Chapter 60: Marcial - The Evangelist from Tigre Playa
AS TOLD BY JOHN AGERSTEN
A new term at Tigre Playa
We left Norway at the end of February, 1977, but did not reach Tigre Playa until March 10th. Everything was in order with the church, mission houses, and the guesthouses for the sick, even though many weeks had passed since the Wilhelm family had left for Norway after a long period in the jungle. Our American friend and a helper to many missionaries, Chris Burgdorf, had done a good job looking after the mission’s houses and boats during that time. He did not speak Spanish, however, so he also had help from our neighbor, Marcial Rios. Marcial had for some time been assisting with practical work on the mission grounds and gradually took on a larger share of the congregational tasks. Several of the young people led and testified during services, but it was mainly Marcial who preached when the missionaries were absent from Tigre Playa.
We left Norway at the end of February, 1977, but did not reach Tigre Playa until March 10th. Everything was in order with the church, mission houses, and the guesthouses for the sick, even though many weeks had passed since the Wilhelm family had left for Norway after a long period in the jungle. Our American friend and a helper to many missionaries, Chris Burgdorf, had done a good job looking after the mission’s houses and boats during that time. He did not speak Spanish, however, so he also had help from our neighbor, Marcial Rios. Marcial had for some time been assisting with practical work on the mission grounds and gradually took on a larger share of the congregational tasks. Several of the young people led and testified during services, but it was mainly Marcial who preached when the missionaries were absent from Tigre Playa.
Marcial Ríos comes to faith and is baptized
Marcial was one of those who came to faith early on at Tigre Playa during our first year there. He lived with his family in a bamboo hut just upriver from us. The hut was in terrible condition. The roof leaked, and it had only one wall. The raised floor covered only half of the hut’s area. His wife, Enriqueta, was from Tigre Playa, while Marcial came from a village on the large Ucayali River. From what he told us, I understood that he had come to Tigre Playa after working his way from place to place as a lumberjack. He was healthy and strong, but had poor nerves and little initiative. He and Enriqueta took a liking to each other, and they soon moved in together, as was common in that area.
Marcial had attended evangelical services in his hometown and knew a little of God’s Word when we came and settled in Tigre Playa in January 1970. He began to attend the services we held in our bamboo hut, and one evening he came forward and surrendered his life to Jesus. His wife later began attending the services as well. They were among the first twelve to be baptized at Tigre Playa before we left for Norway after our first year in the village.
Marcial was one of those who came to faith early on at Tigre Playa during our first year there. He lived with his family in a bamboo hut just upriver from us. The hut was in terrible condition. The roof leaked, and it had only one wall. The raised floor covered only half of the hut’s area. His wife, Enriqueta, was from Tigre Playa, while Marcial came from a village on the large Ucayali River. From what he told us, I understood that he had come to Tigre Playa after working his way from place to place as a lumberjack. He was healthy and strong, but had poor nerves and little initiative. He and Enriqueta took a liking to each other, and they soon moved in together, as was common in that area.
Marcial had attended evangelical services in his hometown and knew a little of God’s Word when we came and settled in Tigre Playa in January 1970. He began to attend the services we held in our bamboo hut, and one evening he came forward and surrendered his life to Jesus. His wife later began attending the services as well. They were among the first twelve to be baptized at Tigre Playa before we left for Norway after our first year in the village.
Marcial at the lumber camp
When we returned for our second term, it wasn't long before Marcial left to cut timber for one of the "patrones" in the district. A "patrón" is a landowner who has settled in the jungle to raise cattle and trade. Unfortunately, many of them exploited the poor villagers and indigenous people, making them work under near‑slavery conditions. This could continue as long as most of those people had no schooling. Few could read, and even fewer could do arithmetic. This “patrón” lived in a village not far from Tigre Playa. He had now gathered a group of 10–12 men to cut timber for him up on one of the tributaries. The “patrón” sold the timber to buyers who came upstream by boat from Iquitos and Yurimaguas and then towed the log rafts downstream.
We had seen some of these lumber camps on our first trip up the Morona River. The lumberjacks lived in miserable conditions with poor food and long working days. The “patrón” usually brought large canisters of cheap sugar‑cane liquor for them, and many of the workers became alcoholics. Enriqueta told us that Marcial had to stay in that camp for six months. Her parents lived on the island just above Tigre Playa. There she and Marcial had a small plot with bananas and yuca. She also helped on her parents' plot and got some of what she and the children needed from them. Otherwise, we helped them with a little rice and other items while Marcial was away.
