Ed and Wilma Rupprecht
 Ed and Wilma Rupprecht |
The adventure continues! The Rupprechts just completed their 'Second Missionary Journey,' on the mission field where they first worked over 26 years ago-Nigeria. The passion to bring the Scriptures to the Ogoja region of Nigeria drew them to the ministry which was so much part of their early years together. They have been working in four Nigerian languages - Bokyi, Yala, Mbe and Kukele - to help create self-determining and self-sustaining ministries.
Ed and Wilma first met while attending the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) in Norman, Oklahoma in the summer of 1968. Ed was home on furlough from Nigeria where he was serving with the LCMS-Mission Board. Wilma had returned from Mexico where she had served as a short-term missionary with Wycliffe Bible Translators. They were married in February 1969 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, N.Ukele, Nigeria.
Ed grew up in Richville, Michigan. At a young age, he felt God calling him to mission service. After attending Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw, Michigan, he attended Concordia River Forest. His call took him to Nigeria to work among the Ukele people, where he served for 18 years. Ed was part of a team that translated the New Testament into the Kukele language. Ed's role was literacy and education.
Wilma was born in Montana where her dad was the pastor of a small Indian mission church. Missions has always been a part of her life. After attending Grace University in Omaha, she went to California to work. While there she heard about the need for typists in Mexico City with Wycliffe Bible Translators. Her experience in Mexico made her realize that God wanted her to go to SIL for further training.
In Nigeria, Ed and Wilma served together for over 13 years in literacy, adult education and rural development. In 1982 they returned to the United States. Ed received his Masters Degree from Concordia River Forest in 1983. He has taught in Lutheran schools, congregations and organizations and worked in development, mobilizing others for the Great Commission, all in northern Illinois.
Wilma has served by using her gifts in various church activities-LWML, choir, and Stephens Ministry. She has worked in the corporate world as Administrative Assistant and at the LBT Service Center.
The Rupprechts have two children and five grandchildren. Paul, and his wife Noel are the parents of Brittany and Rebekah. Kim, and her husband Paul Klomhaus, are the parents of Aaron, Nathan and Holly.
God is never done! Ed and Wilma heeded the call from God to return to the mission field, and now He is welcoming them back to the US. The Rupprechts will continue to represent LBT To support the Rupprechts financially, click the ''Contribute Today!'' button to the right.
