Experiencing the work of Wycliffe

James has been with us in the Wycliffe office in Belfast for the past three days on work experience. I asked him if he would write an article, and here it is! It's great - enjoy reading...

"If I’m honest, about all I knew of Wycliffe 3 months ago was that it existed!

In spring 2009, I found myself in the awkward position of having to do work experience and not having any organised when a friend who had come here last year and, like me, is interested in Modern Languages suggested that I try Wycliffe. Thus I sent off a tentative e-mail which was forwarded to Stephanie at the Wycliffe office in Belfast. She was quick to encourage me to come and thus, having sorted out the relevant details, I turned up in optimistic near-ignorance at the door of 342 Beersbridge Road.

What was I expecting? I had really worked out that the office staff were not a vast body of ink-spotted researchers, huddled over a combination of Kouya dictionaries and Hebrew Old Testaments – but aside from that I had no real idea.

After John and Stephanie had welcomed me, my first morning consisted largely of an extended introduction to the vocation and work of Wycliffe, through a Power Point of John’s as well as a selection of literature. That was an eye-opener; it was positively astonishing to find out that over 2,200 languages and about 200 million people worldwide do not have any of the Bible in their own language.

I find that difficult to take in, and for me it puts the importance of what God is doing through Wycliffe in Africa, Asia, the Indo-Pacific (to quote Wycliffe’s three areas of the world in which Bible translation is needed most) and elsewhere in stark perspective. It was here as well that I was introduced to Vision 2025: the vision of Wycliffe and worldwide partners to see a Bible translation begun by 2025 in every language that still needs one. It immediately struck me as being an undertaking on a massive scale but it’s true that if it is to be accomplished it can only be done by God – which must be a good way to do anything.

My Monday afternoon was largely taken up with compiling a basic Power Point presentation for October’s Wycliffe:Live! event with details of all of Wycliffe’s members who are either from or based in Ireland. This was interesting, simply from the point of view of seeing the broad spectrum of activity, countries and people who are a full-time part of God’s work through Wycliffe.

But even after I had made my way home on Monday evening, my day with Wycliffe was by no means over! Sparing no effort to make the newcomer feel at home, Stephanie had invited me to join in an informal meeting of Connect NI at her house. Again, I wasn’t too sure what to expect, but it turned out to be great. I got the chance to chat with young people from all over Northern Ireland who had spent time abroad with Wycliffe as well as just enjoying the fellowship and banter (though I was somewhat taken aback to walk in and find an RE teacher from my school present – how cool am I, hanging out with teachers in my free time…).

Tuesday saw me introduced to Evelyn, Bob and Bill in the office, in between a spot of light tidying-up and posting some passports (to anyone going on the Engage team to Cameroon: if you don’t get any passport back or you get someone else’s by mistake, it was my fault and not Stephanie’s). Monday night’s exertions meant that I was allowed to take a half-day.

And so to Wednesday, my last day in the office. Things kicked off with a “high-powered executive breakfast” (Stephanie’s words) at Gourmet Burger on the Belmont Road. Stephanie was meeting up with the university CU stream of MAP (Mission Agencies Partnership) and had agreed to take me with her. Breakfast with five girls was a novel experience (!), but also fascinating. I must confess that the sheer volume of different pressures and issues for the people ‘behind the scenes’, between doing God’s will and working in what is very much the real world, had never really occurred to me before. After that, I got the chance to browse around some of the blogs on the Wycliffe website before sitting down…to write this.

So now, as I finish up, I have some serious thanks to give, to everyone with whom I’ve come in contact – Stephanie, John, Thelma, Lynda, Evelyn, Bob, Bill and Miranda (and others – I could go on). I could not possibly have been made to feel more welcome, more at home. Everyone went out of their way to involve me and help me and nothing was ever too much trouble, and I really am grateful for that. I was happy just to have the opportunity to come along, but you all made my time here so enjoyable. My only regret is that I’m not about for a bit longer! And perhaps most of all I should thank God for bringing me here and introducing me to all of you.

As I move on (though I hope you haven’t yet seen the last of me!), you all individually and the work of Wycliffe worldwide will definitely be in my prayers. For what it’s worth, I think this is such a worthwhile work and it was a real privilege just to get a glimpse into it over the past three days.

Every blessing to you all."

Thanks, James, from us in the office for all the work you've done (tidy stationary store... many passports posted... and lots more). I certainly hope we haven't see the last of you!