Photo by Priscilla Du Preez

We rarely acknowledge some of the Bible’s most beautiful phrases, and as with other literature classics, its phrases on familial bonds are especially good. (And yes, the dysfunctional families exist too, but we’ll save them for another time.)

Here are six verses that we picked out between nephew and uncle; daughter-in-law and mother-in-law; friend to friend; and more.

1. “We love because He first loved us.” —1 John 4:19

2. “May the Lord watch between you and me when we are
absent from one from another.” —Genesis 31:49

3. “Wherever you go, I will go;
And where you lodge, I will lodge;
Your people shall be my people,
And your God, my God.”
—Ruth 1:16

4. “For [David] loved him as he loved his own soul.” —1 Samuel 20:17

5. “The heart of her husband safely trusts her. . .
She does him good and not evil,
All the days of her life.”
—Proverbs 31:15–17

6. “Father of orphans,
champion of widows
is God in his holy house.
God makes homes for the homeless. . .”
—Psalms 68:6, MSG

7. “But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” —Luke 2:19

Let us know if you have a favorite we missed.

It’s a beautiful Sabbath morning. The Seattle rain has fled from the bright sunshine that occasionally makes an appearance in the sky. Invigorated by the glorious weather, you decide to visit a church in the area.

After choosing which church you will go to, you drive there. You walk to the door and are met with smiling faces of the greeters who begin to speak to you. Not being able to hear what they are saying, you smile and nod. Those who were smiling at you a moment ago are now frowning at you not sure how to react. You suddenly realize that they asked you a question, and you did not answer appropriately. Pulling out a pen and paper, you quickly jot down, “I am deaf. I did not hear you. Can you write down what you said?” The people at the door are now flustered, realizing that communication will not be as quick. More individuals begin to arrive behind you, and the greeters are attempting to mouth their words with more exaggeration so you can understand quickly. Still not able to make communication with the greeters, you are ushered to the side to create more room for those coming in the door.

Undaunted, you make your way into the sanctuary for church service. Sitting towards the back, you are met with more smiling faces from those occupying the pews in front of you. They begin to speak to you, and you quickly point to your ears and shake your head, indicating you are deaf. But they are baffled on how to communicate with you so their smiling faces turn to quizzical looks, and they soon turn around.

This same situation is played out several times throughout the course of church with various individuals; soon no one comes to say hello because people are afraid to attempt communication with a person who does not hear. While you knew that you would not be able to hear the church service, you had hoped to meet someone who would be willing to be a new friend. Silently, you get up and leave church in the middle of the service. No one seems to notice your departure. No one comes after you to encourage you to stay.

It’s a sad story, right? Unfortunately, this happens all too often to members of our Deaf community. While they do not expect to meet a person who is fluent in American Sign Language at the door or even in church, they do expect to meet people who are willing to make communication happen in any form. Let’s review two common misconceptions that hearing people have about the Deaf and then provide some suggestions that will help to reach the Deaf.  

According to current statistics found on Three Angels Deaf Ministries (3adm.org),  only 2-4% of Deaf people claim to have a relationship with God. That means only a relationship with God, not denomination specific. That leaves a staggering 96-98% of Deaf who do not even know Christ. In addition to this shocking statistic, American Sign Language (the native language of the Deaf in America), is the third most common language in the United States. It has been stated that this is one of the largest unreached people groups in North America.  

One common misconception is that Deaf can read lips. In one study I read, it said that approximately thirty percent of the English language is detectable on the lips. If that is the case, then it leaves about seventy percent of the language as undetectable in communication. That is a huge number! Remember this the next time you try to communicate with the Deaf person. Lip reading is one of the least effective ways to communicate with the Deaf.

Another common misconception is that American Sign Language is just a signed version of English. American Sign Language is recognized as a foreign language with its own grammatical rules for syntax, phonology, morphology, and pragmatics. This may come as a surprise to many of you. While there is a more “English” version of American Sign Language, the true language in its purity is not English. While I’m biased and think everyone should learn ASL, but I do understand and appreciate the difficulty and time it consumes to learn a second language. In case you are searching out free ways to learn from home, check out www.signlanguage101.com for some free videos. Another good place is lifeprint.com for some free ASL courses.

To communicate with the Deaf does not mean that you have to be fluent in their language. In case you did not read that sentence correctly or feel that you are missing something, let me say it again: to communicate with the Deaf does not mean that you have to be fluent in their language. The Deaf would gladly accept a smiling friendly face who is willing to make communication happen that is acceptable to both individuals in the conversation. This could mean simply writing back and forth or gesturing. If you know fingerspelling from your school days, use that too! The Deaf love any new faces who try to reach out to them.

If you encounter a Deaf person and you do not know sign language, the best thing you can do is help them to feel loved and accepted. A smile, a hug (if the person is comfortable with that), being willing to write back and forth, these are all things that can help any Deaf person to feel accepted and loved even when you cannot speak their language.

