Bob and Dottie Hoppe devoted their lives to bringing God’s Word to the Wiwa (Malayo) people of Colombia, a remote indigenous group living high in the Andes Mountains. Both graduates of Wheaton College, Bob (with prior service in the U.S. Marines) and Dottie sensed God’s call to Bible translation early in their marriage. In 1966, they left for Colombia with Wycliffe Bible Translators and later completed advanced linguistic training through SIL and the University of North Dakota. Over the next several decades, they would help document an unwritten language and faithfully serve a people group with no prior access to Scripture.

Deep in the northern mountains where the remote Malayo people lived, the Hoppes developed an alphabet for the tribal oral language, spoken by the Wiwa people of Colombia. During those early years, they raised their three children, Matthew, Nathan, and Rachel, while committing themselves to long-term cross-cultural ministry.

From 1966 through 1980, the Hoppes lived and worked in Colombia among the Malayo tribe. Beginning with no written language or Scripture, the Wiwa now have the entire New Testament translated (with Revelation still in progress), along with Genesis, all accompanied by audio recordings. Their association and relationship with First Evan resulted from the deep friendship between the Hoppe Family and the Hartmann Family.

In later years, Bob would endure a long battle with cancer until his passing in 2017. Dottie continued the work alongside their Malayo helper, George well into her 80s. Together, they completed Audio Gospel recordings of all the translated NT books, as well as the book of Genesis, so that the Malayo could hear the scriptures in their heart language. Despite failing health, Dottie has continued the work stateside, maintaining communication with the remaining translation helper in Colombia to expand the translation scope.

The Hoppes’ legacy spans more than 60 years of faithful service. Their prayer is that additional translation helpers would be raised up to join the Hoppe children (Rachel and Matt), nationals, and Indians to finish the translation of the entire Bible, and see churches planted, ensuring that the Scriptures are preached and believers are discipled among the Wiwa people for generations to come through the transforming power of God’s Word.