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THIS WEEK”S SUMMARY
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CUMMINGS UPSET WITH WEHBY INACTION REGARDING AIR JAMAICA—06/14/08
Wayne Cummings, president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), says it is “clear” that Don Wehby, the minister responsible for Air Jamaica, has “no interest” in making the airline stronger and is “not prepared” to support the airline in spite of its importance to the island’s tourist industry. The JHTA is the organization that represents hoteliers, and it is unhappy with Wehby’s lack of action in trying to stop the demise of the national airline.
MEN IN JAMAICA AVOID STERILIZATION—06/15/08
Jamaican men, unlike their counterparts in other countries, seem to be strongly opposed to sterilization as a method of birth control. The value of fathering a child is very strong and centers on the male’s self-definition of fertility, so it is unlikely that attitudes will change any time soon. According to the Family Planning Worldwide data, there was “zero usage” of sterilization among men in Jamaica, compared to 11 percent of Jamaican women, who named sterilization as their birth control method of choice.
JAMAICAN ON U.S. MOST WANTED FUGITIVE LIST—06/16/08
Calvin Anthony Inswood, 46, from Jamaica is the only Caribbean national on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement “Most Wanted Fugitive Criminal Alien” list. Inswood has been on the run since 1994 and is wanted in regard to assault, four robbery convictions, criminal weapons possession, attempted criminal trespass, and disorderly conduct.
JAMAICAN SHIP REGISTRY WANTS 150 GERMAN-OWNED SHIPS—06/17/08
As many as 150 German-owned ships may be registered by the Jamaica Ship Registry over the next five years. The effort is part of a government program to develop a “global maritime center” in Jamaica.
GOLDING SAYS POLITICS CONTRIBUTED TO CRIME PROBLEM—06/18/08
Bruce Golding, Jamaica’s Prime Minister, says there is no doubt that politics has contributed to the country’s crime problem. Golding noted that “political tribalism” contributed to the beginnings of criminal activities on the Island.
REV. DR. MARJORIE LEWIS REPRIMANDS GOLDING ON GAY POSITION—06/18/08
The Rev. Dr. Marjorie Lewis, former general secretary of the Jamaica Council of Churches and a theologian, has been angered by the position of Prime Minister Bruce Golding on homosexuals. Golding stated that he would not have any gays in his Cabinet. Lewis has suggested that Golding’s position is “unsatisfactory” and questions how anyone would really know who in the Cabinet was or was not gay.
AUTHORITIES CATCH JAMAICAN ACCUSED OF DOUBLE MURDER—06/19/08
Jamaican authorities captured David Clarke, 26, a Jamaican sought in connection with the double murder of couple in South Florida. Clarke had been featured on the “15 Most Wanted Fugitive” list for his role in the 2007 murders.
KELLIER CALLS GOLDING ADMINISTRATION “WICKED”—06/20/08
Opposition spokesperson for labor and society security interests, Derrick Kellier, called the administration of Bruce Golding “wicked” and blamed it for the substantial job losses in the country. According to Kellier, more than 5,000 workers have “gone home” under the Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) government.
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JAMAICAN DIASPORA NEWS
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DIASPORA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL PROGRAMS—06/14/08
The youth of North America who will become the future leaders of Canada’s Jamaican Diaspora Canada Foundation (JDCF) are becoming involved in several development programs. These programs are being undertaken in partnership with local communities to encourage nation building on the island.
JAMAICAN TEACHER KNIGHTED—06/15/08
William Atkinson, a high school principal who headed a major revamping of a struggling school in west London, has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth in the United Kingdom. Atkinson was recognized for his service to education and community relations. A Jamaican by birth, he traveled to Britain at age 11. He took over the high school in Hammersmith and his success in overcoming poor results and bad behavior there earned him respect throughout the UK.
