Gospel Literature Impacts Lives (continued)
by Gene and Jean Easley
Guatemalan Border (continued)
At the top of the page where the salvation Scripture appeared was a Scripture reference telling you where to find the next salvation Scripture. Several of the more well-known salvation passages were referenced. My wife began to show the people how to find these salvation verses. Of course, she was distributing so many pieces that she could not show the technique to all. Soon, however, we noticed that the people sitting on the benches in front of the customs building were themselves, showing others how to find those special verses! Praise God!
Most of the people crossing that border and receiving their personal Bibles were of the peasant class--they were a humble people who had never known anything but the hardness of life. To see their faces light up and then watch them sitting and reading God's Word was a thrill to our souls! Such a tremendous blessing rests upon the Word of God that when it is allowed to enter not only the heart but even a public place, the chains of darkness must flee!
The Spirit of that place changed from the normal spirit of misery and mistrust to the spirit of a revival center! All around, people were sitting reading their new Bibles; others were standing against the building with Bibles opened, captivated by what they were reading. Faces began to smile which had not smiled before. New friends were being made as strangers began discussing what they were finding in God's Word. For a brief span of time, the powers of darkness that normally dominate that place were broken, and God was honored.
We had some difficulty leaving the border that day. But it wasn't because the customs officials held us longer than normal. The people were wanting to talk with us and ask questions about the Bible and the Lord. There seemed to be a reaching out of their souls for more of what God alone can offer. Though, we don't know all that took place in the lives of those who received the literature that day, we do know God's Word will not return unto Him void.
Mazatenango
Mazatenango is one of the larger cities along the southern route from the border with Mexico to Guatemala City. Its noisy streets are crowded with people, and a spirit of evil pervades the atmosphere. Sinful living and crime is the norm, and Americans are usually eager to pass through the place as quickly as possible. But in the midst of the degradation and evil are humble people whose hearts are reaching out for help.
There is a Pollo Campero (country chicken--a large fast-food chain restaurant in Guatemala) in Mazatenango. This is one of the few restaurants in which we have confidence enough to eat on this highway to our destination. So we usually stop to buy some hot food, which we seldom can enjoy on our long trip from the American border to Guatemala City. Most of our eating during the rest of the trip is from cans and dry goods.
On one trip, we stopped at this Pollo Campero at about noonday. Our car was loaded with all that we could bring with us for our stay in Guatemala. Since it is extremely unsafe to leave your car unguarded in Guatemala, especially when it is packed, I stayed in the car while Jean went inside the restaurant to buy two "Menu Camperos" to take to eat along the way.
As I sat there waiting for her to return, a young boy about twelve years old approached the car. He was begging, a very common sight in Guatemala. I gave him some change and then reached over and picked up a small booklet of Gospel literature and gave it to the boy. He was thankful, took his gifts and dashed back across the street.
A few minutes later, he came back. This time he had a young friend with him, another young boy about the same age. I figured they wanted to take full advantage of the presence of this American. I thought surely the little friend was going to ask for his share of the American's money. But when he arrived at the car, he didn't ask for money. He wanted one of the booklets, which I gladly gave him.
Multitudes of people were walking up and down the sidewalk near where I was parked. Some happened to see me giving the literature to the boys. Soon others came cautiously over and asked if they could have one of the books. I gladly gave them booklets, too.
When others passing by saw me giving the literature away, they, too, came over. Within the span of about two or three minutes, I had a crowd of people gathered around my car--all wanting free literature. There was a constant flow of hands, a dozen or so at a time, reaching inside my car window wanting something of their own. In addition to the small booklets, I had a small supply of Bibles and New Testaments in the back seat of the car. As quickly as I could, I continued putting literature into the multitude of hands reaching inside the car. As fast as I could, I gave the Word of God to hungry people!
