"From the Inside Out"

Cameron Townsend was a Bible translator who worked among the peoples of Guatemala, Mexico, and Peru. While in Mexico, he moved with his wife and niece to a town known as Tetelcingo. Cam was privileged to meet the mayor the very first day they arrived there, especially since the mayor was the only one in the village who spoke passable Spanish. When Cam explained that he wanted to live in Tetelcingo so that the Bible could be translated into the villagers' native tongue, Mayor Méndez was surprised, but agreed to the idea after reading letters of recommendation. He showed Cam where to park his trailer and assured him that there would be plenty of villagers who would be willing to help him learn the local language. Cam thanked the mayor, and told him he looked forward to getting to know him better.

Since there wasn't much to do in Tetelcingo, the mayor was often bored and wishing for outsiders to converse with. He was only happy to spend time with Cam, and came to visit each day after breakfast. During this time, Cam learned that despite his powerful position, Mayor Méndez wasn't satisfied. Throughout the past few years, the mayor had lived with twenty-eight different women, all of whom had eventually left him because of his foul temper. Furthermore, because he had made some unwise decisions, Mayor Méndez had enemies, and always carried a gun in case something should happen.

Along with getting to know more about the mayor and the Aztec language, Cam had been reading to him from a Spanish New Testament. It wasn't long before the mayor requested a copy for himself. He began reading it aloud from the steps of the municipal building, first in Spanish, then in Aztec. This way everyone could understand. Often Mayor Méndez would read the Bible in this manner for up to three hours at a time.

Several weeks went by, and then one day the mayor came to see Cam. "Don Guillermo [Cam's Spanish name], something strange is happening to me," he said. "I cannot understand it." He went on to explain that when he went to lie, get drunk, or beat up his woman, he couldn't. The book stopped him from doing it. What was wrong with him?

Cam smiled and replied, "You have read in the Book how GOD can change people from the inside out. I think that is what is happening to you. Keep reading!"

Change surely was taking place. A week after that visit, the mayor was back. This time he no longer wanted to wear or use his gun; rather, he wanted to send a Bible to each of his three enemies. He also wanted to write to tell them that he forgave them because of this Book, and that they should read it too so they could see if they could forgive him. "I feel so different inside now, I no longer want to shoot people," he added.

This story truly illustrates that "The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple." Psalm 19:7. May we never neglect the Bible, the Book that can change us inside and out.

Blessings,
Jean