Pastor Jason of Midland, TX “My Experience with the Deaf in Jamaica”

Deaf Child Hope’s 2024 Mission Trip to Jamaica: A Life-Changing Journey

Deaf Child Hope (DCH)’s 2024 mission trip to Jamaica was nothing short of transformational. To say it changed me would be an understatement—its impact on my life is a complete paradigm shift, influencing me in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

How I Discovered Deaf Child Hope

Three years ago, while pastoring a small church in rural Oklahoma, I first learned about Deaf Child Hope International. JD King, DCH’s founder and CEO, visited our congregation, sharing the mission of providing hope to deaf children in poverty. Moved by his presentation, I decided to sponsor a deaf child for the first time.

Last fall, after moving to a new church in Midland, Texas, I invited JD to speak. That visit led me to commit to a mission trip to Jamaica with DCH—an experience that would forever change my perspective.

Meeting Inspiring Teachers and Students in Jamaica

During our week in Jamaica, we visited two deaf school campuses and the Jamaican Deaf Village. One teacher at the Knockpatrick campus, Peter, stood out to me. His positive energy and deep connection with students were inspiring.

Peter introduced me to Brittney, a teenager who gave me a name sign in Jamaican Sign Language (JSL)—a gesture that means “Mighty Bear,” mirroring a nickname I have in Latin America. True to my promise, I sponsored Brittney. But what Peter didn’t know was that I also decided to sponsor him. It will be a joyful surprise when he receives my letter!

An Apology and a New Understanding of Deaf Culture

Before this trip, I believed that deafness needed to be “fixed” with cochlear implants, hearing aids, or lip-reading skills. I thought communication had to happen on my terms. But spending time with the Deaf community in Jamaica opened my eyes.

💬 I realized that Deaf culture is rich, distinct, and beautiful—complete with its own language and identity. It was wrong of me to assume that hearing ability defines wholeness. I now understand that being deaf is not something that needs fixing. To the Deaf community worldwide, I offer my sincere apology:

“You are perfect the way God made you. You don’t need to change for me to connect with you. I will learn your language because I want to understand you.”

A Commitment to Deaf Ministry and Sponsorship

This life-changing mission trip has inspired me to consider launching a Deaf ministry at my church. I now proudly sponsor two amazing individuals—Peter and Brittney—and plan to sponsor more in the future.

Supporting Deaf children living in poverty is the best investment I can make—one that brings eternal value. These sponsorships are more than financial support; they are opportunities to help souls flourish.

Final Thoughts: Investing in Eternal Impact

The Deaf Child Hope mission trip to Jamaica reshaped how I view Deaf culture, language, and community. I am now a proud advocate for Deaf ministries, committed to giving hope to deaf children through sponsorships and connection.

If you’re considering making a difference, know that a recurring sponsorship can make a huge difference —not just for the child you sponsor, but for entire communities and future generations.