Transcript

Hi, my name is Alan Webster, the Executive Director of Wycliffe South Africa.

As we come to the mid-point of 2022, I want to let you know what has been happening in the work of Wycliffe Bible Translation. Our vision is for the transformation of people and communities through the process of community-engaged Bible Translation. Our team works with communities where they live in making the Word of God available in their own heart language.

Since the beginning of the year, we have welcomed some new people to our team. Helen Cobbald returned from the UK and has taken up the role of developing an exciting initiative called Wycliffe Links. This initiative seeks to build capacity for mission, linking our local churches with our translation communities for transformation and empowering people to be a blessing to their people. In many cases, we can open the door for organisations like YWAM and Farming God’s Way, as well as churches to come and equip in the areas of need.

Helen got married to Jacques van der Walt in April, so we now have a new Mrs Van Der Walt on the team.

Another Hellen also joined our Media & Communications team and has brought fresh and creative energy into our social media and communications. Hellen or Lerato de Bruijn is from Botswana.

Serving Wycliffe South Africa in member care and personnel are Rolf & Tarryn Hagemann who run 3D Outreach, a ministry that cares for many missionaries in the field. They have volunteered their expertise to assist us take care of our wonderful team members both in SA and beyond.

Harry & Elsbeth Brasem who have served in leading our Intercessors for Africa prayer team have taken on a new assignment in preparing for our 50^th anniversary in 2025. What a valuable couple they are who have served Wycliffe for many years and recruited many who work on Bible Translations in the world today.

We have put an emphasis on broadening our base of financial supporters when we launched Foundation 5000 last year. We have seen steady growth, but invite you to join us to ensure that we can serve the Bible Translation movement with the best skills and personnel.

In terms of our translation work, our Head of Translation services, Boni & his wife Busie Paulo have moved to Mozambique from where they are helping to develop a hub for translation work. Another hub is being established in Angola. With our office in Johannesburg, we can serve both the English and Portuguese speaking countries.

We are responsible for 9 translation operations in 6 countries in southern Africa, comprising 19 languages. In 2022 a new translation began for Malenje in Mozambique. We expect another 3 to come on stream in the second half of the year.

What a privilege to be able to share our stories and what we do at local churches. At least once a month a team takes the morning service to help people understand the need for Bible Translation and to partner with us in prayer, finances and other skills. Some churches are taking one of our languages as a prayer project. What about you? Can you invite us to come and share at your church? Can you invest in this vital ministry?

Pray for us. Pray for the translation teams where we serve. Pray for more opportunities to be a blessing to people who have not yet had the chance to hear the Word in their own language. God bless and thanks for listening!