Audio Scriptures to be played in Mayan church

SOLOLÁ — A Kaqchikel pastor has agreed to use a Proclaimer to play the audio Kaqchikel New Testament during church services.

My Viña Studios co-worker, Isidro, presented the idea to him last Thursday evening, and the pastor agreed enthusiastically. The pastor plans to use the Proclaimer (which is like a small radio) during Sunday school classes. He liked it so much he asked if he could have one to play at regular gatherings with his growing family.

The pastor has 13 children, and at least two of them are married. He said he would like to invite the married children to join them for listening sessions, playing a chapter or two at a time, after which they could have a discussion about what they heard.

Thursday evening, as Isidro left his house with the Proclaimer to show the pastor, his wife stopped him: "Are you taking that?" she asked him. "Yes, but I'll bring it back," he said. "Oh, good," she answered. "It's really helpful."

While she had it at the house for a couple of weeks, Isidro's wife listened to the entire New Testament as she worked. She's starting over again at Matthew.

"You know, we go to church services all the time, but hearing God's Word is different," she said. "It's very helpful. People need to hear it."

The pastor's response was an answer to prayer. His planned use is the kind of listening group that Albuquerque, N.M.-based Faith Comes By Hearing (the Proclaimer's sponsor) has found effective. We've got a dozen Proclaimers here at Viña, waiting to be distributed. So we said, "Sure! Go for it!" and sent one out to him.

Viña Studios recorded the audio Kaqchikel translation soon after it was printed in 1996, but the audio cassette media format proved an obstacle. Locals complained the 90-minute tapes wore out their stereo tape players. The newly formatted MP3 CDs have been well received at area radio stations, but few Mayans have modern stereos or computers to play them yet at home.

The audio Bible is vital because very few Mayans can read or write their own language.

Virtually all the area Kaqchikel Mayan pastors use the Reina-Valera Spanish Bible (similar to the English King James Version) and then explain it in Kaqchikel to their congregations. We continue praying for a breakthrough for them to use the Bible in their mother tongue, which many, many people would find clearer.

Isidro said his wife understands the importance of his work better after having listened to the Bible recording in her language. Isidro has worked recording about 20 audio New Testaments in Guatemala and Central America (most recently with the Q'eqchí in Cobán and the Ixil in Nebaj).

In October, he will have to travel several hours from home for about two months to record the Achí Mayan language New Testament. The separation causes family stress, especially since their boy, Juanito, has been ill somewhat frequently. Please pray for this important work, including our on-going recording with the Kiché language of Joyabáj.