JAMAICAN WOMAN FINED AS “DRUG MULE” IN ANTIGUA—06/19/08
Pansy Lindsey entered a plea of guilty to four charges linked to her role as a “drug mule.” She has been charged with possession of cannabis, possession with intent to transfer, importation, and drug trafficking in Antigua. Ivan Walters, Chief Magistrate, discharged Lindsey on the importation charge, however. Lindsey was convicted of her crimes and fined $20,000.
GOLDING SUGGESTS WAYS DIASPORA CAN CONTRIBUTE—06/20/08
Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding recognizes the enormous contribution made by the Jamaican Diaspora in regard to resources given to the country, but says Jamaica has not utilized their knowledge and experience as well as it could have. Golding is working with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Industry Investment, and Commerce to create a skills databank within the Diaspora. This would help determine the skills available to the country.
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SPORTS
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POWELL WILL BE READY FOR JAMAICAN TRIALS—06/14/08
Asafa Powell, former 100-meter world record holder, will be ready for the Jamaican Olympic trials in June 2008. Powell was injured in April and has been troubled by that injury, but says he is recovering well and believes that in a few more weeks, he will be “fine.”
CAMBELL-BROWN CLOCKS 10.88 SECONDS IN 100 METERS—06/16/08
Jamaican runner Veronica Campbell-Brown was victorious in the women’s 100 meter race with 10,88 seconds at the Clermont International Track and Field Meeting. Campbell-Brown, who is the current Olympic 200-meter and 100-meter World Champion, beat her own personal best time of 10.91.
REGGAE GIRLZ PLAY QUALIFIERS VS. COSTA RICA—06/17/08
The confident Reggae Girlz Jamaican team is ready to play Costa Rica in the opening CONCACAF Women’s Group B Under-20 qualifying match in Puebla, Mexico. A win in the match will determine which team will get the runners-up spot behind Canada, perennial qualifiers.
JAMAICA BEATS BAHAMAS IN WORLD CUP QUALIFIER—06/18/08
Jamaica defeated the Bahamas and qualified for the semifinals of the CONCACAF World Cup. Jamaica thrashed its opponents 6-0 and 13-0 on aggregate at Trelawny Stadium. The Jamaicans scored five goals in 15 minutes of the first half.
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DEVOTIONAL
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Come Apart & Rest A While
Sandwiched between his narrative of the execution of John the Baptist, and the feeding of the five thousand men, besides women and children, Mark records a very brief but important interlude between Jesus and His disciples. In Mark 6:7-13, we see Jesus commissioning the twelve, sending them out into the sorrounding areas, two by two, with power over unclean spirits. In verse 31, after the death of John, we read: "And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught." We do not know how much time had passed, but Jesus' response suggests that it had been a while: "And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat" (v.31), to which we are told, "And they departed into a desert place by ship privately" (v.32).
In the context of the busy-ness of our own lives, the application of this portion of text is most prudent. With so much to do and so little time in which to do them, finding time for ourselves, what I refer to as "me time", is extremely difficult. Yet as Jesus demonstrated, it is absolutely essential - amidst our many comings and goings - to take ourselves apart into a "desert place" and rest a while. Two important variables are at play; 1) "privately", which suggests the absence of others that would seek to distract, and 2) "desert place", which implies the lack of material things that would cause one to lose focus. Jesus' idea is not for a vacation, or a trek to a Galilean resort, but rather time alone with God to be refreshed physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. Regardless of our calling, a tired, burntout, frustrated Christian is hardly the poster person God is trying to use to accomplish His will in the earth.
The challenge facing today's believer is that of periodically disengaging from the world to capture those quiet moments. Yet Jesus invites us to rest; a rest that demands that we walk away from our computers, turn off our phones, our Blackberries, our iPods, our T.V. sets, our DVDs/PVRs, our gaming systems, or anything that would distract or cause us to lose focus. It is only when our desire for Him supersedes our desire to be constantly engaged in our activities, that we will be able to share in the Psalmist's experience: "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul" (Psalm 23:2,3a).
Amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday living and all its distractions, Jesus' invitation to you is "Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while." How will you respond?
CEW
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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.
