her cars and almost her desire to live. But God had another plan for her life. The dark separation she felt from Christ dissipated, as she began to reach out to Him to survive through the turmoil of going day to day with no food or water, and at one point having to sleep in the parking lot of a shopping center. God used this time to speak softly, leading her gently to her place of destiny in Him. He reminded her of the times He had been there, through a divorce, through raising her two children and having to start over financially from scratch, yet still completing her education.

In January 1993, after much mental anguish, self-doubt, soul-searching struggle and debate, Ms. Barrett made a decision to follow Christ and was baptized. She greatly credits her conversion to the winds of Hurricane Andrew and the prayers of her mother. Ms. Barrett-Flintroy is an artist, an educator and an all round compassionate woman who has poured herself into helping young people spiritually, socially and morally. Her concern for the youth in the community has led her to many accomplishments and awards. In 1994 she found herself pleading with God to use her in the finishing of His work. He showed her the need of the hearing impaired community to receive the Gospel and combining her two passions, the youth and American Sign Language. September 1995 a new and unusual Ministry was revealed to the South Florida community. “Speaking Hands” under the directorship of Claudette Barrett-Flintroy, speaks volumes of God’s Grace and power when we submit our lives and desires over to Him. The accomplishments of “Speaking Hands” are many, but truly the most remarkable honour was given when Mrs. Barrett-Flintroy and “Speaking Hands” were asked to sign the National Anthem for the opening of Super Bowl 33, January 31st. 1999 to an audience of 800,000,000 world wide and 80,000 in person at Pro Players Stadium.

One of her many hopes, aspiration and goal is, with God’s guidance, to build a retreat, a safe space, a place of serenity and hope for spiritually deprived teens, where they can go to rebuild their broken self-esteem.

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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.

Why did GOD put me in Speaking Hands is a question that I'm always asking and I keep coming up with the same answer….. This is just where HE wants me to be, this is where HE wants to use me, in this ministry. My favorite song that we do is when Dolmar signs, "Praise is what I do. There is something about that song that touches my heart. I feel something new, different and heart-warming every time we sign that song. Before "The Hands" my walk with GOD was, well, normal. However, after I became a Hand the trials came plentiful but the Blessing that he soaked me with were more than doubled. In other words, my walk with HIM after I became a Hand became so strong that nothing could knock me off track. A good friend once told me that GOD wants to use everybody but he only uses the people that allow Him to use him or her. I've made my decision and allowed GOD to use me and only good things have come of it, what about you?

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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

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.
Speaking Hands means everything to me. Before I earned my way on stage Auntie Claudette always said we will eat, breath, and sleep Speaking Hands. I found out that it was true. I wake up in the morning and first thing I do is pray and thank God for keeping me safe that night, then I thank God for Speaking Hands. After which I go about my daily schedule. When I arrive back home and do my homework then I practice. Sometimes I practice every day or sometimes I end up too tired from schoolwork or just too busy that I only get to practice twice or three times in the week. I go online and see one of the members on then we start talking. Every day isn't the same routine but no matter how my day is, for some reason, Speaking Hands is always involved in it.

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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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.

Speaking Hands means a lot to me. I would sacrifice almost anything to be with the group. It is my prayer that after we graduate from college, Speaking Hands will have continued and will go on for generations to come, It is my plan I want to come back after graduation and talk to the new kids about how it felt being a “Hand”. This is no ordinary group, we are different, Hw we bond with each other, it is a lot of work and sometimes we don’t arrive home from bring with the group until midnight Sunday night. But we eat; sleep, fast and pray together and I think that is the secret to why we have such a strong bond. I have many favourite songs that we do, It is hard to choose just one, but if I have to choose one I would choose “Something about the name Jesus” because no matter where I am I will always get into the song whether it is in school, home or on the street.

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.

Love you “Hands”!!!!

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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.

Sleepovers with Speaking Hands are a time where we come together and share our most personal discouragements, encouragements, downfalls, mistakes, and everything else included. I feel that God has chosen me to be in Speaking Hands because he knew that there are people who need to know about him. He wanted me to absorb every word in every song, put my life into it, and share it with others. He wants me to let teens in the juvenile system know that there are other ways to live other than stealing, doing drugs, and gang banging. God has allowed me to show the elderly, who are living in nursing homes, that He still loves them. Even though it seems like they have no family or friends that care. He wants me to show people living on the street that there is hope. He wants me to show homosexuals that there is a better way of life to live by. Finally God wants me to be a light that just may lead even one person to heaven.

