This austere volcano peak, still bare from the hot lava that flowed not long ago. This land is a fascinating mixture of the new and the old. Automobiles and oxen mingle on paved streets. Drivers of the two types of Transportation must learn how to be [different] of each other. The women of El Salvador wear either modern style dress, or they may be clothed in the garb of long ago. And the ancient art of carrying loads on one's head is still skillfully practiced here. In this modern hotel known as the Hilton of El Salvador, the finest food and accommodations may be had at New York prices. However, the economy-minded person can live in this....have chosen to take their meal at the more economical eating place. They buy their food at the wayside stand....Factories of modern design, and with new production methods exist side by side with little shops where things are done in the old way--by hand, with few machines and little money. Although there are fine supermarkets available, most people still purchase produce in the air [Music] market. What could be more delightful than a Fiesta with all the entertainment, and the dash, the color, and the noise? [Music] But basic to all human emotions and needs, regardless of nationality, wealth, or creed, is that wonderful principle of love and understanding. Latin America is a land of warm human affections. As in all lands, Law and Order must be preserved by the police, the National Guard, and the military forces. Military power is greatly respected. It is said that comparatively few people control the larger share of El Salvador's wealth. One man in this country we are told could with his personal fortune buy out the whole country, but in our day, feudal lordship dare not be so obvious. Control over people and their lives in this modern day is exercised somewhat more subtly than in times gone by. People in this land, as do people elsewhere, still long to be free. They desire to be free from want and hunger. They desire to be free in their souls. The hunger that they feel, they do not know how to express or explain, but their real longing and need is for the truth that makes men free. But how will these men and women know God's truth and his salvation unless it is brought to them? Bringing the message of salvation and freedom, proclaiming the good news of God's kingdom, is the purpose and the driving force of the foreign missions program of the church. For this cause, young men and young women have joined hands and offered their lives to the Master to be used in service for other kindreds and tongues and peoples. Young people have gone forth from Seventh-day Adventist schools to freely give of the abundance which they have received. How well they serve. What devotion characterizes their lives. Their faith is a living faith, a faith bigger than the mountains. [Music] Theirs is a faith more durable than the faith which is [bowed at sure] deposited at the feet of painted plaster saints, even though they be clothed in the finest tunics and lace. Central America for 33 years now walked a tall slender man with vision in his eyes and love in his heart. Standing beside him is his wife, who has served the cause with equal devotion. This is a brief picture story of the lives of Orley and Lillian Ford. Elder Orley Ford shows how El Salvador is bounded by Guatemala, Honduras, and the sea. Even brightly colored Polly seems to be enjoying the geography lesson. The Orley Fords began their mission service in South America in the year 1917. Seeing Mrs Ford's book, "High in the Andes," Shirley and Lona find some exciting reading. "Just listen to this," says Lona. "They hiked three months through the jungles of the Amazon. I wonder if their children hike too. Let's ask her." Mrs. Ford comes in and says, "Yes, we hiked for 3 months, but the children bounced along on the backs of carriers all that time. They loved it." "What's this picture we found in the book?" "That's a meeting I attended," Mrs Ford says, "when I was the missionary of volunteer secretary." Activity has always been the first name of the Fords. Although the Fords are....it means less pay for the same amount of work. Here they are, loading the station wagon for a trip into an isolated area. Arriving at a point sometime later along the road, they still have a five mile walk ahead of them....To help carry the equipment.... But take a look will you at those hats! They are actually little umbrellas worn on the head. You'll get a better look at them in a moment. They bought those umbrellas on furlough in the United States, they told us. [Music] And here is the church, located in deep shade so that the congregation will be reasonably cool and comfortable during the warm hours of a tropical day. After the service, everyone starts another long walk to the site of [Music] [Music] baptism. We couldn't help but