June, July, Aug 2012 Mission Update

Left: Two workshop participants try a polio victim’s mobility aid. We also said farewell to Katie (inset), who is returning to the USA. We’ll remember her great singing voice, leadership, creativity & acting skills, sense of fun and compassion. J

                                                                                                



   Dear friends and partners.

     Ad: We hear that the UK has had plentiful rain, like Arua! Village fields are now thriving. Here, the Pastor’s Inclusive Communication Course was one of our highlights. The pastors and our team of deaf/hearing sign-language instructors  were ready to try fresh approaches to teaching. They also willingly but cautiously tried  different experiences of sensory loss. See their feedback on slide 4 inside.

     Some of YWAM Arua’s deaf-hearing DTS students devised activities and psalms based on creation which are included. Helen’s brother, Graham, his wife Karen, and their children Jasmine and Danielle, came to visit. Whilst here Graham ran some business excellence seminars. Two deaf attended. Karen spoke about their enlarged family whist Jas and Danny explored the base and explained what UK kids love to do!  I look forward to seeing family & friends in the UK in Sept.

In This Update..

New sign-language resources for building character/faith

Inclusive Communication: Fresh thoughts on disability..

Forty pastors enjoy 3 day Inclusive Communication Course

Mixed deaf/hearing Interschool Sports Event Surprises many

YWAM Arua 2012 signed Discipleship Training School starts

Signs & Wonders: The Grass hopper..

In the Refinery: Only a Shadow        News from the family. 

Looking ahead to September -– see last page

New sign-language resources

for building faith and developing interactive teaching was enjoyed by pastors  from many areas of NW Uganda. Also included were church leaders from five different denominations across Arua Municipality. This Inclusive Communication Course was run jointly  by Madi & West Nile Special Needs Ministry and YWAM Arua Deaf Connections. It was a fantastic team effort. Most participants, including deaf and hearing instructors expressed much greater understanding of the topics covered. See above right

    This was the first time many deaf and hearing had been trained and resourced with biblical sign-language vocabulary material. Signs for the Lord’s Prayer and Apostles Creed were  included thanks to our deaf/hearing resource development team which included Rev. Allan Aviah (above left) Special needs coordinator for West Nile.

     Pastors attending our Inclusive Communication Course agreed that the resources  were valuable, because nothing similar was available beforehand. Many said that they can now make their services more inclusive  of deaf/mute people  in their communities.   

Inclusive Communication Course: Experiencing disability..

Deaf/hearing inter-school sports event surprises many..

YWAM Arua 2012 signed Discipleship Training School (DTS) starts. Katie, Hellen & Jonathan help with planning/signing

Many of our partners work with deaf to perform dramas:...

Such as the. Rich man & Lazarus; Jesus washing his disciples feet, God tests  Abraham. Our  partners include pastors,YWAM Arua DTS students, local youth, Karen, Jas, &Danny

Sign Workshop for three neighbouring families with deaf members

        On the invitation of deaf youth, Edmond and Doreen (circled) and their families we teamed up with local sign-language instructors, a hearing DTS student and local youth to run our second home sign workshop. About 10 adults and 30 children attended, giggling noisily as they showed each other the sign-names their instructors had given them and learnt everyday signs that they could see would improve communication with their deaf relatives and neighbours.

   Doreen and Edmond, circled were very appreciative and we look forward to learning what long-term impact it has. David, a hearing youth whose family hosted our first home sign workshop, teamed up with Godfrey, chair of the Arua Deaf Association to make a large, portable sealed sign-language display for the families to refer to afterwards. 

In the Refiner's Fire:......Only a Shadow.......

…  I recently asked fellow staff and their children to pair up and trace the outline of the shadow cast by the side profile of each other’s head. The idea that evolved amongst Some of these pairs then asked if the rest of their family could also included so that a display could be made. It then struck me that if these side profiles were created for each YWAM Arua staff’s family, they could make an attractive, low cost visual introduction for visitors entering the base dining hall.

   The finished displays, developed by the ladies above, are much appreciated by the base’s many visitors and most staff. But a few staff members were initially disappointed because 1. the drawer was either not attentive or not gifted enough, or, 2. the model too fidgetty, or  c. because the person was shocked to see what their side profile was really like.   

   As I thought about these reactions & references to shadows in scripture I felt God remind me again that...

1.… my study of his character determines the accuracy with which I present him to others.

2.… in the same way shadows mark time as they move, God numbers my days.

3.… in the same way shadows can only shield me from the sun’s glaring heat if stay within them, God can only protect me to the extent that I live under the guidelines he’s provided for my health, relationships and growth spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally and socially.

4.… if God is likened to an agile eagle whose wings its young need to stay under, then likewise I believe I

need to grasp and move with the panoramic vision and plans God longs for all his creation to embrace.

. Psalm 36:7
How priceless your faithful love is!

