Many Deaf people live in the city of Kibaha in eastern Tanzania, but they weren’t showing up at the Bible classes taught by DOOR’s disciple-making team.
“What are we doing wrong?” A DOOR leader asked his teammate. “Is there something in our ministry the community doesn’t like?”
“Maybe it’s spiritual opposition?” suggested the teammate. They were left at a loss. Racking their brains, they knew they had actively promoted the classes among the Deaf community in Kibaha. The Deaf people they talked to on the streets were aware of the classes.
A Light Bulb Moment
“Well, I have football (soccer) practice,” responded a young man one day when the DOOR leader asked him to come to the Bible study. A light bulb went on in this leader’s head. The Deaf soccer teams in the region held their practices at the same time DOOR staff were trying to hold their Bible study. Many Deaf Tanzanians were part of the teams, or were spectators at the practices and games.
The DOOR team joined one of the soccer teams, and the others began to notice they were different from the other players. The character and attitude of the DOOR leaders were humble, and they didn’t respond to the opposing teams with hostility or antagonism.
“As the Deaf began to notice how different we were and asked us questions, we knew it was time to introduce our faith.”
Before and after the matches, the DOOR leaders shared the gospel in Tanzanian Sign Language with their teammates. When they finished the stories, they would be barraged with questions. Their response? “Come to the believers’ fellowship on Sunday morning, and we can talk about all of those questions.”
A large number of Deaf people now come to the Deaf church in Kibaha. The willingness of DOOR staff to participate in their soccer practices and matches opened doors in this Deaf community. People are giving their lives to Christ, coming to church, and learning the truth of God’s Word!
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