Deaf Child (part 2)
As I walked through the gate to the school my heart was immediately captured. The place is beautiful for one, but it is what is taking place there is even more beautiful. The name of the place is Helping Hands with Hearts for Christ. It is run by a couple form Columbia, South Carolina, Mike and Joan Vilasi. They are living down here off of his social security. The food, transportation, and teachers salary is all covered by donations, but is moving in this place.
We were greeted with smiles and glasses of juice and cookies. We met Mario and Alexander two of the teachers and they began to tell us a little about the place, however class started in a few minutes, but we were invited to watch. It was interesting to see, but then I met this little girl who was so full of life. We signed our names and she took me by the hand and started to teach me sign. She would point at things, sign them and then I would have to do it back. It was so much fun and brought a smile to my face. You are probably wondering why she wasn’t in class by now. Enter Mike. Mike walks in and greets us all and then asks what we would like to know about this place. We said everything.
The school is still a baby at only six months old, but crazy things are happening. The school is for the Deaf and hard of hearing. The child who is either one of those must bring a family member, usually a parent, to school with them to learn alongside of them so the child is able to have someone to communicate with back at home. They attend classes where they learn to read, write, and attempt to speak Spanish. They use flashcards that have a picture on it and what it is written both in Spanish and English. So every person is learning three languages technically. The parents that come with usually have had no educational background and so they are learning for the very first time to read and write. Sometimes they bring younger children because they cannot stay home alone. While some of the kids are in class others are working on their penmanship, this is how I met the little girl. She had just finished her penmanship lesson. The school also provides lunch for everyone and transportation to get to and from the school. If a parent is unable to come then a sibling comes and learns. Immediately after lunch they run to catch a bus to take them to their actual school. The coolest part about the school is that right before lunch there is a bible study where they learn to sign verses and the children color a picture that goes along with the verse to take home.
I wish there were words to describe the joy that these people have and how contagious that joy is. I would love to help them out for a whole month, but sadly I am called to other things right now. Maybe another time. This place will forever be in my prayers and it will forever stay in my heart. We already have plans to go back on Thursday. I would love if you would say a prayer for them tonight.
God has placed this ministry on my heart and I wonder if he will do the same for you. I am almost fully funded for the World Race and it’s all thanks to God for placing this trip and what I am doing on your hearts. I wonder if he did that for my trip if he will do it for this ministry. I told Mike I would to find out how I can help and he said that there most expensive costs were providing food and transportation for the families. He gave us an address that we could send financial donations to. I would love to pass it on to you and let God over from there.
*Donations should be made payable and mailed to:
North Point Community Church
Attn: Nicaragua Missions
532 N Brickyard Road
Columbia, SC 29223
“Jesus take the wheel.�
Side note I still need a little more to be fully funded, but my teammates Sarah Anderson and Alana Lusted need to have $10,500 in there accounts by Dec 31 or be sent home. If you could pray that the money would pour into there accounts we, Team lovebound and the rest of S-Squad, would be forever thankful.
