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Hi,
my name is Angel Matta Jr. and I'm 16 years old. I've been in Speaking
Hands since I was 13 years old. I'm in the 10th grade at Turner Tech
senior arts high school in North Miami. My current grade point average
is 3.1. And my hobbies are signing/interpreting, playing sports (all
sports), chilling with my friends, not being home and just praising
GOD. I don't have a favorite school subject but math is what I do best
and it is a class that I look forward to going to. So I guess you may
say that it's my favorite subject. Chemistry would have to be my least
favorite. After high school, I plan to continue my education by studying
law. I plan to attend the University of Miami; in addition I might even
play sports for them. My being in Speaking Hands is all GOD.This must
be where GOD wants me because the way it all started was well…
different. The first time I saw the group, after they ministered, I
had my head down and one of the parents, Ms. Angela (David's mom), |
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came up to me and talked to me, then introduced me to aunt Claudette, then at the blink of an eye I was in. The only way I could explain it would have to be "ALL GOD." To me Speaking Hands means a family, love, unity, support, and strength. When I need them they are there for me and even when I don't need them they are still there for me. I don't know what I would do without them. When I'm down, they pick me up and when I'm up, they push me higher. When I'm with the group I relax and just forget about all the stress that my teenage life brings.
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Hello my name is Anthea Rolle. I'm fourteen years old and in the eighth grade with a grade point average of 3.0. My hobbies are playing basketball, dancing, hanging out with my friends and family, reading, writing, listening to music, signing, singing, and shopping. My favorite subject is math because I like the challenge. My favorite song that we do is "For Every Mountain". I love this song so much because it's saying that for every obstacle, trial, mountain, boundaries, whatever you want to call them, for every blessing, I give God praise. No one is perfect, we all go through something in our lives but this is a song about me and the trials that God brings me safely through, and I can't do anything else but give Him praise. My personal goal after high school |
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is to attend an out of state university (I'm not sure which one yet) I plan to study to become a pediatrician. I'm not sure why God chose this path for me but I'm glad and thankful that He did. I figured it could be that throughout all the trials, stress, and temptations that I go through in my life, I could have at least have one thing that makes me happy, and I'm glad He chose to put me in Speaking Hands. At
first I just wanted to be in the group to be onstage because of the
beautiful clothes the group wears…. But it was also my goal since
the age of 6 to become a gospel artist/doctor. My mom always said I
had big dreams for a 6 year old. To make a long story short, my mom
signed me up for Speaking Hands and of course, I was very excited. A
while after I joined and got to learn about the group more, I found
out that, number one, it wasn't just about being on stage. It is about
a group of kids and teens like myself, praising and worshiping God through
sign language and gospel music. I also learned that it required lots
of hard work and RESPONSIBILITY. Yes, I made mistakes but I know now,
so I'm way better than I used to be. |
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Speaking Hands is a way of life, not just an activity you participate in for the weekend, but a day-to-day walk with God and a consciousness of belonging to a group that has become a family away from your family. My God is a good God! He's wonderful and rules over all the earth. He keeps me alive and well. I can't remember the last time I've been sick and that is truly something to praise God for. I have never gone to bed or started my day without talking to God. First I thank him for keeping me safe throughout all my personal trials and throughout my day. Many people feel that because we are kids we have no “Problems”…. but we do, and the only way I can stay protected is through my daily prayers and walk with Him. Then I ask Him to forgive |
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| me of all the sins that I committed that day or any other day whether I know that I did it or not. Some people doubt that God is coming but I don't understand that. I don't understand how people can sit there with the signs and blessings right in front of them and then say that He's not coming back. All I have to say is that when He does come back I want to be ready. If He comes right now I'll probably not be ready but I'm working on it. I just have a few more things to clean up and I'll be ready. The devil is on my back because I'm praising God, but He won't be any more when my Father comes. If you are going through trials in your life it simply means that the devil is try to turn you away from God. Just remember that it is a test and you have to stay loyal to God and “resist the devil and he will flee you”. Auntie Claudette I love you and I want to thank you for teaching me everything that you've taught me, for opening up a brand new world for me. Speaking Hands members……… my family, I love you all. |
