I’m not quite sure where to begin this story. It’s the story of how my mom and dad met . . . some fifty five years ago. I think I’ll go back to a quick look at how they got there.My dad was born in Russia in 1932. He was only one of three boys that survived the hardships of that time. His father was imprisoned and executed - for reasons unknown - in 1937 and so my dad moved about with his widowed mom during the war, ending up in Germany as a young teen. From there they got on a ship to South America, where he finished his education and went to practice his bookkeeping skills at the MCC Home in Montevideo, Uruguay.
My mom’s parents had immigrated to Paraguay in 1930, as young people. They got married and my mom was born in 1934. She grew up having to work hard on the farm during those early pioneering days. Her father sadly passed away when she was thirteen from complications due to a well-digging accident. As a result, she could no longer attend school, since her help was needed at home.
After some years she went to work in the city as a nanny. Some years later, at age 20, she heard about an opportunity to work in Montevideo. Being up for the challenge and a change in scenery, she got on the plane for the first time in her life and landed at the MCC Home, alone, knowing no one. It did not take long for my dad to notice this beautiful girl from Paraguay. They got married on September 1, 1956.
Fast forward 50 years to 2006 . . . my niece was looking through Oma’s albums and came across this little photo. She wondered where it was and why it was taken. Oma (my mom) knew it was in Uruguay, but she is not the best when it comes to remembering sentimental details. At this time, my dad was already in extended care, having had numerous strokes, but she decided to take the photo and ask him what he remembered about it. He looked at it and said in German, “Das ist das MCC Heim.” Knowing he had days that he was quite confused, we were not sure . . . but upon scanning it and enlarging it, we found proof in the inscription over the door, in Spanish.
And that is the story behind this photo that has become special to all of us. This happened just before their 50th Anniversary and it was their last. I made a comment at their celebration about how they must have spent time up in the tower smooching . . . and his eyes shone as he grinned, telling us things that he was longer able to communicate in words.
9 comments:
Truly touching.
A picture is worth 1000 words - I wonder how many lives were changed because of the MCC ministry that happened here? We know it's a place where 2 people fell in love, but how many more fell in love with Jesus here?
beautiful picture; such a special story.
Thanks for making this overly-emotional pregnant woman cry this morning! :) I miss Opa.
Love this story! Love this photo! Love my Oma and Opa!
Wonderful story - all to the glory of God!
Very sweet story. Good thing you investigated this picture when you did!
Anneliese this is off-topic, so you can delete: can you suggest ways you package Christmas cookies and the like? I will send a parcel Oct 1. Last year it took two-and one-half months, to arrive mid-January. I thought you'd have some ideas of what travels best. I do want to send shortbread for example, but nothing in jars (no jam), because of the weight. Last year, I paid $65 for postage on a five pound box. The contents didn't add up to that much. Sigh.
I know you know lots more about this than I. Maybe other people would benefit from your expertise in this matter.
To answer the last comment about seding packages . . . I don't know if you are sending overseas, but even so... it should not take that long unless you are sending it by ship. If your parcel costs too much to send by air, it is a good idea to send it by Oct 1 ... but this makes it difficult to package homemade goodies. You can be creative by sending hard candy, ginger snaps, fruit cake etc. It is a good idea to package breakable items in bubble wrap - layer the cookies with it and line the box with it - a tin box if possible. Take care to pay attention to weight ... if you can keep it down to 2 lbs (check with your post office about shipping charts) you could sent it by air and have it get there much faster. Parcels shipped by air travel overseas in 2 weeks. I hope that helps.
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