Jesus says in Matthew chapter 24, verse 14: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” In the part where it says, “in all the world” also means to the Deaf. By a simple smile or hug we have no idea what kind of impact we could have on a Deaf person’s life. Trying to write back and forth for a simple communication could pique the interest of individual who is searching. If you try to learn their language and communicate with the Deaf, you could possibly introduce a new Deaf friend to Christ.

—Nohelani, Deaf Community Coordinator

It’s easy to study, talk and preach about Joseph, but imagine if Joseph walked into Volunteer Park Church as a young adult, and recounted his story to us. Would we have the capacity to take him in? Or what if Joseph came to visit us on parole after spending time incarcerated, with the scarlet letter of ‘felon’ dragging behind him?

We tend to have romanticized notions of “community.” But community is, for the most part, hard, uncomfortable and irritating. Community often means sitting around a table after church, with people you wouldn’t otherwise talk, when you’d rather be someplace else. It means welcoming the Joseph’s whose past is stained with bad decisions and trauma, but whose future is open to the gracious work of God. Community often means sharing life with people who are damaged in various ways. The reality is, there are so many people in the world who are hard to like, let alone love–through their own fault or no fault of their own–and community means loving these people.

The irony is, when we consider our often inadequate response to people who are profoundly othered, it reveals more about us, than it does about them. It is a mirror to our fear, indifference and hesitation. Let’s not romanticize the tediousness, sacrifice, and irritation of building community. Or underestimate the sin that community will expose in your own hearts. The Kingdom of God, as expressed at Volunteer Park Church, is all the wrong people working hard to love each other.

—Pastor Andreas

How did your interest in the deaf community and ASL begin?

I was eleven years old and was part of Girl Scouts (I did not grow up SDA). Our Girl Scout leader took us to a theatrical production in Coloma, CA. While the other girls were watching the play, I was fascinated by the sign language interpreter in the corner. My first thoughts were, “I had no idea people could talk with their hands!” I thought it was the most beautiful language ever.

So I went home and checked out books from the library to teach myself sign language. I met my first Deaf person about three years later. The first thing she asked me upon my introduction was “where did you learn sign language?” When I told her I learned from library books, she took me aside and started to teach me some of the signs that was signing incorrectly. God has wonderful ways that He leads us!

Later on, when I attended college to be an interpreter, I knew that was what God was calling me to. During my high school years, after I became SDA, we started to attend Sacramento Central SDA Church in Sacramento, CA. I became good friends (and still am!) with Doug Bachelor and his family. While in the middle of my Interpreter Training Program, Pastor Doug called me and wanted me to begin interpreting for his Evangelistic program. I was scared to death and reluctantly agreed. I did not know that, at the time, this was God’s timing and plan. That was one event that spring boarded me into Deaf Ministry. I did a horrible job of interpreting Doug’s program, but I met some of the SDA Deaf in the area who did attend the program. One gentleman, Jerry, became my mentor and close friend.

Years later, Jerry moved to Vancouver, WA and we were reunited when he visited VPC. His comment was, “I had no idea that when I mentored you, God was orchestrating the whole thing for you to be part of Deaf Ministry! What a blessing to be part of His plan!”

What is the most rewarding part of your job as a deaf interpreter?

As a professional interpreter in the community, the most rewarding thing for me is being the bridge between two worlds. I love it when I interpret something and it helps that Deaf person to have control over what is happening to them. More rewarding to me than this, however, is interpreting for sermons, GC Session, Revelation Speaks Peace, etc and knowing that the Deaf person in the audience is gaining a glimpse of God and wants to know more. There is nothing more exciting to me than knowing I played a part in God’s plan to bring another soul to the kingdom and a relationship with Christ.

What do you enjoy for recreation?

I LOVE backpacking, hiking, rock climbing, outdoor photography, spending lots of time with my family. One of our favorite places to go is Rainier National Park.

Tell me a little about your family. 

Brian and I have been married for sixteen years this December. We have three children: our twin boys Brylie, Brennan and Ariana. All three are teenagers and love reminding us of that fact. They have been homeschooled for the majority of their schooling years. The boys love to pour over books about history, politics and religion. Ariana loves her music and playing guitar. As a family, we love to head outside when the weather is nice to hike or do other outdoor activities.

What aspects of VPC encourage you the most? What do you hope to see in the future? 

As the local Deaf Ministry Coordinator it’s exciting to see a church that warmly welcomes the Deaf in the community. That is very encouraging. I always have the opportunity to use Volunteer Park Church as an example for various things when I attend the NAD Deaf Ministry Coordinators’ meetings. I hope to see more growth in our Deaf membership at VPC and also in the conference. It would also be nice to have more interpreters as well. Another hope I have for the future is to see more Deaf participating in the hearing church service.

What is your favorite Bible verse?

I have two: Jeremiah 29:11 where God says that He has a plan for my life. There was a time in my life when God had to audibly speak this to me when I needed to hear it the most. The other one is Isaiah chapter 40. I love how God describes everything like He is the mighty God and we have so little to worry about. What an amazing God we serve!

Is there one thing you wish hearing people knew about deaf people?

