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A FI BERCHI SPIES DIS!Welcome to Bertram's Space. Please read along and make constructive criticism. And why not play a few games? You Jamaican folk should be profs at killing mosquitos! Helpful Wycliffe Links
August 26 Summer 08 NewsletterSORRY
Sorry it has taken so long to write a newsletter. I know you’ve been longing to hear our news. Since my last newsletter, many things have taken place. Space wouldn’t permit me to provide much detail; nonetheless, I am sure you’d appreciate a succinct update on recent developments.
BACK IN THE UK
I left Jamaica 8th April 2008 for the Wycliffe Centre, England, in order to do some training for my assignment. I was there for two months. Initially, the plan was to do three courses, however, due to visa issues, I missed the most part of the first course – Language Project Planning and Implementation. The two courses I took in full are Meaning and Communication and Translation Course.
My training equipped me with a better understanding of how human communication works and how this understanding should affect translation in general and Bible Translation in particular. During my time at the Centre, I was able to renew and build new friendships with individuals who are or have been involved in Bible translation in various parts of the world.
After my time at the Centre, I spent two weeks in one of the most beautiful of countries—Wales, of course! - visiting a number of friends and ministry partners (individuals and churches).
It was a pleasure to have been at the Wycliffe Centre, to have met new friends, and to have renewed friendships; however, I confess it was a difficult two and a half months being away from my wife, who, as you might recall, is pregnant. I’m not sure I would like to be away from her for such a long time again.
MOVED OFFICE
I’m no longer based at the offices of Wycliffe Caribbean, Kingston, Jamaica. Wycliffe Caribbean is one of the three primary partners of the Jamaican Creole Translation Project and, in playing their part, they have seconded me to the Bible Society of the West Indies (BSWI) – the lead organisation – to serve as Project Co-ordinator. I moved office on 1st July – 2 weeks after my return from the UK. BSWI has had an interest in a Jamaican Bible since the early 1980s and, since then, has done two audio productions. The Society has also drafted 52% of the New Testament into Jamaican Creole. I spent my first few weeks in office organising and reading records. I still have some more reading to do!
I miss the Wycliffe folk; however, the staff here at Bible House are very friendly; they have made me feel at home. Some staff members have only one complaint so far—I make them speak Creole at work! ☻
Wycliffe Caribbean relocates this week. Before I moved office, Dornett and I used to work at the same place, so, we had become accustomed to going to and fro work together. Now, she has to cope with two major changes, in addition to her pregnancy. Thankfully, she likes Wycliffe’s new offices. This should help her acclimatise quickly to her new work environment.
TRANSLATION News that the Bible Society of the West Indies plans to spend, over a period of 12 years, a little under $1 million US dollars to translate the Bible into Jamaican Creole has attracted both local and international media attention (Christianity Today, the Daily Mail and the New York Times, are just a few). Many Jamaicans have written in opposition to the project, claiming it is a waste of time, effort and money. They claim the money could be used to facilitate more worthwhile endeavours—building schools and hospitals, alleviating poverty, etc. Not a few have written in support of the project however, emphasising the important role the translated Scriptures have played in Christian missions and discipleship, standardising and developing languages, aiding literacy (one of the main problems here in Jamaica), etc. Early July, 56 personnel from a wide spectrum of Christian constituencies in Jamaica attended a Breakfast for Clergy hosted by the BSWI. Of the 56 personnel in attendance, 35 (62.5%) completed a questionnaire that was provided, in order to ascertain the attendees’ response to the proposed project. Amusingly, over 87% of respondents are in full agreement with the project! The remaining 13% are not in disagreement with the proposal; they are only ambivalent. From 4th - 25th August we hosted a two week workshop on Bible translation for 8 persons who have indicated an interest in being among our three full-time translators. The event was rather taxing both physically and emotionally. I’m very grateful to Dornett for having allowed me to concentrate most of my energies and time on the workshop for three weeks. I took most of the sessions – 37 out of 49 - each of which lasted for 50 minutes. This being said, I confess, the workshop was a success: 1) participants indicated the workshop was “enlightening” and helpful; 2) I was able to internalise a lot of what I taught; 3) three full-time translators have been identified. God willing, we start translating by 1st September. Praise God, the required software have arrived. We now need to recruit reviewers for the project—persons identified by the church as being competent in New Testament Greek and who will be able to check the translated text for faithfulness to the “original.” The University of the West Indies, Jamaica, one of our primary partners, will be checking the translation for spelling, naturalness, and other language related issues. They will also be testing the translation in various locations in the country.