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My name is Christopher Bynes. I am 15 years old and in the 10th grade with a grade point average of 3.0. My hobbies are watching TV, playing sports, exercising and doing anything adventurous. My favourite subject in school is geometry. My professional aspiration is to go to college to study law and to become and FBI agent. I plan on attending FAMU. I also thought about being a pastor, because I feel that I am a good leader for Christ for anyone. But whatever I do with my life I will also include sign language in some form. I have been in speaking Hands since I was 9 years old, that has been 6 years now. I am a member of Speaking Hands because I see the need for deaf world to know about Christ just as much as any other person needs to know about |
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Him. I am also a member of Speaking Hands because I love working for Christ, and it keeps me out of trouble. I know if I were not placed in Speaking Hands earlier in my life I would have gotten into a lot of trouble. I also enjoy the mission of the group to go into the entire world spreading the word of God everywhere possible. Yes, the traveling is awesome. When we minister to others, be it in church, outreach programs or an elderly home, I see the power of God working, and moving through our hands and touching the hearts of so many by their expressions. It is awesome to see God working in the lives of others because it makes me feel that I accomplished what God sent you to do.
Being
a “Hand” has made an impact on my spiritual growth, the
group has taught me how serious our lives are and that we can still
have fun as a Christian, while making sure we are ready when Christ
comes. |
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My name is Dana Neilly. I am in the 12th grade with a grade point average of 3.569. My hobbies are playing basketball, swimming, dancing, acting, shopping, watching T.V, talking on the phone, having interactive discussions about God, and reading the Bible. My favorite subject in school is English because I love ancient literature and its artifacts. My favorite song is " I Can Make It” This song reminds me that no matter what happens or what you may go through you can always make it. When I minister to people through sign language with this song I can see in the audiences eyes that they need the reassurance that God is going to be by their side. My personal goalafter graduation is to attend Clark University where I will get a degree in political science. I then plan to attend law school and to intern at a law firm until taking the "Bar exam." |
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After which I hope to become a criminal attorney and establish my own firm. First I want to thank my Almighty God for given me the inspiration, and skills to sign. I am in Speaking Hands because I know that there are many people who are in need of a spiritual break through. Speaking Hands to me are more than words could ever exist. Speaking Hands is more than just groups of people I hang around with; they are my brothers and sisters. They keep my head held high when I feel like I can't make it anymore.
My walk with God has increased greatly. Since joining the group seven years ago I can see how my maturity in learning about God has changed. As I get older I am learning new things each and every day. God has changed me so much, through reading the Bible I have learned to depend on no one except Him. I know that as I am leaving the group to continue my education, the devil will try and attack me from every side, but I praise God that I have His shield of protection surrounding me. In closing, I praise my God that He has saved me and made me free. To Speaking Hands I will always love you guys. To young ladies in training… continue being focused on what ever it takes to succeed in life. Remember my motto " God, school, then boys." To young men in training, remember treat all women as Queens. |
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On September 17th 1989, a beautiful baby boy was born to Angela and Eglon O’Connor, that precious baby boy was me…David O’Connor. I am in the 9th grade in the Florida school system where I maintain a grade point average of 4.0. My dream is to be an airline pilot. I have many hobbies such as basketball, football, swimming, reading, computers, violin, and sign language. Little did my parents know when I was born how much God had a plan for my life but as time progressed my mom kept reminding me that I was a special child chosen by God to do a special work? My mom always read to me the story of Hannah and Samuel who always prayed to God for son whom she would dedicate back to God completely. |
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| At the age of 9 I was introduced through my mom to a unique woman named Claudette Barrett-Flintroy, who happened to be the Founder and Director of a group named Speaking Hands. From that day forward my whole life has been completely changed, because Auntie Claudette has helped me to understand the importance of ministering to the hearing impaired, who have been shut out of hearing about Jesus Christ. There and then I chose to join Speaking Hands because I wanted to be a minister to those less fortunate than myself. Being part of this ministry has helped, me to grow tremendously in the Lord. Many people, who are on the outside, see Speaking Hands as a unique ministry, something that is beautiful, but no one has a clue about the work and the sacrifices that are made to keep Speaking Hands ministering. Being in Speaking Hands required a lot of sacrifices on the part of all members, parents and staff. It is extremely time consuming as far as your personal times in the evenings and on the weekends. But it is worth it, no matter how difficult the situation or how late we come back into town from trips and having a few hours to sleep and head to school. The beauty of it all is that, as a group we never complain. That goes to show how dedicated we are as a group.
