EASTER FEATURE THE WEEKLY GLEANER
The origins of
EASTER T
HE WORD ‘Easter’ is thought to be derived from the Scandinavian word ‘stra’ and Teutonic words, ‘stern’ or ‘Eastre. Both Ostern and Eastre are mythological goddesses of spring and fertility. Their festivals were celebrated on vernal equinoxes. Easter traditions are closely related to the festival, i.e., Easter rabbits and brightly coloured Easter eggs. Easter rabbits are symbolic of fertility, and brightly coloured Easter eggs are symbolic of spring’s sunlight, as well as fertility, creation, and new life. Rabbits are known for the great capacity to produce in abundance, especially during Spring. Christians interpret and celebrate Easter through converging religious traditions. Emphasis is placed on the Jewish festival, Passover, an important feast celebrated for eight days, commemorating the Israelites flight and freedom from Egyptian slavery. In Exodus 12, the
Bible speaks of when the angel of death ‘passed over’ the Israelites’ dwellings, sparing their first-born. Passover is celebrated during the first month of the Hebrew year. Many early Christians were raised in the Hebrew tradition, but possessed Jewish origins. They regarded Easter as a new facet of the festival of Passover celebrating the advent of Jesus, the Messiah, as foretold by the prophets ( Luke 24:44-48). Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead at the feast of the Passover in Jerusalem. Controversial, Christians of Jewish and Christians of Gentile origin, differed on the day of Easter’s observance. Western churches observe Easter on the first Sunday following the full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox of March 21. Eastern churches, who are closer to the birthplace of Christianity and have a stronger connection to older traditions,
observe Easter according to the Passover festival’s date. Easter occurs at the end of Lent. The Lenten season is 46 days of penitence in preparation for Easter. The six Sundays in Lent are not a part of Lent, however, are considered a commemoration of Easter Sunday. These Sundays are excluded from the Lenten fast.
HOLY WEEK The last week of Lent is Holy Week, which begins with Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday is representative of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Crowds laid palms at his feet. The Last Supper, held the evening before Christ’s Crucifixion, is commemorated on Holy Thursday. The anniversary of the Crucifixion of Jesus, the day he was crucified and died on the cross for our sins, is held on the Friday of Holy Week (Good Friday). Easter Sunday, the day of Christ’s resurrection, is the culmination of Holy Week and Lent.
CONTRIBUTED
Easter eggs.
Traditional Jamaican Easter activities EGG AND water set from sunrise on Good Friday morning. Bleeding heart tree letting out a red sap at Midday on Good Friday. No meat for 40 days after Ash Wednesday. These were just some of the traditions that Jamaicans used to practise along with the ever popular bun and cheese and going to church around Easter. However, those practices were done eons ago when ‘peenie wallie’ and the Tilly Lamp were the prime source of light and electricity was still a luxury for the rich.
TRADITIONS These days, some of these traditions have disappeared or is fast becoming a feature of yesterday as with many of our traditions. But the traditions listed above were done religiously. For example, setting the white of an egg in a glass of water in the sun, in order to have an indication of one’s future was done on Good
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Friday morning at sunrise. The eggs set in the sun took various shapes. For example, a ship and plane means you will be travelling overseas. A ring and wedding cake meant marriage; and a coffin means the death of a family member. A separate tradition was to cut the physic nut tree at about midday on Good Friday. At that time, the sap was supposed to run red instead of white.
SACRIFICE Another practice was to desist from all forms of meat and feed on fish and vegetables for the season of lent before formally ending the no meat fast after Good Friday. On Good Friday others went to church. However, apart from going to church, most of these practices seems to have met a slow death - at least in Kingston and the Corporate Area. “Out in the country people still cut the Physic Nut tree
‘These days, some of these traditions have disappeared or is fast becoming a feature of yesterday as with many of our traditions’ but I can’t ever recall seeing one in Kingston,” said 66 year-old Florence Richards. “I know of people who have done the egg and water one in Kingston and I have done it myself but I don’t
think a lot of people do it now,” she added. She said she had tried the egg and water out of curiosity and saw an air plane. And, as destiny would have it, two years later she was comfortably seated on a flight to the US. She is not the only one who has seen it done or who has tried out the traditions. Sylvia Fung said she tried cutting the Physic Nut tree. She said she saw the red sap coming out much to her surprise. “I have cut the Physic nut and I have tried the egg and water. I once had cousin who did the egg and water and she saw a coffin. She died shortly after,” said Fung. No one knows for sure where these traditions came from. However, the egg and water practice is said to have originated in pagan Europe and found its way to our shores through the English. It is said that the egg was used for magic as well as being eaten on the Saturday after Good Friday.
