As the angels in heaven rejoiced over his salvation, the demons of discouragement began their assault. First, he was kicked out of his home by his mother when she found out he had become a Christian. After several months, however, his family saw the truth and power of the gospel, and they also gave their lives to Christ.

Provision for the elderly

Later, while making preparations for schooling, he was suddenly attacked with tumors growing from his neck and armpits. His parents took him to the city of Chiclayo for medical treatment. There he was diagnosed with cancer and told he had three months to live.

It was at this very time that the Lord showed him a verse: "When Jesus heard that, he said, 'This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified'." John 11:4. His pastor and many others prayed. After several months, the tumors began to disappear. Marino survived, went to Bible college and graduated in 1973. He went to the Andes to begin a new work. In 1974 he married Luz Vasquez, who has been his helpmate and coworker ever since.

During the next several years, Marino and Luz moved about from place to place with their growing family, planting churches in communities where the gospel had never been heard.

New Life Evangelistic Ministry (NLEM) was built upon this foundation of faith: "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it;" Psalm 127:1. Beginning at first as a radio outreach in 1985, NLEM has grown into a full-time evangelistic ministry. Christian Aid donors have been assisting NLEM since then, as workers employ various strategies in reaching Quechuan and other unreached Peruvian tribes. Traveling by horseback, donkey or on foot, they hold week-long crusades in rural areas. Luz helps by weaving shoes and also conducts a mercy ministry during the crusade, where she distributes the food, clothing and medication collected for the poor who may attend these meetings.