CHILDHOOD STRUGGLES "I am a 54-year-old Deaf man. I was born hearing, but lost my hearing ability at age 11. My parents made a lot of efforts to see my hearing ability restored. But it never worked. Their efforts led to frustration and disappointment with the medical profession as well as faith in God. As I watched them make such effort and fail, I sank into denial and refused to transfer into a Deaf school. My growing up life was surrounded by hearing people. CONFUSION AND ANGER "As I grew older, I felt more confused being with hearing people. It was hard for me to fully fit among the hearing community. Even though I hated to admit I was Deaf, it progressively became clear to me that my significance in life would only happen if I accepted who God allowed me to be - and ask Him to show me His plan for my life. "This admission came after many years of struggle with myself; I was living a worldly life and seeing no meaning in whatever it offered me. I was deeply angry with God and life. My marriage continued in survival mode with no joy or fulfillment. When I look back now, I see how much my wife and children had to endure because of my denial and rage against God. I lived my life selfishly, with no regard for God or the many provisions he gave me. Nevertheless, God was gracious despite my sinfulness. FIRST TRANSFORMATION "My transformation journey began nine years ago when a Deaf man from DOOR introduced me to the story of God's redemption plan, which he called "five minute evangelism." He showed me God's power in creating the world and everything in it, the rebellion and sin of man against God, the destructive results of sin, and the prophecy and coming of Jesus Christ to reconcile sinful people to a loving and everlasting relationship with God the father. "By the time I met him I had begun attending Salvation Army services; that is my family church. However, just like growing up as a Deaf person, I struggled a lot to fit with their services, which, of course, are customized for hearing people. The experience made me feel as though I had to be like hearing people in order to get anywhere in life; that was depressing. Meeting the DOOR "2-by-2" Deaf leader opened me to the Word of God in a way I had never experienced before as a Deaf person. "As we continued meeting I gave my life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. When the first portion of the Bible in Kenya Sign Language was dedicated, I received a copy. The Bible in sign language has helped me grow in my faith in Jesus Christ. I always make time to watch God's Word in the language I best understand. "Even though I learned sign language as a Deaf adult, I understand more about God and His Word as I watch the Bible in Kenya Sign Language. I am fully convinced that the best way to transform Deaf people is by using the language they best understand - sign language. "Getting into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and learning his Word, which has helped me grow in faith, is the first major transformation that has taken place in my life. SECOND TRANSFORMATION "The second major transformation in my life happened when I began to attend the Deaf leaders' training taught by DOOR "2-by-2" Deaf leaders in April 2014. The principles taught at the training have helped me to be more effective in my ministry among the Deaf people in my community. TRANSFORMATION IN OTHERS "Seven months ago I started a Deaf believers' fellowship which meets weekly. Everything I learn from the leaders' training has been useful in my leadership responsibility at the Deaf fellowship. I am better equipped to teach and lead Deaf people. "When I see the willingness and thirst of Deaf people for God's Word, I can confidently say that God allowed me to be Deaf so I can be a vessel in His hands. Many Deaf people are giving their lives to Jesus Christ. "Our Thursday night fellowship is a place for learning and growing deeper in our knowledge and relationship with Jesus Christ. I am so glad that God has allowed me to see the transformation taking place among Deaf people through His Word in a language we understand. CONTENTMENT "I look forward to growing more and more as I continue with the training. My life has meaning now. I want to spend the rest of my life leading my fellow Deaf people to the knowledge of God's love, and helping them grow stronger in their relationship with Him."