Out of the Darkness

Rosie stopped speaking at about 18 months. After several years of trying to get a diagnosis, we finally found out that Rosie most likely had contracted encephalitis about that same time. This left her unable to speak. Her needs were communicated through screaming or tugging on her mother, leaving the entire family feeling hopeless at how to help her. It was as if Rosie were walking in the dark with no way to communicate to those around her.

The biggest problem Rosie's family faced is that there really aren't any resources available for situations like this where we live in Mozambique, and the situation continued to become more and more frustrating the older she got. 

Then I found out about a DVD program that teaches sign language to children. A donor offered to buy the set for Rosie, as it seemed it might be the answer we were searching for. At first, though, Rosie's parents thought the idea was crazy and that it wouldn't work, and even I was skeptical. You have to realize that we don't know of anyone here who speaks sign language and likely they have never heard about it. And on top of that, Rosie's mom never finished school and certainly wasn't a teacher. How could she teach her daughter something she didn't know?

The result, though, would prove to be phenomenal. Rosie's mom embraced her new role of teacher with determination. The ECHO Project provided simple workbooks, at first pre-school and kindergarten, to combine with the sign language.

Four years later, Rosie's progress has truly been miraculous. Click here to watch this short video documenting her progress.

Rosie today.

Today, Rosie loves school. She loves math and reading and reads well. She is able to communicate with her family and others as even her speaking has begun to slowly improve. The ECHO Project has continued to provide Rosie with workbooks, readers, and more advanced sign language DVDs. We continue to be amazed at what God has done and is doing in the life of this sweet girl who turned ten this past month. Please continue to pray for this family, and thank God for how He has brought Rosie out of the darkness.

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UPDATE ON JANU: 

The last report from Janu's doctor after his surgery was that he was doing extremely well. Scott is planning to drive to Maputo this week to pick him up. Please continue praying for this sweet young man!

Jano before surgery with his mother.

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