Activities and Farewell to the Visser Couple
Rev Hendrik du Plessis
Introduction
The past Easter weekend was a time of deep spiritual reflection for our congregation, as well as a historic milestone in our commitment to the Naro Bible translation project. It was a busy weekend characterized by both grateful reflection and a renewed calling for the road ahead.
Friday: Good Friday Service
The weekend began with a solemn service on Friday evening. During this gathering, the congregation came together to commemorate the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was wonderful to see both young and old attend the occasion. The service maintained a necessary focus on the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus on the cross, which forms the foundation of our faith and our work in this region. On the left are the children who started their own choir to sing for the congregation.
Saturday: Farewell to Br. Hessel and Sr. Coby Visser
On Saturday, we traveled to East Hanahai for the official farewell of Brother Hessel and Sister Coby Visser.
- A Lifework: The couple settled in Botswana as far back as 1991. Over the past 35 years, they dedicated their lives to translating the Bible into Naro, supported by various team members who have come and gone over the years.
- Milestones: This long journey led to the publication of the New Testament in Naro in 2012.
- Current Status and Challenges: Although the work has faced challenges—including the loss of a local team member, the Church Council now holds full oversight.
The Church Council regards it as a sacred calling to guide the translation team through the revision processes and consultations with the Bible Society. We are determined to continue the work started by Br. Hessel until the completion of the full Old Testament in Naro. Regarding the New Testament, a revised version will need to be published at some point in the future. There are many passages that the Naro people feel could be better translated.
For example, in John 11:33, the text reads: “When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled.” In the current Naro translation, it states that the Lord Jesus became “furious” or “vitriolic with anger.” The same translation appears in verse 38. Another example is Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”, which describes the Lord Jesus as “gentle and lowly (humble) in heart.” In the Naro translation, it says He is “sluggish and slow of heart.” In Naro, “sluggish” refers to someone who is unwilling to help you. It therefore makes little sense for the Lord Jesus to call someone to come to Him while simultaneously saying He is sluggish and slow of heart. Every translation requires a time for revision to ensure certain words are translated more accurately.
Sunday: Resurrection and Fellowship
Sunday was a day of great joy and blessing.
- Resurrection Service: We commemorated the resurrection of our Lord Jesus, the pinnacle of the Christian calendar.
- Holy Communion: As a congregation, we celebrated Communion together as a symbol of our unity and redemption in Christ.
- Community Meal: After the service, there was a social gathering where the congregation shared a meal. We are particularly grateful for the donation of an oryx (gemsbok) from a neighboring game farm, which made the feast possible.
Conclusion
As we look back on this weekend, we acknowledge the Lord’s faithfulness. Despite the challenges in the translation work and the sadness of saying goodbye, we are filled with gratitude. The Lord has truly been good to us, and we face the future with confidence in His guidance for the task ahead.
Your brother in Christ, Hendrik du Plessis