50 for 50 Challenge: Swimming, Walking and Running for Bible Translation
In a unique fundraising gesture, Executive Director Alan Webster swam 50 kilometres in one month, ahead of the celebrations, inspiring others to take on their own “50 for 50” challenges through walking, running, and swimming. The goal to raise R50,000 was exceeded, with over R90,000 donated through this campaign. We offer a special thanks to Alan Webster, Hennie Blomerus, June Dickie, Christoff and Louwnique Kok, Joey Fourie, and Tshegofalo Siele, who all their reached their goals and made a significant contribution through this campaign.
Benonian Alan Webster, executive director of Wycliffe South Africa, swam 50km in September to raise R50 000 for Bible translation.
Benonian Alan Webster, executive director of Wycliffe South Africa, swam 50km in September to raise R50000 for Bible translation. Webster explained that Wycliffe South Africa assists indigenous churches in providing the Word of God to people who have no Bibles in their mother tongue.
He said there are more than 7400 spoken languages in the world today; South Africa alone boasts 12 official languages. "There are at least 30 other 'living' languages spoken across the country. One of the most powerful ways to preserve a language - and affirm the dignity of the culture behind it - is by translating the Bible into that community's mother tongue. "Globally, however, only around 10% of languages have access to a full Bible translation. That is why the work of Wycliffe South Africa matters."
The organisation, which supports translation projects across southern Africa, celebrated its 50th anniversary on September 28 at eMseni in Benoni. To mark the milestone, Webster, who has lived in Benoni since 1981, set himself a unique fundraising challenge: to swim 50km to raise R50 000 during September. That meant swimming the equivalent of a Midmar Mile every day. Training at Health World in Rynfield, Webster meticulously clocked up 2 500 laps in the 20m pool. On September 27, he completed his final stretch, cheered on by supporters. What started as a solo effort quickly grew into a team venture.
By the end of the challenge, Webster was joined by three other swimmers, two runners, and two walkers.
On the last day, fellow Wycliffe colleagues June Dickie, a translation consultant from Cape Town, and Christoff Kok, who is training to become one, took to the pool alongside Webster to celebrate the finish.
Wycliffe South Africa currently works with 24 language communities in the region, helping people gain access to Scripture in the language of their hearts. "Every lap reminded me that this is about more than swimming; it's about bringing dignity, hope, and the Word of God to people in their own language," said Webster.
To learn more or support the ongoing work of Bible translation, visit www.wycliffe.org.za
JOIN IN!
This campaign is continuing for the rest of the year, and we are inviting you to do your own campaign in any way you wish - bake 50 cupcakes, tell 50 jokes, take 50 photos. Be as creative as you like!
All you have to do is sign up your campaign here, share it on social media, and you’re good to go!
