To view the ASL Version - click here
Wow. We are almost to the end of our "unprecedented" year.. Does anyone else cringe every time they hear/see that word.. It's not my favorite!
(Music/songs to get you through the year - that is a favorite. You can click each link below for the individual song, or you can click here for the full playlist)
I realize I've been MIA on my updates this year. Much has happened, but I've not yet adequately documented it. Azael was able to take some time off, so I'm fervently trying to record all the things God has done to make sure he gets the glory from this! in this unprecedented 😏 year.
As I'm compiling the list of things that happened with the Deaf Ministry and Interpreting needs for Cru during in this calendar year, I'm grateful for the "great things he hath done". Please join me in saying "Praise the LORD", our Adonai as he continues to increase our ministry for Deaf students and staff.
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In February, I provided a team of interpreters for a 4 day intensive training workshop. Due to the nature of the workshop, I needed 2 male interpreters and 2 female interpreters. The interpreting field is disproportionally made up of women, so I was easily able to book two wonderful ladies. I also secured one guy a month before the training was scheduled but I was still looking for second guy the week before the event. My typical search for an interpreter will only need me to ask 10 or so interpreters before I am able to cover a job. However, in this situation, I had to press on and ask 39 Christian Male Interpreters before the 40th one was able to accept the job! Before this, I didn't know that 40 Christian Male Interpreters existed!! (I joke, but they are a RARE breed for sure). I was so very grateful for the network that God provided me, as the training ignited deep growth and healing for the participants!
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I received an email in May asking if I could provide interpreters for only the first 3 hours of a virtual 24 hour prayer event. After calling the organizer on a Friday to discuss more details, it turned out they were open to covering the whole 24 hours with interpreters, but they did not have the funds, nor did they expect the need could be met - since the event was less than a week away. Feeling the Holy Spirit confirm within me that we could indeed cover the full 24 hours, I told the organizer I would work on it over the weekend, and felt confident that we could have interpreters for the whole event. As I drove back home, the song PEACE, BE STILL, came on the radio. I felt it was confirmation from the Holy Spirit that he would do it! An amazing 72 hours later, all 24 two-person team two-hour slots were covered!!! I wish I had the video footage of the event to share with you, but unfortunately a glitch did not record any of it. It truly was an amazing time!
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Even with the lock-downs/quarantines that have become our norm, we had our FIRST Deaf Virtual Summer Mission during June and July. It was such a sweet time of growth both for our staff and the seven (7) students that attended. This is only the SECOND Deaf Summer Mission that has ever happened in the 69 years that Cru has existed. We are so excited for the opportunities on the horizon to EQUIP Deaf Students to share their faith with their peers! Often, because the hearing church is generally in English, Deaf individuals don't feel as though they have a place, since English is not their first language. Through the summer teachings and trainings, many of the students realized they can do the things God has called them to using ASL!
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In September, I officially transferred to my new department. If this sounds familiar, it's because I did the same thing last year 😆 When an organization made up of thousands restructures their leadership, it takes a while for the dust to settle and people to be 'filed in the new system'. I started out under HR when I first joined staff, and now I'm back in HR! It's a different team, now, since I'm on the national level and not just designated to one region (as there are Deaf people EVERYWHERE) 😉 So far, its a great fit with appropriate oversight and room to grow. God has been kind and taking good care of me - I'm excited to see where He leads! :)
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Lastly, in December of this year, due to our virtual year, the National Campus Staff decided to host an "all staff day" for encouragement and to cast vision. There are over 3,000 staff members on the campus level of Cru. This endeavor meant we would have to use a Zoom Webinar instead of a Meeting. I'm sure many of you have become more familiar with Zoom than you ever would have thought. Zoom has many integrated features that allow for Deaf people to use an interpreter on the platform, but a Webinar is not one of them 👀 With God's grace and some creative settings we were able to make it work! We raise a hallelujah for the technology of today that allows us to involve the Deaf community!
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I hope this update brings a smile to your face and joy to your heart. May the Lord bless you and keep you this holiday season. May he make his face shine upon you.
As always, I'm grateful for your partnership. If you would like to make a monetary donation towards supporting the ongoing ministry, click here. We have many projects for accessibility in the works for 2021. More updates to come!
Soli Deo Gloria
:D
