October News

Vision 2 Hear (V2H), the group that meets for practice every Wednesday afternoon at my church, had a performance in Opico. This is a small, poor village about an hour outside of San Salvador. On the bus, on the way to Opico, we started out with Bible Study and reflections of God´s Word, and discussed the order of the performance. Once there, we began with dancing/signing, dramas, clowns, piñatas, and interacting with the people. Tracts are passed out to the parents and bracelets with the salvation message are given out to all. Jorge, leader of V2H, got the chance to pray with one of the young boys and offer some counseling. It was a blessed time for everyone.

I met with my friends for our annual Thai Dinner at Bangkik Gardens. Scott, Polly, Wendy, and I meet at the same restaurant (my favorite) every time I go home.

A baby shower was given to Alma and Misel (both deaf) who are expecting their first child. It´s a boy and they´re very excited. Candy, another American that works here in El Salvador with the deaf, hosted the shower at her and her husband´s farm house. They prepared a huge spread for us. Delicious!

Day of the Deaf

September 20-28 is the National Week of the Deaf. There are three different celebrations. In the East, Central, and West part of the country. Each have their own celebrations. My church, Iglesia Bautista Miramonte, celebrated on the 20th at the church, with over 300 deaf in attendance. We had good food and great performances. Grisel, President of ASDICSSA, explained how the "Day of the Deaf" began. Our Vision 2 Hear group signed songs and performed dramas. Everyone enjoyed themselves.

September News

ASDICSSA: Gave their first presentation on their plans to develop a course for sign language. I´m so very proud of these youth for caring so much about the deaf community here. They are working hard at not just establishing this new association, but also working towards a plan for professional sign language curriculum.

The first week of August is a National Holiday. My first year here, everything closed down. Then as the years have gone by, grocery stores, and now the malls stay open. My deaf friends came over and we had a B-B-Q. The men cooked on the grill and the women prepared their portion of the meal in the kitchen. It was so good! Afterwards, we walked to the Feria (like the Va. Beach Pavilion), where there was a week long festival going on. They had amusement rides, plenty of food and vendors. We just walked and talked. It was a really nice time.

July 08 News

Vision 2 Hear Is a group that has been coming to El Salvador on mission trips for a couple of years. They sign songs and perfom dramas at various schools here. We traveled to various schools and needed to have three different interpreters, one to change Spanish to English (and vice versa), one for American Sign Language (ASL), and another for Salvadorian Sign Language (LESSA). Everyone enjoyed the group and dancing to the Lord, laughing and having fun and we saw 55 in all accept Jesus as their Lord. Nine at one school alone. Praise the Lord and all that He´s doing.