Missions – Jesus & Michelle Zuniga – Con Mis Manos Deaf Ministry – Matamoros, Mexico

Description of Ministry:

While the mission of Con Mis Manos remains the same – reach the Deaf and their families with the love of Christ through education and evangelism, each year brings the opportunity to put the heart of that mission statement into practical use. The following is an explanation of what 2012 at Con Mis Manos looks like so far:

YEAR IN REVIEW:

EDUCATION - Throughout 2011 students enrolled in the government certification program worked hard on their books & exams. Each student presenting their exam passed with either 90% or 100% as their grade. The regional government coordinator of the program personally expressed how impressed he is with the success of CMM students. Classes in 2011 included Mexican sign language, math, reading, Bible, science, geography & ITEA Government program. Every class day emphasis is made on practical application for the book learning to make a difference each student’s life & wellbeing. Math skills are used in the kitchen & on field trips to the store. Reading & writing is used when learning to fill out forms, going to the doctor & doing everyday errands. Bible classes have included studies of important character qualities & examples of people in the Bible.

VOCATIONAL TRAINING

Training continues for students to prepare them for the future & employment needs. The goal continues to be to provide practical experiences with training in potential job areas. Classes in 2011 included carpentry, sewing, cooking, computer and Hairstyling.

EVANGELISM & CHURCH MINISTRY

Throughout the year, the seeds or God’s love have been planted in the hearts & lives of both CMM students & many in the Deaf community in Matamoros. In Sept. one of our newer students, Hector, made a decision to accept Christ & was baptized. In early Dec. another student, Daniel, asked Christ into his heart & life. Another student, Paco, who has been growing in his faith since his baptism in 2009 has shared his faith & hope in Christ with many deaf teens & young adults. In the fall, Paco & Andres – a Deaf adult who is also a Christian began going out into the community inviting people to church services. In Nov. & Dec. we began holding evangelistic & fellowship services for the Deaf at church in Matamoros. In Oct., Nov. & Dec. more & more Deaf adults are seeing the message of salvation & learning of God’s love. We have prayed for several years for God to raise up Deaf Christians who can go out & impact the community in ways we as hearing people may be limited in. God is responding to those prayers by planting a fire in these young men’s lives.

SUPPORT SERVICES - Much of what we do through the ministry of Con Mis Manos may never be seen in the classroom but is critically important to the mission God lays before us. The support services offered to the families of CMM students & other Deaf families in the community may vary case by case but all share a common goal – to share the love of Christ in a tangible, visible way by meeting physical, emotional & spiritual needs. Some of the ways we strive to meet these needs include:

Clothing Pantry – Since the beginning of Con Mis Manos the clothing pantry has been an invaluable resource for many in the community. Families are provided with clothing, shoes, linen, kitchen wares & baby supplies free of charge on a regular basis. Currently the clothing pantry serves over 300 people who are able to find quality resources to meet the needs of their families.

Medical Assistance – Many families of CMM students have little to no health care coverage. This means even the most basic medical needs are not cared for. We purpose to meet the needs to the best of our abilities for those families who struggle through sickness. This assistance takes on many forms. In some cases we have paid for emergency care as in the case of Diego’s mom who was literally dying from surgical complication in Nov. but did not have a way to get the lifesaving help she needed. Medical assistance may mean paying for eye doctors & glasses for a student or taking a sick sibling to the doctor. We have been able to provide assistance in paying for hearing tests & medical care for incoming students.

We work intensely in Christian counseling with family members that are struggling with emotional or psychological issues. During 2011 this counseling has included help with domestic abuse & battered women, guilt & rejection of their Deaf children, anger & substance abuse. Physical protection & legal defense of Deaf women & children from domestic abuse are areas God has brought into the realm of the CMM mission to serve. We continue to face the reality that at least half of our students live daily in abusive homes & urgently need a safe home environment in order to grow & thrive.

CONSTRUCTION PROJECT:

In July ground was broken on the new construction project at Con Mis Manos. The foundation ditches were dug & progress made quickly through the summer in setting a solid foundation for the building phase one. By late Sept. block walls around the first phase were nearly completed. The project will continue focusing on pouring the floor & roof. Once a secure facility is in place we will be able to move into a temporary set-up for classes.

The current Con Mis Manos is in dire disrepair. During the fall semester 2 classrooms became unusable due to ceiling caving in. Continued electrical fires & broken water pipes add to the urgent need to un-occupy the building & continue on with the construction of the new facility. We have not had a working toilet in over one year. Students continue to become sick with respiratory infections & headaches from mold. The need for an improved, safer facility is urgent. If funding becomes available to complete phase one classrooms, we can quickly move our students into a safer environment & accept new families waiting to enter the CMM program. To complete phase one – floor, roof, electrical, plumbing, doors/windows (We have doors & windows in storage ready for installation.) the total projected cost = $30,000.