Chapter 45: A Generator Brings Exciting Changes to our Lives in Tigre Playa
AS TOLD BY JOHN AGERSTEN

The electric generator from Norway finally arrives at Tigre Playa.
Gro writes home in a letter dated 11/16/73:
"Today was a very special day for us at Tigre Playa. Imagine, the first evening with electric light! The engine is rumbling outside in the engine house, but we can hardly hear it here in the living room. We felt like children again earlier today as we unpacked lamps and various electrical appliances that were packed away in anticipation of this event. Now I have ironed clothes, toasted bread, and tried the washing machine. Tonight we watched a Super 8 movie, and now we are writing letters. So far, we only have one light bulb in the ceiling in each room. The Wilhelm family has the same in their house. Lights have also been installed in the church. It's almost unbelievable that everything is in place and working! We are so happy and grateful."
The electric generator made life easier for us in many ways. Our refrigerator, box freezer, and stove ran on kerosene and did not need electricity so we mainly used the generator in the evenings. Occasionally we ran it for a few hours during the day if there was something specific we needed electricity for. We were happy to store the kerosene lamps we had used until now in a cupboard. We knew there could be situations where we would still need them, if only temporarily.
Gro writes home in a letter dated 11/16/73:
"Today was a very special day for us at Tigre Playa. Imagine, the first evening with electric light! The engine is rumbling outside in the engine house, but we can hardly hear it here in the living room. We felt like children again earlier today as we unpacked lamps and various electrical appliances that were packed away in anticipation of this event. Now I have ironed clothes, toasted bread, and tried the washing machine. Tonight we watched a Super 8 movie, and now we are writing letters. So far, we only have one light bulb in the ceiling in each room. The Wilhelm family has the same in their house. Lights have also been installed in the church. It's almost unbelievable that everything is in place and working! We are so happy and grateful."
The electric generator made life easier for us in many ways. Our refrigerator, box freezer, and stove ran on kerosene and did not need electricity so we mainly used the generator in the evenings. Occasionally we ran it for a few hours during the day if there was something specific we needed electricity for. We were happy to store the kerosene lamps we had used until now in a cupboard. We knew there could be situations where we would still need them, if only temporarily.

But it had been a long, arduous process to arrive at this joyous day when we could finally start the generator in Tigre Playa. While in Norway from April 1971 to July 1972 after our first period in Peru, I visited many churches and shared about the work in the jungle. I also presented various needs, including the necessity for an electric generator. In the early days at Tigre Playa, we only had kerosene lamps for lighting on the boat, in the house, and the church. Various electrical appliances and tools we brought from Norway were packed away as we could not use them.
We received funds for the purchase of a one-cylinder diesel generator. It would provide enough power for our needs. We bought the engine in Norway. We shipped it to Peru with a small kerosene-powered box freezer, a washing machine, and some barrels of medicines and vitamins donated by aid organizations. These were transported by boat across the Atlantic and then up the Amazon River to the jungle city of Iquitos in Peru.
We received funds for the purchase of a one-cylinder diesel generator. It would provide enough power for our needs. We bought the engine in Norway. We shipped it to Peru with a small kerosene-powered box freezer, a washing machine, and some barrels of medicines and vitamins donated by aid organizations. These were transported by boat across the Atlantic and then up the Amazon River to the jungle city of Iquitos in Peru.

Building an engine house and waiting on customs
Upon returning to Tigre Playa in the summer of ‘72, I started to build a small building a bit behind the main house in anticipation of the arrival of the generator. The building was intended to house the generator and serve as a workshop and storage space. In January 1973, we wrote home saying that the engine house was now roofed, but the generator and the other items had not cleared customs in Iquitos yet.
