We hope this ministry update finds you well. It is an exciting time here at Con Mis Manos Deaf Ministry. We hope you enjoy reading some highlights of recent activities and projects that will continue to provide a stable future for the Deaf community of Northeast Mexico. 

20TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY

February 2003 seems like just yesterday but also like a lifetime ago. This February Con Mis Manos Deaf Ministry celebrated our 20thanniversary.  This milestone is a testament to God’s faithfulness in guiding HIS ministry. It also reflects the blessing of all who invest in the work of Con Mis Manos.

Twenty years ago, there was a vision planted to change cultural mindsets that had produced years of isolation and discrimination. The concept of Con Mis Manos as a one stop resource center for the Deaf community and their families seemed to be a lofty dream back in 2003.

Since then, educating Deaf children has proven effective. Many discriminating laws and mindsets barring Deaf people from basic human rights have been changed. With so many advancements, there is still much to do in the areas of legal advocacy for Deaf individuals. We celebrate victories that may seem small but have been years in the making. Some of these changes are:

• Deaf people using sign language are no longer banned from main stores.
• Interpreters allowed to accompany Deaf individuals in private medical facilities.
• Interpreters allowed into the Government Office of Family Services.
• Deaf individuals can now apply for and receive marriage licenses, drivers’ licenses, and national identification cards.
• Deaf parents can retain legal custody of their hearing children instead of rights being transferred to hearing relatives.
• We celebrate these fundamental rights being acknowledged while still advocating for other basic human rights Deaf people in Matamoros are still routinely denied:
• Equal legal rights for Deaf victims of crime including child abuse and human trafficking.
• Admittance for medical care in government run hospitals.
• Sign language education available in public schools.
• Admittance into public high school and universities.

March 12, 2023, a dream that had been brewing in the hearts of CMM Deaf Christians was born. Since 2003 church services have been interpreted which birthed a small population of Deaf baptized believers. Over the years several felt the call of evangelism and desire to see

After months of training and preparation, three former CMM students launched the first Deaf-led, sign language only church service at CMM. All three are dedicated Christ followers and have stayed on at the ministry as teachers and assistants. Deaf Church includes Scripture memorization, a sermon, interactive Bible knowledge activities, and concludes with a small meal and fellowship time. 

The Deaf church is currently seeing attendance of 20-30 people meeting in the main room of the CMM educational building. As interest grows, the Deaf church will soon outgrow the space. We are excited to see its transition into a designated church space in the new building project explained in the section above. 

BACKGROUND 

The building that has been condemned and removed was built in 1989 as the first building on the property. It was used for many years as a church and other outreach activities in the 1990s and early 2000’s. The construction had structural issues due to unsettled ground, erosion, and lack of foundation among other issues.  Additionally, it had not been built to withstand the hurricanes which it would endure many times over the years, causing serious structural damage.   

The building has been used by Con Mis Manos as our home for Deaf boys and young men since 2012. The roof was replaced, corner posts were shored up and a remodel inside was done in 2015 and 2016. Our plan was to use the building as long as possible before needing to replace it. Unfortunately, inspections found the back walls were detaching from the roof, and the foundation crumbled at a faster rate than predicted. Dry rot, termite infestations, and black mold were also found throughout the building in the last 2 years. 

The city began this process of evaluating buildings, especially focusing on community structures and those housing minors. Our registration as a non-profit organization working within the “special needs population” requires us to keep buildings in better condition than private residences. In response to recent structure collapses leading to children dying in other nearby towns, Matamoros officials began reviewing daycares, stores, schools, and non-profit locations such as Con Mis Manos.  We were not specifically targeted nor is Con Mis Manos the only location to receive order to condemn a building.   

DECISION TO MOVE FORWARD 

While we had hoped the building could have withstood 3-5 more years of use, we were given the choice to abide by the order for removal or face further fines or have our school building closed to minors until the building in question was removed.    

We also felt it was important to set the example of abiding by legal decisions as part of our testimony as a Christian ministry. We certainly would never put any of our kids in a building that would risk their well-being. We would have preferred to fundraise for a new project while still being able to use the building.  Since that is not possible, we are currently unable to provide housing for Deaf young men in need of emergency or long-term housing.  We trust God has a hand in the timing and will guide us through the fundraising need and the work to rebuild.  

REMOVAL 

After processing this news, we focused on getting the building down and the property approved to continue to receive students in the educational building.  This was completed in January 2023 by a work team from a supporting church in Effingham, Illinois.  

BUILDING FOR LONG TERM MINISTRY NEEDS 

The most accurate estimate we have currently is $161, 000 USD. The new building will cost more than previous individual construction projects. The cost is due to the sheer size of the project as well as increased construction costs since our last buildings were completed 4-7 years ago.  At just over 7,800 sq ft, this building will become the largest structure on the property and provide space for 3 major functions of ministry. This space will transform into a larger, 2-story building that will provide space for a church with capacity for 100 people, 5 workshops for job training and upstairs a home for Deaf boys needing safe housing and short-term guests.   We plan and pray that this property will continue to serve the Deaf community for many years to come.   

Our timeline for construction will be dependent on funding.  We will build as money is available to buy supplies. As of the writing of this letter we are working on digging and preparing the foundation.  We have met with several builders to get estimates and have chosen to work with the mason builder who completed the final section of our educational building in 2018-2019.  He offered us the most economical estimate and we know his work is trustworthy.  Any labor able to be completed by CMM workers, male students and volunteers will also assist in the reduction of labor costs.  

LOOKING AT THE PLANS 

The building plans are attached below for both the first and second floors of this new project. 

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE 

If this is a project you are interested in partnering with us to make these plans transform into reality, we would love to chat with you about progress and details as we are moving forward.  Please feel free to contact us via email: sign4Dios@hotmail.comwith any questions you may have concerning the projects.  If you decide to partner with us by making a tax-free donation, please contact us at the email listed here or send donations to: 

Workers for Mexico Mission  

PO BOX 400, Grayson KY 41143.   

Checks can be made out to Workers for Mexico and include an additional note designating your donation for CMM construction.  

More than anything we covet your prayers as we continue to move forward as God opens doors to serve the Deaf community. As we have since 2003, w will continue to focus on providing a safe and Christ-focused ministry home for Deaf people and their families.