A Christmas Story
A story by Robert Bentson
Edited for the Deaf & the Christmas Season

It was the night before Christmas in the city of Chicago. It was a cold, dark night; a blizzard was coming. A little boy was selling newspapers on the corner. The little homeless boy was very cold.

He finally walked up to a policeman and said, “Mister, do you know where a poor boy could find a warm place to sleep tonight? I sleep in a box in the alley and it is very cold. It is the night before Christmas. I sure wish I had a nice warm place to stay.”

The policeman looked down at the little boy and said, “You go down the street to the big white house and knock on the door. When someone comes to the door, you say ‘John 3:16,’ and they will let you in the house.”

The shivering little boy ran to the house. He walked up the steps and knocked on the door. A lady came to the door. He looked up and said, “John 3:16.” The lady said “Come in my son.”

She took him inside the warm house. She gave him a seat in a big chair in front of the fireplace. She went into another room. The little boy sat in the big chair near the fireplace and thought, “John 3:16...I really don’t understand it, but it sure makes a cold boy warm.”

Later she came back and asked him “Are you hungry?” He said, “Well, just a little. I have not eaten in a couple of days.” She sat the boy down at the kitchen table which was full of food. He ate and ate until he was full. As he was eating he thought, “John 3:16...I don’t understand it, but it sure makes a hungry boy full.”

She took him upstairs to a large bathroom with a huge bathtub filled with warm water. She told him to take a warm bath, put on warm pajamas and rest. As he soaked in the tub, he thought, “John 3:16 ...I don’t understand it, but it sure makes a dirty boy clean.”

The lady came in and took him to a bedroom. She tucked him into bed and pulled the covers up around his neck. She kissed him on the forehead and turned out the lights.

The boy lay there and thought, “John 3:16...I don’t understand it, but it sure makes a tired boy rested.”

The next morning, Christmas day, the woman came and took him to the kitchen again. The table was full of food. After he ate, she took him back to the chair near the fireplace. She gave him a big wrapped present. He was very excited! He quickly pulled off the ribbons and opened it. He was surprised to find new clothes and a Bible. He happily thought again, “John 3:16 ...I don’t understand it, but it sure makes a lonely boy happy.”

The lady took his Bible and sat down near him. She asked him, “Do you know about John 3:16?” He said, “No, ma’am, I don’t. The first time I heard of it was when the policeman told me to use it.” She told him to open the Bible to John 3:16, and he read, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

She explained to him about Jesus. Right there in front of the big warm fireplace he gave his heart and life to Jesus. He asked Jesus to come into his heart and save him. He was saved on Christmas day! Now he understood the true meaning of Christmas. He held his new Bible and hugged it as he sat in front of the warm fire. He thought, “John 3:16. I now understand it, and it sure makes a cold boy feel warm inside. It sure makes a lost boy feel safe.”

John 3:16. I must confess that I don’t understand it either -- how God was willing to send His Son to die for me, and how Jesus gave His life for me. I don’t understand it, but it sure does make a fellow feel good to know the true meaning of Christmas and life.

This Christmas you can receive the gift of Heaven. Just as the little boy was welcomed into the nice home because of John 3:16, you can be saved and receive the gift of everlasting life in Heaven. You can go to Heaven because of John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever (you) believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

“God so loved the world.” The world includes you. God “gave His only begotten Son” to die in your place. “Whosoever believeth in him (Jesus).” Whosoever includes you. Believe that He is the Son of God, that He died for you, and that He arose from the grave to forgive your sins. He now waits for you to believe in Him as your Saviour. If you will believe and receive Him, He promises “everlasting life” (in Heaven). You will “not perish” (in Hell). John 3:16 is the greatest gift you will ever receive. This Christmas will you now receive God’s Gift, Jesus Christ, as your personal Saviour? [ ] Yes, I will!

John 3:16 can sure make a difference.

Signed________________________

I will send you some free helpful literature. SWMinistries - PO Box 889 - Trenton, GA 30752

What’s Up? Old friends drop by for a visit. Duane, Sandy, and Amanda Nichols and Pam Miller from Greenville, SC. They and the Camps served together at the Bill Rice Ranch, Tennessee.

What’s Up? Nathan and Rebekah McConnell were guests in the Eugene Bordean Memorial Room at SWM. They presented the Bill Rice Ranch Deaf ministry at Piney Grove Baptist Church and taught the Deaf Sunday School class.