MARCH 22 - 28, 2010 • 15
easter feature
The history of Easter E
ASTER IS not only a holiday but a season unto itself. To many religious people, it marks a time of miracles and a reaffirming of faith. To those with a more secular view of the world, it is a celebration of the end of winter, a time to look toward the warmth of the coming summer and a chance to shed the heavy, dour clothing of the winter for the bright colours of spring. Easter traditions and symbols are well known: the Easter Bunny, Easter eggs and Easter baskets have become hallmarks of this spring festival. Yet there is more to them than meets the eye. Let us examine these and other Easter traditions and symbols and see just how our modern day version of the Easter holiday developed and from where. Long before Easter became the holiday it is
today, the spring festival was celebrated by the people around the world. Although associated with the sun and the Vernal Equinox, the celebration was originally based on the lunar calendar. The name Easter is derived from the Saxon Eostre (which is synonymous with the name of the Phoenician Goddess of the Moon, Astarte), a Germanic goddess of spring and the deity who measured time. Curiously, a Jewish festival, Purim, also celebrated in the spring, has as it central character and heroine, Esther who, as queen, kept the evil Haman from killing her people. Even the very word moon derives from the Sanskrit mas or ma, meaning ‘to measure.’ Many scholars have suggested that the reason that the moon was chosen by the ancients as the way to measure time was the link
between the female cycle and the cycle of the moon. A lunar month of 28 days gave 13 periods in 364 days, which was the solar equivalent of 52 weeks. The ancient Hebrews had long followed a lunar calendar, as had most other ancient cultures. Thus humans could match their natural lives with the nature of the night sky above them.
GROWTH As Christianity grew and spread throughout the world, it was common practice to adopt, modify, convert or take over existing nonChristian festivals, sacred locations and even names, and assimilate them into the Christian theology. The Romans used this method of cultural absorption for centuries as a way of expanding and firming up the Empire. Given the fact that Christianity had its roots in
Roman ways, it is not surprising that the same technique was used to spread belief in Christ. The best example of this was in ancient Britain where the bearers of the Cross built their churches and monasteries on the very sites where far more ancient rites had been held. Because Eostre, also know as Ostara, was the goddess of spring and her symbolism dealt with renewal and rebirth, the Christian belief in the resurrection of Christ fit well with these themes. The connection between Christ’s Resurrection and Jewish Passover, which, in addition to the dramatic story of the flight from Egypt, also contains elements of a spring celebration, made the merging of the two religious traditions easily accomplished.
CONTRIBUTED
Easter Lily
AP
Ultra-orthodox Jewish men hold up a Torah scroll before participating in a blessing during the Jewish holiday of Passover, in front of the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site, in Jerusalem’s Old City, Sunday, April 12, 2009. The Cohanim, believed to be descendants of priests who served God in the Jewish Temple before it was destroyed, perform a blessing ceremony of the Jewish people three times a year during the festivals of Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot.
The Easter season LIKE THE rest of the world, Jamaicans decorate their home, with Easter lilies. It is a beautiful trumpetshaped white flower symbolising purity, virtue, innocence, hope and life -; the spiritual essence of Easter. History, mythology, literature, poetry and the world of art are rife with stories
16 • MARCH 22 - 28, 2010
and images that speak of the beauty and majesty of the elegant white flower. Often called the “whiterobed apostles of hope,” lilies were found growing in the Garden of Gethsemane after Christ’s agony. Tradition has it that the beautiful white lilies sprung up where drops of Christ’s
sweat fell to the ground in his final hours of sorrow and deep distress. Churches continue this tradition at Easter time by banking their altars and surrounding their crosses with masses of Easter lilies to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and hope of life everlasting.
