(1915) Journey Overland

Overland from Chefoo to Tsingtao

Japan declared war on the Germans. It was now more difficult to travel by German steamer around the Shantung peninsula to get to Tsingtao, so Edith, Margaret and Erik remained in Chefoo for the summer. That winter travel by sea was still difficult, so Johan Alfred came to Chefoo by a cart with matting to pick up his children, a nine day journey over rough roads, and nine days back. They got up early in the morning and headed out, Johan Alfred walking nearly the whole time to save the mules the extra load. You wouldn't want the to mule to get lame on a long trip like that.

Along the way they stayed in Chinese inns or missionary homes. The floor of the inns were of dirt, the windows of paper, the doors, without locks, did not fit too tightly. This made for a lot of fresh air, but the air was cold. Their mule and the animals of other travelers were just outside in the court yard. The family slept in one room on an earthen k'ang bounded by three walls, the toilet was a smelling hole in the ground in the court yard with a simple screen for a little privacy. Westerners usually had their own rooms and everyone brought their own bedding. The k'angs were only supplied with matting. Besides Westerners mule drivers had their own rooms.

They traveled inland on terrible roads across the Shantung peninsula, passing field after field. The ride in the cart with no springs was bumpy.

The family got up early every morning for the journey, shaking the dust out of their bedding, folding the bedding up and bringing it outside to be loaded on the cart. The mule was hitched to the wagon, hot food such as steaming noodles, millet or meat-filled dumplings call "gua-ze" was bought from local vendors on the street. John had also brought food with him for the family, something he was used to doing on his travels to the villages to preach. The trip was long hard and interesting. However, these children did better than most European children would have because they grew up in China, and was familiar with its culture and lack of certain comforts.

Founding of a Church in Chucheng

In 1915 a church was founded in Chucheng and Lung-gia-tsuen.

Japanese Enter Kiaohsien

Thousands of Japanese troops poured into Kiaohsien. The city was to be used as a base to battle the Germans in nearby Tsingtao. All those within the city were cut off from the outside world and were virtual prisoners for the months the war lasted. Just as the German Lutheran Mission had helped the Swedes and other missionaries during the Boxer Uprising, the Swedes, and others helped the German missionaries during this difficult period.

The work of the Swedish mission continued. One Sunday, six were baptized into the church while cannon could be heard in the direction of Tsingtao. The cannon deep guttural sound shook the window panes in the chapel. As the war continued in the following weeks the chapel and schools were open to refugees. Being isolated from foreign funds, the missionaries had little to give, but citizens of the town provided money and food.

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