Look What Your Support Has Done!

"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all, praying with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now." (Phil. 1:4-5)

God has been doing some amazing things among the Deaf. While we can't pass on everything that is happening, here are a few stories of some of the amazing work happening in India in the lives of individuals and families. Praise God with us for his amazing work! (Names have been changed for the safety of the people involved.)

Adi grew up in a Christian home but did not know who Jesus was. No family member could explain because of the communication barrier. She tried going to different kinds of churches but only got more confused, so she decided not to go to any church. A friend invited her to ITBDF Church, the national Deaf church in India established through DOOR’s 2x2 ministry. Although she had misgivings, she went and saw the Bible stories in a language she understood. From then on she continued to learn and has even mastered signing the stories so that she can teach other women.

Amhika had divorced her first husband because her father convinced her that her husband's defective vision would doom her future. When she learned from the Chronological Bible Story why a believer should not divorce, she realized that she had made a mistake. The leader encouraged her to be faithful to her present marriage and helped her to understand that God would not hold her in condemnation. She now wants to tell other Deaf women like her not to commit this mistake, and she and her husband have been a channel to bring many struggling couples to the pastor to help them to resolve their marital disputes.

Garuda is a Deaf boy who was originally named after a Hindu god. Garuda’s mother (who is hearing) was the first to come to know Christ, but she had had no success in bringing Garuda or his father to the Lord. She could not communicate the truth to her son because of the language barrier. A friend from DOOR offered Garuda the CBS DVD series “Know God How?” His friend further explained the need and goodness of knowing Jesus through the stories. When Garuda watched it, the truth finally became clear. His parents also watched along with him, and his father also understood and yielded his life to Christ.

Are Deaf People a Ministry... or Ministers?

"And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ..." (Eph. 4:11-12)

Fred is a Deaf member of a hearing church. One Sunday the pastor preaches on spiritual gifts and being the body of Christ, and he encourages all of the congregation members to get involved in the church in the way that God has gifted them. Fred approaches the pastor (with the church interpreter) to ask about how he can serve in the church.

Fred: Pastor, I'm excited to serve in the church. Where could I help? Is there need on the deacon board?
Pastor: I think all the spots are filled. What background and giftings do you have?
Fred: I have some background in teaching at the local Deaf school. Could I teach a Sunday school class?
Pastor: Unfortunately the interpreters aren't available during the Sunday school hour, so I don't think that would work.
Fred: I love helping others. Could I be an usher?
Pastor: Well, if a visitor had a question, I'm concerned that they wouldn't be able to ask you.
Fred: What about helping in the nursery?
Pastor: I think the moms might be worried that you wouldn't hear their babies crying.
Fred: Well, what else is left?
Pastor: Well, we do have some needs either in janitorial help or outdoor maintenance...

While this is a fictional account, unfortunately this mirrors the experience that many Deaf people have told us they have had in hearing churches. Deaf people may be gifted in teaching, in administration, in encouraging others, but given the language barrier between Deaf and hearing, often they are prevented from serving in these capacities. They end up with a mop or rake in their hand.

But not in a Deaf church. In a Deaf church (one where everyone signs), there is no limit as to where a Deaf person can serve. They can preach and teach. They can answer questions that a Deaf visitor may have. They can use their administrative skills to serve on an elder board. They can even serve in the nursery.

That is the goal of DOOR's 2x2 ministry: to raise up Deaf leaders and establish Deaf believers' fellowships, where Deaf believers can serve one another and use the gifts that God has given them. And there has been an amazing response. In India alone, DOOR's 2x2 ministry has grown from 6 Deaf believers to over 2,000 in the last 8 years.

In a Deaf fellowship, Deaf people become more than a ministry... they become ministers. Isn't that what God intended? "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in his generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness." (Rom. 12:6-8)

What's been your experience?