The R200 Programme is an initiative of Wycliffe Singapore. It provides an avenue for individuals and churches in Singapore to be involved in supporting language work in a specific minority language community. Projects may include a variety of activities such as Bible translation, literacy, scripture use and community development. In many poorly-resourced minority groups, this work is only possible through financial and prayer support of Christians from other countries. Supporters are sent a quarterly update of the project they support to report on progress and guide their prayers.
What does a language project entail? What are their goals and challenges? How can you support them by praying or giving?
Storytelling in an ethnic style.
Wycliffe Singapore’s R200 Programme began in 2008 with the aim of raising prayer and financial support for language projects from individuals and churches in Singapore. Since then, it has helped raise support (varied amounts and durations) for over 80 language communities, mainly in Asia. It has also enabled supporters in Singapore to get a deeper insight into the work of specific field projects.
Recently, we asked a few supporters to reflect on their experiences of being involved with the R200 Programme. The respondents comprise several individuals/couples and a church, Covenant Presbyterian Church (CPC).
These supporters had all become involved through different routes – a member of Wycliffe US attended CPC in Singapore and brought a team from the church to visit a project; one couple attended the launch of the R200 Programme at the invitation of friends; another couple heard a sermon preached by a Wycliffe Sg member; while one supporter read about it on the Wycliffe Sg website. All were convicted of the need to help unreached people groups to access scripture in their heart language, especially as such people groups are often also among the most disadvantaged in their countries. One of them said, “Supporting a project among such peoples means putting into action the command to reach the uttermost parts of the world with the Gospel.” From another supporter: “The best, most effective, helpful and long-lasting gift is for them to receive the Word of God in their heart language.”
“We can appreciate more clearly the difficulty in translating and testing the materials”
Every quarter, an update about the project(s) supported is sent to supporters. This is a crucial part of helping them stay in touch with the project(s) they support. These updates provide a snapshot of key information about the projects (e.g. background, goals, progress, financial needs), stories and testimonies, and prayer requests.
All the supporters were appreciative of the quarterly updates. The updates allow supporters to journey alongside the project teams by following their progress, rejoicing in their successes, hearing about challenges and setbacks, and lifting them up in prayer.
“God is transforming us”
Jesus said that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Supporters of projects have experienced these blessings too! One of them said that she was “humbled by the perseverance of the members on the team who continue to introduce Jesus to the people in different ways, despite personal difficulties and the current Covid situation.” Several supporters have developed a longer-term relationship and involvement with Wycliffe’s ministries, including visiting a field project. CPC used their support of R200 projects as a means to directly involve church members in missions – children as well as adults were encouraged to pledge support to the projects or give one-time gifts, pray and participate in mission trips. This raised awareness in church members of the importance of heart language ministries in missions.
“Our view of Bible translation has been enlarged”
In pre-Covid times, some supporters had the opportunity to participate in a mission trip to a project or meet a project manager when they passed through Singapore. In this way, some supporters have been able to observe part of a workshop or recording session, or bless the communities with English lessons, children’s activities or parenting workshops. Although this might not necessarily have been with the project they supported, seeing the work and people in person helped supporters better understand the work and the challenges faced by language projects.
Why support a project?
The supporters were unanimous in agreeing that they would encourage others to support a project! Reasons given:
To play a part in God’s work in spreading the gospel to unreached people groups;
To bring transformation through God’s word to minority groups which are typically impoverished and poorly educated;
To align our hearts and minds with God’s purpose and love for all people groups by praying and giving;
To stretch our faith and be transformed ourselves in the course of giving and going;
To enlarge our view of Bible translation and what it means to reach people in their heart language.
To find out more about language projects, see https://www.wycliffe.sg/heart-language.
If you would like to find out more about the R200 Programme, please contact us at hello@wycliffe.sg.
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