Posts By Jack Popjes God’s secret weapon March 20, 2024 | By Jack Popjes Each time Jo or I told a story to the Canela people about Jesus performing a miracle, they told us a story of the great exploit of some Canela culture hero from their legends and myths. We tried to tell them that the stories we told them were special, true, real, and unique. Our stories were about the Great Father’s Son. They didn’t understand the difference. We prayed that someday they would. Read More What God did during those 24 years! June 8, 2022 | By Jack Popjes My wife Jo and I are revising, before we publish, our memoir covering 24 years of ministry in Brazil and what God did through us. Our God-given mission goal was to translate a large part of the Bible into the… Read More The 30th Anniversary September 10, 2020 | By Jack Popjes On Aug. 10, 2020, my wife Jo and I celebrated a significant anniversary of a major life event in 1990. The location was a Canela village in Brazil. The occasion was the distribution of newly printed Bible portions, which Jo and I helped translate in partnership with the Canela people. Read More From Depression to Joy March 5, 2020 | By Jack Popjes I had a firm conviction that God was in a hurry to save the Canelas and all the rest of the world and that therefore, I should be too. Read More The Canela Creation Story January 10, 2019 | By Jack Popjes After my wife Jo and I accepted the Canelas’ invitation 50 years ago to come and live with them in their jungle village in Brazil, we never heard a Canela pray. Why should they? Their Creator had abandoned them. Read More Aiming at a Moving Target October 4, 2018 | By Jack Popjes Nearly 60 years ago I read a book written by some Wycliffe Bible translators called Two-Thousand Tongues to Go. No one back in the late 1950s had any idea that there were more than 7,000 languages spoken in the world, most of… Read More Search Search Recent Posts Why God Sent His Son Document Not Alone Document A Grandmother's Legacy of Faith Document A Dream Come True Document Faith: More Than Just Believing Document PREV 1 1 ... 1 ... 1 NEXT

Bali/Mba Africa Back to all projects Overview You can support a number of passionate Bali and Mba speaking Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as they act as ambassadors of Christ in their communities and renounce traditional occult practices. Believers in both language communities are eager to have the Bible or, at least the New Testament, translated into their first language and available in written and oral form. But physical, educational and spiritual poverty bind them. With your help, they will build strong Christian communities, overcome poverty with literacy, and preserve their rich culture for future generations. Your partnership is key You can help make an impact for eternity among the Bali and Mba people. Your financial gifts will enable project staff to: Actively promote the work of Bible translation to help engage churches and communities in the process Translate the Scriptures Share the gospel through media such as the “JESUS” film in local languages Encourage and equip local people involved as they take pride in their heritage $0 $0 Remaining Need: of $157,610 Current phase: 2023-2026 2025-26 | $155,390 GIVE NOW Pray for Bali/Mba Receive a simple monthly update with stories and prayer points PRAY Facebook LinkedIn Your gift will help: Classics Memoirs Historical Fiction Recent highlights BALI: John 1-11 in Bali has been checked by a translation consultant Acts was prepared for distribution One song was translated in the past quarter One sub-committee has been installed in Baego MBA: Completed draft translations of 1 and 2 Timothy Held 2 literacy classes, with 41 participants in total Two literacy classes were held with a total of 41 participants Updated the syllabus and teacher’s guide to learn to read and write in Mba Joined workshop on how to teach volunteers to teach others to read and write in Mba Trained 6 volunteers to run reading and writing classes by themselves 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 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 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.

Help more people encounter Scripture in the language they understand best. Serve in Bible Translation Help more people encounter Scripture in the language they understand best. Ways you can serve Serve as an Individual or Family Use your God-given gifts in roles that support Bible translation—from administration to linguistics, creative work, IT, member care, and more. Serve as an Individual or Family Short-Term Trips Join local partners for focused, short-term opportunities that support translation, literacy, Scripture engagement, or community development. Short-Term Trips Serve as a Church Equip your congregation to engage in the global mission of Bible translation through prayer, partnerships, and meaningful involvement. Serve as a Church Diaspora Ministry Serve among diaspora communities by supporting language development, Scripture engagement, and outreach where cultures intersect. Diaspora Ministry

