• Brazil
    1997 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses

    • Sharing the Message With Hands That Sign

      The rapid growth has not resulted in lack of concern for those who are deaf or blind. Attention to their needs has produced excellent results. In 1992, Sign Language, a book of 336 pages, in Portuguese, was produced to teach sign language to the deaf. The book has unified the signs used among Jehovah’s Witnesses in Brazil and has also endeavored to eliminate signs based on Babylonian ideas. One of these was a hand movement that imitates sprinkling—which, of course, does not properly convey the idea of Christian water baptism.

      The first congregation for the deaf and the hard of hearing was formed in Rio de Janeiro in 1982. Now there are six of such congregations and 50 smaller groups in various cities. In 1994, there were 18 conventions with sign-language groups. In some of these, the interpreters represented the participants in the dramas. In 1996 it was with broad smiles mixed with tears of joy that Brazilian Witnesses who are deaf received a video produced by the Society that presents in sign language the entire brochure What Does God Require of Us? How beneficial, because many who are deaf do not read but do understand sign language!

      Praiseworthy is the willing disposition of the brothers who serve as elders, ministerial servants, and pioneers in these congregations. It requires time, effort, and perseverance to learn sign language, but the results have been rewarding.

      “She encouraged me without seeing, hearing, or talking to me.” This is the expression commonly used by those who know Rosemary Varella, a blind and deaf sister who has been serving as an auxiliary pioneer for the past three years. She was born deaf and as a result did not learn to speak. She gradually lost her sight and now is practically blind. She expresses herself by means of sign language and perceives the signs made by others by touching their hands.

      Rosemary had lost her vision before she learned the truth, and this greatly affected communication with her husband. She was so depressed that she contemplated suicide. At that time, she was contacted by Nilza Carvalho, a young pioneer who knew sign language. When she learned of God’s promise to cure people with all sorts of disabilities, she accepted a Bible study. (Isa. 35:5) She soon began to attend the meetings of the congregation for deaf people in São Paulo. Arrangements were made to have an interpreter sit beside her during the meetings to transmit to her what was expressed on the platform, using tactile interpreting. Later, her husband also accepted a Bible study; he stopped smoking, and both were baptized in February 1992. Soon after their baptism, they became regular auxiliary pioneers. Rosemary has conducted as many as 20 Bible studies with other deaf persons, at the same time caring for her duties in her home.