From left to right: Danielle, Lucia (back), Patricia, Bernard (back), Hans, Charlotte (back), Anna-Sophia

Position: 

Hans: Vice President for Digital Training, Biblica & SIL Executive Member

Patricia: Primary school teacher

Serving in:

South Africa

What is your role in Bible Translation (or nature of your connection to WSA)? Tell us a bit about what you do

We had the wonderful privilege to spend 17 years in the ministry of Bible translation in Malaysia. After studying Malay, we were invited in 1999 to facilitate a Bible translation project for the Kenyah language community who live in tropical rain forests in the interior of Borneo island as subsistence farmers, cultivating hill rice and vegetables on the steep slopes along the main rivers, gathering fruit from the forest, and hunting with their traditional blowpipes. They travel primarily in longboats powered by outboard engines and still live a fairly primitive life without many modern luxuries! After doing a linguistic survey and analysis of more than 30 dialects and developing an orthography, the Kenyah Bible Translation committee was formed in 2001. Shortly thereafter, the first of two translators was appointed and work began on the book of Genesis. The community embraced the work and various books of the Bible were published and distributed among the Kenyah over the years.

We returned to South Africa in 2016 but still continue our role in the global Bible translation ministry in various ways. Hans is now seconded to Biblica and involved in a very exciting project: the development of a Digital Training Library (DTL) for Bible translators! The DTL is an online learning platform designed to provide training to translation teams, second-level checkers, and consultants to improve quality assurance for the entire Bible translation movement. The DTL is being developed in partnership with Fuller Theological Seminary on behalf of the Every Tribe Every Nation (ETEN) Impact Alliance and the global translation movement. Hans leads the process of curriculum development for all DTL certificate programmes, which will establish a professional development pathway for translators to cultivate translation competencies needed to ensure high quality Bible translations, especially in Church Centric Bible Translation initiatives in the Global south and East.

Hans is also responsible to ensure ongoing care for the Committee on Bible Translation (CBT), the team behind the New International Version (NIV) translation of the Bible who meets annually for one week in June. He serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of SIL International whose vision it is to see people flourishing in community using the languages they value most. Inspired by God’s love, SIL advocates, builds capacity, and works with local communities to apply language expertise that advances meaningful development, education, and engagement with Scripture.

Hans also serves on the Board of LuminAfrica, a very exciting partnership between six local translation organizations aimed at eradicating Bible poverty in Southern Africa. Since 2020 we started 22 new Bible translation projects and languages in Southern Africa with remaining translation need and we hope to secure the funding soon to start the remainder of the list of the 50 languages with the hightest translation need.

Patricia has been involved in women’s and children’s ministry during the years we lived in Malaysia but since 2018 teaches at Rhenish Primary School in Stellenbosch where she has wonderful opportunities to influence and shape the lives of many young children!

Tell us a bit about your family

We have five children. They have all grown up in Malaysia and the youngest three were born there. Lucia (1996) is married to Noel Hilst from Seattle in the USA and is enrolled in a PhD program in Biology at UBC (University British Columbia) in Vancouver. Charlotte (1998) completed a Religious Studies degree in the USA and now continues her MSc studies in Science at Stellenbosch University. Danielle (2000) is a final year medical student and Bernard (2002) is doing his BAHons degree in accounting at Stellenbosch University. Anna-Sophia (2008) is in grade 10 in Rhenish Girls High School in Stellenbosch.

What are some of your hobbies and interests?

Our family loves the ocean and the mountains. We enjoy physical challenges and appreciate the beauty of God’s creation and the richness and diversity of the languages and cultures of the world. On a cold winter day we enjoy one another’s company and conversation with friends in front of a blazing fire.

What is something you enjoy about being part of WSA and/or Bible Translation?

We value being part of a larger Wycliffe family committed to witness to all nations through the ministry of Bible translation. Translation never takes place in isolation, but in community with colleagues and the language communities we serve as part of the Missio Dei!