- T
- N
- P
WHERE:
The Zambia Deaf Ministry mission team has been called to return to Ndola, Zambia to continue its work training those working in the orphanage (which houses 170 children) and school sponsored by the Seeds of Hope Children's Ministry (EIN#61-1953620). Our mission is to provide support to their orphanage and the 10 Deaf children they serve in Ndola, Zambia (Republic of Zambia) for three weeks this summer/their winter. Zambia is a landlocked country situated south-centrally within the African continent.
WHEN:
Our team, whose latest mission was in 2019, will focus on watering the seeds of prior trips with a departure anticipated for Summer 2022.
WHAT:
Each team member is responsible to raise a bulk portion of the mission costs. The cost for one individual to attend this 2-week mission is expected to be roughly $4,100 American dollars. There will be added costs of a 2-week quarantine upon our return stateside. If you would like to partner with our team and its mission, please hit the “Donate Now” button to begin the easy donation process. All contributions are tax deductible when made online at Seeds of Hope Children’s Ministry: https://seedsofhopecm.com/ (The shirts depicted in the photo can be purchased at the Seeds of Hope website store and will fund this mission).
You may also donate online at First Christian Church: http://fcclaramie.org/
** When giving online please label your donation in the comments section of your online donation or check memo “Zambia Deaf Ministry Team.” Checks are also accepted by standard postal mail:
Seeds of Hope
PO Box 30592
Bellingham, WA 98228-2592
877-236-4673
[email redacted]
First Christian Church
2130 East Garfield Street
Laramie, WY 82070
307-745-4248
[email redacted]
You can also contact Cole Small at First Christian Church in Laramie, or John Chalkias with Seeds of Hope Children’s Ministry, for additional information or to find out other ways you can contribute to this endeavor. Please pray for our team!
WHY:
The primary mission of The Seeds of Hope Children's Ministry is to provide housing, food, medical and education to children who have lost their parents. In the case of the Myanmar Orphanage, parents lost to a natural disaster and in the case of Zambia, to children whose parents have died from the AIDs/HIV Virus. An additional project in Zambia is the inclusion of 10 Deaf children into their care. Another project in Thailand, Nuu Rain, is helping women who have been cast out of their communities because of their HIV. Seeds of Hope provides them a home, mentorship, and medical care.
WHO:
The initiating Zambia Deaf Ministry missionary team came from First Christian Church in Laramie, Wyoming, USA. For this rotation, they will be joined by other team members from Casper, Cheyenne and beyond.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Let's meet the team:
Scott E. Foor, M.A.- Teacher of the Deaf/Educational Sign Language Interpreter
Scott has 15+ years of experience working with Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children and adults. He has a passion for helping the under-served DHH children in Zambia to realize their full potential and experience personal and spiritual growth through special education, sign language instruction, spoken language instruction, providing language access, and training to teachers and churches. Deaf and hard of hearing children and adults in Zambia need access to communication and community tools to help them build and maintain successful lives. This includes quality access to instruction, nutrition, and bible education. Scott has a desire to educate church leaders in Ndola, Zambia and has been working with this community for the past 4 years.
Professionally, Scott is the owner of Deaf Intervention Services, LLC. He works with schools and child development centers across Wyoming. Scott has Eight (8) years of experience working at the California School for the Deaf, Riverside, California, four (4) years of experience working with Deaf and hard of hearing children at a residential treatment facility, three (3) years of experience in private practice working with schools and programs with DHH students who attend public schools, and two (2) years of experience teaching American Sign Language at the University of Wyoming. He has worked with DHH children in California, Wyoming, Kansas, and Zambia.
Scott actively supports inclusion, the ADA, IDEA, Civil Rights, and NAD advocacy. Scott is a member of the following professional organizations: American Sign Language Teachers Association, National Association of Interpreters in Education, Wyoming Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, and the National Association of the Deaf.
M. Chris Bernard, M.A., RID CI/CT- Interpreter/Teacher/Consultant
M. Chris is a 30+ year interpreting veteran currently in private practice in Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA. She has completed her Master’s program at the University of Northern Colorado’s Teaching American Sign Language program. She is an active community advocate who promotes language access and accommodation according to ADA guidelines. She has 6 children, ages ranging 20-33, and 3 grandchildren. She enjoys reading, Sudoku, and baking.