One of Jamaica’s myths is setting an egg to predict one’s future. It is said if you place an egg white in a container of water on Holy Thursday night by Good Friday you will see your future. If the shape formed in the container is a ship or aircraft, it means travel. If it’s a casket, it means death
and so forth. Aaron Williams, 34, from Milk River in Clarendon said he has tried it, and it worked. “In 1994 on Holy Thursday night I set the egg and on Good Friday morning when I looked at it I saw a ship.” Williams did not travel right away and when he did in March 2000 it was by air, but he still believes in the myth. “The ship also means prosperity and I saw prosperity after that flight,” he recalls. That flight took him to London in England where he spent three years working and even found a
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wife and fathered a child.
EASTER BUN In earlier times the Greeks and Egyptians ate small cakes or buns in honour of the ‘queen of heaven’, the goddess Eastre as early as the days of Cecrops, the founder of Athens, 1,500 years before Christ. Hot cross buns were first baked by the Saxons in honour of Eastre. The word ‘bun’ itself derives from boun, Saxon for ‘sacred ox’, which was sacrificed at the Eastre festival,
Please see SEASON, 17 THE WEEKLY GLEANER
easter feature HISTORY Continued from 16 and the image of its horns was carved into the cakes. To Christians, the cross symbolises the crucifixion. Early church fathers, to compete with the pagan custom of baking ox-marked cakes, baked their own version, using the same dough as bun made for Eastre. But they had to be discreet in their conversion methods. So they reinterpreted the ox-horn symbol as a crucifix, and gave the buns out to new converts attending mass. And again, they did a good job of disguising their
motives. They successfully Christianised a pagan cake and gave people a treat they were used to. Also they subtly marked the buns with an image that, though obviously Catholic, at a distance wouldn’t label the bearer as a Christian.
PHYSIC NUT TREE Another Jamaican Easter myth is the bleeding physic nut tree on Good Friday at noon. This is an often repeated story in rutral Jamaica. It was said that on Good Friday, if you chopped the tree the sap that oozes out would be a red substance that signifies the blood of Jesus. Also, it is said that Jesus was crucified on a similar type of tree.
Get cracking ! Eggs-citing Easter entertaining Heather Little-White Contributor
M
ANY EASTER foods are related to pagan rites of spring and modern interpretations and practice. For example, eggs are for rebirth, ham is for luck; cake/bread for fertility, candy and toys are placed in fancy baskets. Easter foods are primarily those of Easter Sunday, the day rejoicing Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.
RELIGIOUS TRADITION
GEORGE HENRY PHOTO
The Physic Nut Tree (like this one adjacent to the Spaldings Police Station in Clarendon), is rumoured to bleed if you chop or cut it at 12 noon on Good Friday. It is also said that this is the tree on which Jesus was crucified.
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Eggs are traditionally associated with rebirth, rejuvenation and immorality, which is why they are associated with Easter. In early Christianity, eggs were forbidden during Lent and so they were more
Please see CRACKING, 18
MARCH 22 - 28, 2010 • 17
easter feature CRACKING Continued from 17 exciting and in demand 40 days later. In Slavic countries, baskets of food, including eggs, are taken to church and blessed on Holy Saturday or before Easter midnight Mass, then taken home for Easter breakfast. In the preChristian era, eggs were painted, blessed, exchanged and eaten as part of spring celebrations to welcome the sun from the long winter sleep. The decoration of eggs is associated with religion.
VERSATILITY Whether you are painting them to honour the celebra-
Hard-boiled eggs are versatile and can be served in a number of exciting ways. tion of Easter or cooking them, eggs are a great way to make your Easter holiday unforgettable. Hard-boiled eggs are versatile and can be served in a number of exciting ways. Apart for the bland devilled eggs you may have been using to entertain, hard-boiled eggs can be used for: Topping up a green salad. Making sandwiches for quick snack.
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Curried eggs served over hot, fluffy white rice. Wrapping in a sausage, breaded and deep fried. Serve in quarters as an appetiser. Pickling in the same way you pickle beets. Casseroles, which combine cabbage, onions, mushrooms with layers of cream cheese and hard-boiled eggs.
EGGNOG TRADITION Eggnog is synonymous with Easter as it is with Christmas. It is believed that eggnog is a tradition that came to America from Europe as milk-based beverages and punches were concocted in the old World. In America, a new twist was given to a traditional product using rum, called ‘grog’, instead of wine. Since ‘grog’ was close to ‘nog’, the early name was ‘egg-and-grog’, then ‘egg-and-grog’, and later eggnog.Others believe that the word ‘nog’ comes from the word ‘noggin’, a small wooden, craved mug used to serve drinks at tables in taverns. Yet another explanation is that eggnog started out as a mixture of Spanish sherry and milk. An egg drink in a noggin could easily become eggnog in name.