Rudolf and Eva Wilhelm and their children arrived in Peru in November 1972. They had also shipped many of their belongings by boat from Norway, and their shipment was also stuck in customs in Iquitos. Rudolf and I both traveled several times each to Iquitos during the winter and spring of 1973 to purchase building materials, food supplies, medicines, and most importantly, the riverboat "Alli Shungo". At the same time, we were visiting offices and doing everything we could to expedite the paperwork for customs clearance. We hoped to retrieve our shipment from customs each time, but the response was always: "mañana" - tomorrow!
After some time, we were finally able to get some of the cargo cleared from customs duty-free. This included some wooden crates with clothes and various equipment, as well as barrels of medicines and vitamins. Unfortunately, a considerable amount of medicines from the barrels were stolen, and a couple of them were only half full. Nevertheless, there was great joy when this cargo arrived at Tigre Playa on the riverboat from Iquitos. The children were happy to see familiar toys and books, while the adults unpacked school books for our small Norwegian school and found the much-needed equipment. Many people from the village and surrounding areas benefited for a long time from the clothes, vitamins, and medicines in this shipment.
Upon returning to Tigre Playa in the summer of ‘72, I started to build a small building a bit behind the main house in anticipation of the arrival of the generator. The building was intended to house the generator and serve as a workshop and storage space. In January 1973, we wrote home saying that the engine house was now roofed, but the generator and the other items had not cleared customs in Iquitos yet.
Rudolf and Eva Wilhelm and their children arrived in Peru in November 1972. They had also shipped many of their belongings by boat from Norway, and their shipment was also stuck in customs in Iquitos. Rudolf and I both traveled several times each to Iquitos during the winter and spring of 1973 to purchase building materials, food supplies, medicines, and most importantly, the riverboat "Alli Shungo". At the same time, we were visiting offices and doing everything we could to expedite the paperwork for customs clearance. We hoped to retrieve our shipment from customs each time, but the response was always: "mañana" - tomorrow!
After some time, we were finally able to get some of the cargo cleared from customs duty-free. This included some wooden crates with clothes and various equipment, as well as barrels of medicines and vitamins. Unfortunately, a considerable amount of medicines from the barrels were stolen, and a couple of them were only half full. Nevertheless, there was great joy when this cargo arrived at Tigre Playa on the riverboat from Iquitos. The children were happy to see familiar toys and books, while the adults unpacked school books for our small Norwegian school and found the much-needed equipment. Many people from the village and surrounding areas benefited for a long time from the clothes, vitamins, and medicines in this shipment.
More “red tape” officials wanting bribes
However, the generator, washing machine, and freezer required a separate document for duty exemption. Additionally, the customs officials and agents were asking for money. Since we refused to give any "under the table" payments, we were informed that the items would be sold at auction, and we could then buy them back! It turned out that in the years since we first arrived in Peru in 1967, the rules for import and customs had changed significantly. Now, in addition to a legal document from the mission/church in Norway stating that these were gifts for a mission organization in Peru, we needed to arrange for duty exemption through our Peruvian mission organization, AIPA. This should have been taken care of before we shipped the items from Norway! If we had been informed about this earlier, we would have saved a lot of time and trouble.
We travel to Lima to appeal to higher officials
It was almost ten months since the cargo arrived in Iquitos, and the generator and the other items were still at the customs house in Iquitos even after many attempts to retrieve them. The amount demanded in customs duties was more than what we had paid for the generator, so that was out of the question. We realized that we now had to take the matter to higher authorities, meaning the top customs authority in Lima as a last resort to get the items released. We also needed to renew our passports, so combining vacation and work the whole family traveled to Lima in September 1973. As soon as we arrived in Lima, we started working on both the passports and the duty exemption. Just like many times before, we stayed with our dear friends, the missionaries Lindgrens, as we couldn't afford to stay in a hotel.
