Holmberg, Hilda Christina (1883/4-1966)
Small Archive of Letters Written from Singapore and Java, 1913-1918.

Thirty-seven signed letters, most handwritten, a few typed, addressed to family at home, recounting her experiences serving as a missionary, mainly in Buitenzorg, Java, and some of her travels to other locales, including Japan, Hong Kong, a stint in Singapore; many with accompanying envelopes; some letters undated, together with a few pieces of related ephemera sent home.

Holmberg was born in Centerville, South Dakota to Swedish-born parents. She attended rural schools close to her home and later may have attended Northwestern University, although data on that account is scant. The majority of her missionary term was spent in Bogor, Indonesia, West Java. The Dutch occupiers used the name Buitenzorg in this period. Holmberg taught children in the Malay language, and seems to have been delighted to work on sewing projects, games, and other activities to promote Christianity to local people. She notes, toward the end of her time in Java, that she speaks Malay as quickly as she does English, and at times fails to find the correct word in her native tongue, resorting to a Malay term to make herself clear. Her time overseas also coincides with the first World War, and she often writes about it. Holmberg was away for more than five years. Her letters are replete with carefully observed details of experiences a world away from her hometown.

"As I sit here on the little side veranda writing, I can see off on one side a beautiful mountain. It is an inspiration to come out in the morning when it is nice and clear and look off to the mountain and see it standing there so solemn, but yet pointing toward the sky."

While serving in Java Holmberg met another missionary, whom she married after their tenure overseas ended circa 1919. The two settled in Arizona, and raised a family.

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