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RUDOLPH BROWN /FreelancePhotographer
Try this yummy egg contest-winning dish, Jamaican Sweet Potato and Ham Egg Bake courtesy of Andre Grant.
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Cooking eggs safely and creatively at Easter is an easy way to provide nutritious dishes for the family while giving you time to get out of the kitchen to have some fun.
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Remember twenty-two years ago when four young men from Jamaica caused quite a stir, as they entered the world of Winter Olympics? Everybody had the same reaction
WINTER OLYMPICS ? …JAMAICA? Whe dem goin wid dat? he Jamaican Bobsleigh team made history in the Calgary Olympics Winter Games, much to the amusement of many. To others, they earned much respect. You do remember that their terrific feat inspired the very popular Walt Disney movie "Cool Runnings". How did it this all happen? Here is the story of the inspiration that led to their Bobsled adventures… Two American businessmen, George Fitch, the first President of the Jamaica Bobsleigh Federation and businessman William Maloney, who at the time both lived in Jamaica, formed the JBF. These opportunistic and enterprising young men latched on to a novel idea one night in Kingston. Having seen the local pushcart derby and noting its similarity with bobsledding, and recogniz-
T
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ing the abundance of athletic talent in Jamaica, both gentlemen concluded what was not so obvious, that Jamaica and bobsledding was a natural fit. Supported by Mr. Michael Fennel, President of the Jamaica Olympic Association, the two gentlemen proceeded to put in place the elements of a dream that was destined to become a legend. The first Jamaican Bobsled team made history when it entered the sport in dramatic fashion in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta. After Calgary, the team continued to improve, taking home various medals, including gold at the 2000 World Push Championships in Monte Carlo and placing first in 2-man sledding and 4-woman sledding at Olympic trials. Since then, the team has repeatedly returned to the
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Hannukkah Wallace-Driver and Marvin Dixon-break man start off strong while coach, Wayne Thomas looks on.
Winter Olympics and even though they did not qualify for the 2010 Winter Olympics, they are taken very seriously. The current driver, Hannukkah Wallace, is ranked No 7 in the world
as a junior. The future in Jamaica’s bobsled looks very bright! MoneyGram International is proud to have sponsored the Jamaican Bobsled team during the Winter Olympics
2010 qualifying campaign. MoneyGram International is an international money transfer provider whose reach spreads wide across the Caribbean. In Jamaica alone, MoneyGram has the largest network of agent locations than any other money transfer service. MoneyGram has locations in ALL 14 PARISHES in Jamaica, as well as all capital towns - you name it and they are there in reach of your loved ones in Jamaica. MoneyGram remains close to the pulse of their clients, as they systematically open locations wherever there is a need. MoneyGram’s Super-Agents in Jamaica are LASCO Remittances, Supreme Ventures (and selected Post Offices), Alliance Remittances, all branches of the NCB (National Commercial Bank)and JN (Jamaica National). The MoneyGram website,
www.moneygram.com has details of the convenient locations spread all over Jamaica and the Caribbean For people looking to send money to their loved ones in the Caribbean from the UK, MoneyGram offers a range of locations from which to send from. “As we are available from every Post Office in the UK and also Thomas Cook and Going Places stores, there is always going to be a convenient place to send money from for all our customers” says Richard Levy, Marketing Manager UK and Ireland. Levy also says “on top of that, our fees are very low and start from just £4.99 for sends to the Caribbean. When you also consider that the monies typically arrive within ten minutes, we are very fortunate to offer what we consider to be the ultimate money transfer service.”
MARCH 22 - 28, 2010 • 19
easter feature
A Jamaican tradition RICARDO MAKYN/Staff Photographer.
A display of AML buns hot out of the oven.
