April 22, 2024 Removing roadblocks By Wycliffe Canada Back to all stories For years, Kai would flip through the Bible and just stare at the pages. The words felt jumbled to him and the concepts didn’t resonate. The Jade Star translation team sign “I love you,” while on a break from a Sign Language Translation and Deaf Arts conference in Thailand. As a Deaf person, Kai had difficulty comprehending many of the words used in text-based Scripture, and he found it frustrating. He recognized the importance of studying God’s Word, but the written language, with its own grammar and vocabulary, seemed like an insurmountable roadblock for him. Kai often asked teachers at his Deaf school to explain the Bible stories to him, but they were unable to help. After all, they didn’t know how to convey biblical concepts in Kai’s sign language. Even church sermons left Kai discouraged because he couldn’t read the verses mentioned in them. But God is at work through the Jade Star* Sign Language translation team, and Kai is now able to watch Scripture being signed in video format. He’s delighted by how clear the message is. Finally his roadblock is gone! Kai says he yearns for more Scriptures to be translated into his sign language. “Many passages and Bible books still need to be translated!” *Country name withheld due to sensitivity Source: Frontlines publication at wycliffe.org Jade Star Posted in Impact Previous Next

November 15, 2019 A New Trail By Wycliffe Canada Back to all stories All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for . . . correcting. . . . (2 Tim. 3:16, NIV). Peter Green is a translator from Canada who used to serve with the Tagbanwa people in the Philippines. He was working with a Tagbanwa neighbour named Militon to translate Scriptures. Peter continually asked him questions to see if the message was being conveyed correctly. When they came to the story of how Lazarus died and went to heaven, Peter asked, “Militon, where will you go when you die?” “That is a serious question,” Militon replied. “I can’t answer now. I will have to think about it.” Peter Green chats with a Tagbanwa man Each time Peter asked Militon how this applied to him personally, he said he would think about it, leading Peter to think the man was putting him off. Several months later, Peter left the village for a few months. When he returned, he learned that Militon’s wife had died. Shocked because the woman wasn’t sick when he left, Peter wondered if her death would discourage Milton from accepting Christ. When Peter next had the chance to be with Militon, he asked if he had thought about the things they had translated. “Oh yes, I am believing now,” he replied, before telling his story. Militon said he had wanted to believe earlier, but his wife held him back. He would come home excited and explain what he was learning, but she would say it was all white men’s lies. “We have our own ways,” she insisted, “and they are good.” When Militon went to church, his wife refused to cook a meal when he returned. A week after his wife died, Militon had a dream in which his wife appeared to him. “Don’t travel the trail that I’m travelling on now. It’s an overgrown trail and not good. You travel a different trail.” The next day Militon started on a new trail, following Christ. God’s Word had finally corrected his way. Other people’s opinions and viewpoints can interfere with God’s correction from His Word. But Scripture should always be heeded. After all, as the opening words in 2 Timothy 3:16 teach us, the Bible is inspired by the very Lord of the universe! Staff profile : Peter and Betty Green Posted in Impact Previous Next

September 10, 2020 Tanzania language group dedicates New Testament By Wycliffe Canada Back to all stories The Malila people of Tanzania dedicated a translation of the New Testament in their language on Sept. 5, at an event held in Ilembo. The Malila are hopeful that the New Testament in their language will reach across the generations. “It will draw Christians . . . to understand the Bible in their language,” said one church leader. “Because when you speak Swahili with them they don’t understand, but when you speak Malila they do. Even the elderly, they love to listen [when they hear Malila spoken].” The 70,000 Malila live high in the mountains in the Mbeya Region of Tanzania. Their language is the dominant language in Malila society, and is spoken widely by children and adults alike. The culmination of a translation effort that began in 2003, the event was attended by more than 100 people from the Malila language group, as well as local dignitaries, church leaders and visitors from outside the region. Also attending were staff from Wycliffe Bible Translators, who work alongside the Malila Bible translation team. The event included lively processions, songs in the Malila language sung by local church choirs, speeches, and plenty of food. “Whenever I have been in the Malila language area,” says Wycliffe’s Helen Eaton, who served as a linguistic consultant to the project, “I have noticed just how vital the language is. People of all ages continue to choose to use Malila instead of Swahili when they are together with others who speak Malila. “It’s wonderful that the Malila now have the whole New Testament in the language they love to use. I pray that God will use this to transform lives in the Malila community.” Source: wycliffe.org.uk Posted in News and updates Previous Next

