Chapter 36: Returning to Peru for a Second Season
AS TOLD BY GRO AGERSTEN
Back to Peru after our stay in Norway
In August of 1972, we returned to Peru and spent a few days in Lima, Pucallpa, and Iquitos before heading to Tigre Playa. Several administrative tasks required our attention, and we needed to shop for various items to be sent up to Tigre Playa via the riverboat departing from Iquitos. During our time in Norway, we had been able to raise funds for a small speedboat and a 40hp outboard motor, both of which we purchased in Iquitos. Little did we know that we would need to utilize both sooner than anticipated.
Regrettably, we had missed the opportunity to travel upriver on the riverboat "Alfert," as it had departed a couple of days before we arrived in Iquitos. We asked at the docks about alternative boats heading up the Marañon River and secured passage on one bound for Lagunas, located at the mouth of the Huallaga River. Although Tigre Playa was still a considerable distance from Lagunas, we decided to continue up the river Marañon from there using the speedboat. The journey from Lagunas to Tigre Playa, which would have taken approximately 20 hours on our houseboat, "El Sembrador," was accomplished in a little over 6 hours with the speedboat.
In August of 1972, we returned to Peru and spent a few days in Lima, Pucallpa, and Iquitos before heading to Tigre Playa. Several administrative tasks required our attention, and we needed to shop for various items to be sent up to Tigre Playa via the riverboat departing from Iquitos. During our time in Norway, we had been able to raise funds for a small speedboat and a 40hp outboard motor, both of which we purchased in Iquitos. Little did we know that we would need to utilize both sooner than anticipated.
Regrettably, we had missed the opportunity to travel upriver on the riverboat "Alfert," as it had departed a couple of days before we arrived in Iquitos. We asked at the docks about alternative boats heading up the Marañon River and secured passage on one bound for Lagunas, located at the mouth of the Huallaga River. Although Tigre Playa was still a considerable distance from Lagunas, we decided to continue up the river Marañon from there using the speedboat. The journey from Lagunas to Tigre Playa, which would have taken approximately 20 hours on our houseboat, "El Sembrador," was accomplished in a little over 6 hours with the speedboat.
A new period on Tigre Playa
Edith Aateigen and Liv Haug, who had remained in the village during our absence, decided to initiate a ministry in another region of Peru. They left to begin this new work a couple of months before our return. When they left, they entrusted the oversight of the house and the mission's area to a local young man who had been among the first to be saved in Tigre Playa. Upon our arrival, we were grateful to see that everything was well-maintained and in order.
While we were in Norway, Edith and Liv informed us that a large log had drifted down the river and collided with "El Sembrador." The impact resulted in a significant hole in the hull, causing the houseboat to sink. Fortunately, the engine had been stored in our storage shed, sparing it from being part of the shipwreck. We would sure miss having the use of the houseboat in the future. However, we still had the large flat-bottomed canoe, originally used for transporting house materials, which remained highly practical, especially when paired with the engine. Additionally, with the new speedboat, we now had the means to swiftly carry the Gospel to various villages along the rivers. While we would miss the convenience of "El Sembrador," we were thankful for the opportunities that the new modes of transportation presented for our ministry work.
Edith Aateigen and Liv Haug, who had remained in the village during our absence, decided to initiate a ministry in another region of Peru. They left to begin this new work a couple of months before our return. When they left, they entrusted the oversight of the house and the mission's area to a local young man who had been among the first to be saved in Tigre Playa. Upon our arrival, we were grateful to see that everything was well-maintained and in order.
While we were in Norway, Edith and Liv informed us that a large log had drifted down the river and collided with "El Sembrador." The impact resulted in a significant hole in the hull, causing the houseboat to sink. Fortunately, the engine had been stored in our storage shed, sparing it from being part of the shipwreck. We would sure miss having the use of the houseboat in the future. However, we still had the large flat-bottomed canoe, originally used for transporting house materials, which remained highly practical, especially when paired with the engine. Additionally, with the new speedboat, we now had the means to swiftly carry the Gospel to various villages along the rivers. While we would miss the convenience of "El Sembrador," we were thankful for the opportunities that the new modes of transportation presented for our ministry work.
