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The country singing group Alabama recorded a song that starts out with the voice of an old man saying, �See that mountain over there? Someday I�m going to climb that mountain.�
I always wanted to learn sign language but it was like that song, �Someday I�ll study sign language.� In 1993 a friend of mine gave birth to a beautiful baby boy and a few months later they found out that he was deaf. It was a very difficult time for the whole family but especially for my friend as she was Mom... They had to learn to raise a deaf child and the obstacles seemed insurmountable at that time. She started looking for sign language classes and I decided to go with her for support. Doing something with someone else always makes things easier. I found an amazing teacher and began to really absorb the language. My friend�s needs were different than mine; hers were much more extensive, but my love for the language grew steadily.
At first I learned pidgin Signed English. It is composed of signs and gestures but with English sentence structure. After realizing most deaf spoke a different language I began to look for American Sign Language teachers and found one through the Chicago Hearing Society.
American Sign Language-A.S.L.-is a beautiful and expressive language composed of signs, gestures and expressions. It has a definite structure and can be taught as a way to communicate with the deaf and hard of hearing.
My friend and her son attended Amazing Grace. We wanted to teach our children�s teachers the language so that we could teach her son. We also wanted to make every part of the service available to him through sign language. This was a great adventure. It has been with difficulty expanding my borders but being a member of Amazing Grace I can say, �We LOVE a challenge!� Jesus never says no! It is exciting to be able to open our church to the deaf and their families.
Right now we are offering classes to anyone who would like to learn some basic fundamentals of A.S.L. for the purpose of signing Praise and Worship songs and the Word of God. There are classes in progress right now and we will start new classes in January.
It is also our vision to offer free classes especially to the families and extended families of the deaf to enable them to communicate with their family and friends.
I am so grateful to God because He took the desire of my heart, caused it to come to pass, and then used it to glorify Him. How amazing! Sign up for Signing Classes $10 fee for materials
THE DOINGS NEWSPAPERS Thursday October 18, 2001 IMAGES 57 | |||||||||
INSPIRATIONS | |||||||||
Church learns new way
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Melissa
Warbel Inspiration for ministering comes in
many forms. Pastor John Doonan and members of the Amazing Grace
Community Church congregation in Indian Head Park found inspiration in an 8-year-old
boy named Timmy. |
after the Parmas joined the church a year and a half ago, Pastor
Doonan realized the church needed to expand its ministry to all members of the
congregation. |
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Classes
in signing available (learn American Sign Language I & II) classes now in session Sign up for Sign Language Free Signing Classes pay for book only special classes signing with music signing too Call for Information All services signed (Sunday am Sunday pm Thursday pm) Sunday School and Can Do Kids Club signed. Sign
up for Free Signing Classes
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