| April 2010 |
Our return to Mexico on March 2nd was about 2 weeks before their
Annual Board Meeting so we were able to submit our plan for
“Training the Deaf to Reach the Deaf.” It was unanimously
approved and they also granted us oversight of the program.
Because RSM is an established ministry and we have 3 years of
experience and contacts here, we will be able to fast-forward just a
bit and move right into the training of deaf ministers. We will also
be able to offer training to the on site missionaries in areas of
interest and need for them. In May we will teach a class on Raising
Support and in the Fall we will teach classes on Sign Language,
Deaf Worship, CPR & First Aid, and Conflict Resolution. We have
committed to stay in Mexico through the 2010-2011 school year to
launch the Deaf Ministry Training Center and possibly even longer,
as the Lord wills. We would love to make a 10-year plan for
ministry, but if there is one thing we’ve learned over these last few
months it has been to walk by faith, in step with the Spirit, one day at
a time. We are overjoyed to be in ministry again and making a
difference for the kingdom.
Annual Board Meeting so we were able to submit our plan for
“Training the Deaf to Reach the Deaf.” It was unanimously
approved and they also granted us oversight of the program.
Because RSM is an established ministry and we have 3 years of
experience and contacts here, we will be able to fast-forward just a
bit and move right into the training of deaf ministers. We will also
be able to offer training to the on site missionaries in areas of
interest and need for them. In May we will teach a class on Raising
Support and in the Fall we will teach classes on Sign Language,
Deaf Worship, CPR & First Aid, and Conflict Resolution. We have
committed to stay in Mexico through the 2010-2011 school year to
launch the Deaf Ministry Training Center and possibly even longer,
as the Lord wills. We would love to make a 10-year plan for
ministry, but if there is one thing we’ve learned over these last few
months it has been to walk by faith, in step with the Spirit, one day at
a time. We are overjoyed to be in ministry again and making a
difference for the kingdom.
Initially, the largest part of the Deaf Ministry Training Center will be to train the deaf to reach
the deaf. Deaf believers are the most effective communicators of the gospel among the deaf
and we are designing a course of study that will help them be equipped to “go and make
disciples.” We have some passionate teachers on the faculty list who wholeheartedly believe
in this project and so far, one student – Alfredo. Alfredo has been telling us for over a year
that he wants to be a missionary and a few months ago he led his older brother to the Lord.
He is a kind, even tempered young man who has a burden for the lost. As the program
develops we will add a page to our website that will describe the program more fully. For
now, we would like prayer for God’s direction on the classes that we will offer and that He will
raise up a generation of deaf believers who desire to start a church planting movement
among the deaf.
the deaf. Deaf believers are the most effective communicators of the gospel among the deaf
and we are designing a course of study that will help them be equipped to “go and make
disciples.” We have some passionate teachers on the faculty list who wholeheartedly believe
in this project and so far, one student – Alfredo. Alfredo has been telling us for over a year
that he wants to be a missionary and a few months ago he led his older brother to the Lord.
He is a kind, even tempered young man who has a burden for the lost. As the program
develops we will add a page to our website that will describe the program more fully. For
now, we would like prayer for God’s direction on the classes that we will offer and that He will
raise up a generation of deaf believers who desire to start a church planting movement
among the deaf.
| The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9 |
Brief recap of the past few months:
Nov: Routine physicals with our doctor – found Howard’s heart murmur
Dec: Testing by cardiologist – found leaking valve – put on blood pressure meds
Jan: Re-check by doctor – advised us to wait one month
Rancho Sordo Mudo invited us back to Mexico – started praying about this
Feb: Doctor advised us to wait 6-18 months until meds and valve are “stable”
Continued communication with Mexico ministry
March: Accepted temporary assignment in Mexico - moved on March 2nd
Nov: Routine physicals with our doctor – found Howard’s heart murmur
Dec: Testing by cardiologist – found leaking valve – put on blood pressure meds
Jan: Re-check by doctor – advised us to wait one month
Rancho Sordo Mudo invited us back to Mexico – started praying about this
Feb: Doctor advised us to wait 6-18 months until meds and valve are “stable”
Continued communication with Mexico ministry
March: Accepted temporary assignment in Mexico - moved on March 2nd
Ministry Training Center for the Deaf
We are monitoring Howard’s heart, and everything seems to be going really well. We are still praising God that we found the problem before it manifested itself in a more serious situation. |
In His Omnipotent Hands,
Howard & Janet
For more information on partnering with us in training the deaf to reach the deaf, please email us at
janet@deafdisciples.com or visit the Partnership page on this site.
Howard & Janet
For more information on partnering with us in training the deaf to reach the deaf, please email us at
janet@deafdisciples.com or visit the Partnership page on this site.
One of his biggest projects has
been supervising the construc-
tion of classrooms for the Training
Center. We are adding a second
floor onto an existing building,
which will provide 3 classrooms, a
teachers’ resource area, a lobby
and maybe even a balcony. A
church from Ventura, CA came
down in April and gave us a huge
head start on the project by
reinforcing the first floor walls and
adding the second floor. Howard
will continue to work on this all
summer and Janet is having fun
dreaming of where to put walls,
whiteboards and windows.
been supervising the construc-
tion of classrooms for the Training
Center. We are adding a second
floor onto an existing building,
which will provide 3 classrooms, a
teachers’ resource area, a lobby
and maybe even a balcony. A
church from Ventura, CA came
down in April and gave us a huge
head start on the project by
reinforcing the first floor walls and
adding the second floor. Howard
will continue to work on this all
summer and Janet is having fun
dreaming of where to put walls,
whiteboards and windows.
GUATEMALA
God has continued to honor and bless the plans for the Guatemala ministry. Our team has continued even in
our absence and they are committed to bring the gospel to the deaf. The money we raised specifically for the
vocational training has been sent over to Guatemala and Thelma will keep it in a fund for that purpose.
God has continued to honor and bless the plans for the Guatemala ministry. Our team has continued even in
our absence and they are committed to bring the gospel to the deaf. The money we raised specifically for the
vocational training has been sent over to Guatemala and Thelma will keep it in a fund for that purpose.
Howard's Projects
Howard is also building another outhouse (his second to date). For
those of you who have relied on outhouses for such needs, you know
that they can't stay put forever. This one is for visitors at the
bunkhouse…so if you come down with a church group you will be very
happy to see the fancy new outhouse and tiled showers! Janet is trying
to figure out where this unique skill should go on Howard's resume.
A fun side note if you have known us and RSM for many years…
Twenty-plus years ago, Howard (and many of you) roofed nearly every
building at RSM. Now it’s time for some of them to be re-done and he
is glad to be on-site to roof them again. Howard and his faithful
sidekick, Ray Thompson, are one by one replacing or patching every
roof in the place. Both are roofers and are happy to be in their element.
those of you who have relied on outhouses for such needs, you know
that they can't stay put forever. This one is for visitors at the
bunkhouse…so if you come down with a church group you will be very
happy to see the fancy new outhouse and tiled showers! Janet is trying
to figure out where this unique skill should go on Howard's resume.
A fun side note if you have known us and RSM for many years…
Twenty-plus years ago, Howard (and many of you) roofed nearly every
building at RSM. Now it’s time for some of them to be re-done and he
is glad to be on-site to roof them again. Howard and his faithful
sidekick, Ray Thompson, are one by one replacing or patching every
roof in the place. Both are roofers and are happy to be in their element.
| Howard and his workers, Alfredo and Noel, mixing endless wheelbarrows of concrete! |
| Howard & Ray - Supervisors on the job I think they are trying to figure out who forgot to bring the coffee and donuts. |