I recently arrived back to Jamaica from my summer break in Illinois and was in a meeting with two of my Deaf teammates. As we talked, we asked ourselves, “Why are we doing what we do? What’s our goal for the next three months and the next year?” As we reflected, one of them shared a memory from when he first arrived in Jamaica five years ago, around Christmas time. Nothing out of the ordinary—he went to the grocery store and struck up a conversation with the Deaf workers there. He casually asked, “What are you doing for Christmas?”
Each one of them said the same thing: “Nothing.” He pressed a little more, “Don’t you like spending time with your family?” They answered honestly, “No... they’re all hearing. They just talk, but I can’t understand what they’re saying.” Across the table from me, my Jamaican friend nodded in agreement, confirming that was his experience. It hit me then. This isn’t just a statistic or the experience of the general deaf population, but my best friends. At that moment, it clicked for us. This is what we’re doing. This is why we’re here. It’s about FAMILY!
When we are saved by the blood of Jesus, we gain salvation, but we also gain FAMILY. I’ve often struggled to explain the deep spiritual hunger I’ve seen among international Deaf communities. Yes, they’re hungry for God. Yes, they’re hungry for purpose. But more than anything, they’re hungry for family, for connection, communication, and belonging. This, along with much prayer, led us to create our Deaf World Jamaica vision statement this year:
"United as God’s FAMILY, we are raising up an army of Deaf believers— who are trained in His Word, rooted in His love, and equipped to be sent out to know God and make him known in the Deaf community worldwide.
In full transparency, every time I return to Jamaica after a long break, a big part of me wants to stay home—close to my own family. But ironically, the very thing that makes me question where God has me is also what gives me clarity. I’ve been blessed with the gift of a loving family. Not just in words, but in actions—through laughter, memories, and unconditional love. I’ve experienced what it means to be a part of a true family myself, and I know that’s a reflection of the family of God. That’s why I stay. Not for the beaches or an adventure (although those are nice perks). But because God has called me to be a part of building a family—His family—right here among the Deaf in Jamaica. A place where love and communication are at the center. A place where those who have never truly experienced belonging can finally feel at home.
When Deaf people encounter that kind of family, I have witnessed them begin to understand God’s love more deeply. And from that love, they can be trained, empowered, and sent out to invite others into His family too, not just in Jamaica, but to the ends of the earth.
My family & my favorite part of the summer - gaining Kirstin as a sister!!!
WHAT’S NEXT?
For the next 3 months, we will be building a family with our new staff through a season of training. We will be working to grow together as a team as well as prepare for YWAM Deaf World’s first ever God Story Discipleship Training School (DTS) in December 2025. In the past, our DTS were lecture style, where a different speaker would come each week to talk about a different topic of Christian discipleship. The God Story DTS will have more of a biblical story-telling model that is visual, chronological, and reproducible. By learning God’s Word through storytelling in sign language, students learn essential biblical truths and are then equipped to produce disciples who can disciple others in the Deaf Community. Our prayer is that this model will allow God’s Word to be ingrained into hearts and minds for God’s glory and our good. My role on the team will be to lead the DTS. This means I will be interviewing students for the DTS, preparing the staff, and coordinating different details along the way.
THANK YOU FOR PRAYING WITH US AS WE ATTENDED THE AWAKEN CONFERENCE IN NASHVILLE!
We had an amazing time connecting with some of our old friends, meeting potential DTS students/ future missionaries at our booth, and being overall encouraged to see 300+ Deaf people worshipping Jesus in their heart language! One of my favorite parts was watching Kenroy (my Deaf Jamaican teammate) challenge the entire group of Americans to GO with the gospel. There were countless answers to prayers over the weekend!
Click Here to Watch Kenroy and I share about YWAM
PRAYER REQUESTS
- Peace & strength as I step into new roles on the Deaf World Jamaica Ministry Leadership team and for wisdom as I prepare to lead the DTS
- Team unity and applying the truths of God’s Word to our own lives first before we teach others
- Ministry in Jamaica at Deaf schools and reaching the adult Deaf community as we start the fall season
Click Here to Join My Team or to Learn More!
Northfield Families,
Thank you so much for joining with me in prayer! I am so grateful to have you on my prayer team. Sending an extra thank you to you all for being so welcoming and kind! I had an amazing time at church camp being with the kids and getting to know everyone. I have been back in Jamaica the past 2 weeks.
This weekend I am in Nashville for the Awaken Conference, a gathering for Deaf Christian young adults. I'm here with my teammates MJ and Kenroy, representing YWAM Deaf World Jamaica. We're hoping to connect with potential Deaf Discipleship Training School (DTS) students, future long-term missionaries, interpreters, and supporters. Please pray that God will bring us divine connections and guide us as we seek to advance His kingdom among the Deaf community in Jamaica.
Praise- Our host, Pam, had her church's Deaf ministry team over last night for a cookout and we had the opportunity to share about Deaf ministry in Jamaica. It was extra fun to see almost all of them know sign language.
Thanks for praying with and for us!!!
Blessings,
Ellie Graham