There was no shortage of tasks to keep us busy now that we were back in Tigre Playa. The house required some work to be totally completed, and it didn’t take long before the news spread that the missionaries were back, and people started bringing their sick from near and far. While tending to the ill took up a significant portion of our time, it proved to be a rewarding aspect of our ministry, forging connections with many individuals and villages. And, of course, it didn’t take us long to start Sunday school and services again in the little bamboo hut. It was also necessary to travel and visit the believers in other villages. We visited the closest villages as a family as often as we could, but if the trip required an overnight stay or more, John usually went by himself. The children adjusted well to being back in the jungle, although they missed the family and the friends they had made in Norway, and it took them a bit of time to readjust to speaking Spanish. Maino, who was starting 2nd grade, started with her schoolwork. Although she worked well independently, I would need to spend some time giving her help and guidance. With all these activities and responsibilities, we eagerly anticipated the arrival of the new missionary family from the Filadelfia church in Alta in northern Norway.
We welcome Rudolf and Eva Wilhelm and their family
Shortly before our return to the jungle, the Peruvian airforce had initiated weekly pontoon plane flights between Iquitos and San Lorenzo, the largest village in the area. This development proved to be a tremendous help for us in the following years. The convenience of relatively inexpensive travel to Iquitos in just a couple of hours marked a significant improvement over traveling for days on the riverboat. Although there were occasional delays, with flights being postponed by a day or sometimes even a week, it still opened up a new era of more accessible transportation in and out of the jungle.
So it was with great excitement we went to receive the Wilhelm family in San Lorenzo one Saturday in November 1972. John had gone to Iquitos to meet them, assisting with the necessary shopping and ensuring everything was loaded onto the correct riverboat in the bustling Iquitos harbor. We were looking forward to having help and support in the ministry, and Maino and Lewi were looking forward to meeting their new friends from Norway. It was with great joy we celebrated their arrival, first in a private celebration that evening in our home, and then with the believers in church on Sunday. The addition of the Wilhelm family marked a significant moment in our ministry, strengthening our efforts and providing companionship in the shared mission.
Shortly before our return to the jungle, the Peruvian airforce had initiated weekly pontoon plane flights between Iquitos and San Lorenzo, the largest village in the area. This development proved to be a tremendous help for us in the following years. The convenience of relatively inexpensive travel to Iquitos in just a couple of hours marked a significant improvement over traveling for days on the riverboat. Although there were occasional delays, with flights being postponed by a day or sometimes even a week, it still opened up a new era of more accessible transportation in and out of the jungle.
So it was with great excitement we went to receive the Wilhelm family in San Lorenzo one Saturday in November 1972. John had gone to Iquitos to meet them, assisting with the necessary shopping and ensuring everything was loaded onto the correct riverboat in the bustling Iquitos harbor. We were looking forward to having help and support in the ministry, and Maino and Lewi were looking forward to meeting their new friends from Norway. It was with great joy we celebrated their arrival, first in a private celebration that evening in our home, and then with the believers in church on Sunday. The addition of the Wilhelm family marked a significant moment in our ministry, strengthening our efforts and providing companionship in the shared mission.
A shared household
Our friends in Norway were asking us about the living arrangements of the new family. it was indeed a significant consideration. After talking about it, we decided to extend an invitation for them to live with us until they could construct their own house. Having experienced life in a bamboo hut for about a year, we recognized that it might not be an ideal solution for the new family, especially with four children. The eldest was Maino's age, and the youngest hadn't yet turned one. Acclimating to jungle life, with its abundance of insects and mosquitoes, is challenging enough without the added exposure of an open bamboo hut. While a brick house with screened windows provided better protection, the Wilhelm kids and adults still struggled with the discomfort of numerous insect stings and bites. The itching is always worse for newcomers to the jungle; some degree of immunity seems to develop over time.
It was good for all of us to live in an enclosed space even though it was quite crowded with four adults and six children in a three-bedroom house. Rudolf and Eva quickly settled into the work in Tigre Playa and all the children played well together and stayed busy all day long. Maino, particularly, enjoyed having a classmate in Sonja, as they were in the same grade. They spent a few hours each day sitting together, working on their school assignments.
The work continued to expand in both size and scope. John and Rudolf frequently traveled to visit villages and communities of new believers, always carrying Bibles, Bible parts, and medications. Our former bamboo hut, previously used as a church, was dismantled to make way for a larger and more spacious church. It was constructed from materials sourced directly from the jungle, just as the houses in the surrounding villages. An increasing number of children and adults began attending the church services. People were baptized, and the church experienced growth.
