Connect Retreat
A group photo of everyone who attended the 2025 Connect Retreat
The Jubilee festivities culminated in a five-day retreat that brought together long-time champions of Bible translation and current team members from near and far. There, stories spanning decades were shared—stories of perseverance, calling, and transformation—leaving participants deeply encouraged and renewed for the work still ahead. Below are reflections from some of those who attended.
Ken Brown
It was a great Connect and we really enjoyed getting to know you all. It was wonderful hearing from each person who shared. It was inspiring to hear how God has been faithful in helping them through difficult circumstances and used them to spread the Word. I loved having conversations and getting to know new people. There was plenty of free time to do this and to relax. Thank you for an inspiring, connecting and relaxing time.
Ansie van der Merwe
My highlight was hearing from our members who spent time on the mission field. Their stories are inspiring and challenging to hear. I also enjoyed our trip to Ludwig’s Roses. It was great to not have a schedule full of presentations and meetings, but that we rather could rest in between.
Marcelina Neto
It was amazing to hear the members of Wycliffe South Africa talk about their journey. They spoke with joy and love about the mission and the people they worked with, and how God used them to make the Word heard and accepted in the communities, which also led to development in these places. They showed that it was not easy, but the joy comes from knowing that it was possible to bring the Word of God to these people and how God has continued to work in these communities to this day, and that the dream of having the Bible has come true.
Johanna Pillinger
The retreat was fantastic. I felt there was a right balance between activities and time to rest and connect. The venue was also perfect!
After all the hectic preparations for the Sunday celebration, it was good to have times to relax. These were also the times to interact in a casual way with one another.
Corine Brown
What a precious time of connecting, getting to know staff better and reconnecting with old members. A big thank you to Wycliffe SA for also including members to this special time of fellowship, input, rest and downtime, fun activities and informal conversations. The encouraging feedback, stories, devotions, prayer, and worship time in such a beautiful, tranquil setting were some highlights. Special touches like a spectacular banquet/dinner and small welcome gifts or a banner to sign or write on are much appreciated. We love and appreciate the entire Wycliffe SA team and are grateful and proud to be working with such an amazing group of people.
Beaulla Mpinyuri
Sitting in Sharon's room discussing cultural norms. Dancing the night away.... past my bedtime 😂😂😂
Nick and Lynne Swanepoel
This retreat was just the experience we needed to encourage us and bless us. It was so special to meet old friends and catch up with them. Being in the UK has meant that we are distanced from everyday contact with the office and happenings, so this helped us to link the dots of who is who and who is doing what. We feel that the organisers did a massive task very well.
Highlights: hearing the testimonies of people we "know" and have prayed for but did not know well. Then there was the realisation that Wycliffe SA has been truly on the forefront of pushing boundaries of translation to reach the unreached and Bibleless people in southern Africa.
We were deeply impressed by the warmth of the fellowship, the depth of mutual love in Christ, and the desire to be excellent.
Alan's leadership deeply impressed us. Ready to go where others have not gone, to question and to be bold in trusting God, to encourage and to inspire. Thank you.
We were thrilled to meet Jadreque and hear of the work in Mozambique and to be challenged to pray. It was special to see Johanna again, and Sebastian's innovations were just such a blessing.
All in all, thank you so much for this time!
