Wanted: Preacher for an amazing Deaf community in Haiti!

Supporting Deaf Children and Families in Northwest Haiti: A Call to Prayer and Hope

Recently, I had the privilege of visiting Northwest Haiti Christian Mission, a Deaf Child Hope International partner, where we spent time with the deaf students and their families. It was a humbling and inspiring experience that highlighted the resilience of this community and their urgent need for spiritual support.

Visiting Deaf Students at Home

Our journey to meet these incredible children was not without challenges. Many of the students live far from school, and reaching their homes involved traversing tough terrain.

One memorable visit required weaving through a bustling street market, wading through a river, and climbing a steep incline to reach a young girl’s modest home — a journey that takes over an hour each way. It’s awe-inspiring to think that she hikes this challenging route just to attend school.

Despite the physical challenges, the joy on the children’s faces as they received backpacks filled with school supplies made every step worthwhile. We encouraged them to continue attending school and prayed over their families.

A Community in Need of a Preacher

On our final day, I prayed individually for each deaf student, teacher, and the entire deaf community. As I reflected on their needs, one glaring issue stood out: this community needs a preacher.

Currently, they only gather for church once a year when a team from the U.S. visits and uses American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate.

This lack of consistent spiritual leadership is a critical concern:

• Teachers need spiritual encouragement: They are responsible for teaching the Gospel to the children and need continuous inspiration.
• Adults require prayer partners and Biblical teaching: The community lacks a consistent faith leader to guide them.
• Children need faith-driven role models: Positive examples of walking in faith are essential for these young minds.

A Call to Prayer

Please join me in praying for God to send a permanent preacher to Northwest Haiti, someone who can communicate with the deaf community and provide the spiritual guidance they urgently need.

The challenges are many for deaf children living in poverty, but with God’s help and your prayers, we can overcome them. Let’s come together in faith and pray for this transformative change. If you’d like to intervene in more practical ways, please visit Deaf Child Hope International, and sponsor a child today.

Tammie Showalter

Partner Relations Deaf Child Hope International