Rachel’s story: How your gift makes a huge difference!

In 2018, Rachel and her husband Doug travelled to Nigeria with Wycliffe to visit the Koro Bible translation programme serving speakers of the Ashe, Duya, Nyankpa and Waci languages.

Over two weeks they spent time with church partners and local communities. And they visited with the chief of each area, exploring how Bible translation is changing lives. Rachel recounts how giving to Wycliffe makes such a huge difference. Also, she tells why it has brought her joy to think how a gift in her Will can continue to impact so many lives in the future.

Passion for Scripture

As with many married couples, Rachel and Doug started married life in meagre surroundings. ‘Inevitably, when we moved into our first house together, everything we bought was secondhand. We didn’t have a fridge or washing machine for six months! Our first new purchase was a carpet for the living room. At the time we ran a midweek games night for Crusaders (now known as Urban Saints), who spilt Copydex on it which couldn’t be removed without cutting out that area of the carpet. I guess it showed us at an early stage that our things aren’t the most important things in life.’

Church life has always been crucial to Rachel and Doug. Before they met they were members of Pathfinders and Crusaders. So this instilled in them, early on, a deepened affiliation with mission and a passion for Scripture. ‘I’ve always believed that faith comes from hearing. And hearing comes from the word of God. Consequently, even from our first wage packets, we decided to give to Wycliffe because having access to the Bible is so important for everyone.’

Humbling to witness

‘Such is the impact of translation that whole communities are being transformed through engagement with God’s word in the Koro cluster. Which is where Wycliffe is currently serving the local translation team as it seeks to bring the whole Bible to the area. When we were going to visit the Nyankpa chief, it transpired that he had been unwell for almost a year and was unable to receive guests. Despite this, he got out of bed and invited the team and us to visit him; such was his appreciation and understanding of the value of the translation work for the people he leads. It was very humbling to witness. And very special to meet and to embrace one another joyfully and to share and pray together about what God was doing there.’

Achievable goal

Since returning, Rachel and Doug have both spent time sharing about the huge difference giving to Wycliffe is making to communities like these. ‘What delights me so much about giving to Wycliffe is that we can be part of an achievable goal. Providing scripture in everyone’s own language isn’t a pious dream. With God’s help and our support it can happen. And it needs to happen. People need to know God loves them. God speaks their language too. I believe that sharing your own faith in Jesus is so important. And that the Bible provides the foundation for that sharing. Consequently it truly brings me so much joy giving toward Bible translation, both in my lifetime and beyond it, by giving through my Will!’