John chapter 10
verse 10 tells us that the “thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy”. If you
are reading this blog, I am sure that the enemy has at some point stolen,
killed or destroyed something of yours. Since Signs of Love was born, the enemy
has been trying steal, kill, and destroy this precious organization. What the
enemy does not understand however, is the second part of the scripture in John
chapter 10 that states that God came “that we may have life, and have it to the
full”. As we remember all the things the enemy has destroyed of ours, we
remember that we are not forgotten. Signs of Love is not forgotten. The enemy
cannot win, because the battle has already been won. If we lose focus of this
Truth, it is easy for us to feel forgotten, or destroyed, but if we keep our
eyes on the Savior, Helper, and King, we can see that His fingerprints are all
over our lives and He is leading us in ways we never could have imagined. I
want to share a story about a girl who may have seemed to be “forgotten”, but
was used as an instrument to grow Signs of Love and provide the Deaf on the
Northern coast of Honduras empowerment, and new opportunity. Meet Lucila. (far
right)
Two years ago
Lucila was living in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. While living there
and attending a school for the deaf she was introduced to the Links of Hope, an
organization that teaches and equips women and Deaf artisans in developing
countries. Alissa Matiya (far left) and Beth Engleman (middle) were part of this
short term team.. Lucila learned the trade of jewelry making, thanks to these
two beautiful ladies. However, one day Lucila up and left Tegucigalpa with her
family leaving Alissa and Beth believing they would never see her again. Alissa
and Beth told us that they prayed and prayed for Lucila, not having any idea
where she would end up in life. Would she have people to look after her? Who
would continue her education? Would she be in a place where sign language was
used? Who would teach her about Jesus and His love for her? Little did they
know in 2011, Lucila ended up in the class for the Deaf in La Ceiba where Signs
of Love was working.
Throughout the school year Lucila would talk about these two North American women who taught her jewelry making, and how much she loved them. She even showed us photos of her time in Tegucigalpa which included both Alissa and Beth.
Throughout the school year Lucila would talk about these two North American women who taught her jewelry making, and how much she loved them. She even showed us photos of her time in Tegucigalpa which included both Alissa and Beth.
One day, Lucila showed Jessie, a teacher from Signs of Love, her certificate from her Links of Hope training, giving Jessie a name to the photos and stories. Hoping to give a simple "thank you" to Links of Hope for all they had done for Lucila, Jessie found them on Facebook, which then led to the Links of Hope team coming to La Ceiba this past summer to teach jewelry making skills to Deaf in rural villages along the northern coast. It was so beautiful to see Lucila reunited with her friends she met in Tegucigalpa and the people that showered the love of Jesus on her. It was also amazing to see a seed that was planted 2 years ago, grow into a project to teach and empower more Deaf in the rural villages of Honduras.
The fingerprints
of God are all over Signs of Love, we are not forgotten, and in fact we know
that God has tremendous plans for Signs of Love and the Deaf in Honduras. I
hope you are encouraged by this story and reminded to pray for this
organization as the Lord moves among us in mighty ways!
- Kathryn Groseclose
