- In the early months there were times when wanted to leave everything to return to his country and forget about the issue, "but recapitulate and have always believed that preaching the gospel and teach the Bible is the greatest honor."
- The work in Chile, "we see with some nostalgia, but happy, because there are others who remain in our places. The work in Chile has many possibilities. We must be alert to the need for change according to time, because it's easy to stay in the tracks of the past. "
Saturday June 2, 1956. On board the British ship" Queen of the Sea "will live intense and frantic moments , because after two weeks of sail from Havana were coming to Antofagasta. Among the passengers is a young couple Swedish missionaries up to Chile to work on the site: Brita and Carlos Hagwall. In the port await Svensson brother Samuel and his wife Miriam Gustafsson working in La Serena.
But the journey had begun long before, as they manifest themselves. "We traveled by bus the stretch Toronto, Canada, Miami, 50 hours a night were then transferred into a ferry from Miami-Havana, and finally the Havana-Antofagasta stretch we did in two weeks to ship." Added that the brothers Samuel and Miriam, "we stayed in home the first three months in Chile. "
Time passed and in 2003 the brothers Brita (74) and Carlos Hagwall (75) had to return home after being in Chile for 47 years due to the resentment of health brother Carlos. Back left a trail of memories and work that have marked the work of the Assembly of God church region.
We contacted via e-mail to probe the past and know his mind:
- Sister Brita how met al Señor?
- Mis padres me enseñaron creer en Dios. En mi adolescencia decidí aceptar a Jesús como mi Salvador personal, y fui bautizada cuando cumplí 16 años.
- Hermano Carlos ¿cómo conoció al Señor?
- Nací en un hogar cristiano. Gran parte de mi formación la recibí en la iglesia. Me "entregué" al Señor varias veces como niño, más que todo por miedo a la muerte o a algún peligro. Definitivamente lo hice a la edad de 15 ó 16 años en una reunión missions. At the same time I received the call to serve the Lord.
- Sister Brita how he met his brother Carlos?
- during my school summer holidays I worked at a hotel coffee shop and bakery was. Carlos, who lived in that town, came in the morning to get bread for the casino at the company where he worked. It seemed a nice girl, and when I also realized it was a Christian because the church met after he played the accordion in the choir, I found it interesting to know more. And so it was that when the holidays ended, and I had to return to Stockholm, had among us a love that became increasingly stronger, and lasted nearly 58 years.
- When did you decide to marry and how they knew what was the fate that God had to work together?
- Before we met understood that the Lord had called us. We had read articles and books on countries where missionaries were needed in Latin America in general. Chile especially attracted our attention.
GAIN
- Brother Carlos, what profession or occupation could not exercise its call?
- After graduating from high school I had a couple of office jobs in industries here in Sweden. I was also a partner in a small cottage industry. In Canada I worked for a couple of years in an optical company. Also I learned the carpenter's what I liked, and if there had been a missionary I think I would have stayed with the construction of houses or furniture. It also could have been dedicated to music. However, I do not think that being a missionary has meant a loss. Quite the contrary.
- Brita Sister, what profession or occupation could not exercise its call?
- I was studying to be a nurse when I felt my call was for another work, and I married Carlos to share my life with him, and together we prepare for our future lives as missionaries.
- Before traveling to Chile "worked in another country?, When and what place come to Chile, and why?
- first for a few years working in different places in our country. Then we moved to Canada for three or four years. There we had the experience of collaborating in the formation of the band of brothers, later, we were sent to Chile as missionaries, and were the ones who for years were responsible for our stay in the country, including our trips. The first months were with colleagues in La Serena and Valparaiso. During this period we received an invitation to the church of Chillán. THE EARLY YEARS
- How were those early days in Chile?
- not easy to suddenly find yourself in another country with another culture, language and customs. We were fortunate to be invited to spend the first three months at home colleagues who helped us. We saw how they worked and learned to relate to the Chilean people.
- How was growing up that job?, More missionaries arrived "?," Local brothers appeared to assist in the work?
