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| Summer 1965 |
We had left Argentina behind, torn from what was familiar, our dearest friends, the ministries we'd poured our life energy into, and now our own family circle was splintering. There was the natural separation of leaving for college and growing into adulthood. Then two of us were left behind in the US, while the others flew back to Argentina.
I have no vivid recollection of the partings and must rely on photos and a few written sources to reconstruct that year of farewells.
The photos tell me we tried to make the most of our times together.
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| Summer Camp 1964 |
In the summer of 1964 we spent a week at camp together as a family.
A gradual goodbye to the family home base in Evans City, PA, Grandma Hirschy, the cousins, and other relatives and friends, had begun earlier. In May and early June, several end-of-school-year events included Lynn and Rosie's participation in the band concert and fireman's parade, and the college cousins return to the homestead. Eddie drove Grandma to Bryan University in Dayton, TN, for his sister Karin's graduation. Daddy and Lynn drove to Winona Lake to bring me back from Grace College for a couple weeks vacation. Grandma records that one Sunday we were gathered around the dinner table, ten in all.
The plan now was to settle in Winona Lake for the next year. The family had so intertwined with the loved ones in Evans City that this seemed like another tearing away. Perhaps to ease the process, Grandma received a note, supposedly from six-year-old Ivan, one of the young grandchildren she had so enjoyed having around for six months.
I'm in a cabin with 8 other boys and Daddy. Last night we had a sloppy Joe sandwich, cocoa, potatoe chips and a cup cake for supper. After supper we went to church in a great big tabernacle. We went to our cabins and had devotions and then went to bed very early. This morning we woke up at 6 A.M. and now we're waiting for breakfast.
The family settled into a house Dad had helped build during the previous furlough. Grandma visited us the last week in October in our "real nice place, sort of in the country and yet near to town." Dad had meetings in Pennsylvania and Ohio so had arranged to give her a ride to and from Winona Lake. And Rosie had several offers of places to stay while Grandma was away.
In early December Mother wrote to Grandma apologizing for the long silence. November was a busy month, a visit from Uncle Harlan (Mother's older brother from Wisconsin), two weekends away to visit supporting churches in Ohio. I was able to accompany the family on one of those trips, Canton, Ohio, where we stayed with Uncle Garner and Aunt Myna (Dad's brother, professor at Malone University).
Mother wrote about the Canton experience:
Mother wrote about the Canton experience:
Sam spoke morning and evening. They had a harvest home fellowship supper, and afterward everyone gave their names, how they were saved, etc. We feel we have gotten to know them much better. At the evening service they presented us with a love gift of a $100 dollar bill. That's the first one I ever saw I believe!
We left Canton about 9:30 P.M. and got home at 4 A.M. It was beginning to snow when we left.
Sam has been working now, this is the second week. He is working with the Christian man Mr. Kaiser. He enjoys this work more even tho it is cold now.
Grandma loved the enclosed photo of baby Alan, "too sweet", as someone used to say. He has such a sweet expression. Thanks so much."
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| Christmas 1964 |
My parents extended their furlough for another six months, allowing Lynn to graduate from Warsaw Community High School.
Mother wrote May 7th:
We are all well here but have so many things to finish up yet before we go that it's a bit frustrating. We have renters for the house and also have permission from Grace College to have the kids live downstairs. The renters will be moving in June 26. We hope to be out before that, leaving sometime the end of June. If we come to visit you the week of the 26th, Dans will be there.
Yet another blessing of the extended furlough was to welcome Uncle Dan and Aunt Eleanor, Mother's missionary brother from Africa, and visit briefly in Evans City.
There were a few more speaking engagements. Both Mother and I were invited to share at a district W.M.C. banquet a mother-daughter view of the work in Argentina.
Mother was also invited to an event sponsored by the Sisterhood of Mary and Martha.
An exciting part of the tea, given recently at the Winona Lake Brethren Church, was a "surprise" personal shower for Mrs. Solon Hoyt. As Mrs. Hoyt opened the fashions to be worn by her in Argentina, she expressed her thanks by saying, "Enough to wear until next furlough--five years from now!"
Our family times in the Winona Lake home were coming to an end.
Passports were amended. It was time for Lynn and I to stay behind.
Lynn would begin as a freshman at Grace College and I a senior. My five years of Normal school in Argentina had gained me sufficient credits to finish college in two and half years.
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| Rita ironing |
We were on our own now to go to school, keep house and look after one another.
Our family trusted the One who had never failed us. He promised to never leave us alone, and more.
and in the age to come eternal life.
(Mark 10:29-30 ESV)
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