1961

End of Year Photo

As I continue to dig into the available sources to make sense of those long ago days, I learn more about my parents, their life interests and myself.

Dad wrote an article for the August issue of the Heraldo Evangélico Argentino, titled "La Exposición de los siglos" [The Exhibit of the Ages].

From childhood I have frequented exhibits of one kind or another and spent pleasant moments examining the items attractively displayed there for the enjoyment and instruction of the public. A few months ago I was a spectator of the Sesquicentennial Exhibition in Buenos Aires. As I went from one booth to another, I was able to appreciate the development of the nation until this 150th anniversary, in every aspect of life--social, industrial, cultural, educational, commercial scientific, etc.  

The article goes on to enumerate and explain the multiple ways in which God reveals the wonders of creation, his grace and divine wisdom in the plan of redemption. 

I was interested to note Dad´s life-long enjoyment of exhibits and especially his desire to learn all he could about the country where he chose to live. I inherited a similar curiosity.
 
In the Noticias section of that same issue of the Heraldo, I learned interesting tidbits about the activities and events of 1961.

Don Bosco
The young people and the pastor are making 16 benches for the sanctuary and 8 little benches for the Sunday School rooms. Until now the benches used belong to the tent equipment. 
Seven young people from this congregation attended the annual Child Evangelism conference in the Capital. They were greatly blessed and especially challenged to put into practice what they learned. Some of them requested the correspondence course for teachers. 
We were blessed by the visit of Angel Camandona, Bible Institute student, in four recent meetings. His presence among the youth and his message Sunday, July 9, were such a blessing. 

It was around this time that the young people decided to divide the group and start yet another Hora Feliz (children's Bible class). I explained this to Mirtha, my friend:

Slum behind the hospital (left in background)

One Sunday we decided to start a new children´s Bible class in a slum area here in Don Bosco close to the hospital because there were 6 of us, and occasionaly more, who went to Villa Domínico to have the Hora Feliz, and we thought that by splitting we could not only reach more but also those in charge would take the responsibility more seriously being totally in charge. Each of us had choose where we would go as the Lord led. That is, everyone except me, because we agreed that the children in Villa Domínico were accustomed to gathering when they heard the accordeon so I would continue going there. Julio always felt called to work in a poor neighborhoods . . . and Antonio also felt called to the new class.  Ricardo and Roberto did not want to give up the one in V. Domínico. Then, because we needed a girl to go to the new class, Mabel decided to go there. That is how the forces were divided. 

Antonio teaching

Roberto teaching

 

 

Roberto remembers going to a rough neighborhood to bring some of those children who wanted to attend Sunday School, and having to take a longer roundabout route to avoid certain dengerous areas. 

That effort prospered and grew. I wrote to Mirtha that I had experienced a moment of discouragement and failure.

It was a Sunday when the Hora Feliz in Villa Domínico had a very poor attendance and the other new one had a wonderful attendance. Because I go to V. Domínico, I felt responsible, like it was my fault, and helpless. I cried. 

Reading that paragraph, I was reminded of a period of time, which I cannot pinpoint precisely, that I went through a time of discouragement and general apathy. My father lovingly called me out on that attitude and his words shook me out of that despondency.

The following photos lead me to conclude that when the Marshalls came through Buenos Aires on their way to the US we may have had a farewell reunion along with the Maconaghys and some from the Mármol congregation.

It was also the year that my friend Mirtha´s book became available and caused quite a stir in our various circles. I described this in colorful detail in my letter, August 29, 1961.

Subject: The most marvellous book by the famous author, Mirtha Febe Siccardi

This is going to be very long because I want to tell you all I can possibly remember about the things that happened since your precious book became available.

The first one to buy it was Julio, who right away read it a second time, and enjoyed it as much or more than the first time. 

Then my father brought 10 copies to sell. Mrs. Alessandria bought it and read it in one night and, of course, was delighted. 

The Alessandrias with a young girl they helped

 Here I will pause to introduce Mrs. Alessandria in my mother´s words, from a talk she gave during furlough.

I want to tell you about Mrs. Alessandria. We had heard that she wanted a Bible so took a Bible with us and went to visit her. She happened to be sick that day and we couldn´t see her. A short time after, we went again. On this visit she opened up her heart and told us her story. She has two children a son and a daughter. The daughter was married, but the son was still at home. One night he got up in the middle of the night and went out to his father´s shop (he´s and iron worker) and stole some of his most valuable tools then he went off to live with an immoral woman. To this day he has never spoken to them. I was with her one day when he passed by. She spoke to him but he never answered. We told her one day, that maybe the Lord permitted this so that she would realize her need of a Saviour. Evidently right then when we were explaining things to her from the Bible, she accepted the Lord but we never knew about it until our next visit. We asked her if she wouldn´t give her heart to the Lord. "Oh" she said, "Pastor, I did that last time you were here".

