Audio Scripture sales to Chuj modest, growing

A team distributing audio Scriptures to the Chuj Mayans in Northwest Guatemala reports modest sales to enthusiastic buyers.

David and Helen Ekstrom, who worked on the Scripture translation, along with Jeff Nelson of OC International and several Mayan young men are spending the week in the Cuchumatanes Mountains, promoting and selling the audio New Testament players.

By Wednesday noon, the team sold about 25 out of 300 players. Although the MegaVoice players are sold at a discount for $40, they remain expensive for many Mayans.

“Real lights are turning on when people hear the Scriptures in their own language,” Nelson said. “I think it’s going to motivate them to study the Scriptures more. They need to understand them well if they’re going to share them with someone else.”

Technicians from Viña Studios collaborated with a team of Chuj Mayan “actors” reading for the dramatized audio Scriptures recording last year.

One young man who bought a player told Nelson, “My mom and dad are not Christians, and I’m hoping with this they’ll be able to hear the Gospel.”

Another who had recently attended a funeral told the team he hopes to learn more about the Scriptures to be able to share from God’s Word for the appropriate situation.

Today, the team is in San Mateo Ixtatán, the largest city of the region, anticipating an uptick in sales.

“Until somebody gets it in their hands and sees what it is, they’re not going to be too excited, but the word’s getting out,” Nelson said.