Introduction / History

Like everywhere else, the Deaf in Vietnam are isolated from the rest of their communities, especially if they were Deaf at birth.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Many deaf people in Vietnam, have not gone to school due to poverty and a shortage of schools for the deaf. This means few Deaf people know how to read well, so when a Deaf person becomes a believer, understanding the Bible becomes a big challenge.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Those who learn about spiritual matters usually learn about Buddhist practices which are usually animistic. This means that they must please evil spirits through prayers, sacrifices, and rituals.

What Are Their Needs?

The Vietnam Partnership program of the United Bible Societies is working on Scripture portions in sign language to help the Deaf in Vietnam learn the Bible through videoed stories. As there is no standardized sign language in Vietnam, the sign language in Hanoi has been selected for video. It is hoped that perhaps that variety will become a standard and serve the people who sign the variety in Haiphong. There is another variety used in the south that is very different.

The Deaf translation team is made up of five people from the north who hope and pray that all Deaf people in Vietnam will see and understand the videos. The process includes reading the Bible, summarizing the story, drawing pictures to increase understanding, translating into sign language which is very challenging when there is new term and finally videoing the story.

Working on this project has been a spiritual blessing for everyone on the translation team. When the three-year project is over, they hope to continue working together to evangelize the Deaf as they firmly believe that Scripture changes hearts.

Prayer Items

Pray for a movement that will bless the Deaf in Vietnam to experience and understand God's acceptance and love of them.
Pray for families and communities in Vietnam to include the Deaf.
Pray for the Deaf in Vietnam to get the education they need to function well.

Scripture Prayers for the Deaf in Vietnam.

References

Peoples of Vietnam, Asia Harvest, Copyrighted Used with permission.