Finally, Marcial came home. It turned out he had no money with him, only a small sack of a few food items like a little rice and sugar. We heard that he couldn't get any more from the “patrón” because he still owed money—apparently even more than he did when he left for the timber work! Marcial could read and write, but his math skills were poor. The “patrón” had not shown him any accounts, but had said that the work clothes, boots, soap, the food he had eaten, and a few other things he had taken out meant he still owed the “patrón”. Marcial worked a couple of days a week for the mission to get some cash for clothes and other family needs. The rest of the time he cleared forest that was to be dried and burned before seed and plants could be put into the ground. He participated eagerly in the services and Bible studies throughout and also joined visits to nearby villages. His face beamed every time he testified about what Jesus had done in his life.
When we returned for our second term, it wasn't long before Marcial left to cut timber for one of the "patrones" in the district. A "patrón" is a landowner who has settled in the jungle to raise cattle and trade. Unfortunately, many of them exploited the poor villagers and indigenous people, making them work under near‑slavery conditions. This could continue as long as most of those people had no schooling. Few could read, and even fewer could do arithmetic. This “patrón” lived in a village not far from Tigre Playa. He had now gathered a group of 10–12 men to cut timber for him up on one of the tributaries. The “patrón” sold the timber to buyers who came upstream by boat from Iquitos and Yurimaguas and then towed the log rafts downstream.
We had seen some of these lumber camps on our first trip up the Morona River. The lumberjacks lived in miserable conditions with poor food and long working days. The “patrón” usually brought large canisters of cheap sugar‑cane liquor for them, and many of the workers became alcoholics. Enriqueta told us that Marcial had to stay in that camp for six months. Her parents lived on the island just above Tigre Playa. There she and Marcial had a small plot with bananas and yuca. She also helped on her parents' plot and got some of what she and the children needed from them. Otherwise, we helped them with a little rice and other items while Marcial was away.
Finally, Marcial came home. It turned out he had no money with him, only a small sack of a few food items like a little rice and sugar. We heard that he couldn't get any more from the “patrón” because he still owed money—apparently even more than he did when he left for the timber work! Marcial could read and write, but his math skills were poor. The “patrón” had not shown him any accounts, but had said that the work clothes, boots, soap, the food he had eaten, and a few other things he had taken out meant he still owed the “patrón”. Marcial worked a couple of days a week for the mission to get some cash for clothes and other family needs. The rest of the time he cleared forest that was to be dried and burned before seed and plants could be put into the ground. He participated eagerly in the services and Bible studies throughout and also joined visits to nearby villages. His face beamed every time he testified about what Jesus had done in his life.
Conversation with "el patrón"
After a few months at home, the “patrón” sent a message that he would fetch Marcial in two days for another round of timber cutting. He just had to get ready. People had great respect for this boss because he threatened police and prison if people did not obey. The never‑ending debt kept many like Marcial in chains for years. Both he and his family were distraught. We were quite upset about these working conditions, so I offered to go with Marcial and talk to “el patrón.” So we drove up together by boat to this boss’ village. He recognized me because we had held several services in the village on previous trips and gone around inviting people. He was clearly surprised to see me there with Marcial.
We greeted and chatted a bit before I came to the reason for our visit. Then he became angry and said this was none of my business. It was a matter between him and Marcial. I replied that if we could not discuss this matter among ourselves, we would have to take it to the authorities. The man calmed down and eventually produced a notebook with pages filled with many names. He found the page that concerned Marcial and showed it to me. We looked at what was entered as purchases. There were several items Marcial did not recognize. We crossed those out. In addition, the prices of all goods were far above normal. Also, the payment shown for Marcial's work was incredibly low, but there was not much to be done about it. After some back-and-forth, we reached an agreement on a smaller amount that he insisted Marcial owed. The amount was still quite unaffordable for someone with little or no money.
After a few months at home, the “patrón” sent a message that he would fetch Marcial in two days for another round of timber cutting. He just had to get ready. People had great respect for this boss because he threatened police and prison if people did not obey. The never‑ending debt kept many like Marcial in chains for years. Both he and his family were distraught. We were quite upset about these working conditions, so I offered to go with Marcial and talk to “el patrón.” So we drove up together by boat to this boss’ village. He recognized me because we had held several services in the village on previous trips and gone around inviting people. He was clearly surprised to see me there with Marcial.
We greeted and chatted a bit before I came to the reason for our visit. Then he became angry and said this was none of my business. It was a matter between him and Marcial. I replied that if we could not discuss this matter among ourselves, we would have to take it to the authorities. The man calmed down and eventually produced a notebook with pages filled with many names. He found the page that concerned Marcial and showed it to me. We looked at what was entered as purchases. There were several items Marcial did not recognize. We crossed those out. In addition, the prices of all goods were far above normal. Also, the payment shown for Marcial's work was incredibly low, but there was not much to be done about it. After some back-and-forth, we reached an agreement on a smaller amount that he insisted Marcial owed. The amount was still quite unaffordable for someone with little or no money.
