My New Translator

A Friend and Spiritual Son

One of my greatest concerns as I made my way from Canada to Madagascar was the language barrier. It is said that those of us from Newfoundland speak neither of Canada's official languages! While I had the opportunity to learn French in school, I convinced my parents to sign me out of learning the language because I thought I would never need, nor use, it. I regret now not learning French in school. French is the legal language of Madagascar, while most people speak Malagasy. All worship is in Malagasy.

Very kindly Bishop Gilbert, now Archbishop Gilbert, allowed a priest from his diocese to serve me in Mahajanga as my translator. However, once elected the primate of the Indian Ocean, Archbishop Gilbert requested that Father Paulin return to his diocese of Fianarantsoa. This left me in desperate need of a translator, a trustworthy and loyal person who would be able to travel with me around the diocese and around Madagascar.

(Father Paulin translating a sermon.)

I reached out to brother bishops in Madagascar and to some well respected and trusted priests to ask if they had suggestions for who might become my translator. I spoke with a few individuals none of whom could move to Mahajanga or who (because of the limited budget) I could afford. Very practically I made a list all those with whom I had conversed in English since my arrival in Mahajanga. The list was very short. But there was on the list a young waiter whom I had met at the Baobab Tree Hotel when I first arrived. I mentioned his name to Father Paulin, and we decided that we would mention it to him and interview him to see if his English was sufficiently strong.

(Barcelo working at the Baobab Tree Hotel.)

I reached out to Barcelo through social media, told him that I was in desperate need of a translator, and asked if he would be interested. I knew him only as the waiter in the restaurant, he knew me only as a patron (and a Bishop) who could speak English. Very quickly, however, it became obvious that Barcelo is a remarkable young man. He is bright and capable, and his proficiency in the English language is certainly sufficient for the task of being my translator. After a couple of conversations, and an examination, he agreed. For two months I will pay both translators so that Barcelo will work with Father Paulin to learn some of the ecclesiastical language which he (understandably) does not know.

The amazing blessing of this provision was not only his ability to be my translator but because very quickly I gained a dear friend. I told Sarah, my wife, that he is a ‘mini-me’ with very similar interests and hobbies. He loves to cook and eat good food. His childhood and family life has been very difficult – not unlike my own. He even loves to go fishing. (My wife is bringing my fishing poles to me in Mahajanga, so that Barcelo and I can go fishing together!) One evening, when sharing supper together, unbeknownst to me he turned on The Three Tenors; Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo, José Carreras, as we ate our supper, we listened to them sing Italian opera arias…. As I so often say “you can't make it up!” Who would have said that I would get a translator who even listens to opera!!!

His father died when he was 16 and his devout Catholic mother raised him and his two sisters on a very meager income. Very early in the morning she would have the children help her make bread which she would sell on the streets in order to pay the school fees for her children. She has every right to be proud of all three of her children. She is to be commended as a holy woman and a remarkable single mother.

Barcelo and I have become friends, as a Bishop and a stranger in a strange land, I don't have many friends here. God has provided not only a translator but a spiritual son. Just this morning I saw on social media the pastry chef at the local hotel is teaching a pastry making course and we have decided, as time allows, that we should take the course together. While not directly connected to the Episcopal ministry to which I have been called, this time of fun and fellowship will feed my spirit, and is, I believe, the byproduct of God's glorious provision.

(Barcelo assisting me at Holy Communion.)