Translators Rachel and Yehezkil had planned their wedding for December, but when they learned about the opportunity to study with Whole Word Institute, they rushed to move the date and join the school as a couple in September. Though the change brought additional costs and disruptions, they felt it was worth it to help multiply Bible translations in Indonesia. As Rachel explains, “In Indonesia, especially in our region, we do not yet have a translation of the Old Testament in our mother tongue.” They had both been working on translating the Old Testament into three languages—Manado Malay, Tombulu, and Tontemboan Matana—since 2019. However,

“According to our experiences, there are many difficulties in translating Old Testament texts, especially in understanding the original meaning of the Hebrew text. Thus, pursuing an in-depth education in Hebrew and becoming a Bible translation consultant is for us a calling but also a great hope for churches and mission agencies to respond to the urgent need for Bible translation.”

Their wedding had to take place before the School of Biblical Hebrew began. “This was a challenge for us, because financially it was certainly not enough, and the wedding preparations had to be well thought out in such a short time. But we experienced how good God is. He is the God who provides. God made a wedding that surpassed our dream wedding. Even on the wedding day, God strengthened our motivation in Bible translation to serve the tribes in Indonesia after studying in Jerusalem.” 

The couple will return to Indonesia after their training to lead a local church-led Bible translation program in partnership with Whole Word Institute. They will teach and guide multiple translators in translating the whole Word of God.

Rachel and Yehezkil are joining other translators from around the world who are studying in Jerusalem. This past week, they learned about Old Testament practices as they prepared for the Feast of Tabernacles.

Building a “Sukkah” for the Feast of Tabernacles  

Please keep the newly married couple, along with the other translators who recently arrived in Jerusalem, in your prayers as they begin this important work to bring God’s Word to their communities.