Means of communication

During a very recent outreach to the Ovahimba and Herero people of northern Namibia we visited the local school at Swartbooisdrift. We met one of the two teachers Uzhera and she introduced us to Kauko, a 5 year old girl. She told us that Kauko was the child of her sister who died of an unknown illness about a year ago and was given to her to raise because she happens to be the closest living relative. While talking to her it became apparent that the little girl was born deaf and with tears in her eyes, Uzhera told us that her biggest problem in raising Kauko was the lack of communication between them. The child would cry from time to time during the day and there was no way that she could determine the reason why and how she desperately needs a way by which she could communicate with the child.

That same evening, during his quiet time with the Lord, Paul, the teamleader, questioned God, while knowing about the desperate need of this woman why He did not send somebody along with the team, whom could meet this need. But God did provide! The next day it became known that, Johan, one of the local guides that accompanied the overseas team knew sign language because both his parents were deaf.

For the next two days, Johan, could spend time with Uzhera to teach her the A-Z of sign language. But realizing that she would not be able to remember all in such a short time, he asked another team member to draw the signs of the alphabet on a flip chart that she carried with her. Again, not a coincidence! God clearly told her to buy these special sheets of paper in America. Not knowing what it was for until that day, she obeyed.

Afterwards we heard that Koos, the other guide that joined the team prayed in preparation for the outreach about a 22 year old deaf boy whom he knows is living in Swartbooisdrift and also does not have a way of communicating with others.

Uzhera was now able to teach Kauko and the other boy how to communicate by means of sign language and the best news of all was during the hours we spend with her she also surrendered her life to the Lord!

Looking back we can only praise God for his foreknowledge and provision in this outreach and in meeting the needs of the people we went to serve and share the Good News with!

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