It’s NOT All Work and No Play!
What does a Deaf or hearing Bible translator and/or consultant do after an intense – and trust me, it is intense -- day of translating God’s Word into sign language?
At the new Deaf Bible Training & Translation Center in Kenya, the answer is a rousing volleyball game! (Thanks to a Wycliffe Associate work team - see below)
Daily, at 5 p.m.! Rain or shine! And, as you will see in the following slideshow, since it is the rainy season in Kenya now, it is often “rain” or at least “wet.”
http://www.picnik.com/show/id/14050397543_JCPHR/t/20115-recreation-at-dbttc
As Eric Hagman, the Africa Area Director of Wycliffe Associates, wrote:
“On Feb 26, 2011 Deaf Opportunity OutReach (DOOR) dedicated their new facility. On the 13th of Feb, just two weeks earlier, a team of 13 Wycliffe Associates volunteers arrived in Kenya to help finish up in preparation for the dedication.
Praise God for their willingness to serve and just dig in where they were needed. They did literally dig in and help with a lot of grounds work that needed to be completed. They also helped clean the new buildings in preparation for the dedication.
The team built a sand volleyball court and welded together a very nice shade structure between the dorms where translators will be able to enjoy sitting outside and socializing after a day of hard work. It was wonderful to have them. By the 26th, the whole campus looked great!”
God never said in the Bible, “Thou shalt not have fun!” Someone once pointed out that “recreation” means to “re-create” or “renew.” God allows this time for the translators to be renewed.
Mike Buus, President of DOOR, said:
“For many years I was embarrassed and discouraged with our old center. People worked hard all day in extremely cramped conditions. Some even had their offices and work areas in bathrooms. At the end of the work day, there was no room for ANY recreation. They would only play darts or kick a ball around on top of the water tank.
What a great joy it was last week to every day see a group playing volleyball, children riding bikes, moms walking with their children and picking strawberries that we have planted in with the ornamental plants. In a few more months we will have a basketball court, soccer field, badminton and horseshoes, as well as indoor games like ping pong, Wii stations and board games.
It is now a pleasure to watch as we honor those individuals and families who are engaged in translating God’s Word into signed languages.“
James tells us, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).
Fun and entertainment is a gift of God, given so that we might come closer to Him and others.
We thank God for such a good and perfect gift.