 Continuing the trajectory of Mirtha's page-turner, Brillando para Él:

Mirta Fisher bought it, read it and loved it.

Mabel bought it and while in the hospital, where she´d had an appendectomy, started to read it the second morning after the operation. She read two chapters and thought to stop there so as not to exert herself too much, but was unable to put it down and finished it that morning, tired and delighted. That afternoon I went to see her and she was not well enough to have visitors, but not only because of your book (so don´t feel guilty, be happy!) but also because before me others had been there, including Julio who made her laugh too much (which she could not do so soon after surgery) thinking he was doing her a kindness seeing her sad and downcast. After reading it, Mabel gave it to a nurse who had questioned her about the book.

My mom stayed up till I don´t what late hour of the night, devouring your book. The next night she was exhausted. (Do you realize what harm you have caused). ¡Ah! and the same thing happened to Mrs. Maconagly who stayed up two nights reading past midnight and absolutely loved it. My mother also says it is very good, but there is one thing she did not like (don´t worry, it´s a joke), that Monica was a readhead. [Mother never liked her own red hair. She had been teased mercilessly as a child.]

Silvia Reta [Julio's younger sister] read it. She started one night and continued the next morning . . .The next day as we were coming back from school together, she told me, "You know, I read Mirtha's book . . . it's 'divine'" and then kept talking the entire way home about your book--wonderful and very feminie, very good plot, beautiful ending, and so much more.

A young woman, nicknamed Pepita, from Mendoza, with a beautiful voice so they say, who is taking voice lessons at the Teatro Colón [the main opera house in Buenos Aires] and is staying with them, promised to read it. 

One day I took your book to school and they were all fighting over who would read it first. My seat mate read it and liked it and asked for your address so she can write to you. 

Now the others are reading it. I have 39 classmates so I don't know when everyone will finish reading it. 

I am reading it again little by little, because what's happened with all these loans is that now there is never a copy in the house. 

The Covers

In my September 5 letter to Mirtha, I wrote about two visitors: the Cover family--Bob, Joene, Viki (6), Lynnie (3), y Bobby (casi 2)--new missionaries who were with us from Thursday to Monday. They came from language school in Costa Rica and were now headed to take over the work in Corral de Bustos. I enjoyed them so much that I spoke effusively about them. They would reappear several times later in my life story.

The next visitor was Carlos Sotola, a young man from the interior, from one of our churches in the province of Córdoba. He was doing his military service in Buenos Aires, and most often spent his free time in Mármol. But this particular Sunday in September he came to Don Bosco for the day. He was embarrased to come to our home for the noon meal as we were already so many with the new missionaries, so Julio invited him to have a picnic lunch together.

Then the two guys went to a grocery store and bought cold cuts, "dulce de batata con chocolate" [a gelatin-type paste or dessert made with sweet potato and chocolate], cheese and I don't know what else and then went to a bakery to buy bread, and were off to set up camp. They ate; Ricardo came by to see them; Julio went home to tell his mother that he had already had lunch; he came back with his little bike and since the place where they were is hilly, the three of them took turns flying down the hill on the bicycle, which by the way has no brakes!

These young people knew how to have fun!

Later they joined the group going to Villa Domínico for the children´s Bible class, another wholesome and rewarding kind of fun!

On the way home, Lynn had a premonition that we would be welcoming more visitors. He said this often and we teased him about it. But this time it was true. Mrs. Rossetti and her daughter Amalia awaited us. Carlos joined us also that evening so we were 14 for dinner.

There would be so much more to tell about every one mentioned in this chapter. These are mere glimpses into the intricate pattern God was weaving with our lives. Several names will reappear in future episodes.

An important event that year took place in General Deheza, December 16, the wedding of a couple that would, in years to come, play a significant role in the history of the Don Bosco congregation. 

 Wedding of Eduardo and Nora Coria

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! 

How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

(Romans 11:33)

 

The Youth

 

The young people played a significant role in the work in Don Bosco. They were very dear to my father's heart. In his final message to the congregation, in 1963, he reflected on the importance of training and raising up children in the Sunday School, who then become involved in every aspect of the ministry.