However, the generator, washing machine, and freezer required a separate document for duty exemption. Additionally, the customs officials and agents were asking for money. Since we refused to give any "under the table" payments, we were informed that the items would be sold at auction, and we could then buy them back! It turned out that in the years since we first arrived in Peru in 1967, the rules for import and customs had changed significantly. Now, in addition to a legal document from the mission/church in Norway stating that these were gifts for a mission organization in Peru, we needed to arrange for duty exemption through our Peruvian mission organization, AIPA. This should have been taken care of before we shipped the items from Norway! If we had been informed about this earlier, we would have saved a lot of time and trouble.
We travel to Lima to appeal to higher officials
It was almost ten months since the cargo arrived in Iquitos, and the generator and the other items were still at the customs house in Iquitos even after many attempts to retrieve them. The amount demanded in customs duties was more than what we had paid for the generator, so that was out of the question. We realized that we now had to take the matter to higher authorities, meaning the top customs authority in Lima as a last resort to get the items released. We also needed to renew our passports, so combining vacation and work the whole family traveled to Lima in September 1973. As soon as we arrived in Lima, we started working on both the passports and the duty exemption. Just like many times before, we stayed with our dear friends, the missionaries Lindgrens, as we couldn't afford to stay in a hotel.

Reunion with missionary colleagues and meetings.
We had also arranged to visit missionary colleagues during this trip. After a few days in Lima, we traveled to Villa Perene where Liv Haug and Edith Aateigen were working. They had done significant work in erecting a building with a meeting room on the first floor and an apartment on the floor above. It had been just over a year since they started the project after their time as substitutes for us at Tigre Playa in their first year in Peru. Liv's father, Håkon Haug, had been out for a while to help with the construction. It was a wonderful experience to visit them and witness the progress of their work. I spoke at several services in Villa Perene and a couple of other locations during the week we were with them. It was a joy to see people seeking God and dedicating their lives to Jesus.
From there, we headed to Tarma, where we stopped for a couple of days and attended an evening service. It was a warm reunion with old friends from the time we lived in Tarma and were responsible for the congregation there.
We had also arranged to visit missionary colleagues during this trip. After a few days in Lima, we traveled to Villa Perene where Liv Haug and Edith Aateigen were working. They had done significant work in erecting a building with a meeting room on the first floor and an apartment on the floor above. It had been just over a year since they started the project after their time as substitutes for us at Tigre Playa in their first year in Peru. Liv's father, Håkon Haug, had been out for a while to help with the construction. It was a wonderful experience to visit them and witness the progress of their work. I spoke at several services in Villa Perene and a couple of other locations during the week we were with them. It was a joy to see people seeking God and dedicating their lives to Jesus.
From there, we headed to Tarma, where we stopped for a couple of days and attended an evening service. It was a warm reunion with old friends from the time we lived in Tarma and were responsible for the congregation there.

Next, we traveled to Huancayo to visit Brita and Per Anderås. I had previously promised to preach at a series of services. It turned out to be a good and uplifting week with well-attended gatherings where people sought prayer and salvation. As always, it was delightful to be with the Anderås family in their hospitable home. Per reminded me of my commitment to teach at the four-week Bible course in January/February 1974.
When we returned to Lima after the journey over the Andes mountains to and from Villa Perene, Tarma, and Huancayo, we continued working on our passports and duty exemption for the generator and freezer. We also made necessary visits to the dentist. There are few dentists in the jungle! We received our passports after a few days, but the issue with customs was not resolved as quickly.
Gro wrote in a letter home on October 7, 1973:
"John went to the customs office almost every day. One day when he arrived there, he was told that the documents in the case had been forgotten somewhere. They had not been forwarded to Iquitos, fortunately! Because it turned out that the case had been decided in mid-August, almost two months ago, and the duty exemption application had been rejected! If the document of rejection had been forwarded to Iquitos, our items would have been auctioned off without any hesitation! John was naturally shocked and wondered what options we had to appeal the decision. He was informed that we had ten days to appeal the decision. Several documents needed to be obtained, and we managed to arrange that fairly quickly. Now, we just have to wait for a new decision."
