The Move to La Carlota

Escudo--Coat of Arms

The search for a place to live continued in La Carlota, a much smaller town sixty-five miles southeast of Río Cuarto. We traveled there to visit the other Grace Brethren missionary family, the Dowdys—Paul, Dortha and the boys. As Mother writes, They treated us royally while we were there.

The real estate agent hired in Río Cuarto to search out a home for us remained unsuccessful. Meanwhile, Dad noted on February 16, Brother Dowdy and I canvassed La Carlota for a house and found one - after a day and a half. . . It is a very lovely place with four rooms, a bath, kitchen, wash house, two garages, a large patio and a sort of wide hallway. The rent is 70 pesos or $17.50 per month. We do praise the Lord for this and are looking forward to moving in by about February 20. Mother added, Our new home in Carlota has a nice, large, shady patio. The house was a doctor’s home and he still has his offices in the front.

At that time, my parents expected to live in La Carlota for a year or so while learning the language. Dad added, Although we do not say much in Spanish yet, we are understanding more and more every day.

During our visit, Brother Dowdy introduced us to two smaller towns he visits regularly—Santa Eufemia and Los Cisnes. Dad commented: The work seems very interesting, but I don’t see how he gets around to all of it. He leaves for these various places about 4 or 5 p.m. and doesn’t get home until midnight.

In Los Cisnes, a lady was hired to tutor my parents—Clara Debanne, one of the believers there who is. . . very talented . . . speaks English fluently, . . . can give us the best meaning and connotation to the various words.

The group at La Carlota had a welcome service for us in the Dowdy’s patio. Kathryn and I both said a few words. I played my horn. Brother Dowdy read scripture, and showed some pictures of the United States. It seemed wonderful to see many faces of various friends, pastors and relatives. 

Perhaps Dad felt a twinge of homesickness, but not for long. His next comment was, we are enjoying Argentina and are very anxious to get settled so we can really put forth every effort to the learning of the language. We believe there is a real future for this work.

About the return trip to Río Cuarto, Mother wrote, Rita was worse than I’ve ever seen her. Half the journey she cried. I generally take milk along, but since she broke her bottle and it was only a two-and-a-half hour ride we decided we could make it. Oh what a time we had. We were met at the bus station and taken by taxi--a horse-drawn carriage--to the mission station. When we got here she drank three glasses of milk.

The day before the trip, our boxes had arrived from Buenos Aires and for the most part remained unopened. The sewing machine came through pretty well. Mother added, however, that the mimeograph was bent in four or five places and will take some patience and work to get it into running order.

Then, February 16, my parents caught a glimpse into the local political scene. Mother said, Last night I got only a few hours’ sleep as outside our window they were preparing for a great political meeting. They built a large platform for the Democratic candidates, Tamborini and Mosca. If these two men get in office we’ll have seen the president and vice-president of Argentina. At 6:30 in the morning they began shooting off bombs to announce the meeting. They kept it up until about 7:15. You can imagine what it sounded like just 30 feet away.

February 24 Dad wrote: Today was election day. I guess they always have things of that nature on Sunday. The country is very tense. Probably more interest has been shown in this election than any for years. Four parties have combined in their candidates to defeat Perón.

Newly arrived, my parents had formed no opinion as to the best candidate. Dad didn’t know what was best, but I do pray that there shall be more freedom for the gospel. Who won the election? Perón.

Juan Domingo Perón was an army officer who joined a coup in 1943 against the government. His popularity and influence grew rapidly, due to measures he took to help the working class when he was appointed secretary of labor. Later he became minister of war and  vice president. In October 1945, however, he was ousted and imprisoned in a coup led by civilians and officers of an ultra conservative Catholic mindset. His charismatic mistress, Eva Duarte, inspired an uprising of the workers, which forced his release on October 17. That night he addressed the thousands from the balcony of the presidential palace and promised victory in the coming presidential election. Four days later, he married Eva, memorialized in the musical “Evita” and “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina.”   

Years later I saw images of Juan and Evita in every classroom and joined the student body singing the Peronist March. Here is a sample of what I remember to this day, although the entire song has nine stanzas.

Los muchachos peronistas                                          The Peronist boys
todos unidos triunfaremos                                           All united will stand
y como siempre daremos                                            And as always we will
un grito de corazón:                                                    Sing our hearts out
¡Viva Perón! ¡Viva Perón!                                          ¡Hail Perón! ¡Hail Perón!  

While Argentines decided the course of their nation, my parents settled in for a lifetime of service.

Some of what little they brought with them in the way of furnishings was damaged. The sewing machine suffered a few severed joints in the cover, but the mechanism was tip top. The dishes, however, suffered more. About 15 different pieces were broken. The wood stove had one small crack in the base, of no importance. Dad grieved most over the mimeograph machine and said, The cylinder had some dents in it and several of the shafts were bent. I’ll need to see if I can get it working. I know my amazing handyman Daddy was successful because I remember as a child helping with the many mimeographing projects.

Assuming availability and better prices in the city, Dad and Mother went furniture shopping in Río Cuarto. They bargained for a dining room set and wrote down the price. When they went to pick it up, the salesman wanted 100 pesos more and in the end refused to sell. They were able to purchase a bedroom set consisting of a bed, chest of drawers, and wardrobe.

Monday, February 18, the rented truck was sent on ahead, loaded with everything we owned. We rode with the Dowdys, who had come to the city for dental work. By six P.M. we had our belongings in our new home.  Tuesday we bought a dining room set. . . a table, six chairs, and two buffets. . . quite nice looking. . . costing 420 pesos. . . I got a desk for 50 pesos. . .We also bought an ice box, a “calentador” (small kerosene burner). It starts with alcohol and has a pressure pump on it. Also got a small unpainted kitchen table and two kitchen chairs. A table top kerosene stove will be here within 10 to 15 days. The next thing we want is an electric washer. They cost $200 so we must wait for that. I am making a small kitchen cabinet for Kathryn and will make another before long.

Caring for a child in the best of conditions can be trying, but coping with their first, a twenty-one-month toddler, while starting life in a new home and a foreign culture, adds an additional challenge. My mother and father, like many young parents, alternately showed good insights and made mistakes. 

Mother had not anticipated the annoying insects of summer and noted that I was all peppered with mosquito bites.

She also mentioned, The last few nights Rita has been crying herself to sleep since we’ve taken her bottle from her. From my current perspective as a grandmother, I ask -- What?! They took away my comfort during a time of life transition?

Then again she says, Last night she was sitting on the toidy when she fell asleep. It was so funny to see her sit and nod. I repeat -- What?! Potty training that early, during a big move and even laughing at me?

Life had its fun times too: We got the January issue of the Geographic and have enjoyed it a lot. We told Rita that Grandma and Grandpa sent it and for a long time she sat leafing through one page after another. The National Geographic subscription was my grandparents’ Christmas gift to all their missionary children every year.

Ultimately, my parents believed with all their heart the biblical promise: "The Lord is the One who will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged (Deuteronomy 31:8 HCSB)."