Because of the demanding nature of the work and travel, the construction of Rudolf and Eva's house faced delays. However, by June 1973, there was cause for celebration as all the walls were erected, and the roof was in place, even though it was not yet ready for habitation. In September, John and I embarked on a combined vacation and work trip with the children. During this journey, John spoke and taught at various services and Bible courses in Lima, Tarma, Huancayo, and Pampa Silva.
Our friends in Norway were asking us about the living arrangements of the new family. it was indeed a significant consideration. After talking about it, we decided to extend an invitation for them to live with us until they could construct their own house. Having experienced life in a bamboo hut for about a year, we recognized that it might not be an ideal solution for the new family, especially with four children. The eldest was Maino's age, and the youngest hadn't yet turned one. Acclimating to jungle life, with its abundance of insects and mosquitoes, is challenging enough without the added exposure of an open bamboo hut. While a brick house with screened windows provided better protection, the Wilhelm kids and adults still struggled with the discomfort of numerous insect stings and bites. The itching is always worse for newcomers to the jungle; some degree of immunity seems to develop over time.
It was good for all of us to live in an enclosed space even though it was quite crowded with four adults and six children in a three-bedroom house. Rudolf and Eva quickly settled into the work in Tigre Playa and all the children played well together and stayed busy all day long. Maino, particularly, enjoyed having a classmate in Sonja, as they were in the same grade. They spent a few hours each day sitting together, working on their school assignments.
The work continued to expand in both size and scope. John and Rudolf frequently traveled to visit villages and communities of new believers, always carrying Bibles, Bible parts, and medications. Our former bamboo hut, previously used as a church, was dismantled to make way for a larger and more spacious church. It was constructed from materials sourced directly from the jungle, just as the houses in the surrounding villages. An increasing number of children and adults began attending the church services. People were baptized, and the church experienced growth.
Because of the demanding nature of the work and travel, the construction of Rudolf and Eva's house faced delays. However, by June 1973, there was cause for celebration as all the walls were erected, and the roof was in place, even though it was not yet ready for habitation. In September, John and I embarked on a combined vacation and work trip with the children. During this journey, John spoke and taught at various services and Bible courses in Lima, Tarma, Huancayo, and Pampa Silva.
The Wilhelm family move into their new house
Upon our return to Tigre Playa in October, the Wilhelm's house had progressed enough for them to move in. While some finishing touches were still needed, they gradually completed those over time. Initially, they had minimal furniture, but in just a short time, they transformed their house into a practical and cozy home in the jungle.
With the Wilhelm family settling into their own space, we now had more room in our house, which of course was nice. Two of the Wilhelm girls had shared a bedroom with Maino, and now we were able to move Lewi out of our room and into Maino's. The room that Eva and Rudolf had occupied with their two youngest children was repurposed into a schoolroom for the girls. The primary school area and school supplies had been in our bedroom where we also had our office desk, so now our bedroom suddenly felt very spacious!
While both families now enjoyed having their own space, the experience of sharing a home for a year had gone remarkably well. Perhaps it was due to our determination to be considerate of one another, or maybe it was because we seldom found ourselves all in the house at the same time except for at meals. Our various activities, including travel, outdoor work, and porch visits with the sick and other visitors, often took us out of the house. The children, too, spent most of their time playing outdoors, so we were not tripping over each other all day.
We are grateful to the Lord for providing us with grace and help in many ways also during this season of our lives.
Upon our return to Tigre Playa in October, the Wilhelm's house had progressed enough for them to move in. While some finishing touches were still needed, they gradually completed those over time. Initially, they had minimal furniture, but in just a short time, they transformed their house into a practical and cozy home in the jungle.
With the Wilhelm family settling into their own space, we now had more room in our house, which of course was nice. Two of the Wilhelm girls had shared a bedroom with Maino, and now we were able to move Lewi out of our room and into Maino's. The room that Eva and Rudolf had occupied with their two youngest children was repurposed into a schoolroom for the girls. The primary school area and school supplies had been in our bedroom where we also had our office desk, so now our bedroom suddenly felt very spacious!
While both families now enjoyed having their own space, the experience of sharing a home for a year had gone remarkably well. Perhaps it was due to our determination to be considerate of one another, or maybe it was because we seldom found ourselves all in the house at the same time except for at meals. Our various activities, including travel, outdoor work, and porch visits with the sick and other visitors, often took us out of the house. The children, too, spent most of their time playing outdoors, so we were not tripping over each other all day.
We are grateful to the Lord for providing us with grace and help in many ways also during this season of our lives.