May 15, 2020

Dear Praying Friends,

     We praise the Lord that we are able to keep in contact with our deaf through video conferencing and WhatsApp. They all seem to be doing well, but it is hard to tell through social media. I am preparing and sending out a devotional nearly every day. The only time I miss is if my blood pressure has me all messed up. We send it to all of our folks who want to receive it and then also to several other states to Deaf who have requested it. Some of our group then sends it on to other family members, including some hearing folks - by the way it is only in sign language, but they still enjoy it. I always try to visualize the verse first by explaining words they may not understand and then in the explication, I try to be clear with examples as well.

     I mentioned that it takes hours to prepare everything to teach. I usually prepare my mind and heart the evening before. The next morning I will print out the verse with "hints" on the difficult words for  them. That may be a drawing, a picture or a synonym that is easier to be understood. That often means searching a dictionary or thesaurus to make sure I am not putting an American spin on a word from the Bible. I then print it out, scan it to clear up any imperfections, send the picture file to Cheyenne, and then tape a 5-7 minute explanation of the verse. It then gets downloaded to the cloud and eventually sent to Cheyenne who compresses it and sends it on to the phone connections. I know, it could be done by taking a photo with the phone but they always turn out very dark, even in sunlight. Anyway, that is how a simple verse becomes a many hour production. This way, the Deaf see the verse with the "hints," then eventually see a video explaining with examples that hopefully plants the Word in their hearts. 

     A few of our deaf have continued to work all through this time. Most are on a partial salary until this calms down. Some obviously have no income, but we have heard no griping. They have had their difficulties. One family lost their father, and were "told" that he had passed away a week before he did. Obviously the family tried to explain that he had a stroke or something and was very serious. The Deaf understood he was gone. The next day he posted a picture with his dad in the hospital. There is no humor in this, because it shows what many Deaf go through with a family that does not communicate with them in their language. Another family is going through a rough time because the mother had major surgery and is still in the hospital. Visitation is VERY limited and under strict conditions, so it makes it hard on them, as you may very well know.

     There is food to be bought, although maybe not everything you want. Our weekly street markets have been limited as to what they can sell. Those who sold trinkets, deemed not essential, have found other things to sell like masks, or cleaners. We are doing everything possible to buy almost everything here in the village to help these folks. They are so admirable because we do not hear loud griping from anyone. They buckle down and get through the day.

      We do realize that the borders are closed both ways except for emergency reasons. We could not leave if we wanted, but we are totally happy being right here. We live on what used to be a hog farm. All of the animals are gone and a couple of houses now stand on the property. Therefore, we are sort of a gated community. The owner is living next door to us because of the dangers of COVID-19 in the city. There are two other families here, so we can close the gate whenever needed. The owner is two years older than I, so he does not want a parade of people through here. That protects all of us. We praise the Lord for the protection He has given us.

      Thank you for praying for us. We do pray for your needs as we become aware of them.

For DEAF souls in Mexico,

Gary and Ann Layne