It’s the Bible that sustained a community during years of terrorist attacks. Now, thanks to Bible Society supporters, the outdated Scripture is being re-translated for a new generation of Peruvian people.

Twenty years ago, mountain villages in Peru’s Ayacucho region were ravaged by terrorism and conflict.

Guerillas of the Maoist Shining Path movement swept through the countryside, terrorising, raping and killing local people.

Thousands were murdered, many more fled their homes, and Christians were targeted as they took a stand against the violence. For many, the Bible was their lifeline.

‘To serve God during those years was very difficult,’ said Pastor Efrain Navarro, leader of the Huaychao village church. ‘Many times when the terrorists came, they confiscated our Bibles. Some were burned and some were thrown into the river.

‘They told us that if we kept coming to church, they would blow us up with dynamite. On many occasions while we were worshipping, people came and warned us the terrorists were coming. We prayed to God in those moments.’

Many fled and forged temporary homes in caves round Ayacucho. Others travelled further to Peru’s capital Lima, living in rambling shanty towns on the city’s outskirts. Only now are people beginning to return to the mountains.

But the huge migration of people triggered by the Shining Path encouraged Spanish words into the Quechua language, as mountain people arrived in the cities and were influenced by television and radio.

So the Bible that brought hope to the Quechua people is now out of date, even though it was only published in 1987.

Efrain and his community now wait for their new Bible, currently being revised by local translator Ricardo Cahuana.

‘The Quechua Bible is being used by the authorities here,’ said Efrain. ‘They’re learning now to administer justice, because the Bible talks about equality and justice. This Bible is very important for us. In this Bible, we can know God.’