By Bryan Rodrigues, Touch of Christ
In 2025, Global Partnership and Wycliffe Bible Translators sent three Deaf trainers Jenny Storey, Pastor Jeremy Roe, and Jeremy Chacon, and three hearing interpreters from America and Costa Rica to Trinidad to work with and establish the Deaf Bible Translation Team of Trinidad and Tobago (DBTT&T).The trainers worked with a select team of Deaf people to produce a Trinidad and Tobago Sign Language translation of the Bible beginning with the Gospel of Mark.
The Deaf leaders of the DBTT&T team are Keisha Luces (Belmont), Sabreke Campbell (Curepe), Roger Doonath (Penal) and Lorna Rodrigues (Marabella/Mayo), and the team coordinators are Neil Jaggernauth, Ian Dhanoolal and Bryan Rodrigues. The training took place at the St Francis RC Parish Hall, Belmont.DBTT&T wants to extend a special thanks to the Archdiocesan Family Life Commission and Fr Mikkel Trestrail and his parish with assisting us to provide meals and allowing the use of the hall from Friday, March 6 to Tuesday 10.
On their fourth visit in March of this year, the trainers came to conduct Scripture Authentication Elders (SAE) and Scripture Review Board member (SRB) training. Priests, pastors, hearing Church leaders and Deaf leaders were invited to participate in training to review the Deaf Bible translation that has already been completed so that they would be able to provide feedback. God’s plan for that was amazing. Between 15–17 people were present. Please pray for the newly appointed SAE, SRB and Deaf Bible Translation teams to be successful.
The Deaf Translation teams and the local Deaf community celebrated its first anniversary with worship and a brunch at Cascadia Hotel on Sunday, March 8 with 55 people—both Deaf and hearing—present.
Special thanks and prayers to Salina Peterson’s family. She supported our Deaf Bible Translation since the first year. We pray that her soul rests in peace. Also, special thanks to Global Partnership and Wycliffe USA, AFLC and St Francis RC Church, Belmont for their continued support. God’s blessings to you, brothers and sisters in Christ.