Carl on bridge of ship at sea
THE STARS AND STRIPES AND BEAUTIFUL MANZANILLA
We reached Manzanilla on January 19th. Pulling ourselves up on the dock out of the little boat that brought us ashore, and walking a short distance, we came to the street on the water front. It was filled with people who had gathered to see the ship come in. With eager faces they watched the unloading of the cargo. We thought if only the many launches and boats that had gone to the ship for passengers and cargo could bring messengers and messages to this hungry people’s souls, what a blessed thing it would be!
We walked through the little city. The streets were filled with barefoot men, women, and children, many of whose clothes were ragged and dirty. Many pigs and sick dogs were roaming about eagerly hunting food, which appeared to be scarce. Our hearts were touched. As we looked up to Heaven there came a cry from my soul for the deliverance of these people.
Our attention was attracted by the ringing of a bell away up the mountain side. There we saw a small white Temple. The people began to swarm up there, answering the call of the bell. We went up with them. As we stepped inside the great iron gate that is kept closed at all other times, but was now opened for the people to enter, we saw the poor barefoot, ragged creatures enter, and kneeling down, make the sign of the cross and worship the tall image before them, then rise to their feet and pass out.