 |
 Christmas Edition - 2010 |
| |
Christmas Edition - 2010 |
|
Greetings
from CHM Director David Byrne!
John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and
made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the
one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
One of the things that I do often in working in Hispanic ministries is translation. Often, like in the picture below, I sit off to myself with a Bible and a microphone and use the technology to speak quietly in the ear of either the Spanish-speakers or the English-speakers while a message is presented in the other language. Sometimes  people
see the little boxes connected to earphones in the listener’s ear and
ask about where they can get those devices so that they can hear other
people in their own language wherever they go. Unfortunately, technology isn’t quite up to that level. Even simple documents that are “machine translated” through Google or other online services almost always come out garbled and difficult to understand. Good translation still requires a good translator. Human speech is incredibly complicated because human beings and our ways of doing things are incredibly complicated. Were we to honestly analyze our own words, I think we would realize that we don’t even really understand the meanings and implications of the things we say. Simple statements like, “I love you,” “I believe in Jesus;” or “That is wrong” have inspired countless volumes written by the world’s great thinkers, who attempt to decipher those meanings without coming to a definite understanding. So what is our hope when it comes to understanding the words of God Himself spoken from the context of the Kingdom of God? I thank God in this Christmas season that He has sent a “translation” of His Word in Jesus. Jesus’ coming to the earth was how God decided to make His truth and love both visible and accessible to us, and only in Him can we understand the riches of God’s grace. When it comes to the Kingdom of God, only Jesus could understand God’s meaning (for He and the Father were, are, and always will be one) and also transmit those truths to us as one who understands our condition.  Often, when I am translating, I stand beside the one I am translating for and we take turns, phrase by phrase, sharing the message (like I am in the picture from this summer with EFC-ER area superintendent Chris Jackson.) I’ll never forget one time when I was translating in Mexico City for a pastor from Ohio (Duane Rice) when he threw into his message an emphatic “HOGWASH” and I was left momentarily speechless trying to decide what the proper Spanish translation for that would be. (Google has a suggestion that I didn’t know at the time, but since any sort of expletive can get a translator into serious trouble and since their meanings vary radically in offensiveness from country to country, I would still be afraid to put that word into this commentary). At the time, I tried to connect the meaning with something more like “nonsense” than the more colorful “Hogwash.” Hopefully, it didn’t detract too much from the work that God was doing through that message.  It is CHM’s privilege to be able to stand between Anglo and Latino Christians to “translate” our common Kingdom hearts for deploying ministry among Hispanics in North America. We need your partnership in that mission. Jerry Clarkson’s work with the Insituto ALMA leadership development is still largely unfunded and our general budget is still behind in spite of major budget reductions at the beginning of the year. Pray for us as we move forward. Our God will provide. Will you prayerfully consider being part of that provision? Pray in particular for the Hispanic pastors and churches in your area as they are reaching out during this season. Also, ask God to make you a translator for His grace in the lives of those around you. May your Christmas be blessed! Sincerely, David C. Byrne Director: CHM (--See a previous newsletter--) (For an easier to print & share "Acrobat Reader" Version of this Newsletter click HERE) |
CHM Board: Thomas Hoke Michal Alexander Rev. Craig Davis Paul Feaster Jacob Estrada Kay Griffin Dora Gutierrez Kerr Dr. Chuck Mylander Dr. Karl Newman Dr. Jack Rea William Roeh |
|
 Instituto ALMA NewsFrom January 19-22 Dr.
Ron Stansell who recently retired from George Fox University will be
presenting our latest Instituto ALMA class in Portland, OR.
 Dr. Stansell will teach the course called, “A Synopsis of the Old Testament” (in Spanish, of course). We look forward to taking advantage of Dr. Stansell’s years of teaching and ministry experience. Hispanic pastors and leaders from the Northwest are invited to join us for this intensive study of God’s word as we see the flow of His revelation throughout the Old Testament and its relation to Christ’s coming. We thank Pastor Angel Diaz from Newberg, OR for working with us to prepare for these sessions. |
News & Prayer
 Interested in the "going's on" of the Byrne
Family - Our Christmas Newsletter is online here. Please pray for us too. |
