Becoming a Deaf Christian isn't easy because I wrote: "How Can Deaf People Know Jesus Christ?" and that has been challenging in my life. So, I want to share more specifics about myself as a Deaf Christian. Let's read out!
Living as a Deaf Christian in Indonesia is something never been easy because the population of interpreters is Muslim-dominated and only around 10 interpreter-certified are Christian and Catholic across Indonesia, including voluntary interpreters, uncounted. So, would be common if you hear that Deaf Christians decide to convert to other religions (usually Muslim because Muslim is a majority religion) because they want to come where the accessibility and where they get to. That's common because I've heard as often but I respect them because this is their rights and freedom that shall not be infringed. And, of course, versa verse. Yeah, that's a problem but we can't change them. So, I just pray and say congratulate them because I'm happy about their life has changed and find the truth or it makes them feel at peace.
I attended a virtual Deaf Bible study every Monday night on Zoom but I felt bored because I don't like to attend virtual events and I want to attend the event in person. Deaf Bible study is organized by the GKI Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta which has Deaf programs to help and share Deaf Christians know Jesus Christ. They also have Bible translation in BISINDO and are usually posted on Instagram (but, I forgot what the name is).
I was struggling to move in and out of churches. In different churches, I was seeking where the church that fit me. As a Deaf person, I would determine that all churches should have an interpreter so I would decide to go there. I worked as a teacher in the church but it didn't go well. So, I moved again, again, and again, a total of 6 churches that ever I tried. I ended up coming to the last church, English Worship, and decided to be there because I was exhausted from moving to church and I want to contribute to English Worship.
Why English Worship? Because English Worship has an interpreter but more than just an interpreter. There are reasons why I feel at home at English Worship. They are a good listener and open to what I want to do. So, they made me feel at home and growing up as a family.
So, not easy becoming a Deaf Christian. But, I believe in Him and He knows I'm struggling with my faith. I saw in what He move in and brought to the right place at the right time. I'm depending on Him because He has the best plan and He knows where am I going. I meet nice friends and share about what looks like Jesus Christ. For me, no interpreter is going to be the problem but it doesn't matter to me because I want to know more about who Jesus Christ is and what love is in many ways that I can do it. Through my heart out talking, that will be working and what usually I do when I communicate with Him.
I have an Instagram account so that gives me a chance to learn Christian because there are many Deaf Christian platforms. Despite they aren't Indonesian, I'm grateful that I know ASL (American Sign Language) so I can learn and watch the reels or videos. Thank you, Jeni Kim! She was my ASL private teacher during pandemics in 2020 and we met in a virtual class twice a week. So, she made me to know ASL and I can learn Christian in ASL. That's super good! Thank you, Jesus Christ, for meeting with my favorite ASL teacher. I wish we can meet in person! Why are mostly Christian platforms using ASL? Yeah, because they are actively sharing the gospel in ASL and there are Deaf pastors and a Deaf Christian community. And even, there are Deaf churches, that place for Deaf only (of course, hearing can come there but hearing people who know sign language only). So many churches have provided ASL interpreters every Sunday worship, which they are on-live streaming. I am obsessed with them and can feel that I want to meet with them to discuss and learn more about Christianity. Every I open Instagram, I would like to learn them and go find who an account is that should be there. If you want to learn Deaf Christian platforms, I would make sure that you know ASL first but you are lucky if you know English because there are videos that have provided English captions. I have three strong recommendations to learn Christianity in ASL. A look here:
Erin Falacho, Follower of Christ, @erinfollowjesus, a Deaf woman Christian. She also has her channel on Youtube so you can go watch it on Youtube! She is very political so you might be uncomfortable but she is more attracted to Christianity so that's okay for you and you can skip her political views.
Deaf Millennial Project, @deafmillenialproject, a Deaf Christian community. That's a super good recommendation to update the events that usually they hold on to. The update event is they will hold a conference called "Awaken Conference" which will be held in Dallas, Texas on September 2-4, 2022. So, if you are in America, let's register and come to Texas! Last month if I still remember, they also hosted a conference in the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs, Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri. That was huge! They have Deaf pastors and routinely share testimony and the gospel in ASL.
Deaf Bible Society, @deafbiblesociety, an International Deaf Christian community, they have interpreted the bible in different sign languages across the world except for ASL, such as LIBRAS (Brazilian Sign Language), MXSL (Mexican Sign Language), CSL (Chinese Sign Language), etc so Deaf Christian worldwide can read the bible in their native sign language and based on where the country they live in. Deaf Bible Society is a collaboration between Deaf Americans and Deaf non-Americans who work together and are based in Arlington, Texas. You can download their application on Playstore or the Apple store.
And more! Unfortunately, I didn't find who is more fit for you.
So, if you want to learn Christianity in sign language, you would have a choice that you can pick up as what you are comfortable with and feel fit. I wish you love watching and learning with them so you can feel like you are closer to Him as He was putting your hearts. I will pray for you so you will not be lonely and alone because He never leaves you. I wish it's helpful for you to know Christianity and who Jesus Christ is.
Thanks for reading!
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