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(1952) Beginnings in Sweden & America

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After three generations living in China the members of the Rinell family begin settling into new lives in Sweden and America.

Speaking Engagements

Oscar and now Hellen continued their resting up with speaking engagements and raising support [probably they were sent out by their mission]. Hellen apparently spoke in Vänersborg and raised 750 crowns. Oscar spoke in Karlstad where years earlier his mother and lived for about a year taking care of her brother's two boys, and Motala. Contributions in Karlstad were 1500 crowns and in Motala 1221.40 the latter being for Egron's support. In Göteborg Oscar spoke a few times at Linneakyrkan, two times at the YMCA, and Betlehemskyrkan, Missionionsförbundet, [not sure of location of the last two], and to a group of Christians students and a group of Christian teachers.[Letter from Oscar to Egron Rinell, January 22, 1952].

Situation in China

AlternativeText

Perry Oliver &
Ruth Stevenson Ewing
Hanson
China
circa 1940s
Photo Courtesy Oliver Woshinsky

Oscar was the last Swedish missionary from his mission out of China, but missionaries of other nationalities had not made it out as far as Oscar knew. Pearl Johnson and Perry Oliver Hanson were out. He hoped Clara Sullivan had reached Hong Kong. The Seufurts and Paul were still left in China. No word had been received of Paul Mackenson, the last Lutheran missionary in Tsingtao. Roger had not gotten out and Oscar hopes nothing had happens to him. Ching was in a hot spot. In Hong Kong Irene Forsythe had done what she could to make satisfactory arrangements for him. Hopefully, Mrs. Fan was still free. "It is possible that Chinese Christian leaders are at present having their turn as most missionaries have left," Oscar writes.He continues, "A letter has just been received from Tom Lee. He says, 'Reports just received indicate that Ku Jen En has disappeared, and not only he, but several of the Christian leaders, who had sponsored his campaign have disappeared." [Rinell Letters 1952, Letter from Oscar Rinell to Irene Forsythe, January 23, 1952]

Foreign companies were also closing down. In a letter to Oscar Pezzini had written, "Johansen and Jardine are closing down so there will be only one foreign firm left." Oscar guesses that foreign company is the Flying [Tigers?] in which a Russian was looking after Americans' interests.

Eric Sutton Smith wrote two letters [to Oscar?] containing Israeli pounds in notes and coins, but ironically the notes were confiscated by the London Post Office because it was against regulations. [This is ironic if Smith had managed to get money out of China for Oscar, the mission or whoever, changed it to Israeli pounds for some reason and only to have it taken by the British].[Rinell Letters 1952, Letter from Oscar Rinell to Irene Forsythe, January 23, 1952]

"The situation for missionaries, especially Catholics, in China is alarming," Oscar writes.[Rinell Letters 1952, Letter from Oscar to Egron Rinell, January 22, 1952]. [The P.S. in this letter is in Swedish. Check in out].

By January Irene Forsythe had reached her destination [American?] and had a royal welcome, after having spent Christmas with Oscar and Hellen in Sweden, but news had arrived that her church in China was having difficulties.[Rinell Letters 1952, Letter from Oscar Rinell to Irene Forsythe, January 23, 1952]

Boxes, Books & Fruitcake

By the end of January things were looking good. Oscar and Hellen's twenty boxes arrived from China and were waiting on board ship in the harbor. Most of the contents, were most probably books - 1700 of them. A fire had broken out on board, but apparently his books were untouched. Oscar was also afraid of what the Communist Chinese might have confiscated. "It's some tension to know just what the Reds have allowed to pass [through] customs," he writes to his sister Edith in America. [Letter from Oscar Rinell to Edith Rinell, January 23, 1952.] Also finding room for them all in their 'flat' could be a problem. He order a fairly cheap bookshelf to be placed where the Christmas tree once stood. Undaunted and typically, he wishes to acquire more books. Of his sister Edith he lists books he hopes she will buy and send to him for a book secretary Rudén [of the their mission organization probably] on communist China. He has tried to get published material through the Baptist bookstore, but without any luck, and he is frustrated about it, "I certainly am not impressed with the efficiency of the Baptist Book Shop. Nothing has thus far reached me. . . I know that Baptists are no good at business . . . . ]

To his delight Edith sent a fruitcake, which is something not available in Sweden. "I don't know why the Swedes seem to have almost every other kind of cake but . . . fruitcake. I love and let the curves take care of themselves!" [Letter from Oscar Rinell to Edith Rinell, January 23, 1952.

Hellen had been having severe headaches possibly from stress. In January they were not so severe and so frequent.In February she showed further improvement, was under a doctor's care though still had some way to go in regaining her complete strength.Oscar wrote, "My wife's health is improving, although it takes time to get her nerves in shape again."[See letter from Oscar Rinell to Franz Jilenberger, Septembcr 7th.1952.]

Hedvig was in America visiting family.

Others

Sten Lindberg was in Tokyo.

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Footnotes

CHAPTER

Foreign Devils: A Swedish Family in China 1894 to 1951
© 2012-14 Lennart Holmquist
Lorum • Ipsum• Dolor • Sic Amet • Consectetur

Updated: 10-Feb-2017

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