I had the most amazing experience while
on a mission trip this spring. I travelled to Kenya for the month of
May with a group of 11 young adults and two leaders. We went with
“Wycliffe Bible Translators”. We travelled just outside the
capital Nairobi to a compound for deaf translation.
While there, our
team was privileged to spend 2 weeks learning about the translation
process from the 6 different deaf teams. We were shown how they take
the bible and make it into sign videos. I got to
experience community like no other; they welcomed us with open arms
and took us in like family. We also got to work with the other deaf
people staying and working at the compound. For example during the
day we would help with cooking, cleaning, farming, gardening, as well
as building a higher fence. During our work with the deaf we built
relationships just by learning to sign and getting to know each of
them better. We also spent 2 days doing a VBS with all of the deaf
translator’s children (who were not deaf).
My favourite memory
while at the deaf compound was the first morning. We got up for
breakfast and all sat at different tables with the deaf translators
and workers. We spent time learning names and very basic signs. Then
we went to the front of the dining hall where our team stood in a
line. There was a translator there telling the deaf who we were, why
we were there, and to help us learn to sign so we can communicate
with them. As well, if we had not been given a sign name, she asked
them to come up with ones as well. So we went through one by one
spelling out our names as well as signing our sign names. For example, my sign name is touching my nose and then sweeping over to my ear.
After each person, all the deaf raised their hands in the air and
shook/waved them. That is 'applause' in sign. It was so amazing seeing
all their smiles and excitement. I will never forget those few
moments.
The VBS helped us prep for the time we spent in Marigot.
We travelled north past the Rift Valley to the town of Marigot. This
is where the Ilchamus people live. Their bible is being translated as
we speak. They had completed the book of Matthew and are waiting for
it to be printed. During the day’s there, we would travel to
different schools to encourage the translation and to let the
children know that the bible is coming in their native tongue for
them to understand. While in Canada we made what we called “Big
Books”, which were big picture books of different parables from the
book of Matthew. I did "The Unmerciful Servant". We took our books and
told the stories and had a translator translate it into Ilchamus so
the kids could understand. They all became so excited when they could
understand the stories much better in Ilchamus, than in English or
Swahili.
We also would spend time singing and doing skits for the
kids. As well we played games such as duck duck goose, which we
changed to sheep sheep goat! When we finished
teaching, the kids would all surround us and just want to shake our
hands and touch our skin and hair.
On Sundays in Marigot we went
to the host's church where we helped with Sunday school as well. On
the last Sunday we were there, we handed out 50 You Matter! Frisbees
to the kids in Sunday school. They were ecstatic to get these. They had such huge smiles that made my heart melt.
I could really
go on for hours about all the different experiences we had while on
this mission’s trip. So if you would like to read and see some
different pictures of myself and other team members, feel free to go
to this link. It was a blog that we wrote while we were there in
Kenya for the month.
I would just like to finish with a huge
thank you for all the prayers and support of everyone! We could not
have done it without you. It has changed my heart! I am now pursuing
going into the mission field full time. I know that I was too
afraid before, but God has opened up my eyes and broken my heart for
the people in other nations.
Miranda M.
Miranda is a young adult who loves the Lord and now has a heart stirred for the mission field. She is currently working and waiting for the Lord's leading.
No comments:
Post a Comment