Leaders of the South Peru Scripture Advance project quickly realized they could encourage Quechuas to read the Bible if they could help them see its relevance to the real problems they face. The Quechua organization ATEK seized the opportunity, launching the first of its marriage workshops in 2003.

The full 13-lesson course is spread out over three months and culminates with the renewing of wedding vows. So far, more than 760 Quechuas have attended courses in 13 communities.

Guillermo Pantoja has gone to two marriage workshops. The first time, he attended without his wife Modesta because the course was held far from their home village.

"I compared what the Scriptures said [about marriage] to how our relationship was," says Guillermo, "and I realized I wasn't living according to God's Word.

"I returned to my wife and asked her forgiveness."

The couple's 19-year relationship, which included many years of living together before marriage, has since improved significantly. Modesta attended a second workshop with her husband last April.

"We have a good married life," says Guillermo. "I'm learning a lot."

Bernardo Ccarita, a former director of ATEK who now oversees the development of Quechua written materials, says teaching Quechua people how to build stronger marriages is very satisfying.

"To see couples reconciled, this fills us with joy."

On the invitation of denominational leaders in the neighbouring province of Apurímac, ATEK held its first-ever marriage course last spring for speakers of another Quechua dialect. Thirty pastors and their wives participated. In order to attend a second workshop, the pastors are required to teach what they learned in the first workshop to their own congregations.

"We have heard incredible testimonies of marriage restoration from all the participants," reported one denominational leader. "Church attendance is increasing as a result of this teaching."

Demand for the marriage seminars has kept its creators scrambling to keep up. A teacher-training manual in Quechua is in the works so that others can be trained to lead the course.

Guillermo Pantoja might be a candidate.

"What we're hearing here is not superficial," Guillermo says. "It really penetrates deep into our hearts.

"We need to take this word and share it with others."