Important and ordinary people alike find safety in the shadow of your wings    

Signs & Wonders – The Grasshopper

News from the family:

Laurence couldn’t write this as he was en route to England when I needed his contribution. Loz  really enjoyed his cousin’s visit. He’s now in the UK with old friends. He has enjoyed YWAM Wildfire in the Olympic atmosphere in Coventry. Now he’s at Soul SurvivorMaria: In the last 2 months I've completed all my exams and received my results - I passed! We had our End of Year Ball which was a nice chance to dress up and go out as a group of friends to celebrate the end of first year. I stayed longer than most in Hull as I worked until near the end of June. In June I completed my Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition on the North Yorkshire moors without a drop of rain in sight.
     Half way through June I moved into a friends house as my halls contract was up; I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to moving into my house in August! It will be much more convenient as its nearer to uni, town, work etc. -technically should be cheaper...
     Matt and I are now on our holidays, I went up to Scotland for 5 days where we visited his sister in Stirling, went to Edinburgh
     Matt and I are now on our holidays, I went up to Scotland for 5 days where we visited his sister in Stirling, went to Edinburgh      Matt and I are now on our holidays, I went up to Scotland for 5 days where we visited his sister in Stirling, went to Edinburgh etc Then travelled down to Bedworth to see old friends and my old running club which was great :) Visits to family and friends in London, East Grinstead, Brighton and then Bangor (N.Wales) followed. Soon I go to Austria with a friend and family. :)Jerome:  Did the Yorkshire 3 peaks with my friend Joel. We finished in the dark due to lack of fitness, wet ground and late starting. Really good fun and well worth the effort.    Broke up for summer a couple of weeks back and I've had my holiday before working on a farm near Howden for harvest. Hopefully I won’t get too tired working. 

April/May 2012 Mission Update

    Dear friends and partners.

The last two months had some exciting events and encour-aging developments - see our update summary below.

   In April we were visited first by our older children, Maria and Jerome for a short but very special stay, followed shortly after by our good friends Paul & Christine.

   We are also thankful for the gift of our long-standing family friend John Binge, left, who died  on Sun. 13/5. He partnered us in our mission. I shared many interests and travels with him and loved his inventive spirit. John was often filled with awe for God as he studied wildlife.  John was a good listener, teacher & an open man. He’s trusting  Jesus . 

     YWAM Arua’s deaf-hearing Discipleship Training School,   has just started. We’re excited  that two deaf students and one deaf staff member. Helen’s co-leading.  Ad

In This Update..

New Illustrated Carpentry & Discipleship signs produced

Workshop for staff/ families of deaf students well received.

First Monthly Home Sign Workshop for families of local deaf.

Community Sports Discipleship Tournament for D&H United

Signs & Wonders: – Six deaf in paid building work…

In the Refiner’s fire: Angtuli- an Emotional healing course

News from the family.  

Katie, an American YWAM ‘Year for God ‘ intern joined us in March for a four month placement.

Photo: Katie, an American YWAM ‘Year for GoPhoto: Katie, an American YWAM ‘Year for God ‘ intern joined us in March for a four month placement.

She has quickly got involved in many aspects of our work.

Katie is bringing  talent in the areas worship-leading, song, dance. She has a passion to address the emotional and spiritual as well as the practical needs of families with members with sensory or mobility challenges.

Photo: Katie, an American YWAM ‘Year for God ‘ intern joined us in March for a four month placement.

She has quickly got involved in many aspects of our work.

is bringing  talent in the areas worship-leadi

New Illustrated signs produced for Carpentry

Our partnership with West Nile Ecumenical Vocational Training Centre (WNEVTC) continues. One new partially deaf building student, Kennedy, has enrolled. We have just recruited Moses, a hearing  carpentry instructor with sign-language skills, whose mobility challenges have strengthened his determination to achieve and serve.

 Our sign-language resource development team has  developed what appears to be Uganda’s first illustrated carpentry signs. This has allowed one of last year’s deaf building graduates, Wilfred, to join WNEVTC’s carpentry course for the first time.

    

We also ran a half day sign workshop for all WNEVTC  new student intake, are setting up sign-language displays and alongside deaf instructor, Temia, we continue to provide communication support and optional sign-language teaching in other useful topics at their student fellowship once a week. We have provided sports equipment and some sports sign teaching too to help the deaf and hearing students relax and compete together. Thank you WNEVTC for your  continued willingness to train deaf and hearing students alongside one another.

Workshop for staff/ families of deaf students well received ..

.. at Arua Primary. It attracted well over 100 participants for each of the four Saturday mornings it ran. Its success was a fantastic team effort resulting from a strong set of agreed expectations, team production of many new illustrated signs, and training of trainers in new sign vocabulary and teaching skills. 