Posts By Samuel Ko It Will Not Return Empty October 21, 2019 | By Samuel Ko An angry young man named Ricardo burned down a missionary couple’s house. But after he found a Bible that had survived the fire and slipped it into his pocket, everything changed. Read More Task force seeks solutions for struggling refugee students October 9, 2019 | By Samuel Ko In Africa, SIL consultants have recently been involved in an effort to improve the education of displaced students in Uganda refugee settlements. Read More Wycliffe Global Alliance appoints new director October 9, 2019 | By Samuel Ko The Wycliffe Global Alliance has appointed Dr. Stephen Coertze to serve as its new director, following a time of transition that will begin in April 2020. Coertze, a member of Wycliffe’s staff in South Africa, currently serves as the director for… Read More British singer/songwriter links up with Wycliffe for latest album September 30, 2019 | By Samuel Ko On Oct. 1, acoustic singer/songwriter Gareth Davies-Jones will release a collaborative album called Your Way Of Singing. The collection of songs were inspired by the artist’s recent visit to southern Ethiopia, where he took part in an ethnomusicology workshop with more… Read More No word for “forgiveness” September 17, 2019 | By Samuel Ko Translators serving with DOOR International, a Wycliffe affiliate that works with Deaf communities to translate Scripture, encountered an unusual challenge recently. When asked to demonstrate the sign for “forgive,” members of a Deaf community in South Asia could only come… Read More Papa God’s Talk September 5, 2019 | By Samuel Ko Feeling a canopy of darkness hovering over the room, Marilyn prayed to God to protect her from any spirits connected to the fetishes: “Please, Lord Jesus, you are more powerful than these fetishes. You can command the spirits they serve. Please protect me.” Read More Thailand course equips teachers for multilingual education August 19, 2019 | By Samuel Ko A recent mother-tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE) course held in Chiang Mai, Thailand drew 42 participants representing seven different countries. Running from June 24 to July 19, the course was administered by Wycliffe’s key partner, SIL International, and the linguistics institute… Read More Philippines language group dedicates New Testament June 25, 2019 | By Samuel Ko This past April, the Romblomanon people of the Philippines dedicated a translation of the New Testament in their language. The Romblomanon people number about 106,000, living mainly on the several islands which comprise the province of Romblon in central Philippines.… Read More Accept the Planted Word June 20, 2019 | By Samuel Ko As God’s Word is planted in our hearts, it frees us from sin’s deadly grip and empowers us to walk in His light and truth. Read More Christian Comic Book Series Targets Young Readers June 5, 2019 | By Samuel Ko A new comic book series launched earlier this year aims to engage children aged 8 to 12 in reading Scripture-based stories and illustrations. Titled Fear Not, the series is an initiative of the Canadian Bible Society (CBS), a partner of Wycliffe Canada that… Read More Search Search Recent Posts Why God Sent His Son Document Not Alone Document A Grandmother's Legacy of Faith Document A Dream Come True Document Faith: More Than Just Believing Document PREV 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 ... 5 NEXT

Southeast Asia HARMAN, Derek and Kristie Derek and Kristie’s desire to serve the Lord was nurtured from childhood, having been blessed with Christian parents. Derek grew up in Temiskaming Shores and Timmins, Ont., while Kristie grew up near Brantford, Ont. On a mission trip to Ukraine in 1998, Derek decided that Bible translation was how he wanted to serve God. Derek and Kristie met in 1995 at a Christian youth camp and they were married in August 2000. Kristie got her first experience of overseas missions on a trip to Kyrgyzstan shortly after they were married. This trip solidified the desire to help and love people globally. The Harmans both completed linguistic training at the Canada Institute of Linguistics (CanIL) in Langley, B.C. Derek and Kristie became members of Wycliffe in 2002. That same year, they were blessed with their first son, Jayden. Then in 2005, their second son, Cedric, was born. In December 2005, the Harmans moved to Asia to work in Bible translation. They eventually began the role of helping a minority language group of 8,000 to 12,000 people to translate the Bible into their own language. In August 2016, the Gospel of Mark was printed and distributed. In March 2017, a collection of 50 Bible stories was published on the Internet. Video files of the Bible stories are also available for cellphones and in DVD format. In 2020, Genesis was printed and distribution began. In 2022, the translation team completed a church liturgy for nine church services including 73 Scripture verses from various books of the Bible. In 2020, the Harmans moved back to Canada so Jayden and Cedric could finish their education here. Jayden is now married to Hannah and they live in Ottawa. Cedric has joined the Navy and is currently training for his role. In 2021, Derek was approved as a translation consultant and continues to serve languages in Asia in this capacity. In 2025, Kristie began serving in Wycliffe as a Staff Care Advisor. She also has a role in Church Engagement. Support our ministry GIVE NOW https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E341555QE&id=81 Previous Next

