If these children weren’t deaf, they might have never heard the gospel.
Read the title again. Deaf children hearing. I know that might not seem like it makes much sense at first, but it does.
Here in India the most prevalent religions are Hindu and Muslim. Christianity isn’t popular in most areas. It’s even dangerous to follow Christ in a lot of places. There are millions of people here who know nothing of Jesus. And yet here, in the middle of this place, over 100 children are learning about Jesus every day. All because they are deaf. Because this school is a great school that teaches the hearing impaired well. So even Hindu and Muslim families send their children here. Lives and hearts are being changed. Their loss of hearing is resulting in the gain of Jesus!
What if the only voice they hear is that of the Lord Jesus Christ!?
What you might originally see as impairment, I’m now seeing as a great blessing. Because of these children being deaf, they are able to know the Lord. If they were not deaf, this opportunity might not ever have come to them. These beautiful faces are chosen. The Lord knew before their birth that they would somehow know Him in spite of the odds. He planned this place for each of them.
One night after devotion, Natalie and I were talking to a bunch of the girls, and we were asked how we know Jesus loves us and a bunch of other questions. It was such a beautiful conversation. Then one of the girls said something that took my breath away. She signed to us that they will all be sad when we leave, but then she said it’s ok, when we get to heaven, I will see you and I will be able to speak and hear!
YES you will sweet girl! AH! I just couldn’t hold back the tears. Even as I write this, tears are flowing.
(It was pretty cute, they all got really worried then asking why I was sad, and I had to explain that they were happy tears!)
I spent some time talking to a few girls from my cooking class about how they love Jesus but their families do not. Their families are Hindu and they have to hide loving the Lord there. Please keep them in your prayers, it’s not easy for them to love Jesus here and it could be so easy for them to go back to their families and stop following Him. Pray for boldness, safety, community, steadfastness, faithfulness, strength, and for a deep relationship with Him!
My heart is just so full right now from them. Thank you Lord that you don’t forget people that most of the world casts to the side. Thank you that you sought these people out to be yours! That even in the middle of Muslim and Hindu families, hearts are being captured for you and they are shining your light so brightly! Father capture the hearts of each of these people. If there are some who are still apart from you, I pray you draw them in and whisper in their ears. I pray they each hear YOUR voice! I pray that every student and teacher here will know and follow you with all their hearts. Father, I know these beautiful faces are going to change lives, without a doubt, and I am SO thankful that we will be reunited in heaven someday.
It was so hard to leave India. These people have stolen my heart. The children, teachers and staff have taught me so much! They have blessed me more than I ever could bless them back, they have brought me an even deeper revelation of who Jesus is, just how detailed and amazing He is, and how He pursues each of us in unique ways according to our needs. These beautiful people needed Him and he made a way for them. Abba thank you that this won’t be a goodbye, just a see you in heaven!
