Tzutujil Update

It's been a couple of weeks since I've reported on my quest to find a source of Tzutujil NT's for Pastor Antonio in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Since then, I've had some good contacts with Antonio, current world racers in Guatemala, and SIL Peru.

The situation, briefly, is that Tzutujil NT's were printed and distributed about 30 years ago, and no new copies are available. I have been praying and working to find a way to get a reprint, so that the Tzutuil believers can have the word of God in their own language.

One of the '07 World Racers, Stacy Utecht, has been working in the villages of Lake Atitlan, and was able to visit Pastor Antonio and his church. She writes:

"About 80 percent of San Pablo are believers and the church grows more and more every day. There is an apparent need for the word of God in their language. Antonio is the only pastor in San Pablo who preaches in Tzutujil so his church is bursting with people. They want to know and hear the word of God."

I am very pleased to report that SIL Peru has the ability to do a reprint, and since I've contacted them, have responded favorably to the chance to meet this need:

"The next step is to contact our administration responsible for this area of Latin America to receive their approval for making this a project. We would then send you or your contact, or perhaps someone else who might be able to answer some more specific and detailed questions about the language and church situation of the Tzutujil.

With this information we would submit an application to the funders and, if approved, this reprint could be scheduled for the coming year, perhaps be available in Guatemala within 12 months. There are lots of factors that can delay such a publication. But we pray that with God’s help we will be ready to move ahead a quickly as possible."

Obviously, there is still a ways to go, and much to pray for. But each time God opens yet another door, I get chills to see Him working to provide His word to His people. In the meantime, I pray that I can truly treasure my own Bible, and the times I can spend reading and studying in my own language.

Thanks to all who are praying along with me to see God provide!