The Failed Attempt - Guatemala

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"We want peace in our country, but we need to realise that Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. And the Spirit is a gift of God," said General Efraim Rios Montt. The President of Guatemala made it clear in his speech to teachers in Retalhuleu, on the 24th of February, where he expected his help to come from: "God is the only one who teaches us correct principles."

This is what this country, which has been shaken by civil war, needed desperately. Before Rios Montt became President there were on average 300 political assassinations per month; bombs exploded in the capital city almost daily; police officers were shot openly in the street by guerrillas; and kidnapping and blackmailing was the order of the day. The army itself let people 'disappear', and slaughtered the Indus who sympathised with the revolutionists, simply because they had promised them a better standard of living.

Yet on 23rd March 1982 came the turning-point which some Christians there call, "The Miracle of Guatemala". Young officers carried out a "coup d'état" without blood-shed, and subsequently General Rios Montt, a committed Christian, became Head of State. He himself was not part of the coup and when the putschists asked the man known for his integrity to take over the presidency, the professing Christian answered: "Firstly, I will have to pray about this with my brethren." Meaning the elders of the Verbo (=Word) Church, a charismatic assembly in the city of Guatemala.

Rios Montt soon made it clear that he meant it when he used the word "cambio" (turning point).

• He announced that he would fight against all corruption going on. He fired corrupt ministers and military staff, and made all public servants swear three things: "I will not lie, I will not steal, and I will not misuse my power." As some natives confirmed, a radical change began to take place and the crime-rate decreased dramatically.
• He dispensed with the exaggerated salary of the President and was content with that of a minister.
• He announced an amnesty in June 1982 and as a result, over 2000 guerrillas came out of the underground, gave up their weapons and have since lived like normal Guatemalans.
• Finally, he asked Christian missionary societies to come into the country to help with its spiritual and physical reconstruction.

Rios Montt's great standing is his integrity. He lives what he preaches and the results prove it: Virtually the day after he took power, people began to walk on the streets again at night, and buses were functioning in almost every part of the country. All in all, only three to four bombs exploded, the kidnapping nearly stopped altogether and the paralysing fear was lifted. "Righteousness exalteth a nation" PROVERBS 14:34.

Of course, this charismatic President, who leaves us in no doubt that he understands the word "cambio" by first of all changing the individual and through that turning the whole nation to God, is a thorn in the side of the left wing propaganda. For in the Caribbean region, the Guatemalan example is the only real alternative to the Cuban one. If this example were followed, and if the wounds of this nation were healed, then this whole corrupt area could recover.

While the mass-media in other countries are aiming their attacks at "the man of a sect," leading Christians in the country itself call Rios Montt the "Nehemiah of Guatemala" - called by God to re-build the country out of its ruins - spiritually, morally and physically.

He evangelised in his weekly sermons on radio and television to bring people to repentance and spiritual renewal. The church building of his local assembly was not big enough, so they started to meet in a mission tent. Of the 7 million inhabitants of Guatemala, 700,000 came to the centenary celebrations of the evangelical missionary work. Approximately 25% of the population call themselves born-again Christians. The "Asambleas de Dios" (Assemblies of God) in Guatemala City itself has 128 assemblies with 20,000 members. There are also other Biblical Pentecostal assemblies, Baptists and charismatic groups. The country has experienced a true revival. Of course, the new converts do not believe the left wing terrorists anymore and scores of people are leaving the Catholic church.

In March 1983 Rios Montt announced total freedom of religion. The privileges of the State Church which had prevailed for centuries were, as a result, annihilated.

The trust amongst the people; the success in caring for the poor; and the security when travelling in the country were the envy of many. Articles full of hatred and personal attacks caused the President to introduce censorship of the press. Of course, in one and a quarter years, no-one can smooth out the faults made by many generations - such as illiteracy, poverty, and racism - but the approach and the methods were correct.

The international press and media branded Rios Montt as a dangerous sectarian. After his overthrow their satisfaction was spread with joy: Now, there is a "normal" general in power again - not someone who tries to bring 'salvation' to his people. They ask if it is normal that a President has to summon his public servants, spiritual leaders and people to promise: "no lying, no stealing, and no misuse of power," in a nation which has been called a "Christian nation" for centuries.

President Rios Montt called his people to repent and change. He believed that, "Righteousness exalteth a nation" - the military wanted it differently. On the 8th August 1983 he was overthrown. Now we have to pray especially for the assemblies in Guatemala and earnestly intercede for the new converts.

Translated from the German: ‘Der gescheiterte Versuch - Guatemala'

Source: Report and information taken from ‘Charisma 40'