M. Chris’ responsibilities during the mission will include providing classes on linguistic elements of American Sign Language, building relationships through language acquisition, helping with service projects while demonstrating the visual access of ASL, and engaging in evangelism by providing sign language support of the interpreters before, during and after services. Our focus will be on the 10+ Deaf children, but there are others in and around the surrounding area who will benefit from this interaction. She cannot wait to aid this team in expanding access while promoting language, learning, and identity.
Chelsea Elertson- Sign language teacher/Mentor/Advocate
Chelsea is currently working with Natrona County schools as an American Sign Language substitute teacher. She also is a contractor providing Deaf mentorship, language support, and advocacy throughout the state of Wyoming. She has been married to her husband for 23 years and they have raised 3 sons- all CODAs (Child of a Deaf Adult).
Chelsea will be conducting sign language lessons for the orphanage, workers, staff, and the community. She will be providing vital support to the team through promoting language acquisition, participating in service projects, and engaging in evangelism by providing sign language support before, during, and after services. Her participation serves as an ideal role model for the Deaf children of the ministry to see that there are future opportunities available for them as Deaf adults.
Dawn Swenson- Bible study leader/Mentor/Advocate
Dawn was born deaf and went to a deaf school in Stranton, Virginia and graduated in 1984. She has always loved working with children of various ages and has 4 children of her own who are Children of Deaf Adult (CODA) and use sign fluently.
At 16, she began working with the boys’ dorm as a residential assistant for 4 and ½ years. More recently, she was employed as a youth worker in the Deaf Program at the Cathedral Home for Children in Laramie, Wyoming for 4 years, where her duties included developing independent living skills and working to reunite these children with their families. Her love of working with children helped in her role with the Zambia Deaf Mission Team 3 years ago where she taught sign language classes, lead bible studies and provided a successful Deaf role mentor for the Zambia deaf youth.
Beginning in September 2021, Dawn started conducting and leading Bible studies using The Action Bible with the Deaf boys in Zambia. With support of her team, both hearing and deaf, she selected lessons on Psalms 23, The Battle of Jericho, the Temptation of Christ, and others as topics to be presented every Thursday morning. These lessons are to promote and support the living witness of the boys while building a stronger relationship between themselves and God.
When in Zambia, she will be working on empowering the students, developing independent living skills, and providing a deaf role mentor to mirror success. Her eventual goal would be to assist in the establishment of a deaf school in Ndola, Zambia.
Dawn enjoys various outdoor activities such as, working in her garden, camping, travelling, children’s activities, etc. She enjoys crocheting, reading, and social gatherings. She feels that it is important to socialize with others.
Byron Heath- Minister/Bible study teacher/Mentor/Advocate
Byron was born in Richmond, Virginia but grew up in nearby Mechanicsville. In his older years, he lived in several communities in North Carolina, Connecticut, West Virginia, and Ohio.
He graduated from the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind in Staunton, Virginia. After graduating, he continued his education at the Mid-Atlantic Christian University (otherwise known as Roanoke Bible College), graduating in 1987 with an Associate in Bible degree in Christian Education. He continued his Christian education by taking a class at Louisville Bible College in Louisville, Kentucky and also conducted graduate studies at the Cincinnati Christian University in Cincinnati, Ohio.
He has served on several Deaf ministries in North Carolina, Connecticut, West Virginia, Virginia, and Ohio. He was also a speaker for the National Christian Convention of the Deaf on several occasions and has hosted several revivals in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and Indiana.
He is currently working with the Zambia Deaf Mission team, having joined in September 2021. He developed and led the bible lesson on the Temptation of Christ, based in Matthew 4:1-11, and is developing an upcoming lesson on The Armor of God from Ephesians 6:10-18.
Other team members:
Jeff Frazier-
Cole Small-
Goals for the Mission trip are:
Leadership training
Interpreter training
Sign language instruction, interaction, and inclusion
Construction projects
Restock supply cupboards
Supply ministry and educational materials
Providing Bibles (KJV)
Providing visual The Action Bible
ASL Bible app and devices to view the app
Projector and replacement bulbs
More information about Seeds of Hope Children's Ministry USA/Canada: The Primary Mission Of The Organization Is To Provide Housing, Food, Medical And Education To Children Who Have Lost Their Parents In The Case Of Myanmar Orphanage To A Natural Disaster And In The Case Of Zambia To Those Who Have Died From The Aids/Hiv Virus. Another Project In Thailand, Nuu Rain, Is Helping Women Who Have Been Cast Out Of Their Communities Because Of Their Hiv. Seeds Of Hope Provides Them A Home, Mentorship, And Medical Care.