Bun for Easter, anyone? THINKING OF baking your own bun for Easter? Why not try out this recipe, or better yet - have some fun creating your own. Yield: about 10 buns Bake time: 1 hour Prep time: 10 minutes Ingredients 2 cups wine 1 bottle stout 2 eggs, beaten 1/4 tsp bun spice 2 tsp vanilla 4 ozs margarine, melted 1 tsp grace browning The Weekly Gleaner
1 2 2 1 1 1 4 8 8 4
pound dark sugar 1/5 pounds counter flour tbs baking powder tsp salt tbsp mixed spice tsp cinnamon powder whole cherries oz raisins oz mixed peel oz Grace guava jam
METHOD 1. Combine wine, stout, The beaten eggs, bun spice, Weekly Gleaner brownvanilla, margarine, ing and dark sugar.
Mix well and set aside. 2. Sift together dry ingredients. 3. Add the fruits to the dry ingredients and mix well. 4. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour in The the liquid ingredients. Weekly Mix well.Gleaner 5. Scrape mixture into greased 30 cm x 13 cm x 6 cm (12”x4”x3”) loaf tin. 6. Bake at 180C (350F) for one hour. To test if done insert a skewer, when it
BUN AND CHEESE is a sacred Jamaican Easter tradition, of course. But have you heard about the wacky combinations of bun and other toppings? We thought we’d heard it all until someone mentioned eating bun and mustard. What?! Then slowly others started confessing their dirty little secrets – they don’t always have cheese with their bun. Mouth agape, we
listened as they spilled the beans of how they slather their bun with mayonnaise, ketchup, peanut butter, or top it with sardines, corned beef, egg or patty. One person even owned up to a bun and bread sandwich – two slices of bun and a slice of real Jamaican hard dough in the middle, or vice versa. However you top it, enjoy your Easter bun this season.
comes out clean bun is done. 7. Remove from pan and allow to cool. 8. Melt the Grace guava jam and brush over the surface of the baked bun as a glaze.
SERVINGS Serve with your choice of Tastee processed cheese or natural cheddar cheese.
Recipe from http://www.gracefoods.com/site/recipe/spicy-easter-bun
NORMAN GRINDLEY/ StafffPhotographer
Bun and cheese
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RIO Cinema, Kingsland High Street, 3rd 107 of April 2010 London E8.Dalston, Tel: 020 9410 RIODalston, Cinema, 107 Kingsland High Street, London E8. 7241 Tel: 020 7241 9410 20 • MARCH 22 - 28, 2010
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easter feature INGREDIENTS 1 2 1 4 1 1
pint (560ml) vegetable oil lb (908g) fresh fish fillets (snapper or grouper) tbsp fresh lime juice oz (113g.) flour tsp seasoned salt bottle beer
METHOD 1. Fill a deep fryer or a deep sauce pan three-quarters full with oil heat to 375°F 2. Cut the fish fillets into serving-size pieces and brush with lime juice. 3. Mix two thirds of the flour with salt and pepper in a bowl 4. Add the beer gradually, beating until the batter is smooth 5. Pour the remaining flour on a plate 6. Coat each piece of fish with flour, then dip into the batter, coating well. 7. Fry in the hot oil for 7-8 minutes, turning once. 8. Drain on paper towel or brown paper.
Beer-Battered Fish Beer-Batter Fish 1 lb (450g) red snapper grouper or yellow tail dash salt and pepper 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp oil 2 stalks chives/ scallion - chopped 4 cloves garlic - minced 4 slices ginger 3 tbs oyster sauce 1 tbs superior soy 1 tsp sugar
METHOD 1. Season fish with salt, pepper and garlic powder. 2. Place fish on heat proof dish and set in a steamer. 3. Steam for 15 minutes or until fish is done. In small saucepan, heat oil add chives, garlic, ginger, oyster sauce, Supreme soy and sugar. 4. Stir-fry for one minute. Pour over steamed fish.
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Steamed Fish
INGREDIENTS
MARCH 22 - 28, 2010 • 21
Easter feature
Starting
MANAGING YOUR MONEY Isaac N.P. Carter Contributor
E
ASTER IS widely regarded as the season of renewal - all of its symbols point to the renewal of life and hope. Are you stuck in a rut? Are you unsure of your next move? This season why not take a scriptural approach to managing your money. The Bible teaches us to be good stewards of all God has entrusted us with, including our money (Luke 12:42), and Proverbs 6 vs 6-8 draws our attention to the industry and organisation of the ant who works during the summer to provide for itself in the winter. We should follow the
example of the ant but unfortunately most of us seem happy to live the ‘borrow now and pay later’ lifestyle despite the exhortation of the scripture not to. Deuteronomy 28:13
Financial guidelines to get you started 1. CHECK YOUR ASSETS The Bible talks of the steward who was set over all his master had (Luke 14:28). So as a steward of your finances you need to continually review your assets (i) the value of your house (ii) the value of your investments (iii) the balance on your current and deposit accounts (iv)the value of your pension and insurance. Also review your liabilities (i) balance on your mortgage, loans, and
credit cards.
