October 5, 2018 Moved by the Word By Samuel Ko Back to all stories Efforts to engage local people in the work of Bible translation are called “mobilization.” One component of the Bali mobilization project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is to translate and produce oral Bible stories for distribution on smartphones. After one matriarch heard one of the oral Bible stories, she said, “Oh, these are Bali words that I have not used since I was a child. Please help us so that our language [stays] alive!” Although the Bali people are not as far along as the Mba in mobilizing their communities for Bible translation, they are determined to move ahead. That was the message the paramount chief of the Bali shared with Wycliffe’s Beat Kunz during his most recent visit to the project. “He came to reassure us of their strong desire and full support to see the Bali have the Word of God in their own language,” said Kunz, who serves as vice-president of field partners and projects for Wycliffe Canada. Another Bali man, Samuel Alutz, is the vice-president of an umbrella organization that oversees all the evangelical churches in Congo. When he saw draft translations from Luke’s Gospel, he showed them to his 96-year-old brother. Deeply moved by what he read, the old man said, “I don’t have the whole Bible, but I have seen the first signs. I started to serve the Lord before you were even born and I have never seen this before.” Learn more about the Bali-Mba project . Posted in Impact Previous Next

January 4, 2019 Link: Kenya’s Rendille People Receive God’s Word By Samuel Ko Back to all stories File photo: A Rendille woman practises her reading skills. In this Nov. 2018 article in Christianity Today , Canadian author and speaker Ann Voskamp describes the Rendille’s joy as they dedicate their own New Testament translation. Read the CT story Posted in News and updates Previous Next

April 27, 2022 A heart filled with honey By Wycliffe Canada Back to all stories During the closing program of a literacy workshop in Cameroon, a woman named Stella shared her excitement about learning to read and write her Baba language. As a child, Stella had enjoyed attending school whenever possible. But because there was no one who could sponsor her education, she had to drop out. “I was so disturbed with my situation,” said Stella, “that I was ashamed to be among people or to even speak among people. Stella (standing) now teaches others how to read and write in Baba. (Photo provided) “While I was struggling with this sense of shame,” she continued, “I always dreamed of sitting and learning in a class. So when [I heard] there was a mother-tongue class where people can learn how to read and write, I decided to come.” Stella said at first, she was afraid people would laugh at her. “But today, I am sitting with teachers and the way you people treat us, you do not [even] know who is a teacher among us. All of us are the same. “I can say that God planned this whole thing just for me because . . . those dreams that I found myself reading and writing in class have materialized today. So, I am so thankful to God for making me be part of this great privilege. “My heart seems to be filled with honey.” Learn how you can help more people like Stella through the Ndop Cluster project . Posted in Impact Previous Next

October 9, 2019 Giving thanks for what matters most By Guest Contributor Back to all stories Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash With leaves changing from green to amber, pumpkins blooming, and early nightfall it’s easy to slip into meeting seasonal expectations. We send invitations, write our Thanksgiving grocery list, and decide on what tablecloth to use. In the midst of hosting our loved ones, we need to remember what matters most. We need to ask, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” In Luke 10, God tells the story of Jesus visiting Martha and Mary’s home. Mary “sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teachings” (v.39). Martha grew “distracted with much serving” (v.40). At one point, the stress of trying to meet everyone’s needs overwhelms Martha, and she asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her. Jesus says, that while Martha is “troubled by many things, Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” (v.42). Jesus longs for Martha to rest at His feet, behold Him, and listen to His words. Jesus longs for us to treasure that which we cannot lose. What can no one take away from you? The grace of a relationship with God, the gift of hearing Jesus through His Word every day, the blessing of forgiveness from our sin, and the knowledge that God is with us and loves us. May you continue to offer thanksgiving to God for all that he has done for you! Written by Alexandria Ramoutar Posted in Engaging with Scripture Previous Next