Debt-free
I had enough cash to pay the debt immediately, but he would not accept it. He wanted Marcial to repay with labor! After some persuasion, he took the money and wiped the debt clean. We could return home with Marcial as a free man. Marcial was still a little worried. “But now I owe you money,” he said as we stepped ashore at Tigre Playa. I reassured him that bit by bit he could do various odd jobs for the mission while also working on his own plot. It did not take long for him to become debt-free.
Marcial used the time to cut some timber logs for himself to sell, but one morning the logs were gone. It turned out that “el patrón” and his helpers had loosened the timber raft and taken the ropes that bound them. He claimed the ropes were his, which Marcial denied. It seemed like an act of revenge since he had lost one of his “slaves.” In the years that followed, these men lost much of their power and influence, moving their operations to larger towns in the jungle. This was partly because oil companies entering the jungle offered relatively good wages, and partly because people’s knowledge increased thanks to improved schooling and training opportunities for children there.
I had enough cash to pay the debt immediately, but he would not accept it. He wanted Marcial to repay with labor! After some persuasion, he took the money and wiped the debt clean. We could return home with Marcial as a free man. Marcial was still a little worried. “But now I owe you money,” he said as we stepped ashore at Tigre Playa. I reassured him that bit by bit he could do various odd jobs for the mission while also working on his own plot. It did not take long for him to become debt-free.
Marcial used the time to cut some timber logs for himself to sell, but one morning the logs were gone. It turned out that “el patrón” and his helpers had loosened the timber raft and taken the ropes that bound them. He claimed the ropes were his, which Marcial denied. It seemed like an act of revenge since he had lost one of his “slaves.” In the years that followed, these men lost much of their power and influence, moving their operations to larger towns in the jungle. This was partly because oil companies entering the jungle offered relatively good wages, and partly because people’s knowledge increased thanks to improved schooling and training opportunities for children there.
A New House
Marcial’s house was still in poor shape, although there had been some improvements over the years. One evening, while the children were alone, an accident with the kerosene lamp set the parched roof alight. The dry thatch caught fast and soon the whole hut was ablaze. Neighbors rushed in and managed to save the children and the few possessions in the house, but the hut burned to the ground in minutes.
The congregation and the villagers banded together to help the family rebuild. Marcial brought corner posts and floor materials; family and friends pitched in. Most of the materials could be gathered from the forest, but it was hard work. Then we learned that some people farther down the village were giving away a palm leaf roof from a house they no longer used. It was in good condition but had to be carried to the site where Marcial was building his new house. Seeing the roughly 6-by-8-meter roof walking through the village past our house on many shoulders was a sight to behold as more than twenty men hoisted it along the path. Fitting that roof onto the upright posts was no small feat, but it went up, and at last the family had a proper roof over their heads. Walls followed in time.
Marcial delighted in being home with his family. He and Enriqueta worked their plot and kept the tarrafa—his fishing net—in constant use. He did a good deal of work for the mission, attended services and Bible courses faithfully, and read the Scriptures regularly at home. He joined our evangelistic trips to villages along the Marañón, and it was a joy to watch his faith deepen; he felt a call to preach. In addition to traveling with us, he began making trips on his own to nearby communities—each Sunday for many years he paddled his own canoe to the village of Laurel, even after we moved to Saramiriza and later back to Norway.
Marcial died a couple of years ago, and Enriqueta passed away this past autumn (written January 2023). We look forward to meeting them again in our heavenly home.
Marcial’s house was still in poor shape, although there had been some improvements over the years. One evening, while the children were alone, an accident with the kerosene lamp set the parched roof alight. The dry thatch caught fast and soon the whole hut was ablaze. Neighbors rushed in and managed to save the children and the few possessions in the house, but the hut burned to the ground in minutes.
The congregation and the villagers banded together to help the family rebuild. Marcial brought corner posts and floor materials; family and friends pitched in. Most of the materials could be gathered from the forest, but it was hard work. Then we learned that some people farther down the village were giving away a palm leaf roof from a house they no longer used. It was in good condition but had to be carried to the site where Marcial was building his new house. Seeing the roughly 6-by-8-meter roof walking through the village past our house on many shoulders was a sight to behold as more than twenty men hoisted it along the path. Fitting that roof onto the upright posts was no small feat, but it went up, and at last the family had a proper roof over their heads. Walls followed in time.
Marcial delighted in being home with his family. He and Enriqueta worked their plot and kept the tarrafa—his fishing net—in constant use. He did a good deal of work for the mission, attended services and Bible courses faithfully, and read the Scriptures regularly at home. He joined our evangelistic trips to villages along the Marañón, and it was a joy to watch his faith deepen; he felt a call to preach. In addition to traveling with us, he began making trips on his own to nearby communities—each Sunday for many years he paddled his own canoe to the village of Laurel, even after we moved to Saramiriza and later back to Norway.
Marcial died a couple of years ago, and Enriqueta passed away this past autumn (written January 2023). We look forward to meeting them again in our heavenly home.