Prayer Points

Give thanks for the provision of teachers, workers & funds to run the Philippine camps
Pray for urgent needs of Kenya school building - 48 kids jammed in - really only room for 30
Pray for the team from Baylor University as they travel to KCSD in Kenya
Pray for the growth of the Child/School Sponsorship program

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We have had another exciting few months with more to come. Thanks for your part in it all.

Most of my trips are by myself but last time I had three deaf folk from Australia with me so that made it special. Rod, David and Lorraine experienced again a little of what DMI is, with a rather uncomfortable trip in Myanmar, a more comfortable stop in Thailand and a thrilling time in China.

Photo of Myanmar Children on School Steps

Very happy children, thank you sponsors & supporters

Although not quite as rough as some of my trips to northern Myanmar, we were able to initiate them into the 13-hour bone- shattering, dusty bus trip from Kalay to Mandalay. Not only was the bus trip uncomfortable but the constant police stops and checks held things up even more. Pa Lian had made 100 copies of our passports to hand over at each stop but it still proved not to be enough. There are many frustrations living and working in a country where the government is paranoid. It was all worthwhile, however, as we were able to meet up with the kids at our new school; visit the (public) school for the deaf in Mandalay, where a new principal welcomed us warmly, and also make contact again with a group of deaf people we met a year or so ago in that city. This time they were very responsive.

Naing Naing Kyaw and family

Naing Naing Kyaw (pronounced nai nai jo) is in Bible College in Yangon. To our know-ledge he is the first Burmese deaf person to study in a Bible College in that country. Moses is the principal and teaches Naing Naing Kyaw personally each Saturday. Both of them are an inspiration to us. Naing Naing Kyaw works during the week in the Mary Chapman School for the Deaf in Yangon and serves as the Assistant Pastor of the church. He is married with one little boy.

Thailand

Dewayne Leibrandt was back in Thailand during the time that we were there. It was wonderful to make contact again and take part in the official opening of My Sign nursery school for the Deaf. It is hoped that this will develop beyond that, into a full school for the deaf. We were entertained to a Thai dinner sitting at low tables on the lawn, while being entertained to special items by the deaf.

China

The Sweet Tooth restaurant

If you want to eat the best cheese cake in China you must go to Dali, which is about 4 hours by car west of Kunming towards the Tibet border. DMI, under the leadership of Choi Myong Eui from Korea, has set up a cheese cake and coffee shop in that lovely tourist town. Some American business people living in Kunming have taught the deaf to make all kinds of wonderful deserts and this has enabled the shop to be opened. It is providing employment for some of our deaf including the leader of our group in that town.

Chinese folk at Dinner

Some of you might remember that the group used to meet in the local massage parlour! That was okay when the number was but a handful, but now there are about 80 people. This began to draw attention and a bit of pressure from the authorities so a new location has been found. We had the wonderful experience of joining in a ‘swimming party’ when another 15 or so were added to the group.

Chinese swimming party, Baptism

Melbourne

On the home front is another new development. Our deaf believers from Monash City Church of Christ have joined with the Harvest Deaf Church to form a new congregation pastored by Rod Chapman. We meet at the Monash City Church in the church’s coffee shop each Sunday at 10 am. If you are in the area we would love to see you. The name of the new church is Deaf Christian Community Church.

Philippines

It is camp time again. This year 5 from the Monash church are heading off to the Philippines to help with three camps in Bicol, Davao and Bacolod. Lill is able to go this time as is Erik’s wife Rebecca. Jane and Grace Ang are the other two. Until just a couple of weeks before the camps were due to begin, we did not have a cent to run them. There came a donation of $1,000 from Korea to help, but we were still some thousands short. Through the mail came an anonymous gift of $7,000. What an answer to prayer! God is faithful and does want the deaf to hear his word!

God Bless,

Neville, Lill and Ian