When we returned to Lima after the journey over the Andes mountains to and from Villa Perene, Tarma, and Huancayo, we continued working on our passports and duty exemption for the generator and freezer. We also made necessary visits to the dentist. There are few dentists in the jungle! We received our passports after a few days, but the issue with customs was not resolved as quickly.
Gro wrote in a letter home on October 7, 1973:
"John went to the customs office almost every day. One day when he arrived there, he was told that the documents in the case had been forgotten somewhere. They had not been forwarded to Iquitos, fortunately! Because it turned out that the case had been decided in mid-August, almost two months ago, and the duty exemption application had been rejected! If the document of rejection had been forwarded to Iquitos, our items would have been auctioned off without any hesitation! John was naturally shocked and wondered what options we had to appeal the decision. He was informed that we had ten days to appeal the decision. Several documents needed to be obtained, and we managed to arrange that fairly quickly. Now, we just have to wait for a new decision."
Gro and the children return to Tigre Playa via Iquitos
In a letter dated October 12, Gro continues:
"Now I am with the children in Iquitos. We arrived yesterday evening by plane from Lima and have had a busy day here arranging everything that needs to be done before we take the scheduled seaplane to San Lorenzo early tomorrow morning. We traveled here alone while John had to stay back in Lima until the customs matter is resolved. He practically has to 'live' there at the offices to push things forward. We are anxious to see how it goes. There is a high chance that it will be resolved next week. John will travel to Iquitos as soon as he can. The American missionaries we are staying with informed us that the barrels of medicines from Switzerland are finally out of customs and have arrived at Tigre Playa. That was truly good news! We are looking forward to coming home now to get back to school activities. Maino and Sonja must continue in 3rd grade work to finish by summer."
Finally a positive outcome
I continued my efforts to expedite the decision at the customs office in Lima. The employees there became so accustomed to seeing me that one day, I was invited to a staff party! However, it was challenging to get a hold of the bosses, especially since it was during a time of military dictatorship, and most of the leaders were senior military officers. Finally, after three weeks of almost daily visits to the customs office, I was granted an audience with the highest-ranking chief, a general. This meeting took place two weeks after Gro and the children traveled to Iquitos. He seemed brusque as he inquired about my purpose. After introducing myself and explaining that we, as Norwegian missionaries, worked in a village called Tigre Playa on the Marañon River, I described the generator and the freezer that had been held in customs for so long and the related issues. He became visibly interested upon hearing this. It turned out that earlier in his career, he had been a captain at the military camp in Barranca, located half an hour by speedboat downstream from Tigre Playa. He asked about various individuals he knew in Tigre Playa and realized that we were well-acquainted in the area. He also wanted to learn more about the work we were doing in the jungle. After our conversation, he called in a secretary and asked me to step out while he dictated a letter to the customs director in Iquitos. It turned out to be a duty exemption and an order for the immediate release of our belongings there. Grateful and relieved, I thanked him. My gratitude also went to the Lord for allowing me to have a conversation with this particular man who was familiar with the village where we worked. With someone else in that position, the outcome may not have been as positive.
In a letter dated October 12, Gro continues:
"Now I am with the children in Iquitos. We arrived yesterday evening by plane from Lima and have had a busy day here arranging everything that needs to be done before we take the scheduled seaplane to San Lorenzo early tomorrow morning. We traveled here alone while John had to stay back in Lima until the customs matter is resolved. He practically has to 'live' there at the offices to push things forward. We are anxious to see how it goes. There is a high chance that it will be resolved next week. John will travel to Iquitos as soon as he can. The American missionaries we are staying with informed us that the barrels of medicines from Switzerland are finally out of customs and have arrived at Tigre Playa. That was truly good news! We are looking forward to coming home now to get back to school activities. Maino and Sonja must continue in 3rd grade work to finish by summer."