Southeast Asia FRIESEN, Derryl and Karen Derryl and Karen were born in Canada but have lived most of their lives as global citizens around the world; in Mexico, USA, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Kenya, Europe, South Africa and now Southeast Asia. As young children, they separately began their journeys as “Missionary Kids” in Mexico, doing Wycliffe’s iconic Jungle Camp along with their parents. Serendipitously, both families then took up their first assignments in Papua New Guinea, where Derryl and Karen first met. While growing up in PNG, both Derryl and Karen felt the clear call of God to serve Him in missions. After completing high school in PNG, both returned to Canada where Derryl trained as a journeyman cabinetmaker. They married in September 1982 and then joined Wycliffe Canada in August 1988. Two years later, they took up their first assignment in Kenya, Africa (1990-1998) along with their two small children, Shane and Carissa. Derryl used his trade to help build the Ruiru Bible Translation and Conference Centre. There in Nairobi, their youngest son, Zachrie, was born. When Derryl and Karen returned to Canada, they had the joy of helping establish and lead Wycliffe Canada’s NextGen Ministries team. For 13 years, they helped mobilize young Canadians for missions through fresh innovations like Café Wycliffe, Race to 2025 adventure events and discovery trips to Sudan, Kenya, and Nepal. Since 2013, Derryl and Karen have served in Thailand as Wycliffe Canada’s Southeast (SE) Asia field partner liaisons. One of their key roles is to continue fostering multiple, long-term Kingdom Friendships between partners in Canada and Bible translation and related projects in Southeast Asia. Derryl and Karen praise God for the faithful team they serve along side in Southeast Asia; both those whom they helped recruit during their time in Canada, as well as the many young, motivated national workers being mobilized from within the Southeast Asia region. In 2022, Derryl and Karen celebrated 40 years of marriage and 34 years with Wycliffe. They praise God that all three of their married children and spouses continue to love and serve the Lord. They are especially delighted that these faithful couples have blessed them with 10 precious grandchildren! Support our ministry GIVE NOW https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E341555QE&id=70 Previous Next

Americas WOLVERTON, Amy Amy joined Wycliffe in 2007 and has served both overseas and in Canada. She was a Scripture Use worker in Tanzania among the Sandawe people and has served as the Internship Co-ordinator for Wycliffe Canada. Currently, Amy works as the Staff Care Administrator for Wycliffe Canada and as a Wycliffe Mobilizer in Manitoba. In her role, Amy helps people complete their necessary training and paperwork for overseas ministry, keeps the database up to date and helps the Staff Care Team with administrative tasks. She enjoys connecting with people who are interested in learning about the work of Wycliffe, both here in Canada and in the other countries where we serve. Support our ministry GIVE NOW https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E341555QE&id=172 Previous Next

Africa SPRONK, Tanya Tanya Spronk’s prayer is that her work in literacy and education will engage minortized people around the world with “the life-and-hope-giving Word of God.” Born and raised in Calgary, Tanya joined Wycliffe Canada in 2004 and shortly after moved to East Africa. For over 22 years, Tanya called Africa home – including 20 years in South Sudan, working as a Literacy & Education Coordinator and Consultant around the continent. In January 2026, she was asked to take up the role of Global Literacy & Education Coordinator for SIL, and is now based in Calgary, Alberta. Working remotely, she works in close partnership with global teams, consultants, and partner organizations to establish, support, and monitor best practices in multilingual education and literacy initiatives. She is passionate about strengthening training efforts, supporting consultant development, and setting priorities for both personnel and resource development in SIL… all so children and adults can flourish by accessing literacy and education programs in their own languages. Tanya loves to see the doors of spirtial, social and economic opportunity open for people as they become literate in the languages they value the most. Tanya is very excited about her role. She would love to have you be part of her team through prayer or finances. Support our ministry GIVE NOW https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E341555QE&id=149 Previous Next

Projects

South Pacific MORK, Jon and Jill Jon and Jill joined Wycliffe in 1989. Since 1993, they have been serving Bible translation through aviation in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Jon spent his first 12 years in Japan, where his dad was a missionary pastor. Jill grew up in northern Ontario. They arrived in PNG with two young daughters and their third daughter was born there. The older two are now working in Canada, while the youngest is attending university. Of the more than 800 languages in PNG, there are now less than 300 still waiting for God’s Word in a language they understand best. Aviation is essential in PNG, as there are few roads and many language groups are in very remote areas. Jon is currently a pilot and flies translators and their supplies to the villages where they work. He has served as chief pilot, training manager and ground operations manager. Jill is working in the personnel office as an administrative assistant. She has served in the school libraries and the aviation department. They would love to have you join their ministry team through prayer and/or financial partnership, as they help bring God’s Word to those who still do not have access to it in their heart language. Support our ministry GIVE NOW https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E341555QE&id=121 Previous Next