Netta Kemp When Money arrived in Peru on 2 August 1927, he considered his chances of finding a life partner to be slim (his own words), but within a few days he was to meet Janet "Netta" Kemp, the only female teacher in Colegio Anglo Peruano. Within two months of their meeting the couple announced their engagement. Reverend J Calvin Mackay officiated their wedding on 11 January 1928 in
Cajamarca. According to Spanish custom, she became known as Netta Kemp de Money. Both were fluent in Spanish and enjoyed their teaching ministry. Unfortunately they were unable to have children.
John Mackay Mackay firmly believed that a missionary, particularly one engaged in educational work, should immerse himself in the life of the country and become as familiar as possible with its history, politics, sociology and culture. In the academic world of Peru a doctoral degree was expected of a person appointed to be the principal or vice-principal of a large school. Mackay had qualified for a doctorate in philosophy in 1918, the first Anglo-American to do so from the
University of San Marcos. Over the ensuing years six other members of the college staff followed his example.
Peruvian qualifications In the 1920s, the bachelor's degree was, for most students, a prelude to law or medical studies. There was no master's degree. For a doctorate a subject could be chosen in the fields of history, letters or philosophy. The course required the study of a wide range of topics followed by the submission of a thesis in consultation with a professor. Money was determined to follow Mackey’s example and immerse himself in local study. Early in 1928, within six months of arriving in Peru, Money had become sufficiently fluent in Spanish to matriculate and enrol as a doctoral student. He studied for three years and during this time he was either teaching at the College or was ill with
tuberculosis. Money chose the sociology of
Peruvian Amazonia as the subject for his doctoral thesis because he hoped to minister to the "Lowland Indians". Money presented his thesis in December 1930, but the university was then closed to political events. Only the
President of Peru could authorise a degree ceremony while the university was closed. Money had become friends with his professors, and they encouraged him to present a petition to the President, which was ultimately accepted. The needed ceremony went forward, and Money was awarded the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy with distinction. Its purpose was to train believers for Christian service. Money supported the institute and helped create the curriculum. After a few years the Christian Missionary Alliance found it necessary to reduce its support and responsibility for the directorship of the Institute which was then assumed by a Board of Governors composed of Christian businessmen resident in Lima, Money being amongst their number. Money's contacts enabled the Institute to acquire land for expansion. Through the years Money and his wife remained strong supporters of the Institute. From 1934 until 1968, when he left Peru, Money lectured on church history.
National Evangelical Council Money’s sphere of influence widened when he was invited in 1940 to become the first organising and executive secretary of the newly created National Evangelical Council. He was also granted a diplomatic pass which gave him access to restricted areas where he could attend to the needs of missionaries.
New Zealand Fellowship of the Peruvian Bible Schools In 1947, the Moneys returned to New Zealand on furlough. At that time, they found that, due to ideological differences, the Richmond Mission was unable to continue its financial support. The Money’s long-term view was to foster the development of the indigenous church, whereas the Mission believed the urgent need was to preach the gospel in all its simplicity, not to train others to teach, as they were 'now in the
last days'. A second major difference of view related to the Moneys' work towards co-operation between evangelical churches, as Money believed in the need for reconciliation between different Christian groups. At this time a number of prominent New Zealand Christian men joined together to form the New Zealand Fellowship of the Peruvian Bible Schools. The relationship between the Fellowship and the Moneys continued until they returned to Christchurch in 1968. The
Wycliffe Bible Translators came to Peru in 1946 and in 1956 the first students, literate in Spanish as well as their native tongue, graduated from a bilingual school. Money started planning for a Jungle Indian Bible School. He brought together the Wycliffe Bible translators, Le Tourneau (an American builder of heavy machinery) and Dr Moro of the Swiss Indian Mission. The Bible Institute for Lowland Indians (Instituto Biblico Selvatico de Pucallpa) was established in Peruvian Amazonia on the eastern side of the Andes, and opened in 1957 (under the leadership of Dr Moro). The following year, a permanent site was chosen in the vicinity of the Wycliffe base camp at Yarinacocha. In time, there came an increasing demand for more advanced training and a growing need for a better-prepared ministry. To meet this need Money, then secretary of the Board of the Peruvian Bible Institute, worked for the creation of
Lima Evangelical Seminary. In 1961, the board approved the project and the first students were admitted the following year. Money held the position of vice-rector until he left Peru in 1968. == Recognition ==