"A GRATIFYING SERVICE - WORKING WITH FLORIDA SIGN LANGUAGE GROUPS!"
Since the time I was a small child, circumstances were such that we had many deaf and hard of hearing in our congregation and as a result, I learned sign language.
So, from the age of 3 or 4 I began learning sign language. And from the age of 10 or so I began interpreting at meetings, eventually assemblies and conventions. Here in Miami, we were associated with a congregation that had some deaf (this was before the deaf congregation was formed here) and my wife and I served as interpreters. So, working with the deaf all over the state of Florida has been a very gratifying service as well.
Tim & Julie Sampson
Hollywood, Miami, Florida
BOTH DEAF & BLIND
As shown in the following experience, often we have to be very "creative" in teaching persons with major disabilities.
Carmen. is both deaf and blind! The brothers have to be very creative and rely fully on Jehovah's holy spirit when conducting a Bible study with her. She reads by way of feeling with her fingers the words spelled out with cardboard letters that have been cut out and stuck on the wall. At the same time touch sign language is used to help her associate the words on the wall with what is under consideration until she understands the meaning of the words.
Each day she exerts herself to learn and she makes the effort to participate in the meetings at the Kingdom Hall. She also enrolled in the Theocratic Ministry School and soon qualified to begin serving as an unbaptized publisher. During the learning process, Carmen understood that she would regain her vision once she was baptized. The sisters that were studying with her tried very hard to help her correct her thinking on this matter. Although her zeal for Jehovah continued to grow, Carmen secretly persisted in the thought that she would be cured at baptism.
After finishing the "Enjoy Life" brochure, she continued studying the "Require" brochure. Carmen continued progressing and made the needed changes in her life to be baptized. Did Carmen recover her sight when she was baptized? Of course she did not! Did her zeal for the truth begin to waver? No!! Why not?
Carmen relates: "When I was baptized and did not recover my vision, I then realized that this promise would be fulfilled a little farther ahead in the future." Now Carmen holds on with even more zeal and patience. She helps her daughter, Louisiana, who is also deaf to advance in the truth and to have confidence in Jehovah's promises and to wait for these patiently. Although she is only 7 years old, she already is an unbaptized publisher.
This experience also emphasizes the need to never overlook ANYONE in our field ministry! We never know whose heart may respond to the message and be helped!
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