Last year marked the 40th anniversary of mdw members René and Lydia van den Berg leaving the Netherlands. In places including Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, they have been involved in Bible translation work in various ways. After all these years, the time was right to return to the Netherlands. René and Lydia have been living in The Hague since mid-September. “All glory to God!”, they write, looking back on their life abroad.
41 years of dedication
41 years ago, the couple were sent out by CGK Leiden to work for SIL International on behalf of Wycliffe Bible Translators.
For the first few years, René and Lydia lived in Indonesia, then spent several years in England and Northern Australia. They stayed longest in Papua New Guinea: they lived there from late 2003 onwards, having been sent there by the Nebo Church in The Hague.
The couple contributed to Bible translations, such as the New Testament in a regional language in Indonesia. They also took on all manner of tasks necessary for producing a good translation. For example, they helped to analyse and describe several languages, taught trainee Bible translators, and encouraged speakers of various minority languages to learn to read passages from Scripture translated into their own languages with ease.
Handing over, wrapping up and saying goodbye
During their final months in Papua New Guinea, they handed over as many tasks as possible. René was still very much involved as a mentor to American and Dutch colleagues who are following a training programme to become language consultants. Lydia trained two new colleagues in creating the reading games she has developed and in encouraging reading practice. At the same time, they were preparing for this new phase of their lives, in which the Netherlands will be their home. After all, “another international move to a new situation” requires its own preparations.
The last few months were also marked by selling and giving away belongings, and saying goodbye to friends, colleagues and acquaintances. The various farewell gatherings in small groups helped them bring their 23-year stay in Papua New Guinea to a fitting close.
All in all, it’s been an intense period: “41 years in the field is no small feat. But we can say from the bottom of our hearts that God has been close to us throughout all those years of major relocations, including during the worries and hardships (which there certainly were), and we have every confidence that He will not let us go.”
A surprise in the Netherlands
René and Lydia received a warm welcome in the Netherlands. They were surprised during the homecoming service on 25 September in The Hague. The deputy mayor came over and called them forward: the couple were knighted in recognition of all their work in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Although they appreciate this recognition, they are also keen to direct their attention upwards: “Without God’s presence, strength and inspiration, we would not have been able to sustain living outside the Netherlands from 1985 to 2026 and do everything we have been able to do. To Him be the thanks and the glory!”
The Van den Berg family will be on leave for the coming months. From January onwards, they hope to continue their work from the Netherlands. The plan is for them to focus primarily on Indonesia, for example by making shorter visits to the country.
Prayer points
Let us give thanks to God and pray:
- for the work that René and Lydia have been able to do over the past few years, and for the fact that God has spared them in this;
- to give them the resilience, health and energy they need to settle in the Netherlands and to carry on with their work;
- for the progress of Bible translation work and the use of the Bible in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.