PARTNER WITH MINORITY LANGUAGE COMMUNITIES OF TRANSFORMATION - Diaspora churches have a unique perspective on the work of Bible translation because they represent minority language communities in Canada who worship and encounter God in the language that serves them best. They diversify and broaden the landscape of faith in Canada and expand our understanding of God. Diaspora Diaspora Churches: A Vital Partner in Bible Translation Diaspora churches have a unique perspective on the work of Bible translation because they represent minority language communities in Canada who worship and encounter God in the language that serves them best. They diversify and broaden the landscape of faith in Canada and expand our understanding of God. Their partnership in the work of Bible translation enables other minority language communities around the world to encounter God in the language that serves them best, and to become communities of transformation that make disciples of all nations. CONNECT 한인 디아스포라 협력 Korean Diaspora Team 캐나다 내 디아스포라 교회의 존재 자체가 성경번역 선교가 왜 필요한지를 잘 설명해 줍니다. 공용어인 영어나 불어를 사용하지 않고 각 디아스포라 민족의 고유 언어와 문화로 예배드리며 하나님을 만나기 때문입니다. 또한 이로 인해 캐나다 내 교회 전체가 더욱 다채롭고 폭넓은 신앙의 모습을 갖게 해주고, 우리 하나님을 더 풍성하게 이해하도록 해주기 때문입니다. 그 동안 디아스포라 교회의 협력에 감사드리고, 아직도 자기말로 된 성경이 없는 많은 민족들이 그들의 마음에 가장 잘 와닿는 말과 문화로 말씀을 접하여 하나님을 만나고 변화된 새 삶을 살 수 있도록, 계속 기도와 물질과 사역으로 동역해 주시면 감사하겠습니다! Connect 이규준 선교사 416-888-2262 gyoojun_lee@wycliffe.ca 윤기태 선교사 905-348-2275 daniel.yoon@wycliffe.ca Korean Diaspora Website 僑民教會動員事工 Chinese Diaspora Team 僑民教會對聖經翻譯工作有獨特的理解，因為他們代表了加拿大的少數語言群體，以自己最熟悉的語言敬拜神並與衪建立關係。在加拿大他們擴闊了我們的信仰視野，豐富我們對神的認識。他們在聖經翻譯事工上的參與，使世界各地其他少數語言族群得以其最熟悉的語言認識上帝，並成為使萬民作門徒、讓人生命得轉化的社群。 Connect 賀梁佩珠傳道 416-888-2262 gyoojun_lee@wycliffe.ca Chinese Diaspora Website

May 29, 2019 Milestone New Testament By Guest Contributor Back to all stories In 2018 the Keliko people of South Sudan celebrated a momentous milestone: after 20 years of perseverance through the hardships of civil war and displacement, the Keliko translation team has completed the New Testament. Photo by Marc Ewell SIL International, a partner of the Wycliffe Global Alliance in the Bible translation movement, celebrated a milestone of its own: the Keliko translation is the 1,000th New Testament completed with engagement from SIL, along with Wycliffe and its major partners. The Keliko New Testament dedication took place Aug. 11, 2018, inside a refugee camp in northern Uganda, where members of the translation team fled after civil war broke out in their homeland in 2013. For some 70,000 Keliko speakers from South Sudan, many of whom now live as refugees in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, the ability to access God’s Word in their own language is finally a reality. A 2018 peace agreement in South Sudan has meant reduced fighting and new hopes of returning home. At the same time, God’s Word in their mother tongue brings eternal hope for transformed lives among the Keliko people. Source: Wycliffe Global Alliance Posted in News and updates Previous Next

