A Visit and a New Language

Kenneth and Jireh had the opportunity this week to visit a school for the deaf in Ganta, Liberia. It was a moving experience for both of them. Jireh learned how to say "I love you" in sign language and now thinks he actually knows how to sign! He tried to copy the students in their hand movements, and although his didn't make any sense, the children all enjoyed watching him try to communicate with them. Some forms of communication don't require words though, and Jireh spent a lot of time playing with the children at the home, some as young as seven or eight.

The deaf are one of the largest unreached people groups in the world with some reports saying their numbers reach 70 million. Due to the fact that there are few books in sign language and many churches do not have an interpreter, they have very limited access to the Bible. Many have never heard the gospel message that Jesus loves them and died for them. 

Life can be especially hard for deaf children in Liberia. Many of them grow up without a language to call their own and no way to communicate their needs or wants. There are only a handful of schools for the deaf in Liberia and considering that most deaf children are born to hearing parents, very few ever learn to sign or have anyone to sign with. Many children grow up with little attention or even love, often ostracized or ignored. This means that visitors who offer hugs and attention can draw quite a crowd! Kenneth enjoyed the challenge of trying to communicate with the students as well as hearing some of their stories from the director, a former ABC graduate. 

It was an impactful trip for them both, and we hope to go back and take the rest of the family to spend some time there with the children.

Please remember to pray for missionaries to be raised up among the deaf community who would go to their own people, the deaf of Liberia, and share the love of Christ! If you would like to read more about this school and the ministry they are doing in Ganta, please check out www.beyondthebricks.net. 

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