ABSTRACT

At the age of six the author wrote in his school composition book, when he grows up, he want to be a mishrany. At the age of 12 his deafness was diagnosed and God began weaving his call and his disability into ways to serve him. The Deaf community has its own language. As with any other sign language, New Zealand Sign Language is a visual-gestural language using hands, the body, facial expressions, and lip patterns to express meaning and the eyes to perceive meaning. The Christian worker for the Deaf must be prepared to use Deaf idiom, storytelling, drama, role-play, and visuals to teach Deaf communities about the Good News, otherwise communication is not being made and our witness to Christ will be ineffective. Deaf attending a church will sit together mainly because they need to see the interpreter, but also for the sense of belonging they feel in community with other Deaf friends.