Our team had over 20 deaf sign language instructors/assistant instructors. Many hearing staff, classmates,  relatives and deaf students themselves testified to more effective teaching/social relationships.

 A police officer and girl guide leader (circled) came because they support isolated deaf We put up a sign-language display in the school compound which students studied! 

Home Sign Workshop for local families with deaf members

        On the invitation of local pastors John Toburo (circled) and his wife Alice, we co-led our first home sign workshop in their home. Their deaf nephew Samuel, and deaf neighbour, Vilma (both boxed), helped us teach their 15 relatives who all enthusiastically squashed into the small room. John and Alice have temporarily adopted Wilma because her family support network is almost non-existent.

 YWAM Deaf Connections support is helping this arrangement to continue. David, one of John’s sons has produced a wall-display of everyday signs to help everyone practice, including our UK friends Paul & Christine, inset!

       Alongside this support, we have worked  with John & Alice and the local deaf association, to set some personal, social and vocational development goals for Wilma.

 Our long term goal is that Wilma’s close relatives are willing and able to see her potential and will eventually welcome her back fully. Samuel, partially deaf/sighted/lame,  has also benefitted from YWAM DC support to attend local school Eruba Primary deaf unit. His cousins have marvelled at how his self-esteem, confidence, self-motivation is growing. 

Community Sports Discipleship Tournament for Deaf & Hearing United

Signs & Wonders – Six deaf in paid building work ...

… alongside their hearing colleagues is ongoing at a new building site at YWAM Arua since April, I was so delighted to see this .  Team adoption of interdependency was the the key. All are developing new skills and growing in their love and understanding of God. We have enjoyed watching each work to his/her potential capabilities alongside a hearing employee, on a separate task.. Bernard, their boss praises them and their teamwork mentality.

  

Temia, assistant building instructor‘ for  deaf students, was giving sign support at the construction site. She is highly regarded and she is thriving.  Back in 2009, on Bernard’s advice, and with our help, our partner vocational training school (WNEVTC)  was able to accommodate Temia, a speech impaired partially deaf woman at where she gained a credit in building. She’s now employed there.

 Deaf DTS graduate Philliam and Deaf Go-Camper Herbert were also on the construction assisting  two new deaf -building student, Kenny ,and labourer Edmond. Neither Kenny or Edmond had sign language skills 6 months ago but thanks to Bernard , Temia, Philiam & Herbert they are picking up. Edmond, hopes to have gained the communication skills to earn a place there next year. We think this is very likely and thank God for these developments. We’d love to share the video clips with you.

In the Refiner’s Fire: Ang Tulay…

… is a Philaippino phrase that means “the bridge”. It is an emotional healing program that was originally developed for traumatised children/youth in the Philippines to help them  journey from their pain towards healing. YWAM Uganda leaders were so impressed that they asked  Its founders, a ministry called Precious Jewels to come and teach their YWAM staff about it. So, in the month of April, an Ang Tulay, came to Arua to run this program for staff and students. Because Adam and Helen had to prepare Laurence for his exams I, Katie, went to the week-long session in their place.

   
Each day was a new subject that unwrapped the dark, hidden, and hurting parts of our hearts to bring healing through Jesus Christ. We worked through our problems with various activities, talking in small groups, and prayer.  I realized that I had more grief, sadness, and pain in my life then I was aware of.  It has pushed me to seek deeper healing in my Saviour.  The purpose of my going was to gain more knowledge of how to mentor youth that are deaf because many of them are often rejected the community and their families. There were many lives that were immensely touched that week and will continue to be touched through the program of Ang Tulay.               Katie

News from the family:

 Maria:  This month I've had a lot on in terms of uni. I've had 2 exams so far and my last one is on the 24th so I'll be glad when they're over! It's amazing how fast my first year has gone! Modules for next year have been chosen and i have a house sorted for next year. Had a fantastic time go-karting with friends last week and am enjoying a relaxing break visiting Matt in Dundee. I had lunch at St Andrews gold course - student budget didn't reach to cover a round! Looking forward to my end of year ball, then travelling with my boyfriend in July :)

Jerome: Well I'm writing this on the 1st sunny day in England for quite a while. Its beautiful, but for some reason I'm inside. I've got my stockmanship parade coming up next week its hard getting the sheep clipped and trained to show. It looks very unimpressive! I've been doing a lot of tractor work recently cultivating for planting maize. I'm looking forward to harvest time & a summer break from assignments.

Planning what to do right now. 

Laurence:  Hello. I am about to do my last exam. For the past two weeks I have done the exams for my three IGCSEs English, Maths, and Geography.  Apart from that, our football team have had are first two tournaments. We lost all our games but not by a big margin, I don’t think it is too bad, considering they were our first matches. I am looking forward to going back to England on the 27th of January. Now the premiership has finished I am really missing watching matches, so I’m looking forward to euro 2012 where England only have a chance if we are as lucky as Chelsea.