2. MAKE A BUDGET Your budget should contain all your income (salary, child benefit, tax credit) and outgoings, including utility bills, mortgage, groceries, monthly direct debit, council tax, weekly, monthly and annual travel expense. Make sure you leave nothing out, this way you can have a clear financial picture and adjust your income or expenditure accordingly.
3. SAVINGS PLAN Everyone should have a savings plan for short, mid and long term commitments. Proverbs 22:3 exhorts us to be like the prudent man and prepare for the future. So you need (i) short term savings for
those small emergencies like household appliances breaking down, annual holidays (ii) mid- term for more substantial commitments such as an addition to the family, school or university fees moving house (deposit) (iii) Long term for Holiday home, pension, retirement, children’s wedding, All of the above things need to be paid for so you need to put plans in place to make sure you can afford them without getting into debt. (Romans 13: 8).
4. CLEAR YOUR DEBTS Debt is not in God’s will for your life and you should not tolerate it. Romans 13:8 exhorts us to “owe no debt other than to love each other ... ” and Deuteronomy 28: declares that we are to lend and not borrow. Using your debt reduction plan
HANDYMAN? PEST CONTROLLER? BOMB MAKER?
They’re making bombs, so naturally terrorists will try to conceal their activities. But sometimes they can leave tell-tale signs. Signs we need your help in spotting. They may load up their vehicles with large amounts of chemicals, fertilisers or gas cylinders, all of which can be used to make bombs. These may be bought with cash. They’ll also have to be stored somewhere like a house, a lock-up or a garage. You might even see discarded material. If you notice anything suspicious or out of the ordinary
CALL THE CONFIDENTIAL ANTI-TERRORIST HOTLINE ON 0800 789 321. We don’t believe any call is a waste of time. If you suspect it, report it.
22 • MARCH 22 - 28, 2010
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Easter feature
afresh this Easter prioritise your highest debts and pay them off one by one till they are all gone. If you don’t have a debt reduction plan you should get one right away.
5. GIVE BACK Malachi 3:8 commands us to “Bring tithes and offering into the storehouse....” and promises us that if we try Godin this respect “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in ... ” This is reaffirmed in Luke 6:38 where we are told “Give and it shall be given unto you pressed down and running down ... ” So we see that our financial success is linked to our giving and there has to be a commitment to tithe and honour God with your first fruits.
6. REVIEW YOUR SECURITY Proverbs 23:3 teaches us that “a wise man leaves an inheritance for his children and his children’s children” All parents or guardians with responsibility for children should ensure that they have arrangements in place to ensure that they do not become a burden on their family either through an early death or old age. To this end all parents should ensure that they have, (i) life insurance to provide for their family and loved ones in the event of their death (ii) a decent pension (not just the state one) to ensure that they retain their financial independence in old age, and (iii) a will to ensure clarity regarding their wishes for their estate in the event of their death.
6. INVEST IN YOUR FINANCIAL EDUCATION Hosea 4:6 declares that “my people perish for lack of knowledge”. God does not want us to be ignorant in any area of our lives and if you are going to acquire a new way of thinking about your finances you are going to need to read and study more financial literature. I recommend you purchase Go to the Ant - A simple but effective guide for day to day money management (www.gototheant.co.uk).
7. MONEY’S PLACE IN OUR LIVES It is essential that we have the right attitude to money. Money must not control or dominate our lives to the point that it becomes an idol which replaces God. 1 Timothy 6:10 teaches us that “the love of money is the root of all evil”. This is why God asks us to give, to tithe, to bless others; not because He wants or needs our money but because it is a test if it means more to us than He does.
