-Isaiah 55:5

Just because a person is born deaf doesn't mean that he/she automatically knows sign language. Ninety percent of deaf individuals are born to hearing parents who are generally unequipped to communicate with their own child. Given the same situation in a developing nation with limited resources, the need is only exacerbated. The goal of I55 is to give the Deaf a language so that they may hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our hearts desire is for their salvation and to equip them to grow in their walk with the Lord and become productive members of their society.

After much prayer, it is evident that the Lord is leading us to start our work in Reynosa. With over 420,000 people, it is the largest city in the border state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Generally 1% of any given population is deaf, which means there may be as many as 4,200 deaf people in Reynosa. Of that group, roughly 40% (1,700) are of school age. We are currently aware of NO schools in Reynosa that are aimed at servicing the needs of the Deaf, much less any evangelistic outreach.

I55 plans to reach the deaf through small community-based schools which can accommodate 30-40 students. These schools will be scattered throughout the city so that they are accessible to the greater population, without requiring students to leave their families. Mexican Sign Language (MSL) will be used to give the children a language, which will open the doors for learning the traditional subjects, and more importantly the good news of Jesus Christ.

Ministry goes far beyond the walls of the classroom, reaching the students’ families as well. Through Mexican Sign Language classes, the parents and siblings will finally be enabled to communicate with their loved ones. As students become more fluent in MSL, I55 will provide the students and their families opportunities to participate in the local church. Ultimately, I55’s goals are to reach deep into the community to both the deaf and hearing alike, through a variety of mediums, including: resource centers, construction assistance, and medical projects.

Volunteer work teams play a major role in reaching the Deaf. The bulk of the construction projects will be accomplished through the service of volunteer work teams. Through a well-organized work team program, volunteers will have the opportunity to serve the communities in Mexico and also receive the blessings of a week of purposeful time with God and his people.