About two years ago we began to notice obvious results of the years of work among the children through the Sunday School. They are now young people and every day they are taking on more responsibility. These young people are becoming men and bringing stability to the work. They are youth whose entertainment is to serve the Lord: they have two Bible clubs for children and plan to start more; they lead the Sunday School almost completely and lead the singing in some of the other services; they preach occasionally; they have given many hours to the work of building the temple, and for this tenth anniversary campaign they have done practically everything. We give thanks to the Lord as we believe they have done it all for His glory. 

Some of the teengers worked with my father from early days making folding chairs, benches and other woodworking projects. They were involved alongside Dad in all the phases of the construction of the Templo Evangélico.

In his farewell message, summarizing the period between August 1958 and December 1962, Dad recalls the days shortly after our return from the US and later on.

We started the work of finishing the temple. The sidewalks were completed and a few other small tasks. Desiring to finish the plaster and the floor, we obtained a loan . . . but, in time we saw the need for more space for the Sunday School. So we did not stop until we had built on a two-story addition approximately 9 by 39 feet . . . Recently we were able to give it the fine coat of plaster. We purposed to finish all the details for this dedication, however, in spite of the good will especially of the young people, we were not able to reach our goal due to the many things remaining and the lack of time.

 No doubt the skills they learned working alongside my father have served them well in life.

I remember that Dad would go to the Temple early every morning to meet with some of the guys before they took the train to go to their respective jobs. 

 Letters to the Hirschy family were becoming infrequent, so when one arrived written in March, my grandparents included it in its entirety among the summaries sent out to the siblings scattered abroad. Mother started the letter on the 24th.

I have a pile of work but since there is no light nor water I can't do a thing . . . We've had so much trouble lately with electricity and water . . . Most of the time we have around 150 volts instead of 220 and last night it went down to 100 and then was out for about five hours. We had a very romantic candle light service last night.  We've had to buy a voltage regulator plus have the pump motor rewound all because of the low current and now to top it off when we get the regulator there's no light at all. Today the kids went with their lessons only half studied. An incubator baby died becuse of it . . . Now to go to a brighter theme. We've had real good services the last two Sundays . . . 

Mabel teaching the Bible lesson 

The young people have started another happy hour [Hora Feliz children's Bible class] in Villa Domínico. It´s a joy also to see how the young people are learning to sing. Now we have a girl´s trio and a male quartet and a choir. Every Sunday night we have special music and it adds a lot to the service.

 

Eunice Siccardi [Mirtha´s older sister] is with us for a couple of months. She is living in the garage and since she works 12 hours a day as a private nurse we barely see her at all. She is interested in starting a hospital in the North among the Indians. She came to earn enough money to make a trip of investigation to see if the Lord really wants her to do it.

This week Sam was in Río Cuarto for three days. There are so many problems to solve . . . places without pastors, the Foreign Board is in debt. Now we won´t have money to repair the Ford A.

The Hoyt family and their car in 1961

The Field Council wants us to go to Río Cuarto when the Marshalls leave in June, but it is hard for us to understand that it is wise to take three children out of school in the middle of the year . . . We have no desire to go and trust the Lord will work it out . . . At least we don´t feel willing to go until after the school year is finished.

Last week I fixed over an old raincoat for Lynn. It´s almost impossible to be without a raincoat in B.A. this week I want to fix over an overcoat of Aldo´s to fit Ivan. He´s getting tall and thinner and is growing out of most of his clothes. He gives us a lot of joy and on the whole is quite a good boy.

March 27, Dad took over the letter-writing.

If I don't get at this letter it will be here for at least another week. Kathryn has too many things to do and I guess that is true of all but Aldo and Ivan. Lynn and Rita are busy from 6 A.M. until 9 P.M. High School here is serious business, if one doesn't keep up day by day he is sunk. Lynn recited [was called on to go to the front of the class and explain the assigned homework lesson to the class] in Botany the other day and got a perfect grade so he is starting out all right. He had to take an entrance exam to get in the school and he felt quite sure of himself. However, according to the lowest grade permitted, he was excluded, only got in because they lowered the standard.

Julio, Roberto, Antonio

I have an early morning prayer meeting with some of the boys from the church . . . One is especially desirous of going to the Bible Institute . . . He arises at 6:30 A.M. and after breakfast on his way to take the train passes by the church for prayer. He works till noon eats a few sandwiches which he carries with him, studies right there in the shop, works till 6 in the evening, goes to high school night classes till midnight doesn't arrive home till about 12:30 or 1.