May 28, 2019 Naskapi a model for language revitalization efforts By Guest Contributor Back to all stories Across Canada, indigenous peoples are struggling to save their languages. In many communities, it is only the older people who speak their mother tongues relatively fluently. This situation exists for several reasons. Over most of the 20th Century, the federal government undermined use of indigenous languages by removing 150,000 Aboriginal children from their families and putting them in residential schools, where abuse was all too prevalent and mother tongues were banned. In addition, today’s Aboriginal youth are speaking less and less of their languages as they are constantly exposed to English and French through TV and online devices. Apologetic governments want to help revitalize Aboriginal languages, as a means of reconciliation after their role in the residential school tragedy. Aboriginal communities are increasingly seeing the importance of strengthening their languages for community wholeness, well-being, and reconciliation. At the Jimmy Sandy Memorial School in “Kawawa,” teacher Lynn Einish drills her second grade students in the Naskapi alphabet. Photo by Alan Hood. Both can look for inspiration to the Naskapi, an indigenous group of 1,100 living in the community of Kawawachikamach, in northeastern Quebec. For decades, the Naskapi have successfully worked to revitalize and promote their language—with key support from SIL International. Forty years ago, Naskapi leaders, including visionary chief Joseph Guanish, asked several SIL linguists to help start a foundational grammar and dictionary project for the Naskapi language (which uses syllabics). SIL’s Bill Jancewicz has been serving as resource linguist since he and his wife Norma Jean joined the community-based Naskapi language and culture development strategy in 1988. The effort has since grown to include promoting mother-tongue literacy and education, publishing of Naskapi legends and stories, and supporting translation efforts, including Scripture. Naskapi elders and younger parents, like Amanda Swappie, are determined to keep their language alive. ‘“Language is very important because that is our identity, what makes us unique as Naskapi people,” says Swappie, a team language specialist and translator since 2013. “Without it, our culture and traditions would not be the same. This is the main reason I do what I do—to help keep it alive for generations to come.” “It should be important for children to speak in their mother tongue, because when we lose it, we lose ourselves, our identity, the very core of our beings.” “We have it [use of Naskapi] going at the school and we’re using it and it’s strong,” stresses Shannon Uniam, a staunch advocate for revitalizing Naskapi who has taught for six years. “I’m a mother and my community has a Naskapi nation to preserve, and the language and culture to preserve. It’s my duty to keep this going. That’s my community, that’s my life, that’s my language, that’s my culture,” says Uniam. “I tell my kids that all the time.” Whether it’s students playing math bingo in Naskapi or learning their symbol-based alphabet, mother-tongue classroom instruction is vital for the future of the group, she says. The language development successes of the Naskapi, in such areas as literacy, education and translation, are getting noticed, says Jancewicz. They have caught the attention of other indigenous leaders, who are dealing with the lingering negative impact of residential schools on their people. “Community and church leaders from the James Bay Cree (Waskaganish, Quebec), Oji-Cree (Kingfisher Lake, Ontario), Western Swampy Cree (Split Lake, Manitoba) and Mushuau Innu (Natuashish, Labrador) are all aware of the progress made by the Naskapi . . . and in various ways have begun local efforts to create the synergy that has [been] created in Kawawachikamach.” Source: sil.org Related content: Cree Initiative – Wycliffe Canada Nomads No Longer – Word Alive, Spring 2013 Posted in Bible translation Previous Next

August 9, 2021 Wycliffe Associates appoints new President/CEO By Wycliffe Canada Back to all stories Wycliffe Associates has appointed Simoun Ung as the next president and chief executive officer. Ung commenced his duties on July 1. Founded in 1967 and now based in Orlando, Fla., Wycliffe Associates (WA) worked to support Bible translation teams in essential tasks not directly related to translation, such as accounting, construction, building maintenance and more. As stated on their website, their services to Bible translators have since expanded to include advanced technology, efficient translation strategies, greater financial resources, and logistical and operational support. “I have known Simoun since 2009,” says John Chesnut, president of Wycliffe U.S. “I really appreciate his heart for the Lord and look forward to what God has in store for our relationship with WA in the days ahead!” Wycliffe Associates’ new leader came to Christ as a child while living in Vancouver, B.C. In 2001, Ung returned to the Philippines, where he now lives with his wife Rebecca and two daughters. He served as founding chairman of Wycliffe Bible Translators Philippines in 2007 and in 2018, joined the board of Wycliffe Associates. Ung is a respected leader in the financial industry as well as an international entrepreneur in the Asia/Pacific region. Among his many business pursuits, he serves as CEO of OmniPay, Inc., the leading issuer of prepaid payment cards in the Philippines. Ung is also a corporate member of the Far East Broadcasting Company in the Philippines and currently serves as board chairman for the Biblical Seminary of the Philippines. Source: wycliffeassociates.org/press-releases Posted in News and updates Previous Next