The Zambia Deaf Ministry mission team has been called to return to Ndola, Zambia to continue its work training those working in the orphanage (which houses 170 children) and school sponsored by the Seeds of Hope Children's Ministry (EIN#61-1953620). Our mission is to provide support to their orphanage and the 10 Deaf children they serve in Ndola, Zambia (Republic of Zambia) for three weeks this summer/their winter. Zambia is a landlocked country situated south-centrally within the African continent.
WHEN:
Our team, whose latest mission was in 2019, will focus on watering the seeds of prior trips with a departure anticipated for Summer 2022.
WHAT:
Each team member is responsible to raise a bulk portion of the mission costs. The cost for one individual to attend this 2-week mission is expected to be roughly $4,100 American dollars. There will be added costs of a 2-week quarantine upon our return stateside. If you would like to partner with our team and its mission, please hit the “Donate Now” button to begin the easy donation process. All contributions are tax deductible when made online at Seeds of Hope Children’s Ministry: https://seedsofhopecm.com/ (The shirts depicted in the photo can be purchased at the Seeds of Hope website store and will fund this mission).
You may also donate online at First Christian Church: http://fcclaramie.org/
** When giving online please label your donation in the comments section of your online donation or check memo “Zambia Deaf Ministry Team.” Checks are also accepted by standard postal mail:
Seeds of Hope
PO Box 30592
Bellingham, WA 98228-2592
877-236-4673
[email redacted]
First Christian Church
2130 East Garfield Street
Laramie, WY 82070
307-745-4248
[email redacted]
You can also contact Cole Small at First Christian Church in Laramie, or John Chalkias with Seeds of Hope Children’s Ministry, for additional information or to find out other ways you can contribute to this endeavor. Please pray for our team!
WHY:
The primary mission of The Seeds of Hope Children's Ministry is to provide housing, food, medical and education to children who have lost their parents. In the case of the Myanmar Orphanage, parents lost to a natural disaster and in the case of Zambia, to children whose parents have died from the AIDs/HIV Virus. An additional project in Zambia is the inclusion of 10 Deaf children into their care. Another project in Thailand, Nuu Rain, is helping women who have been cast out of their communities because of their HIV. Seeds of Hope provides them a home, mentorship, and medical care.
WHO:
The initiating Zambia Deaf Ministry missionary team came from First Christian Church in Laramie, Wyoming, USA. For this rotation, they will be joined by other team members from Casper, Cheyenne and beyond.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Let's meet the team:
Scott E. Foor, M.A.- Teacher of the Deaf/Educational Sign Language Interpreter
Scott has 15+ years of experience working with Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children and adults. He has a passion for helping the under-served DHH children in Zambia to realize their full potential and experience personal and spiritual growth through special education, sign language instruction, spoken language instruction, providing language access, and training to teachers and churches. Deaf and hard of hearing children and adults in Zambia need access to communication and community tools to help them build and maintain successful lives. This includes quality access to instruction, nutrition, and bible education. Scott has a desire to educate church leaders in Ndola, Zambia and has been working with this community for the past 4 years.
Professionally, Scott is the owner of Deaf Intervention Services, LLC. He works with schools and child development centers across Wyoming. Scott has Eight (8) years of experience working at the California School for the Deaf, Riverside, California, four (4) years of experience working with Deaf and hard of hearing children at a residential treatment facility, three (3) years of experience in private practice working with schools and programs with DHH students who attend public schools, and two (2) years of experience teaching American Sign Language at the University of Wyoming. He has worked with DHH children in California, Wyoming, Kansas, and Zambia.
Scott actively supports inclusion, the ADA, IDEA, Civil Rights, and NAD advocacy. Scott is a member of the following professional organizations: American Sign Language Teachers Association, National Association of Interpreters in Education, Wyoming Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, and the National Association of the Deaf.
M. Chris Bernard, M.A., RID CI/CT- Interpreter/Teacher/Consultant
M. Chris is a 30+ year interpreting veteran currently in private practice in Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA. She has completed her Master’s program at the University of Northern Colorado’s Teaching American Sign Language program. She is an active community advocate who promotes language access and accommodation according to ADA guidelines. She has 6 children, ages ranging 20-33, and 3 grandchildren. She enjoys reading, Sudoku, and baking.
