When Inter-American Division (IAD) associate treasurer, Juan José Morán approached the lectern to give the first devotional charge at the Central Jamaica Conference’s (CJC) 7th quadrennial session on July 6, He did not go alone.
The Honduran native and Spanish-speaker was accompanied by Olivia Valentine, a doctor assigned to the May Pen Hospital, who would translate for him as his English was limited.
“I thank Olivia for being my translator today. If she did not, I could not get through to you” Morán said.
Thirty-year-old Valentine, the daughter of Pastor Donald and Sis. Olive Valentine, became fluent in Spanish while she pursued medical studies at Montemorelos University, a Seventh-day Adventist institution located in Nuevo León, Mexico.
“When I was in high school, I thought about applying there as an option, but later I decided to go to NCU to study medical technology. I wasn’t planning on going to Mexico anymore, but other avenues didn't work out, and my parents suggested I revisit the Montermorelos idea,” she explains.
Realizing the language barrier could be an obstacle, she prayed about it.
“There's always culture shock, and I had to deal with that. Honestly, Spanish was the easiest of all the challenges that I experienced. I quite literally prayed to God that if I started failing subjects, don't let it be because of Spanish. I saw where it made learning difficult for some other students…because medical school there is completely in Spanish.”
Not only did she avoid a negative impact on her studies, she was able to earn using the Spanish proficiency she acquired.
“Outside of summers where I canvassed, I taught English as a second language to children and adults. I was also part of the translation team for numerous university events and it helped me to pay my way through school.”
Valentine also contributed to church life at Montemorelos. For a few years, she was president of the English Sabbath school, which catered to English-speaking students and those learning English.
She values her faith, having been taught by her parents to live for God.
“She was involved in doing outreach with us, so it's part of her DNA to volunteer. She was also part of the Pathfinder club. It was our responsibility to train her,” her father says.
Valentine’s parents also made sure she received Adventist christian education. She started at Kingsway Preparatory School, continued at West Indies College Preparatory, went on to Victor Dixon High, then to Northern Caribbean University and most recently Montemorelos.
“I do not regret my parents' decision. Even the daycares I went to as a toddler were Adventist run. My dad likes to say that I was a planned-for child, and that extended to how they envisioned my education. I think an Adventist education is a treasure and we should support our schools as best as we can. They are not perfect but I value what I got from them. If God blesses me with children, that's the route that I want to go,” she explains.
CJC president, Pastor Nevail Barrett, in thanking her for translating for Morán, praised the Valentines’ example.
”Send your children to our schools. If you can’t find the programme you want in Jamaica, you can find it [at an SDA school] somewhere else but send them,” he said.
Pastor Valentine notes that even with SDA schooling, Adventist parents should not neglect home training.
“It's work. Be led by the Spirit and use the books that we have for raising children such as ‘The Adventist Home’. It starts from pregnancy. Both parents should play their part. Give clear instructions and be firm but loving. As a father, don’t be rough, be very caring,” he advises.
He and his wife are happy to see their daughter excel.
“She is our only child,” he shared, “She's worth 10 sons.”
Dr. Valentine is encouraging other youth to follow her example of becoming fluent in another language, noting there are global benefits.
“I am licensed to practice [medicine] in Jamaica and the English-speaking Caribbean but also in Mexico and other Latin American territories where a Mexican medical degree is valid. Because of globalization, being a ‘world citizen’ necessitates being able to communicate wherever you go. You may not be able to learn three or four languages…God bless the polyglots out there. However, learn another language.”
She also wants to see the youth living for God and demonstrating Christian values.
“Being a Christian is something that, even though it may not be popular, everyone can appreciate it. Being courteous, kind, as helpful as possible, those are things that if it weren't for my upbringing, I wouldn't have those things held so dear to my heart, “ she says.