amuzgo people - The Seed Company

Amuzgo
Language
ME X I C O
Americas
Meet the
AMUZGO PEOPLE
[AH - MOOZ’ - GOH]
Most Amuzgo work in their fields. Their life isn’t easy, so many seek help in magical beliefs associated with
supernatural elements. Believing that the full Scriptures will deliver people from traditional religion and
combat in-name-only Christianity, the local church wants the Old Testament in the mother tongue.
Goals
Phase 2:
Finish Genesis through
Ezra and parts of
the Book of Psalms;
move several other
Old Testament books
through community
testing.
Expected
Impact
Strengths
The church is asking for the
Old Testament. The translators are
well equipped and experienced in
drafting Scripture and performing
other steps. They’re hard workers
and fully cooperative with
consultants. They do an
excellent job.
01 People in the Amuzgo
community will be transformed
by God’s Word. Churches will
shepherd growing flocks.
Partners
The National Association of
Indigenous Translators
and four local churches
Risks
Lack of available consultants
to check the translated
Scriptures may slow progress.
Local congregations
experience some division,
which can negatively affect
the Old Testament translation
project.
02 Many will come to know
Christ as they understand better
the history of redemption from
Genesis to Revelation.
Quick Facts
Location: Mexico
Number of Speakers:
50,000
Expected Completion:
2018
03 Those bound to traditional
religion will become free to serve
the Lord, no longer living in fear.
01
theseedcompany.org
PROJECT PROFILE
The Challenge
The Solution
With economic conditions difficult at best, the Amuzgo people
work in the fields, raising crops to feed their families. They
use most of what they grow, selling the remainder for cash.
Sometimes they trade their produce for commercial goods. They
also deal in handicrafts, cattle, pigs, poultry and goats.
The Amuzgo team members began translating the Old
Testament during the first phase of the project. They continue
to make headway on completing the Bible in their language.
Consultants will check the first five books of Moses, then
the historical books through the Book of Ezra, and also 100
Psalms. Afterwards, the team plans to print the Bible portions,
audio record them and make them accessible on the web and
cellphones. The biggest potential obstacle is the lack of available
consultants.
The language group is located in the southeast corner of the
state of Guerrero. Although its coastline includes Acapulco,
Guerrero is mostly mountainous and borders the state of Oaxaca.
The team lives in the town of Xochistlahuaca.
Many people rely on departed saints, sacred stones and
other religious entities to provide what they need. Otherwise,
these beings can take good things from people or hurt them
if not honored or worshiped as they allegedly deserve. For
example, some trust in objects such as thunderstones, which
are associated with a thunder god. Even the poorest will spend
money beyond their means. The goal is to curry favor by
becoming a majordomo of a patron saint.
Fewer than 10 percent of the Amuzgo are practicing believers.
A number are in-name-only Christians. An American missionary
first brought the Gospel to the people in 1942.
Pray
With Us
All local churches have pledged their support. They’ll help check
and test the Scripture materials and assist in other practical
ways. In this context, Bible translation is about the Lord’s workers
laboring for transformation of the individual, the family, the
church and the community.
Those who experience the power of the Gospel through God’s
Word typically become more industrious and responsible. They
invest time in church activities. Based on sound biblical teaching,
their daily life is focused on serving their families and the Body
of Christ.
Accelerated impact is vital. The community’s needs dictate which
passages of Scripture are translated — touching the largest
number of people in the shortest possible time, while never
sacrificing quality.
Heavenly Father, root out animistic practices and beliefs that prevent people from
turning to You and forsaking their false deities. Please combat the in-name-only
Christianity that hinders the Amuzgo.
How You Can Make a Difference
PRAYER | God, we pray that the life-giving lessons contained in
the Old Testament books will draw Amuzgo people. Cause them
to turn to You and follow You wholeheartedly. We ask that they
will see Your love in the stories in these Scripture portions. Show
them how You want them to walk day by day.
Heavenly Father, root out sin. Remove the animistic practices and
beliefs that prevent people from turning to You, forsaking their
false deities. Please combat the in-name-only Christianity that’s
present among the Amuzgo. Watch over the Body of Christ, the
church. We ask that Your people will exercise their spiritual gifts to
build up local congregations, empowered by Your Word and the
Holy Spirit.
FINANCIAL INVESTMENT | Help bring the Amuzgo people
Scripture they can understand. Your investment will give the
Amuzgo church the tools they need for personal spiritual
enrichment as well as effective outreach to their people.
As an investor, you will help the Amuzgo translators receive
training, equipment and a livelihood as they work to bring God’s
Word to their people in their own language.
Call the Seed Company at 1-866-663-8377 or visit
theseedcompany.org/projects/amuzgo-2 to make your
commitment to the Amuzgo people today.
Visit theSeedCompany.org or call 1-866-663-8377 to join the team today.
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