The goal has always been to house deaf students from far away villages around the country of Liberia, and even into Guinea and Ivory Coast. By allowing the students to live at the school, they can be taken care of and educated where they otherwise wouldn't be. We will be able to create a safe and loving place where they can communicate and be loved. Many for the first time can feel a part of a community.
This urgency was driven home to me this past trip. A 14 year old girl named Baby Cole, from several miles away, close to the Ivorian boarder, was dropped off because her family heard there was a deaf school. She can't read, or write, or communicate. After the first 14 years of her life, she was in the beginning stages of learning sign language. Luckily she has a distant relative who was willing to house her in Ganta so she could attend school. So many others don't have that opportunity. So many others aren't valued enough to be sent to school or even cared for. Please pray for Baby Cole.
One of our questions to the leaders while we were there was, "when can the student's start moving in"?
The answer was an unanimous: "When we can feed them."
Evidently in Liberia, where resources are incredibly thin, parents don't value deaf kids (or any kid with a disability) enough to send them to school. We were told, that their parents simply wouldn't pay to feed them if they are sent there. For these families, school fees would be out of the question for deaf kids.
Our knee jerk reaction was to provide the funds. We would feed them!
After prayer and very wise counsel from those who have been involved with missions much longer then I have. I was urged to find another way.
They unanimously answered. "they need to be self sufficient."
What's next?
A push for self sufficiency. David Bennet, director of Silent Word Ministries International (SWMI) , has begun the process of implementing farming, fruit trees, fish ponds and a piggory where pork can be raised to eat and sell. Beyond the Bricks is actively involved with this aspect of the project. Currently we are funding a security fence to safe guard the farm and fishponds from would be thieves.
There is an American missionary in Ganta who serves at the University teaching "Farming God's way." We have solicited his guidance and assistance.
I can't tell you enough how incredibly valuable it is to have the wisdom and experience of these people!
There is so much to do and so many pieces yet to be put together, but God has already begun doing it. So much has already been done with the help of so many people and organizations. It has been a true blessing to work along side those involved. What a blessing to be a part of this Kingdom sized endeavor!
Our Mission is the great commission.
We are actively building the Church. Praying earnestly that many deaf people will learn about the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
