the religious topics that will sift out the people. We think this will diminish the numbers. We know that the characteristic themes of Adventism will awaken opposition and perhaps violence, but we are ready for everything. The only thing we want is that Christ may be made known to this needy people.
"Of course, the program of work that the workers are carrying is fatiguing. Apart from the meetings, to which we have to take the projection equipment and amplifiers, the expenditure of much energy is necessary. Aside from this I am conducting two radio broadcasts every day in two different stations. Yesterday I was offered time on two other stations, free of charge. Unfortunately, I could not accept the offer because of the lack of time for preparation.
"Besides that, there is a continual line of people seeking counsel and orientation, but God is giving us the strength we need and we hope to be able to go on for a long time with our present plans."
A few months later we received this further word from Pastor Pereyra relating to these meetings. The story is one of progress and great courage amid severe obstacles:
"Up till now there have been fifty baptized. Although the number is not as many as we had hoped for, yet the victory has been tremendous. We have had experiences similar to those of the pioneers. We have been threatened with death, and it was necessary on more than one occasion to ask protection from the authorities. Many of those who have been baptized have had to face opposition, loss of employment, loss of their families, and many other problems, but they are all happy and content because they have accepted the Adventist message.
"The report that has been sent to me by Brother Scarcella, who has continued to carry on the work there, is that before the end of the year they will reach one hundred baptized. Before I left we already had a Sabbath school organized, with more than two hundred members attending each Sabbath. In spite of this, the decisions for baptism have been difficult for them to make because of the intense opposition on the part of the Catholic church."
In his last letter Pastor Pereyra adds. "We are now conducting another series of meetings in an inflatable tent, a picture of which I am enclosing. We have already had the first thirteen baptisms and have started holding weekly baptisms. We hope to reach one hundred."
Let those of us who labor under more favorable conditions press forward with the same zeal as these brethren. Let us also remember to pray daily for those who are carrying on the work in the many difficult areas of earth.
