John Rentz

In 1986 John and Rosalie responded to God’s call to serve the Reef Islands people of the Solomon Islands. SICA (Solomon Islands Christian Association) had requested help in Scripture translation for the 5000+ Äiwoo speakers of

these far-flung islands, tucked away in Temotu Province in the south-eastern corner of the country. While John gave attention to translation, Rosalie focussed on literacy needs. Health issues forced John & Rosalie to leave

the country in 1994. Following health leave, they served the home office of Wycliffe New Zealand in Training, Member Care, and as Associate Director. After completing their home office roles, they resumed their language work

with the Reef Islanders in 2018, working remotely from New Zealand. Prior to the pandemic, John was making several trips each year to the Reefs, where he and the Äiwoo translators worked together on the translation and trained local reviewers. In NZ Rosalie assisted the project by completing an initial exegetical check on the translation. Sadly, Rosalie was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in March 2022 and died the following month.

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

“For which cause we do not give way to weariness; but though our outer man is getting feebler, our inner man is made new day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16