Joy to the World

That's what we are signing at the Christmas program. Although the song is a mere one minute 39 seconds long, it is going to take a lot of preparation, since some of the children are still new to Sign Language, and all are new to the concept of singing. I'm not looking for just a lot of waving hands. I actually want to try to help them understand what the song means. That is the hardest part, perhaps.

The kids are enthusiastic about participating, and I'm sure no matter how well or how awfully they do, people will be blessed, because they've never seen a song in Sign Language before.

Today a hearing student passed though the edge of the classroom, as she climbed the stairs toward her own classroom. Seeing our students at work, she exclaimed in amazement, that she never knew that "mutes" could write! Okay, we have a lot to teach the hearing children here, but I'm sure she went on to tell her classmates that the deaf children actually know how to write. You see, if you are deaf here, reading and writing is something you probably don't know how to do, and no one expects it of you.

Wycliffe Bible Translators are still interested in doing a Dominican Sign Language translation for us, but haven't got anyone qualified available currently. Do you know anyone who is fluent in English, Spanish, and ASL, and interested in missions?

We signed up another 8 year old girl today. She is our 14th student in the new classes. Although we are turning children away at this point, we had already reserved a space for her when we met her during relief efforts.

This announcement is bit premature, I suppose, but I'm excited. We are looking to add a deaf woman, Yulissa, to our staff. Technically, she'll be a teacher's aide, since she doesn't have the qualifications required by the Secretary of Education. The only formal education she's ever had was at DOOR's (Deaf Opportunity OutReach) school in Costa Rica, learning Bible Storying.

We would like her to help with teaching Sign Language and Bible Storying at both schools, half the time at each. We still have to confirm details with her, but she has wanted to work with us, and we with her, for a long time. I'm very familiar with her work, having worked with her in Church services, and I believe she'll be a wonderful addition.

As the end of another year arrives, I'm reflecting on all that God has done, and I cannot but be amazed. I thank him constantly.

I also want to take the time to thank all of you, for your participation in this ministry. People and church have sent money and teaching materials, replenished items such as pencils, given us needed equipment, and even come here to work directly with the children. (I tend to shy away from putting specific names on the internet, for privacy reasons, but you know who you are.) We also appreciate the ongoing help that we receive from Vision Trust, who supplies partial scholarships for most of our children, as well as other help from time to time.

Many are taking us before the Lord, asking for his blessing on these deaf children and this school. Thank you so much! The Dominicans have a saying "May the Lord repay you [for it]." Amen!