Guatemala, much like the other Central American countries, is a land of contrast and challenge. Amidst the ruins of ancient palaces, many Guatemalans live in extreme poverty, scarred by decades of violence and intolerance.In 1999 US President Bill Clinton apologized for America’s military support of a brutal state-sponsored genocide against Guatemala’s native Mayan population during a civil war that lasted from 1960 – 1996 and left approximately 200,000 dead. That internal conflict was only the latest chapter in a sordid history of revolutions, revolt, human rights abuses and civil war. Against this brutal history, BIble League International is working tirelessly to ensure the people of Guatemala have a brighter future with Jesus Christ in their hearts.”
A Place of Extremes
Bordered by Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Belize, with the Caribbean Sea on the East and the Pacific to the southwest, Guatemala is a nation filled with cultural and biological diversity. More than half of the population lives in poverty, however - and the current global downturn is of particular difficulty to the poorest of the poor. Rich and politically well-connected descendants of the Spanish rub shoulders with dirt-poor indigenous beggars on a daily basis.
Religion in Guatemala is often a strange mix of Catholicism and traditional Mayan practices - though Protestants make up a sizable minority. One of the fastest growing faiths, however, is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their numbers have grown from nothing to 164,000 in the last six decades.
A War for Truth
Though now in a period of relative stability, nothing is certain in Guatemala – except for the need Guatemalans have for Jesus Christ. Bible League International has just begun to provide Bibles, discipleship training, bible study opportunities and many other kinds of support needed to bring the people of Guatemala into the light of Christian faith. Bible League International and the people of Guatemala need your support to continue to wage the war for salvation.
