Distribution earns thanks
from the great and the good

n Uruguay’s president, Jorge Batlle, thanked the Bible Society for the Study Bible and Scripture Portions he received

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay — The Bible Society of Uruguay has been gratified by the letters of appreciation it has received in response to the special distribution it undertook last year as part of celebrations marking 25 years of official government recognition.

To mark the anniversary it gave out 2,000 Bibles and 3,500 Portions to government ministers, senators and deputies, police chiefs, judges and senior people in hospitals, libraries, universities, utilities, banks and so on.

“Never has there been so large a distribution in Uruguay taking in all the senior government officials,” said the Society. It said many people who had not originally been due to receive a Bible but who had been working with those involved had asked if they, too, might be given a copy.

Results

“Only God knows the results of our efforts,” said the Society, “but we can certainly bear testimony to the countless letters of thanks that we have received.”

One letter was written by Senator Euleuterio Fernandez Huidobro, who in the years of Uruguay’s military dictatorship in the1970s was one of the leaders of the liberation movement Tupamaros. The army suppression of the movement meant that Mr Huidobro spent more than 10 years incarcerated as a political prisoner.

Solitary confinement

He wrote, “During my long years in prison, in my solitary confinement I was allowed to have only one book: the Bible. It was an old copy which had belonged to someone – I don’t know who – and which came into my hands by chance. I read it many many times – as you can imagine someone who is completely isolated doing. It was of great help to me – it is difficult to explain to someone unless they have been in a similar situation. “So in a wonderful way the copy you have given me is most welcome and it comes charged with memories like a favourite old friend. Thank you.”

In his letter of thanks, the prominent member of parliament Dr Gustavo Silveira wrote, “I hope, one day, to live up to those words of Jeremiah 3:15 [“I will give you rulers who obey me and they will rule you with wisdom and understanding” (GNB)] which describe your mission so closely.”