July 06, 2011
God speaks Sign Language
From my sister, Liz Parks, who is a socio-linguistic anthropologist, and has been mapping the deaf / sign languages of the Western Hemisphere.
In November 2007, we were sitting in a deaf family’s living room in Arequipa, Peru. Our new friend Melania asked : “Why did you come here?” When we responded that we wanted to share God’s love, Melania asked for our church affiliation. Reluctant to discuss churches because doors had previously slammed when we said the “wrong” one, Liz answered: “I have a personal relationship with Jesus. I learn more about him through the Bible and talk with Him everywhere I go.”
Melania looked rather confused. “You mean I don’t have to go to church to talk to God? I thought I needed to use an interpreter to talk to God for me. God doesn’t understand my signs so I just save all my prayers until Sunday so the interpreter can speak for me.”
“NO! God understands your sign language perfectly!” Liz said, shaking her head. Melania practically flew to her feet: “This is great! Now I can talk to God myself! I can pray at school for the kids I teach, and at home for my family. I can talk to God all the time!”