Finally a positive outcome
I continued my efforts to expedite the decision at the customs office in Lima. The employees there became so accustomed to seeing me that one day, I was invited to a staff party! However, it was challenging to get a hold of the bosses, especially since it was during a time of military dictatorship, and most of the leaders were senior military officers. Finally, after three weeks of almost daily visits to the customs office, I was granted an audience with the highest-ranking chief, a general. This meeting took place two weeks after Gro and the children traveled to Iquitos. He seemed brusque as he inquired about my purpose. After introducing myself and explaining that we, as Norwegian missionaries, worked in a village called Tigre Playa on the Marañon River, I described the generator and the freezer that had been held in customs for so long and the related issues. He became visibly interested upon hearing this. It turned out that earlier in his career, he had been a captain at the military camp in Barranca, located half an hour by speedboat downstream from Tigre Playa. He asked about various individuals he knew in Tigre Playa and realized that we were well-acquainted in the area. He also wanted to learn more about the work we were doing in the jungle. After our conversation, he called in a secretary and asked me to step out while he dictated a letter to the customs director in Iquitos. It turned out to be a duty exemption and an order for the immediate release of our belongings there. Grateful and relieved, I thanked him. My gratitude also went to the Lord for allowing me to have a conversation with this particular man who was familiar with the village where we worked. With someone else in that position, the outcome may not have been as positive.

Back to the customs house in Iquitos
I traveled on the first flight to Iquitos, where the first thing I did was head to the customs house with the letter from the general in Lima. When the director saw me, he sarcastically remarked that the items would now be auctioned off. I remained silent but handed him the envelope with stamps from the customs office in Lima. He quickly opened and read it, visibly affected by the content. After a moment, he looked angrily at me and stated that we had to pay nearly a year's worth of storage fees for the items! The amount he mentioned was extremely high. "In that case, I'll have to make another trip to Lima," I replied. In the end, I had to pay a lesser amount before he instructed me to bring a truck to transport the electric engine, freezer, and other equipment to the port. They were loaded onto a riverboat that followed a scheduled route from Iquitos, up the Amazon, and further up the Marañon to Tigre Playa, a journey of five days. I took the state seaplane route home via San Lorenzo.
I traveled on the first flight to Iquitos, where the first thing I did was head to the customs house with the letter from the general in Lima. When the director saw me, he sarcastically remarked that the items would now be auctioned off. I remained silent but handed him the envelope with stamps from the customs office in Lima. He quickly opened and read it, visibly affected by the content. After a moment, he looked angrily at me and stated that we had to pay nearly a year's worth of storage fees for the items! The amount he mentioned was extremely high. "In that case, I'll have to make another trip to Lima," I replied. In the end, I had to pay a lesser amount before he instructed me to bring a truck to transport the electric engine, freezer, and other equipment to the port. They were loaded onto a riverboat that followed a scheduled route from Iquitos, up the Amazon, and further up the Marañon to Tigre Playa, a journey of five days. I took the state seaplane route home via San Lorenzo.

November 10, 1973, was a day of joy as we could unload the items from the riverboat and install the generator on its base in the engine house. We began connecting wires for the installation of lights and sockets. I had brought an electrical installation textbook from my brother-in-law, Halvor Flatland, who was an electrician. There was some trial and error, and several fuses blew initially. As Gro wrote in a letter home, the joy was immense when we finally had electric lights in our houses and church. Now we could use electric tools, kitchen appliances, and later on, a communication radio.
Years later, we had a visit from an American electrical engineer. He walked around inspecting the wires hanging on the poles and the overall electrical installation. His conclusion was: "This shouldn't work!" He climbed ladders, made some adjustments, and got the fuse box to work better too. Our friend was 84 years old! Thanks to him for the assistance! Age is no barrier to help in the ministry.
Years later, we had a visit from an American electrical engineer. He walked around inspecting the wires hanging on the poles and the overall electrical installation. His conclusion was: "This shouldn't work!" He climbed ladders, made some adjustments, and got the fuse box to work better too. Our friend was 84 years old! Thanks to him for the assistance! Age is no barrier to help in the ministry.