For more resources like this, sign up for In the Know, Young Life’s monthly newsletter from Alumni & Friends.
Being Deaf is not a disability
HOW THE SPIRIT IS OVERCOMING LANGUAGE BARRIERS.
Abbey Fagan
For years, being deaf was labeled a disability, but what if we started seeing it as a language barrier instead? This perspective is indeed changing in San Antonio, Texas, where the first solely deaf Young Life club since the ’90s is thriving.
Emma Faye Rudkin lost her hearing at age 3, and she questioned throughout her childhood if God could understand and love her. At 16 she went to Young Life camp with an understanding of Jesus, but no knowledge of Young Life. On the bus Morgan, her leader whom she’d just met that week, looked at her and said, “You’re going to start Deaf Young Life here. I just know that about you.” Morgan planted a seed in Emma’s mind.
In 2015, three years after the bus conversation, Emma went on Young Life staff at 19, following God’s leading to start Deaf Young Life in San Antonio. For an entire semester, however, she showed up at kids’ events, but had little to show for it. Growing frustrated, Emma told her roommates she was going to quit. Maybe Morgan was wrong. Maybe Emma misunderstood God’s leading.
That night she mustered up enough hope to attend one final football game. As she was leaving, she saw a group of wrestlers communicating in American Sign Language (ASL). She walked up to them and began signing back.
After months of going to kids, Emma’s persistence meant Deaf Young Life was about to take off.
FACING DOWN EACH CHALLENGE
The foundation of Young Life work is going where kids are and building relationships on their turf. Yet, unless they have a friend involved, deaf teens don’t usually attend pep rallies or football games. Leaders must know where to find them or create opportunities where deaf kids feel comfortable.
But once leaders find these teens, the connection is instant. When deafness excludes, it does so because there isn’t common language. Imagine being an English speaker dropped into a culture where no one knew your language.
This language barrier follows deaf teens wherever they go, even their own homes.1 Studies show that 90% of deaf kids are born into hearing homes. Of these homes more than 70% of parents do not sign with their children regularly, leaving the kids to learn the language at school.2 Emma explains, “When a Young Life leader shows up and signs their language, it’s an instant connection and bond, because for the first time a loving adult who cares about them can sign their language — getting to know important details about their life and how they’re doing emotionally and spiritually.”
Young people who are deaf not only face communication challenges at home, but they are often excluded from social events. Many hearing parents have concerns with teaching their deaf teens to drive. So, each Thursday, Emma and her team pick kids up after school from all over San Antonio, to bring them to club. The leaders help them with their homework, eat dinner together and experience clubs and events made just for their needs — deemphasizing musical elements, while emphasizing the visual, and creating places for deaf teens to connect.
For example, most deaf teens do not attend the high school prom because of the music, not having a date or the fear of not being able to understand their date. But at Deaf Young Life Prom they show “Just Dance” up on the screen, so kids can learn how to dance through fun, visual videos. By using visuals and big drums to create a comfortable environment, Deaf Young Life restores a teenage milestone lost to them.
The deaf community is estimated as the third largest unreached people group for the gospel in the world.3 In fact, 98% of deaf people do not have a relationship with Jesus.4 Again, the language barrier creates challenges. Deaf ministry is one of the most expensive ministries because it can require three to four different communication styles. “Each kid has a unique need and understanding of language, especially at camp where we provide all avenues of communication.”
In 2019, Emma was delighted to see the interpreters dressing up in costume and being a part of the program at Crooked Creek Ranch, one of Young Life’s camps in Colorado. No longer were the interpreters dressed all in black, standing out on stage. Now they blended in, which allowed the kids to know they’re truly a part of the camp experience. The ministry applies to service as well. For example, last summer Emma took the first group of deaf teenagers since the ’90s to go serve as work crew at Young Life’s Trail West camp in Colorado.
SMALL BUT GROWING
Deaf Young Life club in San Antonio is one of only 11 ministries solely for deaf teenagers across the entire United States.5 They encompass Pentecost in Acts 2, men and women going out filled with the Holy Spirit, breaking down language barriers. Deaf teenagers can stand in awe: “We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” (Acts 2:11b).
God calls us to go to the outcasts and welcome them into His family — just like He did with us through Jesus. The Deaf Young Life leaders in San Antonio are doing this daily, praying to be the catalyst for change by showing up and signing the language of the deaf teens in their community, walking alongside them as they grow into adults running after God.
What began as a club with interpreter volunteer leaders four years ago has grown into a ministry where the graduates are ready to give back and tell their deaf community about Jesus.
Furthermore, a second deaf staff person was recently hired in Austin, Texas, to start Young Life at the Texas School of the Deaf, with future plans to continue into the central United States and expand from there.
The seed planted on a bus ride home from camp has blossomed with no signs of stopping. We hope and pray this is just the beginning of God tearing down the language barriers through Young Life leaders, demonstrating the love of Jesus to these dear kids.
*Historically, Young Life has had ministries in various locations for deaf kids over the decades.
Three Questions to Ponder
How am I encompassing Acts 2 in my own life?
Pentecost isn’t just a historical event. It is how we should live out our lives. As Christians, we get to bridge the gaps for the outcasts. God will enable us.
What’s stopping me from pursuing people on the outskirts?
God commissions us to break down barriers whether language, culture, socio-economic, etc. Don’t let your fear stop you from showing up. Pray, seek out and ask questions.
How can I get connected with the deaf community?
Find a local interpreter at a church or local community ASL class who can help you learn and grow. Once you learn the alphabet in ASL, kids will love to teach you from there! They’re desperate to communicate with adults who care about them.
Like my second family now
Students often bullied Edwin for being deaf at his school in California, to the point that he contemplated ending his own life. Later he moved to Texas and things were brighter, but still incredibly lonely.
Edwin met Emma at the clinic as he was getting new hearing aids. At Young Life club, Emma introduced Edwin to David, the Young Life leader. “These people I met welcomed me with open arms. They are like my second family now.”
David offered to teach Edwin how to drive, and now they hang out every week.
Before going to camp, Edwin was mad at God for allowing him to become deaf, but after camp he realized God wasn’t the problem; instead, he now sees that God has good plans for his life.