Six Days to Travel Through History
Street lights illuminated the “land of eternal spring.” Newly arrived travelers peered through bus windows as they rode out of La Aurora International Airport. A short flight from Miami, Florida, and the world was suddenly different—bigger and more diverse. Some of the shapes along the road looked familiar, like stop signs, but the language in the center wasn’t English anymore. On the bus, Wayne Huff stood at the base of the access stairs and delivered an introduction, a welcoming to Guatemala!
If one were to examine the historical roots of Wycliffe, he or she would ultimately come to Guatemala. And since 1987, Wayne Huff has led them there. As a Tour Director for Wycliffe, Wayne’s duty is to make vision-casting journeys to Guatemala with a variety of people, some of who may be stepping across the borders of the U.S. for the first time in their life.
Wayne has a gruff voice, sometimes hoarse and at other times exhausted of breath. It’s a voice made for stories and for the passionate re-telling of the early work of Uncle Cam Townsend, founder of Wycliffe. During the Guatemala tour Wayne talked of Townsend’s desire to reach out to indigenous people in Guatemala with the Word of God, and to make it available to them in their own language. Ultimately Uncle Cam’s vision grew to include the whole world, and work continues today to reach all bibleless peoples.
“We see the whole picture right here in Guatemala,” said Wayne. “The first work of Bible translators came here in 1952. We’ve already finished New Testaments in about twenty-six languages.” In Guatemala, the traveling visitors can see first-
hand the impact of Bible translation on communities, families and individuals. Wayne described how many of the local churches that have been built on the Word of God in their own language are now involved in sending that same message to others.
Nancy Nolt, a participant on this tour sponsored by the Wycliffe Foundation, observed the growth of Guatemalan churches. “Those churches are not just ‘receiving help’ from other churches in [other] countries,” said Nancy. “They are building their churches and then going out to other people in their community, bringing them in, and also, around the world.”
Across Guatemala, the tour bus shifted and lifted as turns and bumps informed it. At times Wayne moved to the front seat, turned and faced the tour participants. With a microphone in hand, he introduced the travelers to a variety of location stops. The tour group visited Santiago, to observe a current Bible translation in progress; San Antonio Aguas Calientes, to see a school established by Uncle Cam; Panajachel, to wonder at Lake Atitlan and the nearby volcanoes; Sololá, to tour a production house that is releasing media using translated Scripture; Tecpán, to spend time with a local church; and other spots including Guatemala City. The tour lasted six days.
“I enjoy seeing people react at what they’re looking at,” said Wayne. “I get to see the wonder of the country, the beauty, the culture, the colors, not only with my own eyes, but with all the peoples’ eyes that go with me. And as I tell them stories and give facts I believe it brings glory to God.”
Nancy Nolt enjoyed the experience of meeting and encouraging Guatemalans involved in a variety of ministries. “They said they felt honored to have us here,” said Nancy. “And that when people come on the tours to see their work, they feel that we’ve brought the spirit of Jesus with us. And that was just amazing because I think that all of us on the tour have been feeling we felt the spirit of Jesus when we go to these villages. We’re greeted so warmly by the people, by the churches and all throughout the town.”
Just as any tour participant takes home a memory or an observation to share with others, Wayne Huff also doesn’t like to leave Guatemala empty-handed. After leading some seventy vision-casting tours to Guatemala, Wayne has established a tradition of returning home with something special to share with his family. “Usually we get together and prepare a Guatemalan meal when I get home,” said Wayne. And this time Wayne brought home the tortillas.
("Six Days to Travel Through History" was written by Jon Bilbro after he traveled to Guatamala as a videographer with Wycliffe USA Communications Department.)