In Mother's letter, April 19, she made reference to our daily routine.

 The baby [Ivan], Rita and Lynn are all sleeping a siesta. We get up at 6 every morning so they rest a little in the afternoon, then get up and study. Aldo is in school. Leaves home 20 to 1 P.M. and gets home at 5:15. He is just as thin as ever and most every night and morning has a spell of sneezing. We haven't found out just what his trouble is.

In my letter to my dear friend Mirtha, I made reference to my crazy schedule, going to bed after midnight and rising at 5:30 or 6:30 to leave for school at 7:00. I was tired from studying morning to night (and I didn't even have a job like the guys!). I quoted my little brother Ivan's cute expression, "Estoy sueño" (incorrect Spanish for "I am sleepy").

I resumed the letter the next day, May 6.

Well, in a little while we will have a young people's meeting and it will be a study in Homiletics. Several of the guys want to learn how to give messages. Two of them meet with my Dad for prayer every morning. They also learn a verse each day.

 What I referred to as the postre (dessert) of the letter, was the news that Mirtha's book had been published! (See previous chapters about Mirtha.) We were hoping that her sister Eunice could bring a copy as it was not yet available. 

Days later I wrote in celebration of the day I finished reading it. 

Today, the 15 of May, 1961, I have finished reading your wonderful book. I cannot express with words what I feel, it is something so very beautiful and profound.

You know, here there has been, there is, and there will be for a long time a revolution because of your very precious book. Lynn read it first and when he got to the end he wanted to cry because there was no more book to read. I was the second in starting to read it but it happens that Eunice told me that when I finished it I should give it to Julio (because he was dying to read it) and since it was Sunday afternoon, I wanted to give it to him that night at church. I read and read, swallowed and swallowed, full of admiration and pride for my friend . . . but I was not able to finish it before the service. I gave it to him anyway because I preferred that he read it first. Last night he stayed up till 12, or until his mother told him to turn off the light. This morning going and coming from work, walking, and in every spare moment, he continued to read and finished it, also very moved.

 Other items of news scattered in the letters:

Dad mentioned that in April twenty-five Russians immigrated to Argentina. The papers said that they belonged to the Greek Orthodox church, a sect called "Old Faith" and when it became too difficult for them to continue their religion they fled via China. "We would like to have gone to see them come off the boat but couldn't make it. They are the first 25 of 100 who are coming."

He later wrote about the special meetings, May 22-24, with Dr. José Adam, an ex-priest (convert from the order of the Carmelitas Descalzos de Barcelona), and how the congregation and visitors enjoyed them thoroughly.

In June, the Marshalls left for the US. I was especially surprised to read in my correspondence with Mirtha, that my parents bought Margaret's accordeon for me!  I was thrilled! "Es hermosísimo tocar el acordeón. Estoy loca de contenta." (It's wonderful/beautiful to play the accordeon. I'm crazy happy.) The instrument served to attract the children to start the Bible class when we arrived at the empty lot in Villa Domínico. 

June 21 I wrote and described the monthly participation of the youth in the Sunday service.

The young people are in charge of one service per month . . . one leads, another one gives an object lesson, there is a special number, someone reads and then one of the guys preaches. I'm talking about the Sunday evening worship service. This plan started a month ago and the first to preach was Roberto. Since there are four guys, Dad assigned them in the order in which they had come to the Lord or to the church: Roberto F., Julio R., Ricardo R., and Antonio M. 

Roberto Fernández

This week it was Julio's turn to give the message . . .He came to the house and asked my father to help him organize the topic of justification . . . Then he was preparing most of the week in his favorite place to study, the temple. Sunday afternoon he didn't go to the children's Bible club in Villa Domínico but stayed back with his good buddy, Antonio, to practice preaching to the benches and to Antonio.

When we returned from Villa Domínico, Mabel and I went to the temple to paint something on the board for the object lesson she was going to give and when we arrived we heard shouting. It was the preacher for the evening practicing. 

Julio Reta

One lady after the service said it had been "Super!" Another said: "Shorty outdid himself! 10 and Honorable Mention!" My Dad told him: "Well done, Julio, very good. I hope all follow your example and really have such a grasp of their topic." And as for me, it was the first time I understood justification.  

We became a very close-knit group as we served together and learned so much. I am grateful that we were allowed these many opportunities even though we were so young. 

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
(1 Timothy 4:12)