FAMILY
Can you see that little bump?! Inside that little pumpkin is a healthy little baby called “Daniel O’Bertram Rhys Gayle”! Why a boy’s name? Well, the nurses at the hospital forgot we didn’t want to know the gender of our baby when we went to have an ultra scan a little over a month ago!
Dornett is coping with the pregnancy. She is not the most comfortable of women—she finds it difficult sleeping, turning her body, and getting up. In addition to this, Daniel is a kick boxer; I needn’t elaborate on how this affects Mommy D! During our morning devotions, we pray that he would “ultimately” become a missionary, taking God’s inspired Word to the bibleless peoples of the world.
As you might expect, Dornett is also growing—horizontally! She’s outgrown all her clothes, and had to do some shopping recently. I do give God thanks that, in spite all her complications, she continues to be a strong woman of God and a respectful wife. My only problem with this pregnancy is that I’ve got to be picking up everything that falls to the ground! Daniel will repay!
OTHER HEADLINES
1. Dornett would like to pursue further studies with Jamaica Child Evangelism Fellowship
2. Bertram has learnt how to drive. He should be taking his test soon.
3. Dornett has completed her application for membership with Wycliffe Caribbean.
4. Bertram has been accepted onto the MA Linguistics Qualifying programme at a local Uni. He commences in September.
5. Jamaica is in ecstasy. Millions celebrate the achievements of their compatriots in Beijing, China.
PRAYER AND PRAISE
Do let the information in this newsletter inform your prayer and praise. I would like you however to pray and give thanks for The Seed Company, a sister organisation of Wycliffe Bible Translators and one of the major funders of the Jamaican Project.
Thank you for your prayers, your gifts and your words of encouragement. May the Lord continue to fill your hearts with the joy of our hope in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Bertram April 27 Spring 2008 Newsletter WAATA KOM A MI YAI / SAD TIMES :(
I thought life was perfect, full of fun; I entertained the idea that evil was non existent in “real life” – evil was only depicted in movies for our entertainment, after all, actors are pretenders. “Oh no,” I thought, “people don’t really commit heinous crimes against each other; aids, cancer, tornadoes, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the whole lot are nothing but myths that people in the ‘real world’ entertained.” I wanted to grow up and become a “big man” (i.e. an adult); I wanted have my own family with whom I could explore the world. At age 6, a light bulb went off in my head; it was as if someone had said to me, ”pikni a no chuu (child it’s not real). In the ‘real world’ people do commit great atrocities; people do undergo physical agony; “mother nature” isn’t always motherly.” I no longer wanted to grow up for my dream world was completely shattered; for weeks I was overwhelmed by the weight of evil. Recent occurrences in and around our adopted community in Jamaica have caused me to remember the revelation I experienced at age 6: a baby girl was squashed by a van which was being driven carelessly by a teenage lad; a little boy gave up on life and hung himself; and most recently, a man murdered his pregnant girlfriend and buried her in his house. Prior to these events, Dornett and I we were somewhat traumatised by an incident which took place at the bus stop we board the bus every evening after work—three young men were gunned down. The shooting took place just hours before we arrived at the stop.
GLAD TAIM TU / HAPPY TIMES TOO! :)
Now, where shall I start?! I’ve got at least five updates for you. Let’s begin with ministry.
