News
Myanmar Disaster
6 May 2008
Update: The death toll is expected to rise to over 100,000 people, due to hunger and disease. Please pray that the Burmese government will see reason and allow much needed foreign aid into the country.
An estimated 15,000 people have been killed by Typhoon Nargis which hit the unprepared population of Yangon and the Irrawaddy Delta area of Burma on Saturday the 2nd of May. We have been unable to date to reach our people as electricity and communication lines are down. Most of the deaf live in flimsy wood and bamboo dwellings which would have not stood through the 190 kph winds.
To aid those who have lost homes and who will be needing much help in the days to come, we have opened a new disaster relief fund. Please donate so that we can assist needy deaf people in Burma. For our deaf people life is very hard. Jobs are gone, 7 families have lost homes and all possessions and food is scarce and expensive. Another group of people that our church is reaching out to in Yangon is a relatively large group of people suffering from AIDS. Some of them have deaf children and our little band of deaf believers in Burma have been trying to help them. These people too are suffering very much as no one is wanting to help.
Every cent that is given to DMI marked for Burma Appeal will be sent to our people directly. I am hoping to visit the work on the 26th of May and will take in whatever I can. If I cannot go then money will continue to be sent via our usual method.
Bogota Colombia
24 March 2008
Following the efforts of Dewayne Leibrandt, DMI opened our first church for the deaf in a suburb of Bogota Colombia on March 9th. As far as we know this is the first church for the deaf in Colombia. There are some interpreted services available but this is the first one lead by a deaf pastor, William Mora. Read more about the venture in the newsletter for March in the Newsletter section of this web page.
Deaf Action AGM
24 March 2008
Deaf Ministries International Australia and Deaf Action Inc. will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Thursday 10th of April at 19 Sanctuary Way Beaconsfield Victoria Australia. All are welcome. It is hardly worth you coming from Africa or elsewhere but if you are the Melbourne Area and especially if you are a member of DMI you are welcome.
Pastor Peter Broadbent will be our guest speaker, reports will be given and testimonies from work teams and others who have experienced or been blessed by DMI in some way or the other. 7.30 pm. Refreshments provided. Would love to see you there.
Kenya
17 January 2008
Kenya is being wracked by tribal violence since the alleged cheating in the Presidential election. Unfortunately it is the innocent who suffer the most with the deaf being prominent in receiving abuse and deprivation. A fund has been opened to help some of the deaf who have lost homes, livelihood, educational opportunities and who are suffering due to high pricing of basic needs. Many are hungry, have family members who have been injured and others have lost family due to the indiscriminate and insane killings.
A fund has been established to help some of these people who are in great need. If you would like to share you may donate on line either to the Australian office or to the US one by using the “Kenya Emergency Donation” buttons on this page. Thanks for your help.
Reconstruction Complete in Philippines
01 January 2008
The reconstruction of the main school building in Ligao, Philippines is now complete! Thank you to all who have donated to make this a reality. Things are returning back to normal after the devastating typhoon of September 2006. We have now even been designated as a typhoon evacuation centre.
New Office in South Africa
22 August 2007
DMI has a new representative in South Africa. William and Bev Warmington both deaf, have agreed to represent DMI in that country. Support for the work of DMI can be sent through them and information on DMI activities in Africa and beyond will be obtainable through the office there. (Their lounge room actually!)
Reconstruction Underway
31 May 2007
Disaster hit the Bicol area of the Philippines last year when two typhoons and a volcanic eruption devastated the area around DMI’s two schools for the deaf. Many of our buildings were destroyed or damaged. Teachers’ homes were lost completely, our agricultural business damaged and in some areas completely destroyed. Fortunately there was no loss of life of any involved in our work. Slowly things are getting back to normal and reconstruction is underway.
Chiang Mai Deaf Camp
8 June 2007
If you would like to check out the deaf camp in Thailand, view the video posted below. It’s rather large, so don’t bother with dial-up. Hope you enjoy it, and maybe you can learn some Thai signs in the process!