Día de la Bandera

Monday was an awesome day for the kids because they had the opportunity to fully celebrate their Mexican heritage by celebrating the Nation's Día de la Bandera (Flag Day). The kids assembled together to honor their nation's flag and learn about the meaning of the colors, the representation of the eagle, the cactus, and then follow it up with capture the flag and a piñata. It was extremely fun for them and a great experience to be proud of who they are! Praise the Lord!

Awkward Moment

Check Out Those Math Skills!!

I spent most of the week observing kids in their classrooms taking up several different subjects such as biology, Spanish, Sign, and probably the most crazy is their math! I say this because most children will often use their fingers in order to count or to add, but the deaf kids here at the Ranch sure do take it to the next level. It is very common to see these kids simultaneously use their fingers along with sign as they do some magical formula with their hands to produce the solution to their math problems. The younger kids are still learning the concept of numbers and how to add and subtract, but some of these older kids with lighting skill just move some fingers around and create the answer! You totally have to check it out if you are ever at the Ranch!

Classroom Time!!

For the past two days, I have been able to observe some of the classrooms here at Rancho. The first day was taught by a hearing teacher teaching the subject of math and the second day was a class taught by a Deaf teacher who was teaching the subject of science. Both teachers were good at what they did and I was interested in taking in things such as differences with signing styles, kids at different stages of learning, and ages of each class. To make matters even more complicated is for these teachers to have to handle a class that may have far more boys or girls in the class which can easily change the energy that the classroom possesses. By far, seeing some of the staff in action was an amazing experience and to see these kids get projects done is very uplifting. These kids have smiles that just melt your heart when they have completed a task well and that is just another step forward for these kids to become more educated thus making them more independent. It is so great to see that the classes emphasize God in their curriculum to continually remind these kids that the power of the cross is so awesome and to see them pray for the things they do brings such encouragement. I still have the rest of this week to go to see more classes in action! Prayer is very much appreciated for these children as they continue to learn about academics, work ethic, personal development, and most importantly about Jesus!

First impressions of the Ranch

I have finished my first week here at the Ranch and have had so many blessings happen! These kids are each amazing kids and to see them interact with the smiles that they have just gives me this great joy! Much of the week so far has been observing the kids in action! Being that the location of the Ranch is in Mexico working with Mexican deaf children, there are several languages that I am trying to learn in order to get by which is a pretty gnarly challenge. I have had the opportunity to learn more about the children by playing with them, eating meals along side them, and also tiding up the school yard in work teams with them. If you want to have full immersion, this is the best way to go! I even had the chance to go to Ensenada a few times and interact with some of the people there to learn my Spanish. The culture here is different though then what I am accustomed to in the States such as an hour long carwash and how people earn their money, but I see many hard workers and people striving to make a living. As this week unfolds here at the Ranch, I will be observing the classes that we provide so that I can learn more about LSM (Mexican Sign Language) and learn how these kids respond to the subjects being taught. God has been really good and I certainly feel blessed to have this opportunity to be involved in such a wonderful Deaf ministry as Rancho Sordo Mudo.

Written by Peter Boklund
Intern at Rancho Sordo Mudo

Internship 2013!

We have been counting the days until Peter moved to the Ranch as our Intern for Spring 2013.  We spent the first week in orientation; learning about life at the Ranch, his duties for the next four months, and a tour of the neighboring towns.  The tour included a visit to other local ministries, an organic farm and, of course, Ensenada's famous fish tacos.