A Blessed and Holy Easter to all from
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12582.9 Main Street Discovery Bay St Ann Jamaica $6,000,000
St Elizabeth Jamaica :WAS $20.5 MILLION — NOW $19, MILLION
3 BED SINGLE-STOREY DWELLING-VILLA DRIVE, ST CATHERINE Sandy Shores is proud to present this lovely single-storey Residence with 1 ensuite bathroom. Property Description detached single-storey residence 3 bedroom 2 bathroom Living room Dining Room Fully fitted Kitchen Lot size: Address: City: Parish: Country: Price:
201.856 sq mtr Villa Drive, Old Harbour Villas Spanish Town St Catherine Jamaica $5,200,000
Food Supplies & Fresh Green Grocery
020 8965 9544 THE WEEKLY GLEANER
www.jamaica-gleaner.com
Sandy Shores Properties 99 High Street · Thornton Heath · Surrey · CR7 8RY Tel: 020 8683 2900 · Fax: 020 8689 6132 Proprietor: Leroy Drummond
MARCH 22 - 28, 2010 • 23
Kingsley Shipping Ltd
O
ur shipping services are second to none although we have a few competitors. Our company is soaring to new heights everyday which is prompting the need for expansion to provide a continuous and even better service to our thousands of customers throughout England. All our vehicles are all own by us, which enables us to offer you a cheaper pick and drop off service which is also free of charge for local areas. Shipping to Jamaica is not only about the profit we gain we take pride in knowing all our customers are satisfied especially our returning residence. Our overseas office is based in
24 • MARCH 22 - 28, 2010
Kingston which is ideally located directly in front the wharf making it quick and easy for our customers when clearing goods. Kingsley the owner also flies to Jamaica every month to assist and oversee clearing and also to get information about changes in wharf rules and regulations. Our home delivery service is second to none, very reliable and trustworthy. We have many agents nationwide SN Travel Stoke Newington and Southwest shipping Bristol are just a few so our help is always just a phone call away we welcome agents with good track records but must be highly reliable and be able to keep to the high standards of
Kingsley Shipping. Kingsley would like to thank our new and existing customers for their continuous custom and for spreading the good word of their many successful shipments. Our customers are our most reliable form of marketing and advertising and we thank you. Kingsley Shipping would like to thank my trusted friend Courtney Melody of vibes fm radio who always supports Kingsley shipping through radio advertising for over 15 years. Well done to all the black businesses who can unite and support each other Remember united we stand divided we fall.
Kingsley shipping services ltd has been trading in the shipping industry for over 24 years. Kingsley shipping is known to be one of the most successful Jamaican businesses in England.
IN GOD WE TRUST
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feature
Easy, affordable loans for purchasing property applicable, together with bank statements. Once packaged, all documents will be sent to the lender’s agents in the USA, for final processing and eventually the production of a loan document. From start to finish this should take approximately four months, depending on how quickly the documents can be obtained from the applicant(s). Although I appreciate the requirements to obtain
mortgage facilities are more restrictive than those in the UK, nonetheless, this is the first time that such facilities have been available at reasonable rates of interest for those wishing to purchase properties in Jamaica. Hopefully other lenders may follow later especially as Jamaica’s property market is very healthy at the present time. For further information email O v e r s e a s l o a n s @ b t connect.com.
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A dream home in Jamaica’s Mammee Bay. Contributor
D
OES THE season have you thinking of moving back, home? Are you missing a real Jamaican style Easter holiday. Now you can access the funds to own property in Jamaica. Jamaica remains a great choice for securing that dream home and there are now many more options to help you acheive it. I have always thought of owning a property in the sun, especially Jamaica. It is a fascinating country, steeped in history and with many attractions for the visitor. In the past, the problem in raising finance in Jamaica is that historically interest rates have been very high. As a result many properties have been built by using funds from the UK. However, should an individual not have access to such funds then many properties have been left half built.
