Dear reader,
Today, I sat at a booth in a restaurant mesmerized by three friends having a conversation. This might sound strange, but they were speaking without any verbal words. Using the language of American Sign Language (ASL), I witnessed them tell elaborate stories, laugh, and converse together right in my own college town. It was beautiful to see a different way to communicate.
I think that it's easy to overlook the impact that understanding languages and cultures can have. By knowing someone's native language, whether that be Spanish, Turkish, or sign, you are given an opportunity for human connection and conversation. You are privileged to know and love a person in a way that not everyone can.
While in the restaurant, a group of two women sat on the opposite side of the restaurant, clearly a separate party from these individuals speaking ASL. After they finished a conversation, I recognized these two ladies, who were evidently strangers to the three other individuals, started talking in ASL to the other group. They were connected by knowing the same language. It was the knowledge of that language that initiated the conversation and allowed them to know each other better. When I left, these strangers weren't strangers to each other anymore. They were still speaking across the restaurant after about thirty mins of previous conversation. One of the ladies even moved to the other side of her table to be able to fully face her new friends and read their signs.
This might seem like a random story. But, for me, it's a reminder that knowing other languages has a major affect on new relationships. It's a reminder that in order to spread the Gospel to the nations we must first meet them where they are at: speaking their languages, living in their cities, and working to understand their culture. Languages open doors to unreached people.
And, believe it or not, people who are deaf are a largely unreached people group. It's estimated that only 2 percent of deaf people worldwide are Christians. This leaves the vast majority of missing out on eternity with Christ. These people are hindered because there is a lack of interpreters in church, and there are a lack of Christians who can accurately and fully explain the Gospel.
ASL has always been a part of my life. It seems to always be reintroduced, and I know some basic introductions and conversations. I don't know if the Lord intends for me to learn ASL to the fullest or if he plans to use that in my future, but I do know that languages are the bridge to Gospel friendship.
I desire to be able to understand ASL enough to share the love of Christ one day to the fullest. I want to truly know someone who's primary language is ASL, not just basic introductions. I hope that one day the Lord allows that for me.
I hope that you will consider after this post working toward learning more about languages and cultures. I hope you will consider learning a language or encouraging others to do so. I used to think it didn't matter. I used to think that languages were just a credit necessary for graduation. Man was I wrong. Don't make the same mistake as me. God will use your knowledge and skills for His glory if only you let Him.
Sincerely,
Kaitlyn
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