Looking back over the 5 years I’ve been in this group I can say that Speaking Hands has truly been a Blessing to me. My spiritual walk is even more meaningful to me than before. I am a better person today because of my walk with this ministry. I want to thank Aunt Claudette, Uncle Bobby and the members of Speaking Hands but most of all God because of how he has Blessed and is still Blessing my life. |
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I am Jasmine Jackson. I am thirteen years old and I am in the seventh grade. I hold a grade point average of 4.0! Now that is the kind of stuff I praise God for! It is very challenging these days to keep your grades up because sometimes you are focusing on everything except your schoolwork. I love to go to school because I always feel that it will help me accomplish a lot when I get older and even now. If I just keep thinking positive I will do positive things. Other than going to school I have hobbies like dancing, playing basketball, volleyball, and collecting porcelain dolls. My favorite subject is Science. My personal goals after high school are extraordinary positive! I plan to go to school for Journalism and Law school. I plan to be a Judge and if I am not able to accomplish this goal then I plan to become a news anchor as a second back up plan. I haven't |
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| made the final decision to which college I will attend but I’d like to attend Harvard University. First and most important I would like to thank my God for everything he has done and seen me through! I feel that God is really looking down on me, and He has placed me in Speaking Hands to show the talents that He has given me. God has allowed Speaking Hands to take over my life in a very creative and special way to guide me. Speaking Hands has made a tremendous change in my life as far as having a relationship with God. I feel that God has put me in Speaking Hands because growing up I went to church, I was so scared or embarrassed to stand up and clap my hands to a song, but with Speaking Hands they make you realize that God does wonderful things and that getting from point A to point B is a blessing! And Praising Him is something I must do. Speaking Hands means a lot to me I have learned so much about acting like a young lady, but there are many many, reasons why I am in Speaking Hands I know God has called me to be there.
The
founder and Director of Speaking Hands have made a humongous impact
on my life. Being in Speaking Hands is a struggle not just on the weekends
but everyday because when you start doing positive things for God the
devil tries to step in and take over, but you can't let him do that.
All I have to say is keep your faith in God and it will work not always
when you want it but when God feels it's time, be patient and love yourself!
Peace! |
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Hello….my name is Leigh-Ann Fairweather, I am 14 years old and I have been in Speaking Hands the longest. Presently I attend Nova High School and I am in the 9th grade with a grade point average of 4.0. My hobbies are going out and hanging with my friends, going shopping, spending time with my family, and sign language. One of my goals in life is to be a pediatrician and to be able to complete my education before I do anything else. My relationship with God is a relationship like non other. When I go to bed at night, I feel that He is really there listening to my prays and all the problems and struggles that I go through. |
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He will always be right there, even though He may not come when I want Him to come but I know He will come. There are days when I feel like to world is against me and I start to feel heavy hearted I just get on my knees and start praying to God and then there are days when I am feeling happy and proud to be who I am. I just thank God for all He's done for me by lifting me through each of life’s problems. Because of His love for me, my walk with Him is closer than ever before.
