Rob Myers - DOOR

Imagine growing up not knowing that you have a name. That is the reality for many Deaf kids around the world.

90% of Deaf children are born into homes where both parents are hearing. And in a vast majority of those cases, the parents will never learn to sign with their children. (There are all kinds of reasons for this... some of my other posts cover those.) That situation leaves deaf children cut off from the language of their families, which also cuts them off from information and connection.

Deaf schools are typically the first place where Deaf children encounter sign language. It's also the place where many of them learn for the first time that they have a name. They are given a unique sign called a name sign by others in the Deaf community.

When I visit Deaf schools in Kenya, one of many countries where DOOR International has ministry work, one of the first things that Deaf children want to do is tell me their name sign. Then they want to see me repeat it back to them. Other people using their name sign shows them that they are seen and known. Their faces light up so much when you call their name.

It's also an awesome opportunity to let Deaf kids know that God sees them, that he knows their name, and that he loves each of them individually. I love that part of DOOR's ministry work is evangelism and discipleship by Deaf leaders in Deaf schools. It opens up opportunities for the next generation in the Deaf community to know, follow, and serve God, opportunities the previous generation often didn't have.

Check out more stories of what God is doing in Deaf communities by going to DOOR's website: https://doorinternational.org/news-updates. And remember that God sees you. He knows your name. He knows the challenges you face, and his love is beyond what you can imagine.