Deaf people have a beautiful language and a beautiful culture. The Deaf at VPC are eager to communicate with hearing people, even if you know very little sign language or none at all. Get to know our VPC Deaf!

November marks the beginning of the holidays (Thanksgiving!) and kicks off a galore of family gatherings. Most of us will be taking time this month to list the things we are thankful for, but it’s also a perfect time to think about F A M I L Y.

Recently, while I was in downtown Redmond, thinking about these close-knit bonds, I saw a family member I’ve lost contact with. It’s been eight years since I saw her last, and instead of being excited, I was reluctant to say hello. Our relationship has always been extremely complicated and awkward, hinged on messy family dynamics that started before I was born.

Eventually I did have a conversation with her (but only after a lot of encouragement from a friend who is arguably also a saint). Just before I walked towards my estranged family member, I thought, Here I am thinking about family—isn’t this what it means?

Giving thanks and celebrating are all important and lovely things to look forward to it at this time of year. Friends, the ones who understand us better than our blood relatives, will throw lively parties. The kids come home from college. Grandma’s coffee cake is served on Christmas morning. And yet, the drawn out dinner table conversations and extended visits also bring up the most tense, stress-inducing family matters.

But no matter the ugly moments, this concept of family (or community) carries a strong implication of endless warmth and acceptance that you won’t find elsewhere. I love that thought. This month, explore what this means as a Christian and within one of your chosen families—your church. In the comments below or an email to communications@volunteerparksda.org, tell us about the people God has placed in your life that make you feel at home. How can we encourage each other to keep reaching out in love? Is there a Bible verse or book you love on this topic? How do we continue to make meaningful bonds with strangers (or family members who seem like strangers)? 

—Jenae Williams

Here are photos from our first Worship in Action. If you missed it, join us next time on December 30!

You’re a manager at AT&T. What does that mean?

My impressive title—but no one knows what it means—is principal member of technical staff. . . I manage a team of software research for auto-configuring the AT&T network.

And after work, what do you most look forward to?

Just one thing? Oh, I don’t know, there’s so many things! Um, researching future projects that I want to do on my own, going to the gym, going out for food. . .

What kind of food? What’s your favorite?

Thai.

Where’s the best place to get it?

Chantanee, Iyara, Thai Tom, Bai Tong.

What things or experiences do you choose to save/spend money on?

In general, I’m a saver. But you know, guys like their gadgets. I also really like investing. I do a lot of that. I spend a lot of money on my girlfriend too. . .like all of it [laughs]. Just kidding!

How would your girlfriend describe you in three words?

Stable. Organized. Positive.

Organized? Is your house always organized?

No, my house isn’t always organized, but my calendar is. I’m a planner, definitely.

What are you really into right now?

Really into green and alternative energy. Solar power, electric cars, batteries. . .  With Puerto Rico, for example, Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla, said he could put PR back on the map with solar batteries. . . I want to support that too. When I get my next place, I want it to be set up for solar energy. I also want an electric car.

Do you have anyone or anything that inspires you spiritually?

My American missionary grandparents.

Missionary grandparents?

They weren’t my real grandparents, they passed away. But long story short, they saved my mom’s life when she was—ten, I think? My mom was supposed to die; she had a [congenital] heart defect, and she was one of the first people who survived a heart operation in Taiwan. [My missionary grandparents] randomly found her because God brought them together.

They [Doyle and Paulene Barnett] met at Southern Adventist University, and they got married when he was twenty, she was eighteen. And while on their honeymoon, they were called by the Church to be missionaries so they left for China immediately—without knowing a word of Mandarin. They ended up serving in the mission field for over 40 years where they met my mom.

What do you like most about Volunteer Park Church?

I think the church has a lot of active people. And I like that the church is doing things, not just in church, but outside of church. Last week, we had outreaches, and there’s bowling tonight. That’s the most important thing, I think. Church is just a tiny bit; it matters what you do after church too.

You can find Jesse on Facebook or on Instagram at @jessechan. If you’d like to learn more about what volunteer opportunities are available at VPC, email jessechan007@gmail.com.

When Pastor Andreas talked to me about expanding the Volunteer Park Newsletter, our plans did not include starting a blog too. But as we thought about the ways to share the news of our growing community and faith, over time a blog made sense.

This past Sabbath we heard Pastor Andreas talk about John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood” (The Message; emphasis mine). He set a challenge for our church to give the gospel hands and feet. He asked us to take on this vision, not only as a church in Capitol Hill, but individually, too. What happens when we invite God’s gospel into our own lives—into our own neighborhoods?

Within our VPC community, we already have countless stories—testimonies—of God working on our behalf, and I can’t help but get excited to hear them. Let’s share some of these stories here, and I hope they will inspire us to live the gospel of Jesus Christ in every neighborhood.

—Jenae, Communications

If you’d like to share or make a suggestion, email communications@volunteerparksda.org. We love hearing stories (of faith, relationships, intentional living, etc.), thoughtful commentaries—even book recommendations! 

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