Bible is a ‘treasure beyond value’ for the Chenalhó people
CHIAPAS, Mexico — It took 14 years to bring the Chenalhó people the Bible in their own version of the Tzotzil language. But according to the believers who live in this beautiful land of highland fields and forests, it is a treasure beyond value. “It is so important that the people have Bibles, so each person can share God’s Word,” says Manuel Coura Perez, a Chenalhó Christian. “The Bible teaches us how to live, and that improves the lives of the families and the communities.” Important“It is especially important for young people,” adds Adela Gómez Gómez. “They are helped a lot by reading God’s Word.” Mr Coura explains that the Chenalhó Christians are also using the Bible to teach people how to read. “The believers normally go to church on Sundays and Wednesdays,” he explains, “but they meet together at other times just to share and read the Bible. They are farmers and work long hours, but they still take the time to get together two or three times a week just to read the Scriptures.” The Chenalhó people have had the New Testament for many years, and most understand it well, he says. But that made them even more excited when the complete Bible became available in 1988. Appreciated“They were excited about getting the complete Bible, because they knew the Old Testament would help them understand the New Testament even better,” Mr Coura explains. He added that everyone especially appreciated what the Bible Society of Mexico did for the people during their time of suffering. “I really appreciate that the Bible Society brought us Bibles during those years,” he says. “We didn’t have the money to pay the total cost. We hardly had anything. “But the Bible Society gave us the chance to get the new Bibles. They let us pay a little bit, so we were able to get them during the troubles. That made a big difference to all of us.” (WR 376/9 - 4/5.03)
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