The region where the Andrews family settled was perhaps one of the most inaccessible places on earth. The trip from the coast of China required riding steam ships to Chungking, 1,300 miles inland. The remaining trip was much slower and more arduous as small boats or rafts were pulled up river by humans or animals. There were rapids to go up where often a boat sank thus ruining or losing what was on it. Also the mountains came down to the river and the pullers needed to climb mountainsides while still pulling the boats. At some point it was no longer possible to use the river and all must then walk or be carried over mountain passes 10,000 feet (3,000 meters) or higher. The trip from Chungking took several weeks. Along the way there was constant danger from thieves and local warlords demanded bribes.
The town of Tatsienlu, Sichuan, China, (modern Kanding) is situated on the banks of a rapidly moving river in a mountainous valley surrounded on all sides by towering rock. Some of the mountains reach 14,000 feet (4,200 meters) or more. The town itself sits at about 8,600 feet (2,621 meters) above sea level. Stone is the main building material. The primary occupation at that time seemed to be tea transportation through their land into Tibet. Many of the people were addicted to drugs. The days work was generally delayed while they smoked drugs in their pipes to get high. The variety of food was not wide and the quantities were scarce. Dorothy mentioned a lack of food on numerous occasions in her letters.
The people are largely Tibetan in ethnic origin. The language is Tibetan, and the religion is Tibetan, a form of Buddhism. The lifestyle at the time Andrews’ were there was quite primitive. Modern amenities had not reached that part of the world. People lived much as they had for thousands of years. The temperature was usually chilly at that elevation. Dorothy had an interest in flowers and devoted some degree of effort to growing them to provide some color, however, the people often stole them. It was a harsh environment to raise a family, but John and Dorothy were successful, and they also made an impact for the gospel message in that remote corner of the world.
John Andrews wrote several articles for the Review and Herald describing their work in the Tibet region of western China.<
John Andrews wrote several articles for the Review and Herald describing their work in the Tibet region of western China.
Later, Dorothy wrote a series of articles for The Youth’s Instructor recounting their experience in China. The basis for the articles are the letters she wrote to her family while in China. Portions of some of these letters can be seen later in this exhibit.
Later, Dorothy wrote a series of articles for The Youth’s Instructor recounting their experience in China. The basis for the articles are the letters she wrote to her family while in China. Portions of some of these letters can be seen later in this exhibit.