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L APAGARSE las luces de 1963, deseamos decir
a nuestros amados lectores gue el Sefior ha sido
bondadoso con nosotros en este afo.
Es verdad que enfrentamos calamidades, inflacion,
desastres y hasta la muerte de nuestro querido com-
pafiero Mario Rasi.
Pero el &nimo, el celo y el valor de todos los que
llevaron fielmente la antorcha del mensaje a fravés
de nuestra extensa division no fue menor, pues estuvo
a la altura de los dias solemnes que pasamos en 1963.
iCuanto valor, cuanta alegria en servir y cuanto fue
hecho con los pocos recursos de que dispusimos! Co-
mo el aceite de la viuda, o los 300 valientes de Gededn
y los perseverantes levitas de Josué que rodearon a
Jericd, vimos crecer la obra bajo las bendiciones del
Sefior, los obstaculos fueron vencidos y verdaderos
baluartes de incredulidad cayeron bajo la proclama-
cién del mensaje gue nuestros evangelistas hicieron
resonar en lugares dificiles como en Arequipa, Cocha-
bamba, Montevideo, Temuco, Rio de Janeiro y tam-
bién en otras Jericés modernas.
81, el Senior estuvo con nosotros en todos los secto-
res de la obra.
El gito 1963 se caracterizé como el afio de los gran-
des proyectos y realizaciones, tanto en el campo
evangelistico como institucional. Se hicieron planes
firmes para nuevos colegios y nuevos sanatorios; nue-
vas lanchas comenzaron su obra; se construyeron gran-
des, nuevas y hermosas iglesias, ademas de decenas de
locales menores; se levanté el primer centro evange-
listico en América del Sur; se inicié el trabajo por
televisién: centenares de nuevas estaciones estan irra-
diando el mensaje; el primer avidén misionero fue au-
torizado oficialmente por la Asociacion General para
servir en el Alto Amazonas . . .
“:Y qué més diré? porque el tiempo me faltarj
contando de . ..” Si, de los hechos de esta fiel e in-
mensa fuerza de 131.533 laicos y sus conquistas; del
pujante cuerpo de 2.942 obreros, siempre valienies
v dedicados; de esta numerosa juventud que llena nues-
tras iglesias de alegria y de lindas perspectivas para
el futuro; de eémo nuestras fabricas de alimentos es-
tan quebrando prejuicios y lag dos casas editoras con
sus colportores abren caminos y puertas para el men-
saje; vy iqué diriamos de nuestros sanatorios, clinicas,
colegios superiores, secundarios y escuelas primarias?
ide nuestras 14 lanchas, de las hermanas Dorcas y
del evangelismo infantil? . . .
Si, “por fe ganaron reinos, obraron justicia, alcan-
zaron promesas, operaron milagros, convalecieron de
enfermedades, fueron hechos fuertes en batalas . .
unos fueron estirados, no aceptando el rescate . . . otros
experimentaron vituperios y azotes; y a mas de esto
prisiones y carceles . . .”. Si, todo esto soportaron
y mucho mas, hasta Ig muerte, para presentar ante
Jesus a mas de 15.000 almas salvadas y bautizadas
en este apagar de las luces de este agitado pero ben-
decido ano de 1963.
Qué nos reservard el Senor para 19647
M. S. N.
ditorial {] en
S THE lights go out for 1963, we want to tell our
readers that the Lord has been most kind to
us this year.
It is surely true that we have faced calamities,
inflation, disaster, and even the death of our beloved
companion, Mario Rasi; but the courage, zeal, and
fearlessness of those who faithfully bore the torch of
the Message throughout our extensive Division, was
more than egual to the solemn days through which
we passed in 1963. What courage, what joy in service,
what accomplishments with the limited resources in
hand! Like the widow’s oil, Gideon’s 300 valiant men,
and the persevering Levites under the leadership of
Joshua as they surrounded Jericho, we saw how the
work grew under the blessing of God. Obstacles were
overcome and bulwarks of unbelief fell at the preach-
ing of our evangelists in different places such as Are-
duipa, Cochabamba, Montevideo, Temuco, Rio de Ja-
neiro, and other modern Jerichos.
Yes, the Lord has been with us in all phases of
His work.
The year 1963 has been characterized by great
undertakings and realizations in the institutional as
well as the evangelistic field. Definite plans were
12id for new colleges and hospitals, new launches were
inaugurated, large, new, attractive churches were
constructed in addition to the many smaller ones. The
first evangelistic center in South America was com-
pleted, the television work was begun, hundreds of
new radio stations began broadcasting the Message,
the first missionary plane for our territory was offi-
cially authorized by the General Copference for ser-
vice in the upper Amazon region . . .
“And what shall I more say? for the time would
fail me to tell of . . .” Yes, the accomplishments of
the large, faithful force of 131,533 lay members and
their conquests, the aggressive body of 2,942 workers
—ever courageous and dedicated, the numerous youth
who fill our churches with joy and bright prospects
for the future; how our food factories are breaking
down prejudice, and our two publishing houses and
their colporteurs are opening doors for the Message;
and what could we say about our hospitals, clinics,
colleges, academies and primary schools? of our 14
launches, the members of our Dorcas Societies, and the
triumphs of child evangelism? . ,
Yes, all these “through faith subdued kingdom’s”
many times, “wrought righteousness, obtained pro-
mises,” worked miracles, “out of weakness were made
strong, waxed valiant in fight, . . . and others had
trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea,
moreover of bonds and imprisonment . .” They
endured al] this and much more, even death, to pre-
sent to Jesus 15,000 more souls saved and baptized
into His church as the lights go out for the turbulent
vet blessed year, 1963.
What does the Lord have in store for 1964?
M. S. N.
mentioned above, we witnessed
girls attended a class in diet and
nutrition directed by the dietitians
of the Rio de Janeirp Hospital. Spe-
cial music was presented for 15 mi-
nutes before each lecture and this
has been a real inspiration. This
was in the form of solos, quartets,
choral numbers, and instrumental
music. Members of a prayer circle
4
interceded 24 hours a day for the
success of the meetings, while oth-
ers faithfully distributed handbills.
We also had the support of a loyal
group of workers who followed up
the evangelistic meetings with
house-to-house visiting.
Due to the blessing of the Lord
and the efforts put forward, as
something amazing. In a month
and g half of meetings, we gained
an attendance of 10,000 to the
lectures which were given twice a
week, without counting the children
and those who participated in other
activities which were carried on
simultaneously.