A boy’s prayer answered, a life on track, in Guatemala

Thanks to your support of an ongoing translation project, Damian Chub, an 11-year-old Guatemalan boy, recently received a Scripture book in his own language, Q’eqchi’. And he wants to thank you for helping to answer his prayer.

Damian lives in the central highland city of Coban in this beautiful country blessed with a rich culture. It’s home to rainforests, volcanoes and ancient Mayan sites. But unfortunately it also suffers from serious poverty and organised crime. Reading the Scriptures from a young age is helping people like Damian set out on the right path in life.

Damian wants to thank you and tell you a little bit about himself in his own words. He says: ‘In my free time I help my dad in the field. We produce coffee and corns. I want to obey my parents and honour them.

‘I received a Seeds of Value book and I was very excited to have one. I enjoy the pictures and my favourite lesson is the one about self-control. I learned in Proverbs 16.32 that “Controlling your temper is better than being a hero who captures a city”.

‘The verse reminds me to be patient and calm, rather than to be quick to anger.

‘When I grow up, I want to serve and be a musician in my church, also to share the word of God. I thank you for bringing the word of God to my community, in my language.’

Although most people speak Spanish in Guatemala, being able to read the Scriptures in their heart language is warmly welcomed. It means the word of God is helping strengthen the bonds that hold communities together. Thanks to your support, translation work continues in Guatemala. Just recently, portions of Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians in the Q’eqchi’ language were distributed.

But the translation challenge continues, not just in Guatemala, the most populous in Central America with 17 million, and ehere more than 20 languages are spoken. Worldwide, there are many heart languages without any Scripture.

A version of this story first appeared in our Bible a Month prayer-focused newsletter. By joining Bible a Month, for as little as £10 a month you would be putting the Scriptures into the hands of young people just like Damian Chub. You’d be helping to set them on the right path, the one that leads to glory.