Ndop Cluster Africa Back to all projects Overview Wycliffe members and local translators from Cameroon's Ndop Plain are working together to translate the Bible, teach literacy and share the Good News in nine related languages . In a tenth language which already has the New Testament, teams are helping Christians and others in local communities to become literate and engage with the translated Scriptures. Together, they are encouraging pride in their heritage. We are seeing lives transformed as the Scriptures are shared in the heart languages of their peoples. This is a critical moment. Building upon the work already accomplished, Cameroonians are overcoming a translation bottleneck, and are furthering Scripture translation and literacy work among their people. Work in a joint office is allowing the translators to progress ahead of schedule—despite a pandemic and a civil conflict. Your partnership is key You can help make an impact for eternity in this cluster of related languages. Your financial gifts will enable the Ndop Cluster project to translate the New Testament into nine languages , share the gospel through film and media and teach people of the Ndop Plain to read and write. As literacy takes root, they will be better equipped to access education, overcome poverty and establish strong churches built on a clearer understanding of God’s Word . $0 $0 Remaining Need: of $478,730 Current phase: 2025-2028 2025-26 | $159,750 2026-27 | $156,700 2027-28 | $155,500 GIVE NOW Pray for Ndop Receive a simple monthly update with stories and prayer points PRAY Facebook LinkedIn Your gift will help: Classics Memoirs Historical Fiction Recent Highlights Teams held workshop focused on the book of Colossians and other translated books are being checked to ensure they are clear, accurate and natural-sounding Regular showings of Luke and Acts films continue New Testament drafts are either complete or nearing completion in seven of the languages The translation of the Bamunka New Testament has been finished. Typesetting for the approved translation has been completed so it is now in the hands of the publisher before being sent to the printer . Download the latest update Due to the sensitivity of the region this project is located in, please contact development@wycliffe.ca for the latest updates on this project. CONTACT Our commitment Visit the project regularly to monitor progress, address challenges and help ensure good stewardship of resources Send you regular updates to keep you informed of progress, financial need and prayer requests Send you an annual tax receipt for your donations "Photo trip keeps Cameroon language work in focus" Read the story here Previous Facebook LinkedIn Next *Our funding commitments to Bible translation projects are made in 3-year cycles and include regular checkpoints with our field partners to ensure mutual accountability. For greater transparency and a more accurate picture of the scope of our projects, the amounts below now reflect the remaining need based on the entire 3-year funding commitment for the current phase of each project.

September 12, 2022 The most valuable thing By Wycliffe Canada Back to all stories At her coronation in 1953, [Queen Elizabeth] was presented with a Bible as these extraordinary words rang out in Westminster Abbey, and around the world: ‘We present you with this book, the most valuable thing that this world affords. Here is wisdom, this is the royal law, these are the lively oracles of God.’ She was wearing a priceless golden crown adorned with 2,901 precious stones, she was sitting upon a throne in a thousand year old vaulted abbey, and yet God’s Word was recognized as ‘the most valuable thing this world affords.’ Thousands of years earlier the Psalmist put it like this: Photo by Mark de Jong on Unsplash ‘Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.’ (Psalm 119:97-99, NIV). As I meditate each day on God’s statutes . . . I ask You Lord to renew in me a sober reverence for Scripture, to sharpen in me a genuine hunger for Your Word, and to give to me, as You gave to the Psalmist and to your servant Elizabeth, an ever-deepening love for Your Law. Source: Excerpted from a devotional article by Pete Greig, published on Sept. 9, 2022 in the prayer app Lectio 365 Posted in Engaging with Scripture Previous Next