Dewayne and Jackie Liebrandt

Photo of the Liebrandts

Hey! My name is Dewayne Liebrandt and I’m 6’ 2” and eyes of blue, and I have grey hair, but I don’t care! The greatest goal in my life is to live up to this scripture: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all you soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. ” (Mark 12:30,31) My life wasn’t always that way though.

I grew up in Hancock County Indiana. My family has lived here for four generations. I have a brother named Dart, and two sisters; Malissa and Belinda. (Malissa passed away in 1999.) I attended different schools in the area because we moved several times while growing up. My father, Dale, worked for Chrysler in Indianapolis and was in the Marine reserves. I played LIttle League, was on a track team, wrestled, and played football. I was a Cub Scout for two years, and a Boy Scout at Troop 244 in New Palestine, IN for five years. I became an Eagle Scout in that troop. I was also a Scoutmaster in Thailand for five years. That is where my son, Daniel, got his Eagle.

I love the outdoors. My dad was an avid hunter and fisherman. We were always out in the woods playing or hunting down something. I grew up learning how to shoot and respect a weapon. Dad was an expert rifleman in the Marines. He meticulously taught us the rules of using a gun. I remember a lot of Coon hunting and riding in a cold truck all night listening for the dogs to tree a coon. Hunting rabbits, squirrels, and game birds was also on our list. I still love the outdoors and have taken my son hunting, and the family camping! Jackie and I have taken camping trips with the grandchildren, and I look forward to hunting and fishing with my grandchildren too.

Balancing God, family, and ministry is something all missionaries struggle with from time to time. Sometimes we do it right, and at other times, we don’t. I believe that most of the time, I’m balanced. God always comes first. With that as my number one priority, everything is focused perfectly. Its the family and ministry parts I continue to struggle with daily.

I am a dedicated Christian. I have been ever since I gave my live to the Lord on April 30, 1975. This happened when George Wells of Martinsville, IN shared the gospel with me when we were both working at Allison’s Gas Turbine which is a division of GM. I would love to tell you an interesting story about someone being struck by the Lord and it involving a pea shooter , but I will save that story for later. I also do not have time to share in this brief article how invaluable people like: Leroy Wright, Cecil Bennett, Duane King, Walley Gardner, and so many others have been in helping me be what I am today. I will have to do that when we can meet personally.

My family moved across the street from Jackie Cole’s family in 1972. In April 1976, my sister, Malissa, asked me if I would take Jackie to her senior prom. I agreed and six months later, we were married. We have two children who are my pride and joy, April and Daniel. I began collecting wing cars in 1979. Those are Dodge and Plymouth cars made in 1969 and 1970 that were aerodynamically designed for NASCAR and the super speedway. I was a deacon at Fortville Christian Church in Fortville, IN, and on the Missions Committee. Things were going along well, until I met Tom Morse of North Burma Christian Mission.

Tom Morse was in the US getting married. Tom and Debbie came over to our house before their move to Thailand in 1985. The conversation turned to the possibility of a missions trip to Thailand. Deb said I had to take Jackie with me for her to talk with. Jackie, not wanting to go at all, said we wouldn’t go without the kids. Her idea was that this would make it to expensive for us to even consider. Tom and Deb flew to Thailand, and I just prayed. I decided to sell one of my cars to pay for the tickets. Here is when I would insert another interesting story on Jackie, but will save that for later too! Well, guess what, the entire family went to Thailand in October 1986 for one month. As we were taking off from Bangkok, I told Jackie how wonderful this trip was for me and I asked what she though about it. She told me she would NEVER go back to that place again and for me to NEVER ask her to.

We moved to Thailand in September 1989 after two years at Roanoke Bible College. April was 13, and Daniel was 11. Not the best ages to pick up your children and move them half way around the world. But since this was a call of the Lord, He smoothed everything out. I whole heartedly believe the Lord will not call you to do something He will not equip you to do. He has proven that over and over in out lives.

Now that is not to say our years in Thailand we all cheery and rosy. God has been there for us at every turn. There were times of sickness, near drowning, no financial support, threats on my life, interpersonal struggles, etc. There were also times of great joy! Times like, Daniel achieving Eagle Scout, April going on her first date, Jackie learning to cook Thai food, baptizing our first deaf Christians, and being able to relax fishing in my pond at the Center in Chiang Mai.

Is it all worth it? YES, and so much more! In 1999, Neville Muir of Australia talked with me about establishing an organization to specialize in deaf ministry around the world. Neville established this ministry, and I joined in 2000. This organization is called Deaf Ministries International, or DMI. In 1999, I made a major effort to learn about video productions, which later become DMI Productions. This is all due to the help and counsel of Rich Sheeley and Donald Leow of Good New Productions in Singapore. Along with Tom Silkwood of Freedom Films in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I enjoy working with video and believe it is a vital tool in evangelizing the deaf around the world. Video, DVD, and VCD can go more places than any one missionary ever could. That is real missionary multiplication!

Some of our greatest ministry moments in Thailand are these:

Jackie and I decided to leave Thailand in 2005. The Thais are managing the Thailand ministries now. Jackie and I moved to the US with heavy hearts leaving Thailand. After 16 years of living in Thailand, it will always have a special place in our hearts. We are not sure where, or when ,the Lord may call us to move into a new field again, but until then, we are enjoying our time with family and friends where we are. I do all the traveling for the ministry, while Jackie has a full time job. She would prefer to accompany me on ministry trips, but finances are just not permitting that now. Everything is all in God’s timing!

Thanks for taking the time to read this rather long introduction of myself! I pray that some of it may be a blessing or encouragement to you as you strive to serve the Lord, your family, and your calling. Take care for now, and God bless!

One in Christ,
Dewayne

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