March 16, 2018 Jesus Speaks Sirmar By Guest Contributor Back to all stories It’s easy to imagine Bible translation as simply exchanging one set of words for another, but it is so much more than that. Situating translated Scripture in the cultural context is critically important. Recently, the Sirmar* translation team in South Asia has been addressing difficult phrases in the Sirmar New Testament. For example, in Sirmar the term “free woman” is a euphemism for a prostitute. Therefore, the team had to get creative with the translation of Galatians 4:31: “Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.” They ended up deciding to replace a literal translation of the term with “woman who experienced God’s grace.” Likewise, Jesus often said, “I tell you the truth” when he wanted to emphasize something for his disciples. Unfortunately, in the Sirmar culture, coming right out and saying you are telling the truth specifically indicates that you are lying. In creating the Sirmar translation, the team chose for Jesus to instead say, “I have one very important thing to tell you.” Likewise, Jesus spoke truth directly to the woman gathering water at the well. However, addressing a woman without proper introduction and special pronouns is the height of rudeness in the Sirmar culture. Therefore, in the Sirmar translation, Jesus addresses the woman with the cultural term, ‘Baya’ before speaking to her. These are all small adjustments, but they can make the difference between a Bible that is read regularly and one that sits on a shelf, gathering dust. *pseudonym Source: OneBook Posted in Bible translation Previous Next

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January 6, 2020 Anton’s Story By Guest Contributor Back to all stories On a night when I was very young and asleep, a huge light hit me through my family’s tent. I woke up suddenly only to discover the light was gone. I wondered where it had come from but went back to sleep. For many nights throughout my childhood, the light continued to return and was followed by a dream. In the dream, people would surround me, one would take out a black book and they would talk with me. There was a beautiful building in my dream, and I thought, ‘How do I get to this place?’ When I was around 11 years old, I actually saw people with these same black books go inside a building. I went with one of my friends to see inside and realized that this was the building I had dreamt about. It was a church. That day, the preacher told the story of the Prodigal Son. Unusual Path As a storyteller, Anton is the keeper of many dreams. Over the course of his 40-something years — through dreams, knowledge and difficult circumstances — Anton has learned God is with him. In response, his passion is to spread the love of God. Today Anton dreams about his people’s future. As an avid learner, he seeks out the wisdom of his San elders and passes it along to the youth. He’s a gatekeeper of knowledge about the land and plant life, tracking animals, and traditional San music. In this mix of ancient cultural traditions, by pointing the San people to their gifts and culture, Anton knows he will also point them to their Creator. And wherever he goes and no matter the response, Anton is quick to share God’s Word. Taunted and Teased His mission has not been an easy one. At a young age, polio left him unable to use his legs. He met frequent taunting from his peers with anger. Then he discovered alcohol as an equalizer. “The whole day, the whole night — I would have drank until my life went,” Anton says. Although he heard Scripture in church, Anton’s life didn’t change until he brought an Afrikaans Bible home with him. As he read God’s Word, Anton says, “I started to feel like I shouldn’t drink.” He hasn’t struggled with alcohol since. As Anton has discovered God’s character and His promises, his life began to change. “The Bible is life,” he says. Living in Namibia in the lands made famous by the Kalahari Desert, Anton is no stranger to thirst. Yet, he sees a garden in the midst of the desert. Motivated by indigenous irrigation technologies, Anton is determined for life to thrive. The change in his own life has motivated Anton to help quench the thirst of others through Scripture. He’s now helping his people learn about God’s true character in the way and in the language they understand best. “To know God,” he says, “you must also know who He has created you to be.” Since Bible storytelling began last year in the San Cluster, Anton has attended every Khwedam workshop (one of the nine San languages). He fills the air with joy and is always willing to help others work through a translation or listen to a story. Near the fire each night with his friends and family from three different countries, Anton’s heart pours out through the song lyrics about the struggles his people have faced and the hope they have in Jesus. He plays the homemade Ndingo instrument — rusted over from rains and wear and tear — with the same passion in which he lives his life. The future of his people and their culture rests on access to the Scriptures, Anton says. This means both oral and written translation in his heart language of Khwedam is essential. “We want a Bible to read in our own language, because many don’t know how to read in other languages, and some don’t know how to read at all.” Source: Wycliffe South Africa website Written by Kelsi Williamson Photos by Esther Havens Posted in People Previous Next

Wycliffe has partnered with ADVISORS with Purpose to offer complimentary, confidential estate planning support. An Estate Advisor can help you create a plan that reflects your life, faith, and values—with no cost, no obligation, and no sales pressure. Leaving a Legacy of God’s Word Estate Planning: Our gift to you. Wycliffe has partnered with Advisors with Purpose to offer complimentary, confidential estate planning support. An Estate Advisor can help you create a plan that reflects your life, faith, and values—with no cost, no obligation, and no sales pressure. Schedule a complimentary appointment with an Estate Advisor. GET STARTED If you would prefer to connect with someone at Wycliffe Canada first, please contact our Development team at 403-250-541 or email development@wycliffe.ca . Choosing to leave a gift in your will is a profound act of faith and generosity. A legacy gift toward Wycliffe reflects a desire to invest in God's work beyond your lifetime, ensuring that future generations can encounter Scripture in their own language. If you have included Wycliffe in your estate plans, we would love to hear from you. This is no obligation—but it would be our privilege to thank you personally and share how your future gift will help advance Bible translation for years to come. “When you realize God has put you in a place where He has given you an opportunity to give and to make a difference, there’s great joy in that.” - George, a Wycliffe Canada donor in British Columbia “Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever.” - Psalm 112:5-6

