At age 23, Abigail* and her husband struggled to provide food and basic necessities for their two small children. The difficulties they faced took a toll on their marriage. But then Abigail received her first Bible in her heart language.

“After learning the will of God through His Word, we started praying and asked God to provide for us. In a short time, God provided a job for my husband,” Abigail says.

Because violence and domestic abuse are so prevalent in Peru, the Bible Society developed Bible-based programs to help stop the violence and build healthy families. This includes placing Bibles in people’s hands and hearts — some for the very first time.

Abigail had never experienced violence first hand, but she had witnessed it. She was able to use what she learned in God’s Word to help her relative, who was a victim of domestic abuse.

“Before, our eyes were closed, and now they are open,” says Abigail. “We can see what is bad and what is good. The Word of God speaks to us about what to do in our situations.”

“I feel very happy and grateful to God for my very first Bible,” says Abigail. “Thank you all very much. I am going to read it every day and share it with others who don’t know the Word of God. I will understand the Bible in Quechua better since it is my own language.”

The support of American Bible Society’s financial partners places more first Bibles in the hands and hearts of people like Abigail in languages they can understand.

*Name changed to protect identity.