overseas.

The St. Paul AME signing ministry, Hands of Faith, left the Island yesterday to do a concert in Delaware.

The ministry was formed 22 years ago in 1977 by Virginia Wilson who is the former director of the Bermuda Deaf Awareness Association.

Mrs. Wilson said she took her knowledge of sign language to church so that the hearing impaired could worship freely.

Soon a deaf ministry was put in place -- it continues at the AME church every Sunday.

Mrs. Wilson has taken the group on many other tours, but she said this was the biggest.

It could also be the last trip the group takes under her direction. She said she feels that she should soon hand the reins over to her daughter, Bonnie Lynn Wilson, who is also one of her assistant directors.

The 22 members of the Hands of Faith ministry have been waiting for the tour for two years. They have held car washes, a walk-a-thon, a fashion show, and a banquet.

Today they will be giving a concert in sign language. The concert will feature all signing to gospel music, poetry, and mime. Tomorrow they will be holding a workshop entitled "Total Communication''.

They then move on to Pennsylvania on July 7 and will be giving a Noah's Ark Drama at the Sight and Sound Theatre. On July 8 the group will be visiting an Amish Village, Then finally returning home on July 10.

According to Mrs. Wilson, sign language is no easy task. It takes lots of study, concentration, and dedication.

She has also set up other signing ministries in Bermuda, St. Kitts, and Florida. Also when Mrs. Wilson travels to Philadelphia next year she will be setting up a signing ministry there.

She said she feels she never could have come this far without trusting in God and relying on her favourite scripture, Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me''.

Mrs. Wilson told The Royal Gazette she did not mind all the hard work. As long as she was able to help someone she said she felt her life was not in vain.

''I feel it paid off and I say to God be the glory,'' she said.

Faithful hands: The Hands of Faith Signing Ministry, from St. Paul AME church, is flying to Delaware today to perform in concert. The group is directed by Virginia Wilson.