As we approach Shavuot and Pentecost Sunday, we remember both the giving of the Word in the wilderness and the Holy Spirit poured out at Pentecost, when the apostles were empowered to proclaim God’s Word in many languages.
What a gift it is to have the whole Bible in our own language. And what a privilege to take part in Jesus’ calling to “make disciples of all nations” by helping bring His Word to people still waiting for Scripture.
There is much to celebrate in this season of first fruits!
BENIN — Across this nation where many languages still need Scripture, multiplication is taking root quickly. Two local translators, Godefroy Sossou and Michée Dagan, who trained with us in Jerusalem, are now leading a Hebrew Extension Learning Program (HELP) course in partnership with Wycliffe Benin. They are preparing translators from across Francophone Africa so Old Testament translation work can begin straight from biblical Hebrew into new languages.
This marks an important first: local translators trained through Whole Word Institute are now themselves teaching biblical Hebrew for translation in their own regions, creating sustainable capacity for whole Bible translation far beyond a single program or generation.
INDONESIA — Our head teacher, Elisabeth Koppi, has just completed teaching the final course for a group of translators in Indonesia who serve with Kartidaya. She reported that all did very well in this final advanced course. Elisabeth will soon return to Jerusalem to lead the next School of Biblical Hebrew.
PHILIPPINES — Whole Word Hebrew teachers Tali and Daniel Kfir are currently serving in the Philippines in partnership with Wycliffe Philippines. They are teaching a one-month intensive Hebrew course preparing teams of translators to translate the Old Testament into their own languages.
MOZAMBIQUE — Abel and Julia Kerekes trained and served with us in Jerusalem and will lead a HELP course in Mozambique this June in partnership with Wycliffe Mozambique focused on Lusophone language groups.
SOUTH AFRICA — Another Whole Word course is scheduled to begin at the end of May under the leadership of teacher Dana Helmuth, in partnership with Wycliffe South Africa and focused on Anglophone regions.
JERUSALEM & GLOBAL — Twenty-six translation consultants-in-training continue this year toward becoming certified consultants who will be able to oversee and support multiple Bible translation projects around the world. At the same time, applications continue to come in for our immersive Jerusalem programs, including the next School of Biblical Hebrew beginning this October.
What we are witnessing is more than the growth of programs. We are seeing translators become teachers, teachers preparing new translators, and local leaders helping lay foundations for whole Bible translations that can continue multiplying for generations to come.
Please continue praying for these leaders and students as they serve, teach, and translate. Pray for the Holy Spirit to be poured out upon each one that they can see the fruit of the Holy Spirit beyond their dreams. Please pray for deep roots to be established as the whole Word of God is brought into new languages through local translators, agencies, and churches around the world.
“Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples.”— Psalm 96:3
Con ustedes en su servicio,
As we approach Shavuot and Pentecost Sunday, we remember both the giving of the Word in the wilderness and the Holy Spirit poured out at Pentecost, when the apostles were empowered to proclaim God’s Word in many languages.
What a gift it is to have the whole Bible in our own language. And what a privilege to take part in Jesus’ calling to “make disciples of all nations” by helping bring His Word to people still waiting for Scripture.
There is much to celebrate in this season of first fruits!
BENIN — Across this nation where many languages still need Scripture, multiplication is taking root quickly. Two local translators, Godefroy Sossou and Michée Dagan, who trained with us in Jerusalem, are now leading a Hebrew Extension Learning Program (HELP) course in partnership with Wycliffe Benin. They are preparing translators from across Francophone Africa so Old Testament translation work can begin straight from biblical Hebrew into new languages.
This marks an important first: local translators trained through Whole Word Institute are now themselves teaching biblical Hebrew for translation in their own regions, creating sustainable capacity for whole Bible translation far beyond a single program or generation.
INDONESIA — Our head teacher, Elisabeth Koppi, has just completed teaching the final course for a group of translators in Indonesia who serve with Kartidaya. She reported that all did very well in this final advanced course. Elisabeth will soon return to Jerusalem to lead the next School of Biblical Hebrew.
PHILIPPINES — Whole Word Hebrew teachers Tali and Daniel Kfir are currently serving in the Philippines in partnership with Wycliffe Philippines. They are teaching a one-month intensive Hebrew course preparing teams of translators to translate the Old Testament into their own languages.
MOZAMBIQUE — Abel and Julia Kerekes trained and served with us in Jerusalem and will lead a HELP course in Mozambique this June in partnership with Wycliffe Mozambique focused on Lusophone language groups.
SOUTH AFRICA — Another Whole Word course is scheduled to begin at the end of May under the leadership of teacher Dana Helmuth, in partnership with Wycliffe South Africa and focused on Anglophone regions.
JERUSALEM & GLOBAL — Twenty-six translation consultants-in-training continue this year toward becoming certified consultants who will be able to oversee and support multiple Bible translation projects around the world. At the same time, applications continue to come in for our immersive Jerusalem programs, including the next School of Biblical Hebrew beginning this October.
What we are witnessing is more than the growth of programs. We are seeing translators become teachers, teachers preparing new translators, and local leaders helping lay foundations for whole Bible translations that can continue multiplying for generations to come.
Please continue praying for these leaders and students as they serve, teach, and translate. Pray for the Holy Spirit to be poured out upon each one that they can see the fruit of the Holy Spirit beyond their dreams. Please pray for deep roots to be established as the whole Word of God is brought into new languages through local translators, agencies, and churches around the world.
“Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples.”— Psalm 96:3
Con ustedes en su servicio,
David
David Swarr PhD
Presidente y Consejero Delegado
One translator changes lives. One translation changes generations.