What’s Up? Deaf Pastor Ray Bradley, Ecuador, preached at the graduation of Deaf students, Rodolfo and Felipa. They graduated from the Baptist International Missions Bible College in Santa Cruz, Boliva. Pictured with the graduates are Pastor Bradley, his wife, Anita, their son, Paul, and Missionary Carolyn Price. Congrats!

What’s Up? Liberty Deaf Camp, Columbus, OH, for 2007 was attended by 113 campers with seven saved. The special speaker was Missionary to the Deaf in South Africa, Chris Radebaugh. Pictured is the Camp Board: Sharon Bordean, Rev. Darwin Smith, Kevin Kenreich, Rev. David Mason and Scott Briggs.

What’s Up? Liberty Baptist Church of the Deaf, founded by the late Eugene Bordean, in Columbus, Ohio, recently celebrated its 21st anniversary. Rev. David Mason has been pastor for eight years. The special speaker was Missionary Chris Radebaugh.

What’s Up? Hampshire View Baptist Deaf Church, Silver Spring, MD, hosted the recent Independent Baptist Deaf Athletic Association’s 15th annual volleyball tournament. 1st place winner was Hampshire View; 2nd, East Delavan Baptist, WI; 3rd, Harvest Baptist Church of the Deaf, Ringgold, GA; 4th, Bethel Baptist, Schaumburg, IL. The 2008 tournament will be hosted by Bethel Baptist. Contact: Pastor Terry Buchholz - HVBDC@aol.com

What’s Up? Congratulations to Damian & Felicia Campbell, Deaf missionaries in Jamaica, on the birth of their baby boy on November 7. His name is Caleb Don-Mark and he weighed 7 lbs. 8 oz.

What’s Up? Pastor Olen Adams, Crossroads Independent Baptist Church, Davenport, Iowa, passed away on November 25. He suffered from a lung disease that slowly worsened over the past three years. Pastor Adams was a great man of God and had a special love for Deaf people. He was a good friend of Silent Word Ministries. Our sympathy to his family as well as his church family.

What’s Up? Missionary to the Deaf in Brazil, John Peterson, stopped by SWM for a visit. He and his wife, Jean, are on furlough. Email: jpeterson@abwe.cc

What’s Up? On October 20, Allen Snare & Mike Green represented SWM at the ASL EXPO in Atlanta, GA. Over 1,400 were in attendance. They passed out tracts and distributed Bible materials. On November 10, Mike Green and Larry Luck represented SWM at the DEAFair EXPO in Columbus, OH. Over 2,000 attended. Again, Gospel tracts were distributed and The Silent Word newspaper was introduced to many Deaf people who had never heard about it. Both events were great opportunities.

What’s Up? Deaf Christian from NC, Thelma Houston, pictured with her husband, James, who passed away in 2004, will celebrate her 83rd birthday on December 11. Send congratulations missnansea@embarqmail.com - 3111 Hwy 258 S, Kinston, NC 28504. (Submitted by her daughter, Nancy Marlette.)

What’s Up? Dr & Mrs Reggie Rempel, Harvest Deaf Ministries, 1314 Old Three Notch, Ringgold, GA, presents “No Room!” A Christmas drama and music performed in American Sign Language while voice interpreted for the hearing.” December 6 - 9, 7:00 p.m. www.harvestdeaf.org

What’s Up? Rev John Cooper, teacher and interpreter at Hyles-Anderson College in Indiana, recently preached a revival meeting at Hampshire View Baptist Deaf Church, Silver Spring MD, with Pastor Terry Buchholz. It was a good meeting. www.hvbdc.com

What’s Up? Rev Scott and Tricia Crabtree have relocated from Oklahoma City to High Street Baptist Deaf Church, 7399 N High St, Columbus, OH 43235. They and their three children are excited about this new phase of ministry. Email: deafcrabtree@yahoo.com

What’s Up? VICKtory School for Deaf, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, has 213 students attending. Thirty-five (35) need sponsors. Would you like to sponsor one of these students? Contact: joyceskids@BIOmissions.org

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Fingertips For Interpreters
By Jon Barr, CT

Fingertips will return in the next issue.


 

Diamonds from Diane
By Diane Barr

Coal (or Diamonds) Did anyone ever tell you that you would get only a lump of coal in your Christmas stocking because you were being bad? Actually, that lump could have been of great value if it had previously been put under great pressure. Then it could have become a diamond! Both coal and diamonds form from decaying plant life. Both are forms of carbon. But when very high pressure and just the right conditions are present, a diamond will form instead of coal.

