The Word of God For Every Achi

Desert Springs Church in Albuquerque, NM, held their first missions council meeting in 2003. Since then, they have supported translators in Guatemala, funded the Rabinal Achi Audio New Testament recording, raised enough for Proclaimers^® to begin 173 Faith Comes By Hearing listening programs, helped with the historic launch of the Rabinal Achi Bible and Audio New Testament, and are currently working to bring clean water resources, medical and dental services, and micro-business loans to the Achi people of Guatemala.

Desert Springs began working in 2003 with Wycliffe to support the translation of the Rabinal Achi Bible. After visiting the Achi people, mission team members became aware not only of the need for written Scriptures in the Achi's own language, but also for Scriptures in audio.

Team member Karen Gregory shares, "We visited a man's house to pray and share. He has begun a home group, but he began to weep as he talked of his desire to lead a real Bible study there. He is ashamed that he is unable to do so because he cannot read. Another woman who has raised 12 children who love Christ, says God cannot use her because she cannot read or write. We also spoke with the head of a youth movement. He attends seminary in Guatemala City on the weekends. When I asked him how it was going, he replied, ‘It is very slow and difficult. There is a huge amount of reading, and I am a poor reader. My people, we don't have books, we don't read in our culture.'"

The realization of this need for God's Word in audio led Desert Springs to partner with Faith Comes by Hearing and raise the funds for the Rabinal Achi Audio New Testament recording.

To raise the funds, Desert Springs began a campaign called "One Verse—The Word of God for Every Achi." They broke down the cost of one verse for $4.00, which allowed the children's ministry as well as the adults to take up the challenge. Within 10 days the church had raised $26,000 to record the entire Achi Rabinal Audio New Testament! In addition, Desert Springs has raised funds for Proclaimers^® to start listening groups among the Achi.

In January of this year, the Achi Rabinal people received God's Word in their own language for the very first time. More than 3,000 people attended the historic launch which included a parade, music, food, and special speakers.

Some of the very first Achi believers who came to the Lord in the 1950's were in attendance. The first speaker was one of these Christians. He died just a few months later—after finally experiencing God's Word in his own language.

Thank you Desert Springs, for providing God's Word so the Rabinal Achi may have the opportunity to hear God's Words of life in their own heart language.