October 2003 Vol. 8 No. 3
Dan and Kay Finley Serving in Guatemala
Lutheran Bible TranslatorsExpanding Partnerships
Since 1993 Lutheran Bible Translators has ahd a partnership agreement with the Lutheran Church of Guatemala to bring God’s Word to the people of Guatemala in their indigenous languages. Because Spanish is the official language of Guatemala and indigenous languages are often regarded as inferior, Spanish has become the church language as well.
In the past ten years Lutheran Bible Translators has worked in eight different languages, doing Bible translation and encouraging the people to use available portions of Scripture in their church services and Bible studies.
About a year ago it became apparent to Lutheran Bible Translators that Spanish is the indigenous language of over 3 million Guatemalans, many of which do not know how to read and write in any language. We are currently investigating the need for Scripture Use in Spanish among this group of people. Before we become involved in this work we will need to determine if other groups within Guatemala are already meeting that need.
One group that is currently providing Christian resources and Bible study materials in Spanish is Cristo Para Todas las Naciónes (Christ for all the Nations), the local arm of Lutheran Hour Ministries. Many of the available Lutheran Hour Ministries materials have already been translated into Spanish. Under the direction of Rebeca de Franco, CPTLN is reaching out to the Lutheran congregations with a variety of studies and pamphlets, including Sunday School and Vacation Bible School materials for children.
Rebeca has always had a fervent love for the indigenous people of her country. In a series of conversations dating back to our arrival in Guatemala in 1997, Rebeca has continued to express her desire to have there materials translated into the indigenous languages and available to more people in this country.
Finally, the pieces are beginning to fit together. In September, Walt DeMoss, director of Program Ministries for Lutheran Bible Translators, and Dan and Kay met with Rebeca to discuss the possibility of a partnership with Cristo Para Todas las Naciónes to reach more indigenous people of Guatemala with God’s Word. One of the projects in this partnership could be the translation of some of these materials into a few target indigenous languages. We will continue to explore the possibility of an agreement with Cristo Para Todas las Naciónes, which will expand our partnerships within Guatemala.
Correspondence:
Dan and Kay Finley
Apartado Postal 408
Antigua, Guatemala 03001
Telephone 011-502-832-5200
E-mail: dkfinley@conexion.com.gt
Contributions:
Lutheran Bible Translators
PO Box 2050
Aurora, IL 60507-2050
Designate: Finley/Guatemala
Remember: To assure that your financial gifts are being used as you intend, please be sure to designate Finley/Guatemala on both the check memo line and the donor envelop flab if you want your gift to be used to support our ministry. Undesignated gifts will go into the LBT General Fund to be used for general expenses. They will not be available to support our work in Guatemala.