Justin and Tammy Hettinga
Missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators
"'After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.' Rev 7:9 ESV
What a vision! What do you see when you close your eyes and imagine it? What do you hear? Have you ever stopped and wondered why language is mentioned here? Why is it significant that on this day there will be people from every language worshipping God?
Let me suggest an idea. Every one of the 7,168 living languages spoken or signed on the earth today adds something unique to the worship of God. Every language has unique words and meanings and with them a unique perspective on God. So the more languages used to worship the Lord, the deeper and richer and more beautiful the worship.
And so it is that Bible translation plays one part in what God is doing in the world. It is one part of His great mission. In this way all people will be able to know God and hear from Him, through His Word, in their own language. We, Justin and Tammy Hettinga, missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators, love being a part of this mission by providing leadership and administrative support to this work throughout the Americas.
Thank you for praying for us. Thank you for supporting us. One day we will be together with people speaking every language, and we will all cry out, "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” We can't wait to see you there!"
— Justin & Tammy Hettinga