Leah Swineford (Advance #3022842) is a Global Missionary of The United Methodist Church, serving as teacher for Deaf and hard of hearing schoolchildren at Nyadire Mission Center in Zimbabwe.
A layperson, Leah earned a diploma/certificate at the Deaf Ministries Training Center. She is a member of Bakerstown United Methodist Church, Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, related to the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference.
Leah is excited about using her education and gifts at Nyadire Mission Center, where about 30 elementary-level students require sign language to communicate. Most are aged 5 to 11 years, but some may be older due to starting their education later, the lack of a specialist teacher or school, or, in some cases, learning difficulties.
"Many Deaf students get a later start to school, and do not have much if any language," Swineford explains. "Ninety to ninety-five percent of Deaf children are born to hearing parents, which means unless the parents learn sign language the children do not have access to language until they start school. This program is working to provide these students with a basic academic education
"From a young age I had a desire to serve the Lord," Leah said about her call to mission. "I grew up in the church. My father is a pastor and my maternal grandfather is a pastor. I was surrounded by godly influence."
In her new role, Leah will teach children to read and write using sign language and other related materials, empower learners through training in psychosocial and vocational skills such as tailoring and information technology, and advise and assist school administrators on all issues concerning these vulnerable learners. She also will train local community members to use sign language, both those who are Deaf or hard of hearing and those who can hear; report to parents, mission station leaders, funding partners and all relevant authorities regarding students’ academic progress; and counsel and provide career guidance to learners before they attain high school or tertiary education.
Mission, Leah believes, “is a command given to all who follow Jesus. We are called to make disciples; to share his gospel in our home, in neighboring areas and in all the world. It may look different for different people, but as long as there are people who have never heard the name of Jesus, there is still a need for missions.”
Leah Swineford, a member of Bakerstown United Methodist Church in Western Pennsylvania's Pittsburgh District, joined 22 other global missionaries and global mission fellows on January 26 in Jinga, Uganda, as they were commissioned in a blessing and sending forth into mission service.
"The Spirit was clearly at work within this community of newly commissioned missionaries," said Leah as she recalled her time in Uganda. "For me, though, the service held special significance. We as a group were asked to share a song at the beginning of the service. The song that was chosen was 'Here I am, Lord'. This hymn has always been one of my favorites and one that the Spirit has used more than once to convict me and call me."
Leah will be serving as teacher for Deaf and Hard of Hearing school children at Nyadire Mission Center in Zimbabwe, a ministry about which she is passionate.
General Board of Global Ministries website
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