Mission/Adventure

In Puerto Lempira, Honduras, deaf children have very little opportunity to get an education. They have little or no access to sign language, and thus have no effective means of communication. Teaching Hands is a team—Yoko Shimizu and Misha Townsend—and we will be working with these children to teach them American Sign Language.

We will be living and working at the House of Hope, a place organized by Roger and Katrina Engle to provide a home, medical care, and schooling to children who are at-risk either physically or socially. We will be teaching deaf children, both in the House of Hope and in the community, as well as hearing children who wish to learn sign language. In this area of Honduras, there is no school specifically for the deaf and many deaf children have very minimal language skills. They have very few educational or employment opportunities and often end up on the streets. Learning sign language is an empowerment, giving them the ability to communicate and learn.

Additionally, learning sign language will enable these children to hear the gospel. Many of them have no idea of God or who He is, because no one has been able to tell them. Not only will we be working to further their education and social communication, but we will be working as servants to show them the love of God. This opportunity is an incredible blessing to us, enabling us to bless others.

Our sending organization is Rescue Task Force, a non-profit organization that has a long history of volunteer work to desperate people around the world. We will be in Honduras for 4 weeks, from mid-June to mid-July. The total cost for our combined expenses is $2,170. Any contribution that you feel led to make is greatly appreciated, and we are sure that the Honduran children would also thank you from the bottom of their hearts.

Contributions can be made online at http://www.rescuetaskforce.org/ (simply click on “donate now” at the top of the page). Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have, and of course your prayers are always welcome as the most important support. Be sure to keep checking back for updates on our adventure!

In Christ's Love,

Yoko and Misha