We had been there about four days when Brother and Sister Schoenich were called to one of their other stations over in the mountains. Perhaps you can imagine us poor little folks there without the language, taking care of the station and carrying on the meetings while they were away. Rising very early to help them off before the sun was hot, we bade them good-bye, then turned our faces toward Heaven and asked God to help us, for we were there, and must be brave soldiers, not get frightened and run away from the battle. The Holy Spirit fell upon us, and the Lord spoke to us saying He would be mouth and wisdom unto us.
As we stepped into the corridor leading from the yard, we met our first problem, which was to speak to one who knew only the Spanish language, with no one to interpret for us. The man from the finca (little farm) had come in to ask for the hammer. He talked and laughed, and we all talked and laughed, and tried to see whether we could get what he wanted. We brought him the horses, the harness, and almost everything in the kitchen. At last we took him into the tool room to let him see if what he wanted was there, and he picked up the hammer. Ever after that we remembered the Spanish word for hammer. But, oh my! there was a pile of things lying all over the corridor to be picked up and put in their places. However, it was a very effectual way to get the language.
Next the girl in the kitchen must be told what to cook for dinner. Into the kitchen I went, knowing the mountain was before me, and must be surmounted, and I meant, by the help of the Lord, to go over the top. Putting out the things for her to cook, I showed her by signs, as much as possible, how they were to be fixed. She did pretty well and the meals were good.
But the worst was to come. The next morning was Sunday, and there were the dear natives gathering into the chapel. What were we to do? Oh, we felt so helpless! Down on our faces we went to ask God to come upon us that day, and fill us with his power and pour out the Spirit on all the dear people. We took our Spanish song books, and went in, and played and sang the hymns the best we could. We had learned to say, “Let us pray,” so we knelt down and, we in English, and they in Spanish, poured out our supplications before the Lord, and the power fell. We were there over two hours, just worshiping the Lord, and the language was well understood by all, for the Holy Spirit did the speaking and worshiping, and we did not make an effort to do anything. Oh, how we did feel the mighty presence of the Holy One that day!
Alma and her music class in Matagalpa
Washday at the river for native women