Scripture Engagement Global Back to all projects Overview God’s Word is eternal and unchanging, transforming lives wherever it goes. While its truth remains the same, people encounter Scripture in different ways across cultures and communities. Bible translation does not end with providing Scripture in written, audio or visual forms. Transformation begins when people truly engage with it. Together with partner churches and organizations, Wycliffe helps people understand and apply God’s Word in daily life. As people engage deeply with Scripture, they find hope, dignity and meaning. Churches grow and God’s Kingdom expands. Your partnership is key Your gift to the Scripture Engagement Fund helps ensure critical needs are met quickly and effectively, so more people can encounter and live out God’s Word without delay. You can give with confidence, knowing your support is helping bring Scripture into everyday life where it is needed most. $0 $0 Remaining Need: of $90,000 Current phase: 2025-2028 GIVE NOW PRAY Facebook LinkedIn Your gift will help: Classics Memoirs Historical Fiction 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 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.

Cree Initiative Americas Back to all projects Overview The Cree Initiative project trains and supports local First Nations people in Canada to do Bible translation and promote the use of God’s Word in their heart languages. Currently, the project is focused on three Cree-related language groups in Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. Despite a long history of missionary work among First Nations groups, speakers of these Cree languages are hindered by a lack of Scriptures they can clearly understand. Leaders of the indigenous church are eager for their people to know that God loves them. His Word in their mother tongue is crucial for their spiritual well-being and a truly indigenous faith in Christ. God’s Word will also equip Christians in these Cree communities to deal with the problems around them, including addictions, suicide, abuse and depression. As well, mother-tongue Scriptures will help boost the use of their languages, key to their sense of identity that was lost through the impact of residential schools. My Colour, My Language Your partnership is key You can help make an impact for eternity in Cree language groups. Your financial gifts will enable the Cree Initiative to facilitate Bible translation in the Oji-Cree language of northern Ontario and help start projects in several other Cree languages across Canada. Furthermore, you can help equip mother-tongue Bible translators through scheduled training workshops. $0 $0 Remaining Need: of $102,660 Current phase: 2023-2026 2025-26 | $132,230 To give specifically to the Cree Initiative, click here . The Indigenous Initiatives in Canada supports the Cree Initiative as well as emerging opportunities in more Indigenous languages. Click below to give now. GIVE NOW Pray for The Cree Initiative Receive a simple monthly update with stories and prayer points PRAY Facebook LinkedIn Your gift will help: Classics Memoirs Historical Fiction Recent highlights A First Nations Translator Workshop was held in Guelph, Ont. in November 2023. It was the seventh such workshop held since 2015. It was also the first time Blackfoot-speakers from the Siksika and Kainai communities of Alberta were able to participate. They will be joined by members of the Piikani Nation in translation work. Audio recordings of all 150 Psalms have been completed in Naskapi , and will be aired in 15 separate 30-minute radio programs. A Bible-based trauma healing program was held in December of 2023 at the Tataskweyak Cree Nation (Split Lake, Swampy Cree). Eight women were trained to become apprentice facilitators! Each participant had opportunities to do practice facilitation in their groups. 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 periodically to monitor its progress, address challenges and help ensure good stewardship of resources Send you regular updates to keep you informed about the Cree Initiative’s progress, financial need and prayer requests Send you an annual tax receipt for your donations 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.

May 11, 2020 The Word That Brings Freedom By Wycliffe Canada Back to all stories It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.– Galatians 5:1 As a Kenyan Muslim who had received Islamic teaching in a madrassa, Afaafa* had refused even to touch a Bible. She had planned to convert her Christian friends to Islam, but one of them challenged her to read the Bible for herself. Bydla women and a man dance in celebration of a new water borehole Afaafa then decided to read the first Bible verse she set her eyes on–and it “happened” to be Galatians 5:1. While reading it, she felt something powerful come on her. That night, she dreamed God was inviting her to choose slavery or freedom. She chose freedom and became a follower of Jesus. Her two sons are growing up knowing Jesus. Since 2005, Afaafa has been a Bible translator. “If God can change my life through one verse,” she says, “then I expect every verse I translate will impact the life of another Bydla* person.” She longs to see her people – the Bydla – receive God’s Word in their language and know the freedom that comes in Christ. For God’s Word has power to change individuals, especially when His Word is in the language that speaks to them best. *pseudonyms Source: wycliffe.org.uk Posted in Impact Previous Next