After the death of his wife, Rose, the missionary found there was much he could not do among the dear Incas without a helpmeet. He was also very lonesome without his beloved Rose. Five years after the Chaco War he decided the Lord would not have him carry on alone any longer.
He had enjoyed corresponding with a young woman in California whom he had met while there some years before. Finally he wrote to ask her if she would be his wife and help him in the work of the Lord in Bolivia. Her answer gave him much joy. Accordingly he went to California where they were married. They returned together to Bolivia and made their first home in Aripalca where there was a nice meeting and also a good-sized school. Trudy was a high school teacher and proved to be a real help and blessing in the schools. She loved the Bolivians and their children, and trained some of the boys to teach in the schools.
About ten years after they were married, they prayed about visiting those "truly gathered to the Lord's name" in the States and in Canada. They had been corresponding with many of these believers for some years but had never met any of them. Also, they needed a break and it did seem to be the Lord's mind for them to take this trip. Certain native brethren could be left with the responsibility of the little assemblies with their Sunday Schools and day schools until their return to Bolivia.
Leaving by ship from Antofagasta, Chile, they transferred to another ship at Panama City which carried them to New Orleans, where they found a letter from Pasadena, California, awaiting their arrival. Words fail to express what an encouragement this was to the isolated and lonesome missionaries. Believing they had the Lord's leading, they went directly to Pasadena where they were received so lovingly.
Everywhere they traveled they were welcomed, as only Christians can welcome each other. The Lord said in John 13:3535By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:35), "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." From Pasadena they were taken to visit different assemblies in California; then on to the other States and into Canada. The love shown to them everywhere was wonderful, and a great comfort and encouragement to them both, after being alone so long.
While in the States certain brothers bought a truck for them to take back to Bolivia. They were delighted. What a help this would be in their work for the Lord in Bolivia! It was more than they had ever dreamed could be possible. They knew that taking it to Bolivia would be a long, difficult trip, but little did they imagine what a trial it would be to get it all the way home to Bolivia. But the Lord had given it to them. He knew the end from the beginning and was preparing them for the many trials and weary days which lay ahead of them.
All went very well in the States. A young brother in Christ offered to drive them to New York City, where the truck was loaded on the same steamship on which they were sailing to Callao, Peru. This was a good beginning.
The problems started upon arrival at Callao, Peru, where they had a long delay of seven weeks due to Customs red tape and procrastination. The weather was very damp and cold, and they were both sick for a while. Furthermore, they were complete strangers-didn't know anyone. To add to the difficulties, Peru was in a state of civil war. When they went to claim the truck and their belongings on it, all their personal belongings were taken off the truck and re-shipped to Mollendo, Peru, via a Peruvian steamship. Finally the truck was released from Customs, as well as four large cartons of Gospel booklets ("Whither Bound") in Spanish, which a certain friend in California had given them. These cartons were the only items they were allowed to take in the truck, but this was truly of the Lord. They were able to sow the Precious Seed along the way! They did not know what lay ahead of them, but the Lord knew. He was planning for them all the way. "As for God, His way is perfect" (2 Sam. 22:3131As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. (2 Samuel 22:31)).
At last they were free to journey on to Bolivia. After twenty-one days of traveling over difficult, sometimes treacherous, roads they arrived close to the border of Bolivia. Here military guards stopped them to examine their credentials and personal goods.
When one officer showed great interest in the booklets, the missionary explained what they were, then asked if he could give one to each of the soldiers there. The officer kindly gave his permission, even helping to give them out. This emptied one carton. He still had three more cartons and wondered where the Lord would have him use them.
Permission was given to drive on to the area where the next regiment of soldiers were on guard. There he was allowed to distribute the contents of another carton to the soldiers. What a wonderful opportunity this was of telling out the Good News of salvation through the use of God's silent messengers!
At the next to the last military post before entering Bolivia, the Commanding Officer was a graduate of "West Point" and spoke English fluently. Learning of their destination he said it would be very dangerous for them to pass the last military post alone, so he graciously accompanied them until they were out of the fighting zone. Before leaving that post the missionary was allowed to distribute the last two cartons of "Whither Bound" to the soldiers. Surely we will meet some of these soldiers in glory!
It was such a relief to be out of the fighting zone. They were both very weary. Thus far they had been obliged to sleep in the truck under guard. Sometimes they were unable to buy food, but the officers often very kindly shared their food with them.
After leaving this last area they started the long, tedious and rugged part of the journey over the Andes, which rise to 15,000 feet. They both suffered with "soroche" (mountain sickness) which caused violent vomiting and weakness, but they had to keep on until they reached a lower altitude before they got relief. At Puno, Peru, they were able to spend a few nights in a hotel room. How thankful they were to be able to buy food, and to have a refreshing, warm bath and a bed to sleep in. Once again they realized how the Lord had gone before them, and true to His promise, He would never leave them nor forsake them. So they took courage and went on rejoicing in Him.
Following a few days' rest at Puno, which they needed so badly, they started off for Mollendo, Peru, where all their belongings were stowed away in the Customs House. After obtaining clearance they were soon loaded up. With thanksgiving and praise to the Lord they were finally on the last lap of their trip by truck to Bolivia.