The Apurímac region of South-Central Peru takes its name from the Quechua language and means where the gods speak. The locals say that is because the mountains in the area seem to be talking to each other. The region is one of Peru’s most disadvantaged provinces due to pervasive poverty and low literacy rates. Despite these concerns, the One True God is speaking, working through people like Elena to bring His Word to the people in their heart language, Quechua East Apurímac.

Elena was timid when she came to be trained to use the Proclaimer to share God’s Word with her friends. She recently played the Audio Bible for thirty people while traveling with them in a truck. Elena leads a listening group in her local church and is helping to start new house groups in nearby communities. Elena’s eyes fill with tears of joy when she explains how God’s Word has changed her life:

Since I don’t have much schooling, I couldn’t grow much as a person. I was afraid to speak up because I thought I might make a mistake. But since I got a Proclaimer, my life has changed, because now I can help anyone listen to the Word of God. Then, after they have listened, I’m not afraid to talk to them about the Gospel, explaining the message more clearly. I’m not afraid of making a mistake because if someone asks me a question I just say that we should listen to the Audio Bible again, and Jesus through His Word will answer our questions. Now, when I visit the people in my community and in other communities, I ask someone to listen to the Audio Bible, and right away many people gather around to listen, too.

Several churches have been planted in the Apurímac region and a training program for pastors is scheduled to begin soon. Hearing the Word of God in Quechua assures the people that He loves them enough to speak their language. Using individuals like Elena, God is speaking and lives are being transformed in the mountains of Peru.