Kenya (MNN) — Kids sit in silence, spellbound by a story. These students are learning at a deaf school in Kenya, by local deaf teachers who are there on behalf of DOOR International — an inter-denominational Christian organization offering training and translation ministry to the deaf.
“I have been ignoring one Scripture portion from James thinking it is not relevant to the Deaf world. The same Scripture portion which says the tongue is like fire, it can burn the whole body. I was very interested to know how they connected this to the Deaf world teaching point. Later I understood that the tongue is representing the spoken words. The hand is equally relevant to the Deaf. The Deaf person have to be careful in using his hand when they sign, not to gossip, or hurt others or sin with it. This has helped me to know all the Scriptures are true to everyone who wants to know the truth. This has touched my life. I thank God for the sign language Bible translation.”
(Photo, caption courtesy DOOR International via Facebook)
The story is from the Bible and the young Kenyans are learning, not just about Jesus, but also new signs to add to their growing vocabulary.
Kenya — with allowances for religious belief to be taught to students — is one of the few places where DOOR teams can both teach nationals about Jesus, and general studies, in a government school.
It isn’t uncommon for countries to follow the United States’ lead, keeping Christ at arms-length from the children. That is harmful, both spiritually and intellectually, says Rob Myers, president and CEO of DOOR International.
Schools for the deaf in Europe have, for more than a century, promoted the belief that the hearing-impaired would be better served if, at a young age, they were not encouraged to use sign language; and, in fact, were forbidden from using their heart language in school.
That model has spread over the world, and children are still paying the price for it in schools where they are prohibited from using sign language, he said.
“Much of their education involved copying and memorization without really an understanding and access through their heart language to what the information actually means,” Myers said. In Kenya, DOOR workers are free to teach their students about Christ, and instill a love of the language that comes most naturally to them – sign.
“If they (DOOR teachers) can equip the next generation with the tools, with God’s Word, with opportunities, then that advances so much more, in the next 20 or 30 years, the state of the Christian Deaf community in Kenya.”
Having God’s expression in one’s own language is very important. Here is a single website which has Bible information translated into 80 different sign languages. http://www.jw.org/ase The top right corner has a place where the different sign languages can be viewed; as well as printed material in over 600 spoken languages.
Also Bible based teaching of Christian conduct to children can be found at tv.jw.org>Video on Demand>Children. These animated Bible based videos for children are being enjoyed by many all over the world.
Glory and praise to God for the expanding use of Sign Language in evangelism! How Great is our God!
They tried that here in the US and swung back to ASL. It’s so much easier to teach that way and so much easier for kids to talk to each other. It’s part of the deaf culture. Think visually when communicating with the kids. I signed at church for a number of years, and provided supported living services to disabled deaf adults. Many deaf people love the Lord. They so appreciate learning about Jesus! They must realize that not hearing is no excuse when they die. Involve them in decisions as their age and understanding allow. Self-empowerment and self realization are so important to their growth. Thank you for your ministry!
That is the power of God for bringing Sign Language, amen amen