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Coming Soon: DVDs in Mexican Sign Language
We are now working on a unique and important project. For a number of years, we have felt a strong need to create DVDs in Mexican Sign Language (MSL). At this time, there are no Adventist materials in MSL.
First of all, many people think that American Sign Language is universal, meaning that Deaf people all around the world use the same sign language to communicate. While several countries do use ASL, most countries have their own sign language. Mexico is one of those countries. Since they are just south of the American border, we have been in close contact with our Deaf Mexican brothers and sisters and we see a great need for materials in their language.
Also, many Mexicans have been moving to the USA for work. And among them are Deaf people. They, too, need to be presented with the Gospel message and Bible truth.
At a number of Deaf Expos, Mexican Deaf people come to the booth, hoping there is something in their language. And we have to tell them we have nothing to give. They are so hungry and thirsty for God’s words, but they can not find anything anywhere. How disappointed they must feel when they can not find anything about God in their own langauge! God loves these Deaf people, too, and we have a heavy burden on our hearts to provide some DVDs that they can watch.
The plan is to take the DVD series “Amazing Bible Truths” with Francisca Trexler and have them translated into MSL. There will be 14 programs with a variety of topics. This program will have two different speakers, each having 7 programs.
One of the speakers is Francisca Trexler herself. She was born in Arizona and but lived in Mexico in her first ten years before moving to the USA as a child. She did not learn MSL until she became an adult.
The other speaker is Felipe “Lalo” Bonifacio. He lives in south Texas and visits Mexico regularly to help the Deaf church groups. He has made many sacrifices to serve these people, including giving time and money for gas. He has waited hours at the border crossing for inspections.
These two speakers have spent much time preparing for the presentations. Part of the work is studying the Bible and getting ready to share the Bible truths. But most of the work is actually trying to figure out how to properly translate ASL into MSL. There are many English words that do not exist in Spanish. Also there are some ASL words that do not have an equal word in MSL. They have to be very creative to explain Bible teachings, sometimes using examples.
Right now, Francisca has finished 4 of her 7 programs. Felipe has completed 2 of his. So, they are almost half finished with the project.
Please pray for these speakers as they prepare and study. Also, pray that this project will be finished by the end of 2008. Thank you.