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When God calls you as one of the chosen few, Satan goes on an all out attack on your life. Knowing this I, Leslie Stanbury, have hidden my life in the arms of the most high. I was born in Springfield, Massachusetts to Wellesley and Lorna Stanbury. As their second child they still had no idea that they had the lives of two entities of the uprising army of youth in their caring hands. Lori-Ann (my sister) and I are both members of Speaking Hands. Lori was one of the three original members of Speaking Hands and I was extremely anxious to follow in her footsteps as a minister for the Lord. Speaking Hands
has taken the better part of my life, for that I am very thankful. |
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This
promise has proven itself to me over and over again in my life. Everyone
has a dream for this mortal life and that life long dream for me has
been to work with computers. As I grew older my focus changed to more
specifically a graphic design. Once it was time for high school I looked
into the magnet programs offered by Broward County and was accepted
into Dillard High Emerging Computer Technology Magnet School. I have
maintained a 3.8-4.7 GPA during my high school years. It was a lot of
hard work, but in 2000 I began my own design/printing business called
“Little Lady’s Designs.” God has opened some doors
for me that I did not even knock on. Now that I am graduating high school,
I am praising God for this golden door that He has opened for me. I
have just been accepted into a program at Savannah College of Art and
Design (SCAD). Through my education at SCAD I will be able |
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to truly begin my adventure into the world of design. Besides putting my heart and soul into my designs, I love playing sports. I am the captain of my varsity team at Dillard. Whenever I get a spare moment I can be found outside setting my volleyball, practicing for the next season. I am an active player on my volleyball, softball, and flag football teams at school. It amazes me to see how close I am coming to being an “adult.” Next year I will be graduating and heading off to college. In a retrospect of my life I can see the way different cornerstones of my life have affected me and my walk with God. When I was young I had no idea of the happiness I could find when I put my whole soul |
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| in God’s will. I thank God everyday that he took someone that had absolutely no desire to way in his sight and put me on a path that saved me from a life of destruction. At one point I thought that I was invincible and did not need the Lord’s help to “make it” in life. I dreamed of being rich and everything else that comes with it, just like I saw on television, because that is what I thought was “success.” Now my hopes and aspirations are focused on the riches of heaven and the redemption song. Now through “Speaking Hands” I find my purpose and my place of refuge, with my second family. “Life
Without purpose falls short of true life” |
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Hi, my name is Shantaniqua Clark and I am 12 years old twin, who has been in Speaking Hands since I was 6 years of age. I’m in the 6th grade in the Miami School system with a grade point average of 3.0. My hobbies include American Sign Language, signing, reading, dancing, playing outside, messing around with my friends and praising GOD! Oh…not necessarily in that order. Speaking Hands ministry has been a great inspiration to me. The group has taught me a lot about praising God, They’ve shown me what is right and wrong and that praising God is not just music, dancing and saying Thank You! But it is mainly reading, and His Words and living my life in a way that bring Glory to his name. I knew nothing about God before coming into the group |
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Hi my name is Shantavia Clark and I am 12 years old Twin who has been in Speaking Hands since I was six years old. I’m in the 6th grade in the Miami School district and my grade point average is 3.0. My hobbies are signing, dancing, trying to sing, Basketball, and football. After completing High School I plan being a graphics designer. I was inspired to be a graphics designer by an older member of the group, which is Leslie Stanbury. I plan on attending S.C.A.D. University. My being in Speaking Hands has been very inspiring. Speaking Hands has taught me a lot of things about GOD. When I first came into the group everything was very new and different for me, everyone was talking about GOD and I was always wondering who this God was. But as I grew, they taught me more and more. I was introduced to the group by a summer program. The director of Speaking Hands |
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| worked with my aunt at a place called “Movers”. I went with my aunt to summer camp everyday until she asked me if I wanted to be in Speaking Hands and I obviously said YES! Since then, my whole life has been great. I mean I do have problems, everyone does. To me Speaking Hands means everything to me. Love, peace, patience, unity, humbleness, everything…. you name it. Whichever way I look at my life, the “Hands” are always there for me. If I make a wrong turn, someone will tap me on the shoulder and say, “Hey Tavie, you made a wrong turn” that what I love so much about them.
