June - August 2008

The last three months have been a fantastic whirlwind of activity and ministry.

I can honestly say that every team that I encountered this summer has been a blessing to work with. Each each team has brought thier own talents and hearts to serve in whatever way they can to participate in God's great plan he has for us all.

One of the Highlights for me this year was getting to know Yoandi.

I have mentioned him before in previous blogs. He lives in Hato del Yaque where G.O. has branched out by housing teams. I spent four weeks in Hato del Yaque this summer facilitating these teams.

Yoandi lives in a house that includes four adults and three children. Only one of the adults in the house is working.

Yoandi was born deaf. He doesn't know how to read, speak, or write. He doesn't go to school and has no hope of a better life. His Grandmother does her best to care for him and his two younger cousins.

As I had mentioned in previous blogs, when I met Yoandi I tried to teach his some signs from the alphabet. He seemed very smart and capable.

This summer we had a team come from Pathways Christian Church in Illinois. They hosted our very first Audiology clinic. They tested people and gave out hearing aides if nessecary. Another ingrediant that is worth mentioning is that an Audiologist and four national students came up from the Capital to participate and help. It was a complete success in every way.

I had mentioned to Pastor Aristides about the clinic and that it would be good for Yoandi to come. First thing in the morning Aristides put Yoandi on the back of his motorcycle and drove about fourty five minutes to the clinic.

Yoandi was tested and diagnosed as profoundly deaf. He recieved a high tech hearing aide for each ear.

Now, Yoandi is very shy. Around new people he always keeps his head down. He had entered the clinic just like this, trying to hide his face.

But a transformation accured after he recieved the hearing aides he slowly began too lift his head. It was apparent that he was trying to LISTEN to a conversation.

He will never be able to hear clearly. But these hearing aides will at least give him a leg up, so that he can identify certain sounds and learn a little easier.

About a month later I had recieved some sign language cards that you can post around the house. Vicki, (my fellow missionary whome I have mentioned before as well) had brought them to share with families who have a member with hearing loss. She wants to help the families to communicate.

So I went to Yolandi's house with the Pastor and a team member who also used hearing aides. Yolandi was very shy, but as we posted the signs around thhe house and practiced them together he became more and more animated. His Grandmother, Maria, was more than happy to help Yolandi learn in any way that she could.

The next step...

When the nutrition center in Hato del Yaque is up and running, Yolandi is already entered into the program.

My hope is to get him nourished and healthy and strong in the knowledge of Christ. Then to get him into the school for the deaf in Santiago.

The reality is there are many children who are in a similar situation to Yoandi's. They might not be profoundly deaf, but they are trying to grow up malnourished and uneducated. Many of these same kids don't have a Grandmother as dedicated as Maria. They are fighting against the odds.

With every team that serves, with every National giving thier all, with every partnership... WE are fighting with them.