Silent Blessings

Written by:
Tanya Polstra, Executive Director

The new name is Deaf Kids Connect. Why the new name change after 27 years as Silent Blessings?

Naturally, you will ask, What’s Silent Blessings? Let me explain.

American Sign Language and English are two official languages but unique in their linguistic structures. When I started as Executive Director in 2020, I struggled with the sign name for “Silent Blessings”. What represents the true heartbeat of the organization’s dream? The verbatim American Sign Language translation of the organization name “Silent Blessings” does not describe the vision of this organization. The way these two words appear when signed, they suggest, “Be quiet. Be quiet” That’s not the intent at all.

The founder, Marshall Lawrence and his wife, Terry Lawrence had education in communications and child development. Marshall was a singer, songwriter, radio broadcaster, and a music evangelist. Terry Lawrence was a college professor. When they learned Rachel was identified Deaf, their world changed. They searched for Christian children’s resources specifically designed to teach Deaf children about Jesus in American Sign Language, and found none. They knew if they were having trouble finding such resources, so were tens of thousands of other Christian parents. They founded Silent Blessings Deaf Ministries on January 13, 1996 to create Christian video resources in American Sign Language – to empower Deaf children to learn about Jesus.

Marshall experienced the rich blessings of dear close Deaf friends, Deaf mentors, conversing in American Sign Language, and living within Deaf culture. He saw God pouring blessings upon him through his Deaf daughter. He believed that his daughter should be confident and comfortable with who she was as a Deaf child. He was inspired to name this non-profit, “Silent Blessings.” If you have ever seen the song “Silent Blessings” in Finger Food Cafe, you’d understand. He wrote the song for his daughter to let her know that he wouldn’t change an ounce of who she is – all that God created in her, including her Deafness. The lyrics rang right in English.

For two and half years, I struggled to represent Silent Blessings in two different ways: (1) the complex linguistic structure of American Sign Language and (2) the misconception of Deaf Being. The heartbeat of my vision for this organization is to portray the dignity, value, and immeasurable worth of God’s Design in Deaf children. I asked my close Deaf friends to share ideas on how to sign “Silent Blessings.” It didn’t feel right with them – not in their hands or their heart.

Let me describe how I pictured myself and Deaf children when she signed the “word by word” ASL translation of “Silent Blessings”. It implies a negative connotation that Deaf people are less than human, dumb, and may God favor them to live a whole and potential life. Not a blessed favor, but a sympathy favor.

These two languages clashed in meaning. Can you see the language barrier to a right, God-given perspective?

That was what I struggled with Deaf children are fearfully and wonderfully made; that’s the truth! God created over 400+ sign languages in this universe. His one and only great commission is to go to different tribes, nations, languages, and peoples to declare Jesus. We should be in awe of our Master, our Savior and share God’s glory through His works. Our Almighty God created the integrity of the Deaf Being and American Sign Language and other sign languages around the world.

Not only that, I developed relationships with Deaf leaders from two different backgrounds: Deaf individuals, having grown up with Deaf role models and ASL, who are comfortable and confident, and the other individuals, growing up without Deaf role models, Deaf peers, and ASL, who are left with many questions of uncertainty and a flawed perspective of who they are as human beings.

Both types of Deaf leaders shared their perspectives and concerns with me. First, they expressed how ‘Silent Blessings’ doesn’t define who they are. They are not less than human. They experience and live within visual, linguistic, and cultural groups. They grew up in the church where believers often see them as “pitiable” and in need of healing. Hearing church members would surround Deaf individuals and pray over them for miracles. When the “so-called” healing didn’t occur, Deaf individuals and their families were labeled as “not having enough faith” and cast out.

Some of them shared their experiences growing up with the belief that they were not good enough, that they were the only Deaf person that ever existed on this planet, and feeling isolated in environments where people did not sign. When they reached adulthood, they met other Deaf individuals and learned that there are 70 million Deaf people worldwide who are just like them. When they saw the word “Silent” in ASL and in English, the trauma from their upbringing surfaced. That hurt them significantly because it defines them as silent individuals when they have been released from the world of false ideologies and embraced the real possibilities.

The word “silent” touches Deaf people of different upbringings the same way – their stomachs cringe or are filled with nausea. So a name change has to occur. I talked with the board of directors and Marshall Lawrence about this. They gave me their full support, especially Marshall. He quoted, “I know God has placed you here. I can’t tell you enough. I know you are THE EXACT right person for this ministry, and I believe you are God’s choice to lead this ministry at this time! You are the driver of this organization.”

We invited parents of Deaf children and Deaf millennials to help brainstorm ideas for new names. Our team brainstormed, prayed, and debated. We sent out a survey and Deaf Kids Connect was the name selected by the majority. We met with the Board of Directors and carefully considered the survey results. We prayerfully agreed that the new name, Deaf Kids Connect, declares that we’re here for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Kids. It shows ours and God’s desire for Deaf and Hard of Hearing kids to connect to their families, their communities, their peers, themselves, and most importantly, to Jesus.

Our vision is to bring connection to all Deaf and Hard of Hearing children with the love of Jesus. Come join us to accelerate the inclusion of Deaf and Hard of Hearing children in knowing Jesus.