Radio Broadcast- 11-28-2010 South Africa
Radio Broadcast- Rainbow FM 90.7 South Africa
Transcript from Monday, Nov. 29, 2010, 6:50am
Humphrey Birkenstock, CEO, Rainbow FM 90.7: Scott, the news out of Haiti this week has been very alarming again?
Scott Congdon, CEO, Amor Ministries: Yes, Humphrey, both in Haiti and in the US. Health official are now saying Haiti’s cholera outbreak could kill 10,000 people. They are also predicting that they could have around 200,000 cases of infection in Haiti over the next six to 12 months.
Humphrey: How many have died so far in Haiti from cholera?
Scott: Haiti’s health ministry said that 1,200 people have now died since cholera was first detected in the nation in late October. The number of people infected also grew to over 72,000.
Humphrey: And you have a report that cholera has now reached the US from Haiti.
Scott: Yes, Humphrey. Florida officials have confirmed that a woman who recently visited relatives in Haiti has tested positive for cholera in Florida. Two other cases are still being tested.
Humphrey, Cholera is considered a great hitchhiker. It travels by contaminated water, food or on individuals who may be not even have symptoms or are just developing symptoms. Officials have stated that there’s virtually no chance the Haiti outbreak could spread to Florida or the US via travelers, and no airline passengers were at risk. Cholera is transmitted almost exclusively by water and food contaminated by the feces of infected people, which would be almost impossible with modern U.S. water systems.
Humphrey: On another note, Scott, you have some interesting news on the King James version of the bible? Most young American’s have never heard of the King James version?
Scott: Yes, Humphrey, I started to feel a little old when I researched this story. According to a new survey out last week, 51 per cent of those under 35 have never heard of the King James Bible. Awareness was far greater among those over 55, with 28 per cent saying they had never heard of it. I guess that’s good for you and me Humphrey, since we are both under 55, right?
Humphrey: Way under 55! I’m even amazed that only 72 per cent of people have heard of the King James Bible at that age and older.
Scott: That is surprising considering it has been praised by some as the most beautiful book ever written and is set to celebrate its 400th anniversary next year, but many young people have never even heard of it. I find it hard to imagine that so many under-35s have never heard of the King James Bible despite being one of the biggest selling books in history.
A spokesman for the King James Trust was quoted as saying: “There has been a dramatic drop in knowledge in a generation. Yet this is a work which was far more influential than Shakespeare in the development and spread of English.”
Humphrey: And President Obama got hit in the mouth this past weekend?
Scott: Yes, Humphrey, Obama got “smash mouthed” as they call it here in the US during a friendly family basketball game on Friday. Twelve stitches on his lip after he took a elbow to his mouth and he was back out on the court on Sunday. Sources say that Obama is know as being a tough and aggressive basketball player, hmmm…….just like in government!
Humphrey: And on your last report you have a story about a have a very familiar song to most of us, “Amazing Grace.”
Scott: Humphrey, after more than 200 years, ‘Amazing Grace’ is still a fixture across spiritual and secular culture here in the US and in South Africa I imagine.
Amazing Grace” has been recorded more than 6,600 times. “It may be the most recorded song on the planet,” according to Jerry Bailey at Broadcast Music Inc.
Humphrey: When was the song first published?
Scott: It was first published in 1779, written by John Newton, an English poet and clergyman who died in 1807. Newton, as a young man, deserted the English Navy, was recaptured and punished and actually became involved in slave trading. He later had a religious awakening during a storm at sea before becoming a prolific hymn composer.
Humphrey: In 1990 it was even sung at a 12-hour rock concert that took place in London, England. It was a benefit for Nelson Mandela, thanking him for his years of sacrifice in South Africa. Dozens of big stars performed. “Amazing Grace” was sung by opera star Jessye Norman as the closing number. Despite the length of the performance and the late hour, the crowd was strongly affected and obviously felt a common experience as they joined in.
Scott: The song has had quite an international use. It was even performed in English and Chinese by a children’s chorus at a worship service in Beijing during the 2008 Olympics, with President George W. Bush attending.
Humphrey: “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
“That saved a wretch like me.
“I once was lost but now am found.
“Was blind, but now I see.”
Got to the link below for a great African rendition of “Amazing Grace” by Louis Mhlanga:
This is basically the second “Report from Haiti” from Amor Ministries as we follow Steve who is in Haiti for a week investigating Amor’s involvement in the rebuilding efforts there. This definitely a journey that is unfolding as we report it!