Sometimes when we look at people, we see only the coal, the part that seems to have little value. Parents often look at their little ones and see the trouble - changing diapers, correcting constantly, answering questions repeatedly, and settling arguments and fights between brothers and sisters. They look at their teens and see rebellion and misunderstanding, questioning of authority, and weird hairstyles and clothes. Teachers may look at students and see problem children who do not do their work, who disrupt the class, and who challenge authority. Employers may tend to see their workers as lazy and unable to get the job done. Deaf ministry workers may look at those people in their ministry as a lot of work with few results. We all have a tendency to look at the negative, the dark, the ugly, the coal.

The Lord greatly values people (Luke 12:7), so let’s do the same. Let’s look at people as the diamonds they can become twenty years from now if they respond correctly to the influences and pressures in their lives. Those children and teens can be the ones to change our world. They can become good citizens, right parents, and strong leaders with high morals and good judgment. Those students and workers can become the ones who discover new cures, develop new technology, and make wise political decisions. Those Deaf and hearing people in our ministries can become the new preachers, missionaries, soul-winners, and faithful servants. When we look at people, will we see and complain about only the worthless coal? Or, will we look for and get involved in developing others to become diamonds?

Needed More Good Deaf Leaders
By Dr. Reggie Rempel

BE A GOOD SHEPHERD
“The Shelter”
John 10:7-13

Introduction: The Shepherd guards the sheep, provides for them, and cares for them. You who are leaders must learn how to help them, guide them, and care for them. This story is about the difference between a true shepherd and a hired man.

I. The Shepherd Guards Them. (vs. 7-8
Jesus said, “I am the gate of the sheep” (vs. 7). The sheep should not listen to the voice of those who are false teachers (vs. 7). Jesus is the way (John 14:6).

II. The Shepherd Provides for Them. (vs. 9-10)
Jesus is the only gate that leads and opens to salvation (I Timothy 2:5). He gives comfort (John 14:26). He is the way of abundant life (vs. 10).

III. The Shepherd Cares for Them. (vs. 11-13)
(vs. 11) Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd” John 10:15. Some shepherds were “hired hands” who didn’t care about the sheep but only thought of themselves (vs. 12). They did not protect the sheep. When the wolf attacked the sheep, they would flee. The wolf is like the devil who is seeking to destroy (vs. 12-13). The hired hand was false and unfaithful. Peter warned about “hired” shepherds (I Peter 5:1-7) and false teachers.

Conclusion: The meaning of a “Good Shepherd” is one who lives a sacrificial life for the sheep. (Romans 12:1-2). Be a living sacrifice to serve Him and to serve and care for others. Jesus said to Peter, “Feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17). The need is to feed the Word of God to the sheep.

What Means Words?
By Missionary Allen Snare 

Leaven - Leaven was used the same as yeast in baking dough. It caused fermentation, souring and corruption. Leaven was forbidden in the Old Testament (Genesis 19:3; Exodus 12:8; Leviticus 2:11). In the New Testament, it always represents evil and is used as a symbol of corruption (Matthew 13:33-35). Just a small thimble full of leaven can ruin fifty pounds of flour.

Love - The Bible teaches different types of love (agape, phileo and eros). Agape love is the love of God that is unconditional towards mankind (John 3:16). Phileo is friendly love. It is associated with the church of Philadelphia, or the church of brotherly love. Eros is a self love which is the opposite of agape. The Christian controlled by the Holy Spirit will display the love of Christ to others (Matthew 22:37-39). The Bible gives a good definition of what love is and what love is not (I Corinthians 13:1-13).

Lust - The word lust is a strong desire that can be both good and bad. It is a good desire in Luke 22:15 and Philippians 1:23. Most of the time it is referred to as wicked and evil desires and emotions of the natural man or flesh (Romans 6:12; 13:14; Galatians 5:14,16,24; Ephesians 2:3). It is called: lusts of our flesh (Ephesians 2:3); youthful lust (II Timothy 2:22); worldly lusts (Titus 2:12) and lust of the eyes (I John 2:16).

Deaf Missions Report

Missionaries to the Deaf - Send Us Your Reports
We will share Them with Our Readers!
You Respond  -  We  Report!

Africa - Chris & Lucinda Radebaugh ----------- (sol@signsoflifemissions.org) report that after one year of furlough, it is good to be back in South Africa. Two of their daughters, Lynette (Bible college) and Hannah (family), remained in the States and Jennifer returned with them. Please pray for the expenses of returning to the field plus the expense of shipping hundreds of donated Bibles, New Testaments and tracts. You can send gifts to their home church: Calvary Bible Baptist Church - 1419 Linn Hipsher Road - Marion, OH 43302. Bible College report: $10,000 has been raised towards the new building. If you plan to help, all gifts need to be received for the college by March when they plan to build. This couple has been serving the Deaf in South Africa for many years and are worthy of your support.

