An Observable Difference

All Scripture is . . . useful for . . . training in righteousness, so that the servant of God
may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV)

Luis Cervantes, the director of AIDIA (a Wycliffe partner organization in Peru), is excited about his team’s efforts in translating both the Old and New Testaments. Luis says that God’s Word, coming in accurate, natural and clear Eastern Apurímac Quechua, deepens and expands the impact the gospel is having among these hardy mountain people (like those pictured below).

Alcoholism plagues many of the 200,000 Quechua people in the countryside high in the Andes. Many husbands verbally and physically abuse their wives and children, and hold them back from attending school.

“When people receive Christ, they stop drinking, then they stop beating their wives and children,” explains Cervantes. “Their children start going to school. And at the same time . . . they suddenly start working their fields like they should be.

“You’ll observe that when you enter a community where the majority of the people are Christians. Their fields are green and lush, and their houses are in better condition. It’s an observable difference.”

Pastor Mario Valverde sees the change in his church located in Abancay, the largest community in the Eastern Apurímac Quechua region of south-central Peru. As the New Testament was being translated,
he gave the mother-tongue Scriptures to his church leaders to study. God’s Word deeply touched those leading worship, deacons’ ministries and prayer and social assistance ministries.

“They began to understand better and they began to change,” says Valverde. “Their spiritual lives started getting better. Their married lives got better. And their ministry life would improve.

“Homes began to get better and you’d see whole families beginning to serve God with their whole hearts.”

As this example from Peru shows, the Lord has given us His Word in part to train us in righteousness—being right in character and doing right in conduct, according to His ways. As a result, we can be equipped as His followers for every good work done in His name, affecting all aspects of life.

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