GUATEMALA: The Message of God’s Hands

Deafness and hearing loss affect people of all ages and can occur at any time. Heartbreakingly, the 70 million people who make up the Deaf community worldwide are one of the largest people groups unreached with the Gospel.

In Guatemala, the Deaf community faces limited education, marginalization, and emotional vulnerability. Guatemalan sign language, called LENSUGUA, is not yet recognized by government, thus there are limited materials for teaching the hearing impaired. As a result, the Deaf community lives in isolation due to the lack of economic and educational support.

Even worse, whenever Deaf Guatemalans need strength or comfort from God’s Word, they have nowhere to turn, because no Bible exists in their heart language.

For Deaf people who have never heard a spoken language, reading is extremely difficult. They must engage with Scripture visually. Only providing God’s Word in LENSEGUA will offer the love, healing, and integration the Guatemalan Deaf community desperately needs.

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850K

According to Guatemalan Deaf Ministries, 850,000 Guatemalans, or 1 in 20, are deaf or hearing impaired.

<1%

Less than 1% of Deaf Guatemalans have accepted or understood the Gospel.

50%

Most Deaf people in Guatemala are unemployed, and less than 50% receive formal education.

“This work is indispensable.”

The Message of God’s Hands is translating the Bible into Guatemalan sign language, providing first-time access to God’s Word for thousands of hearing-impaired Guatemalans.
This remarkable project also fosters community and integration by establishing clubs for hearing-impaired adults and children to develop communication skills as they learn God’s Word in sign language.
The Message of God’s Hands will reach over 2,300 spiritually hungry people with life-giving message of the Scriptures through sign language Bible stories, Bible clubs, and Bible materials on Christian principles for children.

“Thank you for leading our students, parents, and teachers with the light of the Word.”

~ Jaqueline Montealegre, principal of “Centro de Comunicación Total” for deaf children

The Message of God’s Hands is breaking the silence of God’s Word in the Guatemalan deaf community, and many are responding to its message of hope. Your generosity today will allow this underreached community to find life in Jesus as they experience God’s Word for the first time ever.