100 years onward!

The Davis’ made their way into the interior of Paraguay after spending a year in Entre Rio, Argentina, adjusting to the culture and learning the language. Mabel’s health began to decline as they endured a harsh climate and heavy demands from mission work and raising a family (Joseph and Mabel had three children by then: Faith, Joan and Sam). The Davis’ first term ended two years into their missionary journey.

They returned to the States in 1916 for a much-needed furlough—to recover, study, and grow their team. Joseph, Mabel, their three children and four additional missionaries returned to Paraguay in late 1916. Shortly before their return, Joseph Davis met a gentleman named John Hay. The two likely crossed paths at Moody Bible Institute where Joseph was studying while on furlough. A Scotsman, John Hay founded the Inland South America Missionary Union (ISAMU), a work serving the indigenous peoples of the Paraguayan Chaco.

The hot, humid, feverish climate of the lowlands where the Davis family lived was grueling to endure, and again, Mabel Davis’ health began to deteriorate. She became severely anemic. The constant demands of a rigorous life and work produced heart problems. She was also in need of major surgery.

Thus in 1919 the Davis’ returned to the United States permanently. Joseph’s meeting John Hay in 1916 proved providential. Upon Mr. Hay’s request, Joseph Davis became the United States Deputation Secretary for ISAMU. The Davis’ team whom they took back to Paraguay with them in 1916 became united under the ISAMU banner.

Mr. James Cunningham was the first missionary recruited by Joseph Davis. Another early missionary recruit was Hazel Chamberlain who eventually married Rev W.J. Anderson. Their son, Robert D. Anderson, would one day become the third General Director of the Mission. John Hay had also recruited new missionaries from North America: Miss Della Whited, Miss Anabel Case, Miss Annie Mason and Miss Christine Cameron.

ISAMU had begun work in Brazil and Bolivia in 1912 and 1922. In 1924, Missionary Arthur Tylee was part of a contact group sent out from Cuiaba, Brazil, along the military telegraph line toward Brazil’s Madeira River. A 1,000 mile journey, Mr. Tylee and his team made contact with three people groups— the Parecis, Bororo, and Nhambiquara. The next year, Arthur along with his wife Ethel established a mission station near Juruena, Brazil, to share the gospel with the Nhambiquara people.

After five years of Great Commission work among the Nhambiquara, Arthur, his infant daughter, nurse Mildred Kautz and three Brazilian workers were martyred by the very people they went to love. Ethel was left for dead, but survived. She returned to the US, a champion for the cause of Christ on the mission field even in the midst of the greatest suffering. God used Ethel’s testimony in the years following her family’s tragedy to draw many unto Him, and to send many out into the world.

ISAMU officially established a US entity in 1922, incorporating in the State of New York with a US Board of Directors. For the ensuing decade, the US entity maintained official ties with ISAMU International under the leadership of John Hay and with its headquarters in Edinburgh. In 1932, primarily because of strategic and emerging missiological differences, the US entity of ISAMU became independent with Joseph Davis as the leader of the organization.