Every ministry that I do, I fall in love with. I love the variety and opportunity to work in areas that I have never worked in before.
This past week our team went to a boarding school for the deaf. As our mutatu pulled in the gate, the students were overflowing with excitement and showing the sign for welcome! As we stepped out of the vehicle, we were instantly greeted by the hands of the younger students. I know very little sign language, things like what is your name, happy, silly, sorry, and simple elementary things like that. The Lord really worked on my heart while I was at that school, in the silence of the school He spoke. I have been praying for discernment as to what God is leading me to do in the future.
God has a funny way of showing signs and dropping hints. Last night we went to a film showing of stories from the Bible, when out of the corner of my eye I saw a girl signing. I went over to sit with her, Juli is ten years old and rather shy. Throughout the video I would sign the emotions and try to keep her updated as to what was going on. I handed her my Bible and Biblia (Swahili) so she could pick out the parts of the film that she couldn't quite follow by watching. I hope to see her again tonight at the film!
Today we played football, aka soccer, with the street kids. While I was taking a water break, lo and behold there was a young deaf man there. Stephen is 18 and he was at the field because teachers are on strike here in Kenya. I am almost positive that I met him at the boarding school for the deaf, he has a distinct smile and you would never know that he has a walking disability. I talked with him for a while, wrote some back and forth, then handed my phone over for him to play Flow. Stephen is now a Flow Pro; he was so content having that game to play while the other children were playing frisbee and football.
God is giving me a huge heart for the deaf and I am continually encouraged by their willingness to teach, which is just like Christ. Christ was so eager to communicate with us as His friends and we just have to be open to learning. I am looking forward to going back to the boarding school tomorrow and seeing the beautiful faces of my dear friends.