- After half a year in Chile we are in charge of the church in Chillán was then a small group of brothers. The work grew slowly. But suddenly there was a rapid development. For example, for the New Year of 1958 baptized 27 siblings. After four years old and filled the temple had to start planning the construction of a new building, which was built between the years 1963-64. Then came new missionaries who settled in other cities. Also as in 1957 became the first school in Chillán Bible, began to glimpse new workers in different places and in our city.
- What missionaries remember this time?
- There were several missionaries in Chile before us. The welcome from all was excellent. They were Albino and Fanny Gustafsson, Evert and Marta Larsson, Julio and Linnéa Svensson, Hardy and Karin Mossberg, Samuel and Miriam Svensson, John and Naomi Fredriksson, Sam and Lily Gustafsson, and Per and Brita Anderes with whom we traveled to Callao in Peru because they decided to continue working in that country.
- How did Camp in El Rosal, who is still missed by many?
- Camp in El Rosal was born of what we saw as much as a necessity and a possibility. Youth groups in churches grew, but did not know between a city and another. Furthermore, as a family in 1964 acquired a property in El Rosal, place towards the mountains, near Chillán. We wonder what fate to give, as it was not our purpose to devote to agriculture. After a short time we decided to invite a Youth Camp which was held in January 1965.
COMPLEX MOMENTS - Were there times when they wanted leave everything to return to his country and forget about it?
- Sometimes, yes, at first. This was during our first few turbulent months in Chillán. But recapitulate and have always believed that preaching the gospel and teach the Bible is the greatest honor.
- What was easier, working with national workers or missionaries?
- During our years in Chile have had good relations with both the Chilean workers and with other missionaries. Differences in the way of thinking, speak and act, of course I have been. In any case we are sure that this has nothing to do with race or nationality, but due to the fact that we are different to each other. Brita
Brothers and Carlos Hagwall had five children: Ingrid, 52, married, works in the health service, Ann, 50, married, works in SAS, quality control of flights, Eva, 46, married, medical technologist, agriculture technician, Fred, 42, married, an agronomist and professor, and Thomas, 38, married, engineer in economics.
- In his current family is there missionaries or people working directly in the work?
- Our oldest daughter, Ingrid, and her husband, Daniel Svensson, started the church in Punta Arenas, where he built the temple. Continued their work in this city for several years. Then they moved to Viña del Mar to devote to working with Vision Bible Institute (IBV), and continued in that job until his return to Sweden in 2003. Thomas our youngest son, worked with his wife Susanne, a missionary in Viña del Mar for a few years until they moved to America to work in the ICBI. Currently working on a Christian welfare organization that covers many countries.
RETURN - When will they realize that it is time to leave Chile and return to your country?
- From the very beginning of our work as missionaries were aware that we were not going to be in Chile all life. For this reason, we started in 1957 in Chillan Bible school for those who were calling. That first Sunday School lasted only two weeks. Then they sailed for longer periods, up to span two school years. This was in Viña del Mar, where the IBV continues with the same purpose, namely to prepare workers to run an evangelistic or pastoral ministry. We remained in Chile until 2003 for health reasons had to return to Sweden.
- How do you feel now in Sweden, Swedish or foreign?
- both the one and the other.
- How do Chilean work from a distance?
- We see a certain nostalgia, but happy, because there are others who remain in our places. The work in Chile has many possibilities. We must be alert to the need for change according to time, because it is easy to fall in the footsteps of the past.
- How do the world situation?
- There are many trouble spots. There is no doubt that the coming of the Lord is coming, but we must be careful not to reach hasty conclusions.
- A tip for those who feel called, as is sometimes thought more in material than spiritual.
- The call is a serious matter. It has both spiritual and material aspects. "The workers are few" Jesus said. You have to be convinced of the call, and not from a mere enthusiasm. Because the temptations and difficulties abound and without that security can not endure. You must have good relations with his church and the pastor and the presbytery of it.
say goodbye Before this contact, the brother Carlos said: "I deeply appreciate all the prayers made by us. We went to Sweden for control and treatment hematology and bone marrow. After the collapse of vertebrae, which I had last party in May, the Recovery has been slow and still needed to complete my improvement. "
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