Ukraine - Bob & Judy Van Sant (bjvansant@pop.cris.net) - Bible College report: College has now started with fourteen students. Please pray for Judy’s shoulder problem with a torn rotary cuff. She is unable to use Sign Language, play the piano or drive. She will fly to Memphis, Tennessee to see an orthopedic surgeon. Inflation has risen sharply as rent and utilities have almost doubled. Gas is now $3.73 a gallon. Some of our people may lose their jobs. Please pray for and support this worthy ministry.

USA - Eugene Kimmel (hfc-kimmel@juno.com) reports that he is in meetings. He just finished a missionary conference in Michigan and is headed to Ohio. Due to his physical condition, he must preach sitting down. He must also walk with the help of a walker. He just completed fifty years of preaching and forty years in the deaf ministry. He has several church Sign Language classes confirmed, but he must put them on hold until he is physically able to use Sign Language again. Please pray and send encouragement.

Dominican Republic - Eric & Juana Quinlan (BIMI.DeafMin@Juno.com) They are helping with Harvest Deaf ministries and also traveling on deputation as doors open. They plan to be in the Midwest this fall. They have raised 34% of their support and hope to be on the field by the end of the year. Pray for more support. Schedule them in your church.

Mexico - Jim Walterhouse (jwalterhouse@gmail.com) reports that the funds have been received to complete the roof on the church. A team is coming down to help with the building. Please pray for the city of Ciudad Victoria (4 hours from Tempico). There are several thousand deaf in the city and no fundamental deaf ministry. He plans to make a survey trip to see the possibility for a deaf ministry. Pray for open doors. Mexico - Gary & Ann Layne (garymex@hotmail.com) Report that a deaf man, “Christian Carlos,” (ex-Mormon) has led 24 deaf friends to the Lord. Mexico needs the Lord!

SWM International
With Missionary David Bennett

Qualities of a Good Missionary to the Deaf

SWMI is seeking for good missionaries to work among the Deaf in several different countries. Being a good missionary requires special qualities. What qualities make a good missionary?

1. Character – Christ-like character is essential. Good missionaries demonstrate the character of Christ in their daily lives.

2. Burden – Good missionaries have a burden for lost souls worldwide. SWMI is concerned specifically for lost Deaf souls. The Deaf around the world need to know about Jesus!

3. Vision – Good missionaries to the Deaf have a vision for what God can do with them among the Deaf in a foreign country.

4. Passion - Good missionaries have an excitement and zeal for reaching the Deaf and teaching God’s Word to them.

5. Compassion – Good missionaries love people and show charity and mercy to them.

6. Faith – Good missionaries learn to trust God in the USA so that they will know how to trust God in a foreign country.

7. Faithfulness – Good missionaries are faithful to God, family, church, and friends.

8. Humility – Good missionaries are not proud, but can work well with others and know how to submit to authority.

9. Patience – Work with the Deaf overseas can take a lot of time. Good missionaries are willing to plant diligently, water the seed constantly, and then wait for the harvest patiently.

10. Wisdom – Good missionaries are wise and discerning in their communication, activities, associations, and ministries.

All of these qualities are necessary to the ministry. It is not easy to work with the Deaf. It is not easy to work internationally where one must learn a foreign culture and, usually, a foreign language. Character is important. It is not easy to raise support. It is not easy to start a church or a deaf ministry. It is not easy to work with foreign governments. It is not always easy to work with nationals either. All of these qualities are vital to serving God as a foreign missionary to the Deaf! Has God burdened and equipped you to be an international missionary to the Deaf? -- Contact SWMI. We can help.   - Visit SWMI.org

The Deaf Can
By Ronnie Rice

Serve The Lord

As I read the story of Job in the Bible I noticed that Job was called the servant of the Lord. “And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” (Job 1:8). Job was a servant of the Lord. Satan became the enemy of Job. Satan decided to make Job stop serving the Lord. Satan challenged God to let him try to stop Job from being a servant of the Lord. Soon all of Job’s animals were killed or stolen. Then a storm killed his children. Job said, “Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly” (Job 1:21-22).

