I had asked my mom to collect Man Di at the hotel in order for us to spend the day together. My mom in turn suggested that we could accomodate her for the weekend. On our way to Pointe-a-Pierre I saw a rainbow. I felt as if God was up to something. Anyway, we collected Man Di after she had breakfast and on our way to my home we stopped for her to have some coconut water and jelly Trini styling! :)
When we got home, she took a rest then ate lunch. One of the things I noticed about her is that she had no interest in looking at television. She spent her time reading and immersing herself in God's Word. I think that this was very admirable and something worthy of emulation.
That afternoon, Roger, Krystal, Navita, Ian, Shevon, Man Di and I went to Santa Cruz at the Caribbean Nazarene College to participate in Sis Cherryl's Junior Recital: "Praise in Many Languages". We all met at church to practice the song before we left. There we met Mr Cleavon and he transported us to the place. Of course I have to thank Mr Cleavon again and again and again for his willingness and readiness to serve the Deaf. Upon request, he took us to Christmas Village to drop some items at the Agape Deaf Centre booth and when we arrived at Santa Cruz he took some of the Deaf to get something to eat. Sometimes I just think about how he NEVER complains or frets and I'm even more grateful for him! May God bless him continually!
I was also thrilled to see how effortlessly Man Di was able to bond with the Deaf. She fit in so naturally and I could she how happy she was to meet them and interact with them. I could tell that meeting the Deaf made her day! When I commented about this, she told me that "This is what I came here for". She's so focussed and she doesnt seemed to be sidetracked by other things. I do admit that spending time with her challenged me in my own personal life and my personal devotion to God. In just one day I felt as if her presence was impacting me in ways untold and unknown. I remember the rainbow that I saw in the morning. The rosebuds and pupa were loosening their grip.Another thing worth mentioning about Man Di is how she was able to take the initiative without being aggressive and dictatorial. She politely requested that some seats at the front of the auditorium be reserved for the Deaf to sit and for her to interpret. This impressed me because it is something I overlooked. Nevertheless, she was able to be proactive by putting things in place and getting things done. I don't question her love for the Deaf. Things like these make it ever so obvious. This was also the first time I saw her interpret and I thought that she did a wonderful job. I looked at her and I could see that she gave her all - she interpreted with passion.
Well, we ministered in song: Lord You're Holy by Helen Baylor. The applause at the end was so powerful that even some of the Deaf heard it. Mr Cleavon told me that tears came to his eyes and he was so blessed. I praise God again! To Him be all glory! When we minister, it is with the intent that we bring glory to God and bless others. HE ALONE IS WORTHY!!!
2 comments:
Hi sweet sister Alana,
I read your blog again today to catch up. It is such a beautiful testimony to God's presence in your work.
He is the reason we do what we do and it shows in your writing. Thanks you for this always uplifting blog.
I have question for you...
hmmmm...I'm Deaf and I dont feel "unloved". Are the Deaf in Trinidad/Tobago "unloved"? Sure there is prejudice and sure the hearing world creates barriers...but I feel loved, befriended, blessed and my deafness doesn't take that away. So just curious how it is different in TT.
Thanks
Nancy
"Loving the unloved"
Some years ago I attended a session focussing on life goals. I was asked to write my personal vision statement. I wrote "Loving the unloved because of love". God must have laid that upon my heart - I had NEVER heard the phrase - loving the unloved - prior to that.
Anyway, this year I heard someone else mention this phrase for the first time. Aunty Olga mentioned it when she was outlining the goals for Agape Deaf Centre. My pores raised! Some old Agape envelops actually have the words "loving the unloved" written across them!!
I dont think that's a coincidence.
I think God was weaving together (and still is) His mastermind plan.
So what does "loving the unloved" mean to me? It means loving people that the harsh world has pushed aside: the sick, the homeless, the handicapped, the blind, the deaf. The word "unloved" is not generic in the sense that it means that these people are unloved by all. Oh no!! Because we all know that they are loved by many! It represents and encapsulates the unreasonable, unforgiving and insensitive world that we all have to live in from day to day.
With particular reference to the local Deaf community, the word "unloved" represents those who could simply careless about the welfare of the Deaf. For instance, our government does little to nothing for the Deaf community even though they're trying to move towards a 2020 Vision of a better Trinidad and Tobago in the year 2020. The Deaf in our nation rely on NGOs like Agape Deaf Centre and also open hearted people who would love and give their time and attention.
Hope that clarifies things! :)
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