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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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.

The discipline can be rough at times but it is definitely given to us to help us become better men and women and through the discipline and the love we learn a lot about life itself. Speaking Hands is one big happy family, we are always there to help one another out when in need and we feel the pain when one hurts. When one achieves or accomplishes something special we are all happy for that individual. We basically share everything like all families do. And of course like every family we have our good and bad days. We have a tight bond with each other that is also what helps keep us together. We all look forward to the weekend just so that we can be together and because of that tight bond we can make it through the worst situations.

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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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.

My favorite song that we do is The Battle because first of all the young lady signs the solo does it so powerfully and it just brings tears to my eyes! I keep that quote in my mind all the time because the battle is not mine it's the Lord and that statement is so true. My walk with God has increase so much by praying, being with Speaking Hands, going to church, living a Christian life, and just walking in authority and prosperity. God has opened many doors for me in life but I think that the most important one is being in Speaking Hands and surrounding myself with the positive members in the group. Speaking Hands is not just on the weekends but you have to live the principles that Speaking Hands teaches you in your everyday walk. The first time I saw Speaking Hands I was crying because they moved me so greatly, I was eager to join. Now that I am a member I must say it is not easy, but an awesome way to spend my weekends.

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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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.

I joined Speaking Hands when I was barely six years old. I know that was the Hands of God moving a setting me in a position to Praise Him!! I love being in Speaking Hands because of all the work the group does in the community. I believe God has placed me there to make a difference in the lives of others, that through my sacrifices and giving of my time and skills, others may be Blessed.   Back to top

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.
“Those that do for God inherit His blessing ten fold”

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”
I thank God that I found my purpose at such an early age.

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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.

God put me in Speaking Hands for a reason. It hasn’t come to me yet… But the answer will come. My favorite song that we do is I Can’t Give Up Now. Every time we do that song, it reminds me that whatever I do, whatever I go through I just CAN’T give up. No matter what I may go through while I’m away from the group or with the group. I keep that song on my head. My walk with God……well, before I came into Speaking Hands, it was nothing. Now my walk with God is strong. It is not as strong as I want it to be, but it is growing. I thank God for where I am now. I thank God for Auntie Claudette, Uncle Bobby, as well as the “Hands”. I never will forget them and I love them all.

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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.

I feel God has chosen me to be in Speaking Hands so I can be a living testimony to others. I've learned it does not matter if you don't have a close relationship with God, He and you can always change that, by spending more time reading the Bible and praying to Him. Before, I thought just going to church would be it and you would be saved but now I see that one has to pray and read your bible on a daily basis. I also like the fact that God has chosen us, teenagers, to be soldiers for Him spreading His word, and I also believe he wants people to know that even though we are young nothing can stop us as long as we have faith in God. My favorite song that we do is "Let's set the atmosphere." That song speaks about how God is worthy to be praised, and also reminds me, “When praises goes up the blessings comes down”.

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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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.

Speaking Hands has really helped me to mature over the years that I have been in the group, in different aspects of my life, from dealing with self esteem, teaching me how to treat young ladies and how to carry myself, Speaking Hands has taught me so much, and I know that from now until I graduate and leave to further my education there will be a lot more to learn. Without Speaking Hands I don’t know where I would be, but I know I wouldn’t be where I am now.

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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.

I think the main problem in the world today is when you don't know yourself, then you don't know what you want to do or what you want to accomplish and what your goals are…. not knowing will lead one to make wrong decisions. I definitely have learned so much and have matured a lot since I first became a member of Speaking Hands. I've leaned that I'm a lot stronger than I think I am. When I make a mistake I learn from it, then I share that experience so that I can help somebody else benefit from my newly found wisdom. I pray that when another deaf adult or child sees me on stage, they realize that they are not alone and they too can accomplish what I do. "We all sometimes fall but we can manage to bounce back up again." I now know that, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

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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