...hOw tRANSLaTion gOT mE!

written February 28,2007.

Dear Friends,

Greetings in the wonderful name of our Lord. I would like to share you two things here: 1) how I got into translation and 2) how I am doing now in my study here at the Alliance Graduate School.

Ibaloi Translation team!


L-R: Michelle Saingan, Sherwin Cadate, Wilfred Villase and Jean Behis in their office.

In the year 2002, I graduated of my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. A few months of looking for a related job was unsuccessful. I landed a as a sales clerk in a department store. But I had to resign after a few months for a teaching job but that did not pushed through either. A year later, when I was the province, jobless for several months already, my mom remembered a job offered to her before. It was something like of related to a secretarial job such as filing papers. When I asked (through text) the person if the job was still open the answer came as a surprise to me. That Sunday, the pastor that came to preach in our church handed me a brown envelope with the instruction of translating what is inside. It turned out that the material is the book of Ruth of the Old Testament. That was it. I wasn’t briefed of what was I am to do but I am aware of the Bible translation that is on-going in our language. And that pastor was one of them. I was so obedient and didn’t even ask questions, I just did what was instructed of me since I was tired of my idyllic life. He also told me that in two weeks time, we are to attend a Peer Checking Seminar-Workshop somewhere (it was in CFM, Bambang). That was in August 2003. That was the start of my involvement in translation. I can’t say that I totally enjoyed that seminar workshop but when another one came in November, I was still there. I was hooked! I am thrilled! I was excited to do this thing and by the grace of God. I am still here! And at present there are now four of us in our Team. One of the pioneer members of the team had gone ahead to be with our creator.

After a year of being in the team, an opportunity was given to us. This was through our mother organization, NPMTTA which is in partnership with SIL of training mother tongue translators. I was one of those who came in the school year 2004-2005 for our Diploma in Applied Linguistics and graduated. Afterwards, we are suppose to go back to out team for at least a year. During that one year, I helped facilitate at least three LMTTT workshops that were held in SIL Center, Bagabag. I also had the opportunity of finishing the translation of the book of Ruth, having it consultant checked and ready for printing. After a year of working with my team, I am now back here again taking up a 2 year MA in Applied Linguistics – Bible Translation. Studying here at AGS is really a great experience. It has its ups and downs. Life here is totally different as compared in the province. Although, I had my share of complaints I also have a lot of jubilations. And even my complaints turned out to be things to be joyful about! I had built friendships that would transcend time having spent at least 10 months with different people (this was during my first year). I was also able to meet people from across the world and be able to work with them. It was fun really.

Now, I am experiencing the same thing. With a new set of friends we embark into the challenging life of Applied Linguistics. And by the grace of God we are victoriously finishing each phase together. I want share of a particular experience that had impacted me. There was this course which I dread so much because of the gravity of requirements and all. At the onset of that phase, I was about to take it on audit but the encouragements from my friends along with the sunny disposition and encouraging facilitators of that course made me forget to do so. And when I remembered to do it, well, it was far too late. The facilitators made the course fun despite its enormity and I am proud to say that I finished that course in flying colors along with the whole class. (May it be the same in all my other courses!) On top of that are the encouragements that I receive from classmates, friends and from our Growth Group classes.

Life at AGS is not at all work, I am also having fun meeting new people from other programs during the school’s activity such as the family camp and the sport’s fest. In all these things, praise be to our God. Do continue praying for us as we finish our program. Include our families back in the province, our team mates and community we will be serving when we get back.

Some of the ALP students during the school's family camp at Rizal Re-Creation Center taken onDecember 15, 2006.

A visit at a friend of Kuya Dalmas' friend at Cavite.

Thank you for your prayers and your assistance. May the Lord bless and keep you always.


Your partner in His Ministry,
Jean Behis

These are a few additions for prayers requests.

1. Intertribal Single's Fellowship (ITSF) - April 1, 2007 (Taloy Sur, Tuba, Benguet)

- please pray for the delegates from each tribe (Ibaloi, Kalanguya, Ilongot, Kankanaey)

- finances for the delegates

- host tribe: Ibaloi - preparations, finances, venue

- speakers, lecturers and facilitators and ITSF officers

2. Songwritng workshop on April 16-20 that I will attend along with some of fellow translators from Northern Philippines.

3. Agta-Ayta Workshop on May 28-June 1. I will be one of the facilitators. Pray as we work together with this group.

Thank you and God bless!

More to come... (sana nga..lolz)

Updated on March 28, 2007.

My Celebrity Look-alikes

My cool celebrity look-alike collage from MyHeritage.com. Get one for yourself.

A Creed To Live By

...just wanted to share something thatcaught my attention this morning (March 16, 2007)...i saw this in a classmate' s resource book...

