{"id":2557,"date":"2025-07-11T15:41:18","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T20:41:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deaflifechurch.us\/?p=2557"},"modified":"2025-07-11T15:43:23","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T20:43:23","slug":"deaf-youth-perfect-timing-bonfire-breakthroughs-nl-july-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.deaflifechurch.us\/?p=2557","title":{"rendered":"Deaf Youth, Perfect Timing & Bonfire Breakthroughs – NL – July 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Dear Family and Supporters,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before I fly out tomorrow, I wanted to send you a quick but exciting update and testimony\u2014especially since some of you have asked how God led me to support the Bonfire team, and how many Deaf and CoDa youth are involved. I\u2019m so excited to share what He\u2019s been doing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick Glossary:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

YWAM \u2013 Youth With A Mission<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DTS \u2013 Discipleship Training School<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CODA \u2013 Child of Deaf Adult<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 \u201cEvery place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised Moses.\u201d <\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joshua 1:3<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My journey with the ministry school was groundbreaking\u2014stepping into new territory without knowing all the details. By God\u2019s grace, that first step paved the way not only for me but also opened a door for Deaf youth to be part of Bonfire for the very first time. This breakthrough reminds me of God\u2019s promise in Joshua 1:3. Sometimes, God calls us to step into unknown places, and as we do, He prepares the way ahead\u2014even when we can\u2019t see it yet. If you are in a season of uncertainty, be encouraged: your faithful step forward matters, and God is already going before you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It All Started with a Stirring…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before I flew to California for ministry school, I sensed something about going to Mexico\u2014but the details weren\u2019t clear. I surrendered that stirring back to God, trusting Him to reveal the next step at the right time. So, I only booked a one-way ticket to California, waiting for His confirmation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While in school, someone mentioned The Bonfire\u2014a two-week discipleship experience for high schoolers (ages 14\u201318), followed by a one-week outreach to Mexico. It\u2019s like a mini-DTS, designed to help youth experience God and make Him known. As soon as I heard about it, something tugged deeply on my heart. When I asked more and heard that the outreach would be in Mexico, I sensed God saying, \u201cThis is it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So I prayed, \u201cLord, if You\u2019re calling me to join this team, please confirm it by sending Deaf youth or signers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God Answered\u2026 Through a 15-Year-Old<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In week 5 of our 12-week school, a new interpreter arrived. During introductions, she casually mentioned her 15-year-old daughter\u2014who is Hard of Hearing\u2014was staying with her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BOOM. I felt electricity through my whole body. God was speaking!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I immediately shared about Bonfire. Her daughter was hungry to know more about God and felt so welcomed by the YWAM California community. We quickly connected. I introduced her and her mom to the Bonfire leader\u2014and within days, she applied and was accepted!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Becoming Bonfire Staff<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After that confirming moment, I prayed again and clearly felt prompted to take the next step. I approached the Bonfire leader and asked if I could serve as staff to help bridge the gap for the Deaf youth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She was stunned\u2014in the best way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She openly admitted she had no experience working with Deaf youth and didn\u2019t know how to lead in that space. But she was thrilled to hear I felt called to support the team. She welcomed me with joy. We both recognized that this was God\u2019s doing\u2014He was building a bridge of communication, culture, and unity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She even asked if I could invite more Deaf and signing youth. I said yes\u2014and began praying again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And God Kept Opening More Doors…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I reached out to a friend in Minnesota and shared about Bonfire. A few days later, unexpectedly, a Deaf mother told her how much she longed for her daughter to attend a YWAM DTS\u2014but her daughter was only 13. My friend shared the Bonfire opportunity\u2014and the mom was thrilled!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her 13-year-old CODA daughter quickly applied and was accepted. Even though she\u2019s not quite 14, the Bonfire leader felt deep peace about welcoming her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then I prayed again: \u201cGod, just one more Deaf youth\u2014and two interpreters willing to serve the full three weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And God moved swiftly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two interpreters\u2014both fresh from DTS and DBS in YWAM Jamaica\u2014said yes to serve all three weeks! As a bonus, they both speak Spanish and know some LSM (Mexican Sign Language)!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, one of my faithful newsletter readers reached out about an 18-year-old Deaf girl from a Deaf family who was spiritually hungry. He introduced her to me via Zoom, and I felt immediate peace. A few days later, she applied\u2014and was accepted!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sharing Deaf Awareness<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To prepare the team, I asked the Bonfire leader if I could lead a Deaf Awareness session. She immediately said yes\u2014and warmly supported my request to invite Dan and Carole, the founders of YWAM Deaf World, to share a word of encouragement beforehand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said yes\u2014and their message deeply moved us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God\u2019s presence was so tangible. Their words reminded us that it\u2019s okay to make mistakes\u2014we just need to be ourselves and live out God\u2019s love. As I shared facts and stats about how the Deaf remain one of the most unreached people groups in the world, the team\u2019s eyes and hearts were opened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several are now learning ASL on their own. It\u2019s beautiful to see their eagerness to grow and connect in love and humility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final Youth Team Breakdown:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n