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THIS WEEK’S SUMMARY
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MUSICIAN CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY TO MURDER—03/21/09
Ninja Man, dancehall rapper, was charged with conspiracy to murder in connection with the death of a 20-year-old man. Ninja Man, whose real name is Desmond Ballentine, is scheduled to appear in court to answer these charges in early April 2009.
ECO-TOURISM IN JAMAICA THE SUBJECT OF FILM—03/22/09
Important eco-tourism resorts and attractions in Jamaica are being showcased around the world in the feature film, “A Dance for Grace.” The film was shot on location in Jamaica by Tower Isle Productions of New York, and many locales that focus on preserving the island’s environment while serving tourist needs are highlighted in the film. Some of these locations are the Black River Safari, Boone Hall Estate, and Dolphin Cove.
GOLDING CALLS FOR MORE REGULATION IN INTERNATIONAL FINANCE—03/23/09
Bruce Golding, Prime Minister of Jamaica, has emphasized the critical role of the Organization of American States (OAS) in supporting a call for stronger regulation of financial firms with a global reach. According to Golding, global confidence must be rebuilt, and regulatory systems must be synchronized so that developing countries will not be excluded from international decision-making.
KEN JONES APPOINTED SPOKESMAN AT JAMAICA HOUSE—03/23/09
Olivia “Babsy” Grange, Minister of Information, Culture, Youth, and Sports, announced the appointed of Ken Jones as spokesman for Jamaica House and the director of communications in the Office of the Prime Minister. Jones will be responsible for the promotion and enhancement of the public image of the Prime Minister and his office.
BY-ELECTION IN WEST PORTLAND SIGNIFICANT—03/24/09
The by-election for the seat of West Portland is being viewed as one of the most important elections in Jamaica’s history. Both major political parties recognized the importance of the election through their intense campaigning in recent weeks. It appears that the People’s National Party (PNP) has fallen behind the ruling Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) in resource for advertising.
UNDERWATER TELECOMMUNICATIONS CABLES PLACED—03/25/09
Underwater telecommunications cables that link Jamaica to a fiber-optic network involving Florida, Colombia, and other Caribbean nations have been put in place by Flow Jamaica Ltd.
JAMAICAN MEN AT RISK FOR PROSTATE CANCER BECAUSE OF FEAR—03/26/09
According to the Jamaica Cancer Society, it is possible that the fear of being labeled as a homosexual causes some men in Jamaica to avoid prostate exams. This situation has caused Jamaica to have one of the highest prostate cancer rates in the world.
JAMAICAN CHEFS JOINT WINNERS AT JERK CHALLENGE—03/27/09
Rupert “Shaggy” Bourne and Mark “Max” Miller, both specialists in the making of Jamaican jerk, were awarded a joint first place in the first Jamaica Jerk Challenge, which is held in Ocho Rios.
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JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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MICHAEL DUNCAN TO RECEIVE ENDORSEMENT FROM MGPPP—03/21/09
Jamaican born Michael R. Duncan, candidate for the seat in the 31st City Council District, is receiving the endorsement of the Marcus Garvey People’s Political Party (MGPPP). The endorsement is the first of its kind to be issued in the organization’s 80-year history.
JAMAICAN POLICE SUPPORT SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS—03/25/09
Over 100 Jamaican military men and police officers have traveled to Trinidad and Tobago to provide security for the Fifth Summit of the Americas, which will be held in April 2009. The Jamaican group of 94 soldiers and 30 police agents will form part of the joint security force from the Caribbean and the United States.
JAMAICAN-OWNED GALLERIES HEAD CULTURAL EXCHANGE —03/26/09
Revolution Gallery in Kingston will host an International Cultural Exchange with the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts and the Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator in Miami, Florida. Artists from many backgrounds will explore the concept of “cultural diaspora.” This is the tenth exchange organized by the Florida Galleries and the first hosted by Jamaica.
IN MIAMI, JAMAICAN CONSULATE GENERAL OFFERS SERVICES—03/27/09
The Jamaica Consulate General in Miami, Florida, uses its Community Outreach efforts to provide Jamaican nationals with relevant information and services. The Consulate General is partnering with resource people from various partner agencies in Palm Beach to provide a one-day session to serve over 100 individuals with information about citizenship, land titles, estate management, and probate information.
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SPORTS
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JAMAICA IN GOOD POSITION AT WICB—03/22/09
Gavin Wallace, David Bernard Jr. and Andrew Richardson have put Jamaica in position to claim first innings points versus Combined Colleges and Campuses (CCC) in the regional four-day WICM championship matches at Sabina Park.
POWELL PLANS EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE FOR 2009—03/23/09
Asafa Powell wants to regain the attention he lost to Usain Bolt’s recording-breaking victories in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Bolt surpassed Powell’s 100-meter world record, as well as winning gold in the 200 meters and the 4 x 100 meters. Powell has plans to make 2009 his “golden year.”
EXIT OF JAMAICAN STEVE BUCKNOR LEAVES “GAP”—03/25/09
According to Rudi Koertzen, an Elite Panel umpire, the world of international cricket will feel the loss of Steve Bucknor to retirement in a major way. Bucknor, 62, ended his umpiring career of twenty years after final test between South Africa and Australia at Newland.
JAMAICA BICKLE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR PENN RELAYS OF 2009—03/27/09
When Jamaicans achieved “world class” status for their performance at the Summer Olympics in 2008, much of their success resulted from years of training and support, of which the Penn Relays is an important part. Team Jamaica has taken on the job of feeding and providing transportation and housing subsidies, as well as acting as liaison to the University of Pennsylvania.
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DEVOTIONAL
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Gifted For Service
When we thinking of ministry gifts in the church, we usually think of the “five fold” gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher (Ephesians 4:12). Most Christians would not readily claim any of those gifts, and quite rightly so, but that does not mean each believer has not been blessed with at least one spiritual gift that should be used for the glory of God. In his first letter to the Corinthians Paul reminds them, “God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people!” (12:4,7, The Message).
It is true that the gifts given to ministers and Christians in the early church were for the spreading of the gospel and the conviction of unbelievers, and what was true then is still true today. However, some of the gifts bestowed on some believers can be exercised in everyday life with people we meet. We can encourage someone who needs an encouraging word, help someone with a task that few would probably notice, be an organizer where those skills are needed, pray, intercede, and comfort. These are just some of the ways in which God’s people can impact the spheres of influence we find ourselves in, if we take the time to look out for and recognize the opportunities that God has placed before us to represent Him. Maybe a young mother could use some help, your local food bank another volunteer, your child(ren)’s school another pair of hands in the lunch room, and your local church another helper; the opportunities are endless. As ambassadors of Christ, the only Jesus that some people will ever see is the one they see in us and the things we do.
God expects us to be productive (John 15:2), and for that we need to use our gifts. For some of us that gift may be underutilized, and in some others, dormant. Isn’t it time to “stir up the gift of God which is in thee”? (2 Timothy 1:6, KJV). The appeal of Jesus was, “Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest” (John 4:35), yet “the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few” (Matthew 9:37). Every committed Christian has a responsibility to answer that call, and to become harvesters of souls for the kingdom of God.
There is an area of service for which you have been gifted, and which is waiting for you to step into. What has God gifted you to do?
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CREDITS/SOURCES
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The weekly news is compilation of new articles from top Caribbean and Jamaican news sources.