A CREED TO LIVE BY

Don't undermine your worth
by comparing yourself with others
It is because we are different
that each of us is special.
Don’t set your goals by what
other people deem important.
Only you know what is best for you,
as you heed God’s leading and guidance
and the counsel of the wise.
Don’t take for granted the things
closest to your heart.
Cling to them as you would your life,
for without them life is meaningless.
Don’t let your life slip through your fingers
by living in the past or the future.
By living your life one day at a time,
you live all the days of your life.
Don’t give up when you still have
something to give
Nothing is really over…
Until the moment you stop trying.
Don’t be afraid to admit that
you are less than perfect,
it is this fragile thread
that bind us to each other.
Don’t be afraid to encounter risks.
It is by taking chances that
We learn how to be brave.
Don’t shut love out of your life
by saying it is impossible to find.
The quickiest way to receive love
is to give love;
the fastest way to lose love
is to hold it too tightly;
and the best way to keep love
is to give it wings.
Don’t dismiss your dreams.
To be without dreams is to be without hope
to be without hope is without purpose.
Don’t run through your life so fast
that you forget not only where you’ve been
but also where you’re going.
Life is not a race,
but a journey to be savored
each step of the way.

(From the collections of Miss Mariquita S. Castelo)

Literacy Class...is it worth it or not?

March 14, 2007

At the onset of this class, I thought "What good would this course give me?" I don't really have a good attitude towards this class especially that...well never mind. But then, it made me think that it is also really needed especially when I think of my own barrio or barangay. People needs to be literate in order to function well in the society. Yes, they do speak our vernacular language but what about in the area of learning, communicating with other people especially so from other places. How about the deamnd of being competent in this modern world. How would we be able to cope up with the fast chaning world that is eading towards economic progress (if there is) and globalization? What can I do so that my people will not be left behind? These questions and many led me to think of starting to learn about my own lanaguage and thinking as well of the importance of literacy in my line of minstry which is Bible Translation. More to come. Have to go back to class pa kc. Please leave your comments and profound suggestions and ideas. Thank you. God bess you all.

..just sharing...some quotes...

...some qoutes that speaks about how i feel these days...haay..(*sigh*)

"As you read a book, it's hard to turn into another page unless you understand the first one. Just like love, it's hard to go on with the new unless you're over with your past."

"Life is short so break the rules...Forgive quickly. Believe slowly. Love truly. Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you happy!"

"The face can speak of a thousand emotions but it can easily mask what the heart truly feels. Don't be fooled for the 'happiest face maybe masking the most hurting heart.'"

"Silence doesn't always mean yes, it also mean no but it's better left unsaid. Anger doesn't always mean hatred, it could just be a means of coping up. Laughter doesn't always mean happiness, sometimes it is just a mask. Tears doesn't always ean sorrow, it may also be an outlet of joy. Staying away doesn't always mean it's the end, it may also mean the best beginning. And life though it's so complex is always beautiful."

Summary of Life

GREAT TRUTHS THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED:

1) No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.

2) When your Mum is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your hair.

3) If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always catch the second person.

4) Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.

5) You can't trust dogs to watch your food.

6) Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.

7) Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time.

8) You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.

9) Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.

10) The best place to be when you're sad is Grandpa's lap.

GREAT TRUTHS THAT ADULTS HAVE LEARNED:

1) Raising teenagers is like nailing jelly to a tree.

2) Wrinkles don't hurt.

3) Families are like fudge...mostly sweet, with a few nuts.

4) Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.

5) Laughing is good exercise. It's like jogging on the inside.6) Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fibr e, not the toy.

GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT GROWING OLD:

1) Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.

2) Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.

3) When you fall down, you wonder what else you can do while you're down there.

4) You're getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster.

5) It's frustrating when you know all the answers but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.

6) Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy beautician.

7) Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone.

THE FOUR STAGES OF LIFE:

1) You believe in Santa Claus.

2) You don't believe in Santa Claus.

3) You are Santa Claus.

4) You look like Santa Claus.

SUCCESS:

At age 4 success is . . not piddling in your pants.

At age 12 success is . . . having friends.

At age 17 success is . . having a drivers licence.

At age 35 success is . . having money.

At age 50 success is . . . having money.

At age 70 success is . .. . having a drivers licence.

At age 75 success is . . . having friends.

At age 80 success is . . . not piddling in your pants.

Pass this on to someone who could use a laugh.Always remember to forget the troubles that pass your way; BUT NEVER forget the blessings that come each day. Have a wonderful day with many *smiles*

Let Us Laugh and Smile Together (Lots of humor yet full of profound truths)

1. Give God what's right-- not what's left.
2. Man's way leads to a hopeless end-- God's way leads to an endless hope.
3. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.
4. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.
5. In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma-- but never let him be the period.
6. Don't put a question mark where God puts a period.
7. Are you wrinkled with burden? Come to the church for a face-lift.
8. When praying, don't give God instructions-- just report for duty.
9. Don't wait for six strong men to take you to church.
10. We don't change God's message -- His message changes us.
11. The church is prayer-conditioned.
12. When God ordains, He sustains.
13. WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning.
14. Plan ahead-- It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.
15. Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory position.
16. Suffering from truth decay? Brush up on your Bible.
17. Exercise daily-- walk with the Lord.
18. Never give the devil a ride-- he will always want to drive.
19. Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it.
20. Compassion is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.
21. He who angers you controls you.
22. Worry is the darkroom in which negatives can develop.
23. Give Satan an inch and he'll be a ruler.
24. Be ye fishers of men-- you catch them and He'll clean them.
25. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
26. Read the Bible-- It will scare the hell out of you.