About Us
Ministering to "the least of these"
HCSLA is a faith based ministry to Deaf children and their families operating in Ouanaminthe, Haiti. Our primary goal is for our children to come to know Jesus Christ personally. Before that can be a reality we must teach them sign language so we can communicate the word of God to them. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17
Our Story
Like many stories in Haiti, our story began in an orphanage many years ago. Elie Belton Badio was taken along with his siblings by poor parents to an orphanage and left for others to care for. God began to shape Badio's heart and call him to a life dedicated to serving others. Little did Badio know that years later God would bring a Deaf woman into his life who would become his wife. Together Badio and Farah minister to everyone but are especially drawn to minister to Deaf children. Nearly 10 years ago they met Darwin Covington who was sponsorship coordinator for another ministry to Deaf children in Haiti and with like minds and hearts they quickly became friends and partners ministering to the "least of these" in Haiti. Political unrest in Haiti has transformed many ministries and caused many to seek safer places within Haiti to minister. Ouanaminthe, near the Dominican border for the time being has been free from gang activity and where we have set up shop. Upon arriving, God began to bring many families with Deaf children to Badio and Farah and we began HCSLA in an effort to bring these children out of seclusion and teach them sign language while ministering to their daily needs. Most of these children have lived his/her life in seclusion or been used to beg on the streets. When you validate them as a person and begin to share the love of Jesus with them you unlock smiles and joy, rarely seen in their normal lives. Serving them is most rewarding. Loving them as God's special children is a privilege and we pray God will open their hearts and minds that they may come to know Him personally.