minimum mortgage advance is US$250,000. To demonstrate a monthly repayment cost, I have assumed a purchase price of US$360,000. If we assume a maximum advance of 70 per cent loan-to-value, this would work out at US$252,000, resulting in a monthly repayment of approximately of US$1,573. “As you would expect there will of course be costs involved in the purchase of property in Jamaica being approximately 8 per cent of the purchase price. This compares very favourably with purchasing properties in Europe, e.g. France or Spain . The costs will include lenders solicitors costs, brokers fees and a valuation fee. In addition to this there will be a Government tax which varies from area to area. Therefore when viewing a property, we strongly
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the obtaining of credit files from Experian and Equifax, these being the main credit reference agencies in the UK. Proof of ID and residence would also be required, to conform with the Money Laundering Act requirements. Evidence of income is also necessary which should be supported by P60s or tax assessments, where
Retirement/Assisted
Living in Jamaica
First Class facility at affordable price email: info.westdate@yahoo.com
Tel: UK 07538 191617 Ja: 874 467 7622 Establis
he
1974 d
SENSIBLE INTEREST RATES I am pleased to say that after many years of research and investigation, it is now possible to arrange mortgages in Jamaica at sensible interest rates. This facility is only available to nonJamaica residents, eg persons who reside in the UK. Interest rates are quite attractive - they have recently been quoted at 4.5 per cent per annum (variable). The loan would be in US$ and linked to a base rate which, in this instance, would be London Inter Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR ) or its US equivalent. Fixed interest rate mortgages are also available, starting at 7 per cent per annum. The maximum term is twenty years and all payments will need to include the repayment of capital, with the maximum loan-tovalue being 70 per cent. The
suggest that you obtain information from the Local Authority and builders for details. There would also be an initial charge to cover the cost of processing which will be 0.5 per cent of the finance to be arranged. The majority of the processing of mortgage applications would be carried out in the UK. This would include
TRAVEL & SHIPPING WORLDWIDE
I would like to thank you in anticipation. Sonia Spence. E. sml_orchid@hotmail.com T. 07500209744
ONE TWO STOREY 6 BEDROOM
4 BATHROOMS
HOUSE FOR SALE in St. Johns Heights, near Green Acres, Spanish Town, St. Catherine. Lower level is complete and upper level is over 90% complete. Registered title to hand. All amenities intact. Property now vacant. £125,000
GR
Junior Johnson
I am currently doing a family search on the surname, Spence. I am looking for a long lost relative by the name of Roy Spence. (Roy is from Jamaica). In the 1950s, he used to live at St Joseph Road in Whitfield Town, Kingston, with his Aunt Nell and his cousin which I have not yet got a name. Roy worked as a mason. He also had a distinctive feature of one extra finger on his left hand. I also know that he had a sister who lived in Jones Town; however, I do not know her name. Roy moved to England and was last seen in Craven Park Road, Harlesden, London NW10 in the 1970s by an aunt of mine who knew him whilst in Jamaica. She spoke to him for a while and was so surprise to meet him that she forgot to ask where he was staying. If anyone knows the whereabouts of Roy Spence or any relation to him like brothers, sister, children, grandchildren or cousins, please get in touch with me on the email below or on the telephone number listed.
Call 0121 344 4095
FOR SALE 3 BEDROOM BUNGALOW ON 2.98 ACRES LAND NEAR MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA – BARGAIN 75,000 POUNDS
Property approx 10 miles from Montego Bay Beaches and Town Centre
Sea & Air Freight Containerised Services GUYANA • BARBADOS • TRINIDAD • ST VINCENT ANTIGUA • KINGSTON • MONTEGO BAY AND ALL OTHER WEST INDIAN ISLANDS DOOR TO DOOR SERVICE.
Also all ports in Ghana, Nigeria 20FT & 40FT CONTAINERS Head Office: 42 Battersea Rise, Battersea, London SW11 1EE Tel: 020 7223 7522 Fax: 020 7924 3897
Website: www.creteshipping.co.uk Email: sales@creteshipping.co.uk www.jamaica-gleaner.com
Master Bedroom with en-suite bathroom, walk-in clothes closet , balcony. Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, Utility room, Front Veranda, parking/storeroom lower level. Fully grilled, vertical blinds & ceiling fans in main rooms, terrazzo floor tiles. Well fruited land with Mangos, Avocados, Coconut and more. Solar Water Heater, Satellite T.V. & Internet. Emergency Water tanks & Generator. Available with furniture and domestic appliances. Freehold Deed.
Call Davis 075 4770 2358 MARCH 22 - 28, 2010 • 25
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CONTROLLING CONTROLLING MY BLOOD PRESSURE TAKES MY BLOOD THE PRESSURE PRESSUREOFF TAKES MYHEART
THE PRESSURE OFF MY HEART Registered charity in England and Wales (225971) and in Scotland (SC039426)
26 • MARCH 22 - 28, 2010
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