Signs of life

The world Deaf* population is estimated at 33.5 million. The IMB has 45 missionaries appointed to work with the Deaf; 11 are actually Deaf themselves. Through their gifts to the Lottie Moon offering, Southern Baptists are bringing the message of hope in a language this population can finally understand.

Workers with the Deaf, like Vesta Sauter, are finding that technology is key to spreading the Gospel. Sign language is the heart language of culturally Deaf people. It is not a written language that can be typed in an e-mail.

Video phones, webcams and digital video cameras are important tools because they allow for signed conversations. For example, an $80 webcam of good quality allows IMB Deaf personnel to communicate in ways that seem natural for them and those they are trying to reach. It also gives Christians more opportunities to communicate Gospel messages in ways other Deaf will understand.

A $200 digital video camera allows the Deaf and workers with them to record messages that can be sent through the Internet. Bible stories can be recorded and shared with Deaf nationals. The video cameras are also vital to language learning. Missionaries studying the national sign language can record lessons from instructors and interview Deaf nationals.

With your gifts to Lottie Moon, Christian workers will have the technology they need to best reach the Deaf community with the signs for eternal life.

*Deaf refers to a community of deaf people who share a unique culture and language.

IMB

http://www.imb.org/main/give/lmw/Story.asp?StoryID=8754&LanguageID=1709