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A new barriada called Mariano Melgar. was one of the first areas of evangelization for the new mission. Somehow, early in 1969, we heard that the sand hill to the west of the Kilometer 17 marker on the highway south to Atacongo was going to be invaded. The invasion took place during two week ends. Where there was nothing but sand, suddenly the hillside was dotted with small straw shelters. People staked their claim, and waited to see if anyone would chase them off. We loaded wood and straw mats on the top of the Land Rover and drove up into the area. We staked a rather large claim, which later was encroached upon by our neighbors, and the mission eventually lost the property.
The first church, called Centro Cristiano, The Christian Center, was constructed of straw mats, called esteras. Bible Study, Sunday School, and worship services were held there for a year or so.
The early settlers had no school for their children, so a volunteer from the USA began classes. These early students would have lost a year or so of schooling had it not been for the efforts of the volunteer. Later a government school was built in the area, and the church school closed. However, most of the local helpers went on to become public school teachers.
Many humanitarian aid projects were initiated. One, a small book store, was fairly successful, supporting a woman and her two children for a number of years. Another helped a man purchase a large tank for the storing and sale of kerosene. This developed into a large successful hardware store. A water tank was constructed in the openair market, with simple plumbing running to many of the stalls, charging a small user fee. Water was trucked in to fill the tank.
Over time, as the barriada developed with concrete and brick houses and stores, one of the church members invited the mission to move the Bible study and service to their home.
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