M. Chris’ responsibilities during the mission will include providing classes on linguistic elements of American Sign Language, building relationships through language acquisition, helping with service projects while demonstrating the visual access of ASL, and engaging in evangelism by providing sign language support of the interpreters before, during and after services. Our focus will be on the 10+ Deaf children, but there are others in and around the surrounding area who will benefit from this interaction. She cannot wait to aid this team in expanding access while promoting language, learning, and identity.
Chelsea Elertson- Sign language teacher/Mentor/Advocate
Chelsea is currently working with Natrona County schools as an American Sign Language substitute teacher. She also is a contractor providing Deaf mentorship, language support, and advocacy throughout the state of Wyoming. She has been married to her husband for 23 years and they have raised 3 sons- all CODAs (Child of a Deaf Adult).
Chelsea will be conducting sign language lessons for the orphanage, workers, staff, and the community. She will be providing vital support to the team through promoting language acquisition, participating in service projects, and engaging in evangelism by providing sign language support before, during, and after services. Her participation serves as an ideal role model for the Deaf children of the ministry to see that there are future opportunities available for them as Deaf adults.
Dawn Swenson- Bible study leader/Mentor/Advocate
Dawn was born deaf and went to a deaf school in Stranton, Virginia and graduated in 1984. She has always loved working with children of various ages and has 4 children of her own who are Children of Deaf Adult (CODA) and use sign fluently.
At 16, she began working with the boys’ dorm as a residential assistant for 4 and ½ years. More recently, she was employed as a youth worker in the Deaf Program at the Cathedral Home for Children in Laramie, Wyoming for 4 years, where her duties included developing independent living skills and working to reunite these children with their families. Her love of working with children helped in her role with the Zambia Deaf Mission Team 3 years ago where she taught sign language classes, lead bible studies and provided a successful Deaf role mentor for the Zambia deaf youth.
Beginning in September 2021, Dawn started conducting and leading Bible studies using The Action Bible with the Deaf boys in Zambia. With support of her team, both hearing and deaf, she selected lessons on Psalms 23, The Battle of Jericho, the Temptation of Christ, and others as topics to be presented every Thursday morning. These lessons are to promote and support the living witness of the boys while building a stronger relationship between themselves and God.
When in Zambia, she will be working on empowering the students, developing independent living skills, and providing a deaf role mentor to mirror success. Her eventual goal would be to assist in the establishment of a deaf school in Ndola, Zambia.
Dawn enjoys various outdoor activities such as, working in her garden, camping, travelling, children’s activities, etc. She enjoys crocheting, reading, and social gatherings. She feels that it is important to socialize with others.
Byron Heath- Minister/Bible study teacher/Mentor/Advocate
Byron was born in Richmond, Virginia but grew up in nearby Mechanicsville. In his older years, he lived in several communities in North Carolina, Connecticut, West Virginia, and Ohio.
He graduated from the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind in Staunton, Virginia. After graduating, he continued his education at the Mid-Atlantic Christian University (otherwise known as Roanoke Bible College), graduating in 1987 with an Associate in Bible degree in Christian Education. He continued his Christian education by taking a class at Louisville Bible College in Louisville, Kentucky and also conducted graduate studies at the Cincinnati Christian University in Cincinnati, Ohio.
He has served on several Deaf ministries in North Carolina, Connecticut, West Virginia, Virginia, and Ohio. He was also a speaker for the National Christian Convention of the Deaf on several occasions and has hosted several revivals in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and Indiana.
He is currently working with the Zambia Deaf Mission team, having joined in September 2021. He developed and led the bible lesson on the Temptation of Christ, based in Matthew 4:1-11, and is developing an upcoming lesson on The Armor of God from Ephesians 6:10-18.
Other team members:
Jeff Frazier-
Cole Small-
Goals for the Mission trip are:
Leadership training
Interpreter training
Sign language instruction, interaction, and inclusion
Construction projects
Restock supply cupboards
Supply ministry and educational materials
Providing Bibles (KJV)
Providing visual The Action Bible
ASL Bible app and devices to view the app
Projector and replacement bulbs
More information about Seeds of Hope Children's Ministry USA/Canada: The Primary Mission Of The Organization Is To Provide Housing, Food, Medical And Education To Children Who Have Lost Their Parents In The Case Of Myanmar Orphanage To A Natural Disaster And In The Case Of Zambia To Those Who Have Died From The Aids/Hiv Virus. Another Project In Thailand, Nuu Rain, Is Helping Women Who Have Been Cast Out Of Their Communities Because Of Their Hiv. Seeds Of Hope Provides Them A Home, Mentorship, And Medical Care.