About Me

My name is Peter Jan de Vries. After receiving my Master’s Degree in Ecology, the Lord led me to become a Bible translator, instead of directly entering the field of conservation biology, and it has been an amazing ministry. For many years my wife and I worked with Wycliffe Bible Translators and SIL International among the Korowai people of Papua, Indonesia. We were financially supported by Indonesie Mission / Verre Naasten and the Reformed Church of Ommen West was our spiritual home. For an impression of our ministry among the Korowai people, please watch the following video’s.

“I’ve gotten to know Peter Jan as a very dedicated person, who has been deeply involved with the Korowai people in order to serve them and help them develop.”

Nicolette Baan, Personel Coördinator at Wycliffe Bijbelvertalers Nederland

How did I get here?

After I received my Master’s degree in Ecology, I decided not to pursue a career in Nature Conservation, but to become a Bible Translator instead. I never thought that I would be able to combine these two passions, but now that our on-site work with the Korowai people has come to an end, God is giving me this opportunity through SIL International, so I can serve many language groups with my knowledge and experience.

As a ‘Creation Care Consultant’ with SIL International I have the following responsibilities:

I’m involved with promoting Creation Care best practices within SIL and among all its partner organizations. The goal is to have considerations for Creation Care incorporated into all their activities.
I advise, train and help the many different language groups served by SIL International. This is a much more hands-on role at the grassroots level, where I talk with local people groups about their respective environmental challenges and facilitate them in overcoming these challenges.

This position fits me very well because of my background in Ecology and because I’ve been involved in a Bible translation project for many years. I'm part of an international team of experts and I can carry out this task while living in the Netherlands. A few times a year I need to travel.

Through SIL International I also continue to be involved with translation work for the Korowai people.

Ecology and Nature Conservation in the field

“No problem.” my Korowai friend said, “They can plant some oil palm trees right here. And over there is also a good spot to plant some. That’s a good way for us to make some money.” This was his response when he heard that the Korowai area was part of a concession for an oil palm company. Patiently I explain to him how an oil palm company operates. That they will first remove all the jungle trees and then replace these with oil palms, as far as the eye can see. “But they can’t do that, that’s not fair!” he exclaimed angrily, “Where are we supposed to hunt and fish then? And where can we plant our gardens? Then there won’t be any wood for us to build houses!”

In the years that followed I was able to help the Korowai people get a better understanding of the threats posed by oil palm companies. Together with a local NGO, the Korowai successfully lobbied the government to change the development plan for the Korowai area.

“I very much enjoyed working with Peter Jan and would highly recommend him for conservation work and community development due to his understanding of rural issues and the great humility required during this kind of work.”

Neville Kemp, Tropical Forest and Conservation Specialist, USAID

In 2017 I joined a Biodiversity Expedition in the Cyclops Nature Reserve in Papua, Indonesia. My main job was to survey and plan the route and to find suitable camping locations. During the expedition I also advised on the use of camera traps to record mammal activity and I did an inventory of butterflies and moths.