Pastors’ Mission’s Seminars
February was a busy month for us at the Wycliffe office in Jamaica. In addition to making adjustments to accommodate a transition phase, Wycliffe Caribbean hosted a three day Pastors’ Missions Seminar in Jamaica, February 26, 27, and 28, in three locations island-wide - Kingston, Mandeville and Montego Bay respectively. Kirk Franklin, Executive Director (CEO) of Wycliffe Int’l, was the main guest speaker.
Over 95 participants distributed across the three locations sat through these seminars in rapt attention for some five hours - a phenomenon, indeed. It was my responsibility to do a presentation on the language situation in the Caribbean.
God be praised, your prayers were answered – attendees and presenters were transported safely to and from the seminars, churches responded to the invitation to attend, and attendees had a renewed commitment to cross-cultural missions.
Visiting Churches
Several church leaders who attended the seminars have requested that Wycliffe come to their churches in order to share its vision for cross-cultural missions. One Church had asked me to preach in their missions service. The text and half of the sermon was delivered in Jamaican (Creole). So that you might get a feel of the impact Creole has on Jamaicans, I’ve recorded and translated some of the responses I received for you: 1) stimulating; 2) you've elevated us / made us feel important/respected/recognised; 3) we should not be shamed of our patois; 4) it registered man, it registered; 5) I can't remember when last I laughed in Church; 6) very dynamic; 7) unusual; and 8) I hope you come again. I received similar responses at another Church.
Jamaican Creole Translation Project (JCTP)
I’m pleased inform you that the JCTP has been approved after much prayer, planning, and discussion. Translation is scheduled to begin in August. JCTP has got an aggressive schedule—4 years. A contributor to the project’s aggressive nature is the desire to coincide its dedication with our 50th anniversary celebrations as an independent nation in August 2012. This time schedule seems feasible as 52% of the NT has already been drafted.
Contrary to my initial judgment, I’ll not be one of the 3 translators. Instead, I’ve been given the title “Project Coordinator.” As Coordinator, my responsibilities will include helping to select and train translators, preparing a flow chart for each aspect of the project, aiding with exegetical issues, reporting to various stakeholders, maintaining a positive working relationship with a local university, and the list goes on. I’m overwhelmed by a sense of responsibility given the nature the text to be translated. I do crave your prayers.
5 Year Visa
Guess what? I’m in the UK! Yes, I was granted a 5 year visitors visa just over two weeks ago. At the moment, I’m taking some training courses at the Wycliffe Centre located in Horsleys Green, Buckinghamshire. I arrived safely Tuesday 8th April. I only caught the last 3 sessions of one of the courses I wanted to take. Anyway, I’ve got the class notes which contain bibliographic information. The final course ends 30th May. I’ll be doing my best to visit as many of supporters (individuals/churches) and friends as possible before I return to Jamaica on 16th June. Please let me know if you would like me to pay you a visit and when (between 2nd and 14th June).
Extension!
Finally, I’m pleased to let you know that Dornett and I are expecting a baby this coming November! So, God willing, our family will have three celebrations in November – my birthday, baby Bertram’s birthday, and our wedding anniversary. Honestly, I only planned the date of our wedding. Anyway, I’ve got a confession to make: though Baby B’s birthmonth is accidental, I’m secretly hoping he (oops…2 confessions, I guess!) will be born on 18th November (my birthday, of course)!
Grateful for your continued support,
Bertram
PRAISE GOD!
1. for His protection.
2. for Dornett’s pregnancy
3. for the results of the Pastors’ Missions Seminar
4. for the Scriptures
PLEASE PRAY!
1. that Dornett would be able to “keep down” her meals
2. that God would help me fulfil my responsibilities.
3. that my studies would be fruitful
4. that our financial support would be increased
January 31 Winter # 2 NewsletterKRISMOS / CHRISTMAS Christmas 07 was my first Christmas in my beloved home country in three years. In contrast to Christmas morning in Britain, I woke up to see no Christmas gifts neatly wrapped under a well adorned Christmas tree. Our Christmas was relatively quiet, stress free, and restful! I spent the day celebrating the Lord Jesus Christ with my wife, a sister-in-law, and her husband in our “cool” tropical climate. We had a lovely meal together – goat curry (in Jamaica we say: “curried goat”), vegetables, rice and peas, and some delicious fruit juice.
