Who will tell him?

Meet Edwin! He came to a medical clinic we hosted for the deaf on March 15th. At 7 years old, he spends his days playing at home while his siblings and mother go to school and work. Because he has not been to school, he does not know Spanish or sign language. He communicates using a small set of pantomimes. He has not been taught how to sit still or give his attention to an adult. He ran from room to room in the clinic, opening drawers and doors until he had investigated every nook and cranny. He would not let the medical team listen to his lung sounds or complete any physical assessment. We were unable to explain why this cold, hard disk needed to be pressed into his chest and connected to my ears due to his lacking language skills. Mrs. Juana and I were able to show him a few signs and get him to repeat them. He enjoyed this immensely.

Many Dominicans believe that deaf people cannot learn or that educating them is not worth the effort and cost. Education has only been available to deaf Dominicans for about 55 years. The high illiteracy rate, social isolation, and cultural stigmas make reaching these people difficult. But, we know something exciting. God is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9) into eternal punishment. He is sending our family with His supernatural love for these people to share His great gospel with them. Edwin's story is not uncommon and is repeated all over the Dominican. We are overjoyed at the prospect of being able to be a part of his story and many others.

"I believe that in each generation God has called enough men and women to evangelize all the yet unreached tribes of the earth. It is not God who does not call. It is man who will not respond!"

—Isobel Kuhn, missionary to China