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| Hi my name is Sherene Crystal Lewin AKA Sherry and I am an Eighth Grader with a 3.5 Grade Point Average. I am fourteen years old. My hobbies are reading, sleeping, volunteering, talking to friends and signing gospel music through the ministry of Speaking Hands. My favorite subject in school is Math I find it really easy. I plan to attend college after I graduate from high school, and study to become either a criminal lawyer or a psychologist. Right now I am undecided on what college I should attend but I desire to attend a good college. First I must say I'm blessed to be in Speaking Hands because many have tried out for Speaking Hands and I was chosen, so I thank God for that Blessing. Also I think that God has |
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| put me in Speaking Hands for a special reason, and that is to send a message of hope to many people. To me Speaking Hands encourages people, whether they are hearing or deaf to be the best they can be, to strive for excellence. What we do is one big ministry that reaches out through the use our hands to share a word from God. We have a big task to spread and share the gospel to everyone no matter who they are or where life finds them and our weekends are always full.
My spiritual walk with God wasn't really good before I joined Speaking Hands, but I think that it has increased more. I can see that I have learned some very interesting about the God that I never knew. Now I'm thinking about getting baptized because I want to give my life to Him and to be born again. Without Speaking Hands I couldn't have a good relationship with God like I do now. So I thank Speaking Hands for that. I enjoy our rap sessions where we spend time in the Word or deal with life issues. Speaking Hands has brought a whole bigger world into my limited world and I am thanking God for my family within my family and the invaluable lessons I am learning as I travel this magnificent land. |
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Hi my name is Trevaris Brown. I’m 14 years old, and I attend Lincoln-Marti private school and carry a grade point average of 3.0. I’ve been in Speaking Hands since I was 10 years old and I’ve loved the group since. My hobbies are playing sports, hanging with my friends, staying home and watching movies, dancing and signing. To me Speaking Hands is my home away from home, when I’m with the group I forget about all my problems and I relax and let go. I came to know about Speaking Hands a little differently than the others…about 4 ½ years ago as I sat at a car wash waiting for my mom’s truck to finish getting washed. Auntie Claudette was doing the same and she happened to sit beside me. After a little while she started talking to me; later she explained to me that she liked the way I spoke up and said |
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that I seemed to be a good young man and that I was really quite respectful. Then what seemed to be like a blink of an eye, the next thing I knew I was on stage praising GOD and spreading His Word. Now my walk with GOD is closer than I ever thought it could be. Auntie Claudette tells me that this must have been God’s Will because she has never asked any child to join, the waiting list for kids to join The “Hands” is quite extensive.
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| Hi, my name is Uloma Faith Azuogu; I graduated High School with a grade point average of 3.47. Presently I am twenty years old and I attend FIU. I have recently received a certification of Massage Therapist from Atlantic College in Ft. Lauderdale. My hobbies include talking, surfing the web, watching TV, helping my mother cook the dinner, and my signing ministry. My strengths are many because of my trust and faith in God. One of my greatest strengths is my ability to work hard. I am the type of person that tries to do the best that I can. My strongest areas in college are structure & Function of the Body and Physiologist. First, I would like to thank God for allowing me to be part of Speaking Hands. Without Him, where would I be? I constantly find ways to pull the positive out of the negative on different subject |
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| matters. Speaking Hands changed my life in so many ways, but I feel that I stand up and represent every person who has experienced anything similar to mine. You see I am deaf. Another deaf person might not have found that positive way to continue their life to express themselves; I feel this is why God has chosen me to be an Ambassador of Hope through my ministry in Speaking Hands.
When I became a member of Speaking Hands, I felt ashamed about being deaf and for not knowing much about God. I'm glad Speaking Hands did not make me feel different. They taught me to be proud of my deafness and I learned a lot about God. Then a Bible for the Deaf was purchased for me, which made learning about God even more interesting. The most important message I can give another person is that we all sometimes fall but we can all manage to bounce back up regardless of the circumstances or our physical handicaps. Speaking Hands has fostered a climate that encourages me to strive for excellence making the best use of all the gifts I have been given. |
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2006
Speaking Hands Site Design by Divine Imaging |
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