What could spoil my first Christmas back in Jamaica but an attack from a mad dog and a fungal infection, which I contracted at a local barber shop? (The fungus is transferred from one customer to another via a barber’s unsterilised hair clippers.) I’m uncertain which of my two barbers is responsible for my malady. A visit to the local hospital (another drama, I’ll have to tell you about some other time) and the items prescribed - a shampoo and some pills - cost me over $4,000 JMD (just over £32). I’m reminded of what happened to me on my first Christmas in the UK – I caught chicken pox!
WYCLIFFE WORKLONG WORKSHOP 27th December – 03rd January was a very memorable time for Dornett and me. We attended a stimulating Weeklong Wycliffe Workshop (WWW) at the Kendall Camp and Conference Centre in the parish of Manchester – central Jamaica. We took sessions on Missions, Bible Translation, Literacy, Linguistics, and Communication and Partnership Development. I made two 1 hour presentations: “Wycliffe Bible Translators/SIL History - Distinctives, Core Values & Structure;” and “Mission Principle 3 – Missions is Rooted in the ‘Logos.’”
God used the various sessions to create within us a deeper passion to see Him glorified amongst the bibleless peoples of the earth. Dornett’s experience of a number of the sessions has confirmed her desire to promote the work of Bible translation related missions within the Jamaica student Christian movement.
At the workshop, we were able to make new friends from Jamaica and other English speaking Caribbean territories – Antigua, Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It was also an opportunity to get to know persons who we had seen at the Wycliffe centre better.
PRIYAZ/ PRAYERS Dornett and I have got some prayer requests that we would like to share with you. Firstly, do offer up a prayer of praise! In the last newsletter, I asked you to help us pray concerning a house some friends of ours had spotted for us; I also mentioned that we were in negotiations with the landlords - to rent us the house us for $20,000 JMD per month (about £140). Well, the LORD has favoured us. The landlords have agreed to rent us the house for the above mentioned cost for the next year! We moved house on 3rd January and paid a security deposit in addition to a month’s rent.
With the exception of the master bedroom, which will be kept locked off, the house includes: 2 bedrooms, a kitchen, a dining room, a living room, a bathroom, a washroom, and several small apartments “downstairs;” it is “semifurnished” (beds, dining table/chairs, an armchair, a TV stand, and a refrigerator). Dornett is very pleased that hot water is also available! The house has never been occupied since its construction due to an unfortunate incident; its owners reside in the UK.
(We’ve also got lot some interesting items in our garden: several trees - avocado, grapefruit, star apple, orange, kola nuts (bizzy), breadfruit, cocoa, and ackee; several banana trees; and several christophine (cho cho) vines. I’ve even spotted a coconut tree coming up.)
Last week, I took out the most “pocket friendly” cooker I could find. We are in need of some items: including a washing machine, a computer/study desk, bookshelves, and some chest of drawers. We’ll need to get a telephone line installed in the not-too-distant future. Pictures of the house are available online at http://bertramomar.spaces.live.com/?1c=1033
If you are thinking of visiting Jamaica for a few days (to pay us a visit perhaps?!) you are welcome to stay with us.
Pray for Dornett as she would like to go back to school. She didn’t have the most pleasant of classroom experiences, so do pray for healing in this regard. Pray that God would continue to give her the desire to study and the determination to persevere. Pray for her upcoming assignment with Wycliffe. As I had mentioned in the last newsletter, it is understood that she will be working with the youth arm of Wycliffe Jamaica, WYnet.
Do pray for me as well. As a clearer definition of my immediate job description comes into focus, I’m starting to feel a great sense responsibility. Do pray for confidence, competence, discipline, wisdom and increased passion for the work.
Savouring the Saviour,
Bertram |
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