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Rev. Theo Kuster is a retired missionary living in Minneapolis, MN. He earned a Bachelor of Divinity from Bethany Lutheran Seminary, Mankato, MN, in 1962; a Master of Sacred Theology from Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, IN in 2002; a BA at the U of Minnesota in 1960 and an MA in Ibero American Studies from the U of Wisconsin in 1981. As pastor he served St. Paul's in Chicago, IL and St. Peter's near Goodhue MN. As missionary he worked in Peru, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Ghana West Africa, and Kazakhstan.
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During 1968 money was a major matter. The logistics of moving the family to Lima, obtaining the visas, keeping up communications, all this took time. I have these records because we used the typewriter with a carbon to make a copy on onion skin paper. Some days I wrote 3 or 4 letters. That system was time consuming and at first, very confusing as notes and letters criss-crossed.
The Field Secretary and the Treasurer of Synod were both pastors of functioning congregations. Neither was paid for the additional work involved with the mission. They were the key players in the financial picture during 1968. The Chair of the Mission Board oversaw all the details. Together we had a quartet on correspondence.
In addition, we were adjusting to a new money system. The sol was the currency of Peru. One sol was worth practically nothing, so we calculated how many soles would it took to make one US dollar. The amount constantly fluctuated. Would accounts be kept in soles or in dollars? We chose dollars.
How to transfer money between the US and Peru? We set up a system that worked before the October Revolution. After the Revolution we had to work out another system.
Fortunately, Helga's mother, Olivia Teigen, volunteered to handle all our family financial affairs from a bank account in Ashland. Is she the first volunteer? Without her help, and that of many others, the setting up of the mission in Lima would have been more difficult.
The following will be rather boring to many readers. Mostly details about purchases, payments, shipments, vouchers, deposits, etc. etc. But, this detail took much time and energy, in Lima, in Madison, and in Portage.
The Field Secretary proposed this budget.
As I write, four of the 55 gal steel oil drums we used for shipping, now with faucets attached, are placed around the house to collect rain water. One is reserved to be cut up as a solar cooker. They look somewhat beat up compared to when we got them in 1968. Our goods were carefully packed in the drum and locked till reaching New Orleans, then the top was welded, this to deter pilfering in route. Once the drums arrived in Lima we cut open the weld spots with a chisel and hammer. The drums were shipped on June 20 and arrived August 27. Nothing was lost.
We used a shipping firm called Missionary Expediters based in New Orleans. I contacted them in May. They replied immediately. I returned with information on addresses, billing information, and our contact in Lima. I then informed all involved of the progress. When the drums were shipped from Ashland on June 20 I sent a list of contents to Missionary Expediters, and alerted the Treasurer of the bill.
We had made some mistakes in labeling the drums, and Missionary Expediters made some suggestions.
I wrote to the Chairman of the Mission Board in April reporting that we had a battery operated film-strip projector, a spirit duplicator, a sewing machine, the down payment had been made for the LandRover, the airfare paid, and the Myrlies had been to Ashland and received an unofficial okay from TNT. The next week another letter to the Chair with information that the Myrlies agree to be co-workers, but need okay from Mission Board; Peace Corps book sent to future workers; our mission mentioned in Spanish newsletter; project speaking to at least 5000 on next speaking tour.
In May I wrote to the Chair an update re Adolf and I had been to every parish of the Synod on speaking tours; details about the Myrlies preparations and the availability of other workers; and we wait for the visas; and (Page two) the early signs of the importance the Synodical budget would be playing and who the players might be.
Here an example of the informal correspondence when we were getting under way. One of the first vouchers, with a cover letter explaining the items.
The Field Secretary suggested we purchase new appliances, not second hand from other missionaries. He also hinted that they would have to get serious with volunteer recruitment and proposals for funding.
The Treasurer reported on disbursements, gifts, and used a phrase to heard often: "We are at the bottom of the barrel." I responded the Field Secretary with the suggestion that the work of evangelization in the barriadas be emphasized as the reason for the costs. People were looking for quick results, and at the same time no practical structure was in place for publicity or the gathering of offerings toward the work. The Treasurer was wise to send us a list of those contributing so that we could send thank you notes from Peru. This became standard practice.
A note from the Treasurer. Note that he is becoming more formal, probably keeping copies. Previously all his notes were handwritten on a note pad. I replied, note that I am still writing by hand, the typewrite had not yet arrived.
The difficulty inherent in the ad-hoc system at this point becomes apparent in this note from the Treasurer. The Field Secretary is on vacation and the Treasurer is supposed to be at youth camp, but has two funerals. I continue to send bit by bit what we are spending. Notes were beginning to criss-cross in the mail. Everyone tried to copy the others. My bit by bit reporting was converted into a formal request by the Field Secretary and then sent to the Treasurer, who often did not have the funds available. The Field Secretary continued to present the needs, now with some attempt at cheerfulness, and a realization that he would have to begin speaking tours. Here he is in a church basement.
It was a thrill for those involved to begin to see the financial support. The Field Secretary, while on vacation in Upper Michigan, discovered a Finnish Lutheran pastor who was interested in the work. They began a lengthy friendship and correspondence.