think how much this baptism must have been like another baptism. Christ's baptism in the desert must have been in surroundings similar to this. [Music] Now that missionary Ford has retired, he doesn't really need to keep so busy at all these things, but he says "an old war horse never quits." These baptisms are the greatest joy of his life. No one can measure the joy the Fords bring to these people who are so isolated and lonely. [Music] One would think that the day was full enough with the long walk from the road to the church, a church service, a baptism, and the walk to and from the place of the baptism, but the day has only begun. [Music] After another short service, and a special story for the children, the open air clinic starts. [Music] [Laughter] [Music] On this one visit, Elder Ford extracted 68 teeth. Young dentists tell us that Elder Ford is an accepted authority on pulling teeth, and that he extracts teeth that others dread even to attempt with good equipment, let alone to try it with simple the equipment Elder Ford uses. Ouch! There, that's over. Next! [Music] [Music] Finally, the busy day is over. The Fords wave goodbye and start the hot 5 mile walk back to the station wagon. The next day, the Fords hurry off for a visit to the government home for the aged and crippled. Poor, unfortunate people, these. Do you suppose the teaching of heaven and immortality and of perfect bodies and minds means much to them? [Music] [Music] Suppose you rode in that homemade wheelchair? [Music] Mrs. Ford plays her accordion, and weak, quavering voices join in [Music] [Music] singing. They sing, "Coming again, coming again, Jesus is coming again." When you give your Sabbath School offering, you share in this meeting. As you plan for the offering that you shall give, will you not do so remembering Elder and Mrs. Ford, and their Sabbath School in San Salvador, home for the aged and the crippled? [Music] The meeting closes with a flannelgraph story [Music] conducted by Mrs. Ford. Notice the attention given to the story. [Music] Before leaving, Elder Ford gives each person something to read. When Elder Ford baptizes these people, he must carry them down into the water and then carry them out again. [Music] Elder Ford certainly has the imagination necessary for a good missionary. He decided he could hold evangelistic meetings on this little vacant piece of ground. A few months later, just look at the results! On the Sabbath day, this plain little church building is filled with devoted worshippers. In addition to all these activities, the life of the Fords is occupied with Dorcas and Pathfinder responsibilities, counseling, and many unexpected visitors to their home by those needing help. A laboring man from nearby comes to the Ford home carrying his youngest child tightly wrapped, so that the evil spirits won't get her. The man says that his eldest daughter is being choked by the demon spirits, so the Fords have prayer with him. [Music] [Music] Then Elder Ford leaves with him to go for the daughter. After a little time, Elder Ford returns, and upon entering the house calls, "Here she is, Mother," and Mrs. Ford rushes to help. The Fords have had to deal with evil spirits many times. The girl is weak so they have her rest on a little setee. [Music] Suddenly, the evil spirit returns and chokes the girl. She screams. Mrs. Ford rushes to her, assuring her that Jesus is stronger than the evil spirits. [Music] This young lady is now a member of the lovely church that is located across the street from the Ford's home. Many who belong to this church have been saved from the power of Satan. As we visit with Elder Ford, we ask "Have you ever been stoned or beaten? Have you ever been in jail or suffered persecution?" "Oh yes," he answers. "All of these things have happened to me." "But," we continue to ask, "don't such experiences discourage you and make you long to return to your Homeland?" "My homeland?" exclaims Elder Ford. "This is my home. I love it here. I love these people, and my wife loves this country and the people as much as do I. Our children are working in the mission field. Our only other home is in heaven, and we want all these dear ones to be there too. And besides, we can't forget the great need of these people. They long for a better life. They have so few comforts here on Earth. Their most wonderful experience is to be able to come to church on the Sabbath day. How they thrill over the thought of enjoying the mansions being prepared for them in the Kingdom of Heaven!" There is much that still needs to be done in proclaiming the message of the Kingdom throughout this Central American land. Truly, dedicated men and women such as the Fords are still needed to bring the message of Hope and salvation to the longing people of El Salvador. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music]