Jade Star

Research indicates that more than 350 sign languages are in use around the world today, yet only one—American Sign Language—has a translation of the complete Bible! And only two per cent of the Deaf population worldwide has been introduced to the gospel.

That means that nearly 70 million people are still waiting to understand the Good News.

Through support from people like you, a community of Deaf believers is working hard to translate a set of chronological Bible stories into their language, using sign language in a video format because they are unable to read written scripts.

More than 540,000 Jade Star* sign language users live in a restricted-access country in Southeast Asia, where Christians are few and persecuted. Jade Star speakers are part of an ethnic minority and many live in conflict zones.

Worldwide, 80 per cent of the Deaf do not even have access to formal education in order to learn to read and communicate with others. Often, they are a minority within a minority. As you can imagine, this can lead to loneliness and despair. The Deaf need the hope of the gospel.

You can help the Chronological Bible Translation team reach the Jade Star Sign Language community for the first time with the hope of God’s Word.

Due to the sensitivity of the region this project is located in, please contact development@wycliffe.ca for the latest updates on this project.

YOUR PARTNERSHIP IS KEY

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You will help:

• Produce a chronological translation of the Bible over the next three and a half years
• The predominantly Buddhist Deaf population engage with Scripture, through chronological stories from Mark’s Gospel and portions of the Old and New Testaments

In the U.S., when a Deaf woman named Tanya began engaging with the Bible in video format, she was finally able to have a relationship with God.

“I remember thinking, ‘God I want to communicate, I want to understand who you are.’ I felt so disconnected. Now I have a relationship with God. I feel so close to Him. Now I know that he is my Father, my beloved. I am so grateful for the gift of God’s Word in sign language . . . thank you, God.”

Wouldn’t it be amazing to hear a testimony like Tanya’s, from someone in Southeast Asia? You can help make this happen.

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

• A first draft of Acts 28 was completed, while several preceding chapters are being checked either by the team or by a translation consultant. A translation of Chapter 23 on video is now done!
• Work continues on translating a Bible dictionary.
• Ten Deaf participants joined in “Deaf Arts as Scripture Engagement” workshops. The team used the story of The Fall from Genesis 3 as the passage topic for the workshop. They used storytelling, drawing, and drama to engage with the passage. 

PRAYER POINTS
Praise God that artistic expression has brought God’s Word to life for people in the Jade Star community.

*pseudonym