Later, Job’s wife became bitter toward Job. She encouraged Job to curse God and die. Then Job’s friends accused Job of having sin that brought him his troubles. In all this Job did not sin. Job did not become bitter toward God. Job did not complain. Job lost everything but his testimony. Finally, Job said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15). Satan failed and Job won. Job proved that he would continue to serve the Lord no matter what happened to him.

I was thinking what if I lost my home and children? Would I continue to serve God? What if you were tested by Satan? Would you continue to serve God? We need to be as Job and decide to continue to serve the Lord no matter what happens. Job was very grieved but he did not give up. We need to learn to serve the Lord not only when things are good, but also when things are bad. I have noticed some Deaf stop serving the Lord when troubles come. You need to decide that you will not stop serving the Lord. As a Christian keep your eyes on the Lord and keep going. “The just (Christians) shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4). Faith in the Lord will give you strength to keep going in troubled times. I have seen some Deaf who continued to serve God with cancer, problems, and grief. They continued to serve the Lord and so can you. The Deaf can serve God.

Because We Are Deaf We Can't
By Mike & Kim Green (Deaf Couple)

Booklet(D28) “Because We Are Deaf We Can’t...”

73. We can’t hear house noises. Your lights go out and you wonder why. You and your wife cannot talk, but must sit in the dark. Finally, you look outside and notice that there is a storm. When the lights come back on, you smile and start talking again.

74. We can’t hear the roar of the crowd. You are playing softball and you race after a fly ball, and you twist your ankle badly because you don't hear people shouting to watch out for the pothole.

75. We can’t hear the loud noise of lawnmower. You always get up early on Saturday mornings to cut your lawn. You wonder why the neighbors look funny at you while you are mowing. Then you learn they are happy when your old loud mower breaks down. The hearing people call it noise pollution. The Deaf call it silence.

76. We can’t hear people talking behind our backs. Many times we will turn around and look at the people and they stop talking. We wonder, “Are they talking about us?” Sometimes your children also learn to talk when you are not looking. They learn deaf ways very fast.

77. We can’t sign and talk in the dark. One deaf man said, “I am lucky, when I want to stop arguing with my wife, I just turn out the lights. She can’t argue in the dark.” The wife then signed, “If I really want to fuss, I will get up and turn the lights on again.”

(Send us your stories)

Chicken Soup For The Deaf
By Jim Bracelin, Vice-President

Recently we were in a church in Connecticut where one of the Deaf Workers leads two weekly Bible Studies at the American School for the Deaf. I was privileged to teach in the Bible studies. I taught the story of Noah to a group of fourteen Deaf young people. What a great privilege! I could not get over it. I was actually standing in the first school for the Deaf in America, and I was teaching the Bible to deaf students.

I was reminded of the first classes taught in the school by Thomas H. Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc. The original motivation of Thomas Gallaudet was to make sure Deaf children would be able to see and understand the stories of the Bible in their own language.

Now, some 190 years later, I stood on the exact grounds to teach the very same thing Gallaudet taught to the first deaf students.

I praise the Lord for the open door at American School for the Deaf, as well as many other schools around the country. Maybe you should ask about the opportunity to hold a “Bible Class” in the Deaf school in your area. Follow in the footsteps of Thomas H. Gallaudet. Thomas Gallaudet was an educator but he was also a Bible teacher who had a heart for Deaf children to learn the Bible. Do you?

(Send for SWM Thomas H. Gallaudet’s Children’s Bible Stories copied and printed word for word from special collector’s book written in 1834. Ten Bible Stories and Repentence (Cost $3 each or both for $5).

For Your Information
By Jon Barr, President

Don’t Limit Your Deaf Ministry

Most people associate the deaf ministry with Sign Language. American Sign Language (ASL) is a unique language with its own grammar. ASL uses body movement, facial expression, classifiers, and gestures. It is a well-developed language. There is great interest in ASL and interpreting. But the deaf ministry is much more than just Sign Language. Silent Word Ministries encourages churches to minister to and serve all people effected by the deaf ministry.

Oral Deaf People or the Hard of Hearing - Some Deaf people do not know Sign Language, but read lips instead. They have special needs, such as sitting in front of the speaker in order to read lips. Contact David Harrison at SWM for more information on ministering to this group.

Deaf Children and Teenagers - Most hearing Christians had the opportunity to learn about God and the Bible as children. However, most deaf ministries do not minister to Deaf children and teenagers. This is a great need! Because Deaf children are mainstreamed into local schools and do not travel to residential schools, they live at home and could be reached by existing deaf ministries. Reaching Deaf children and teens can be very fruitful.

Deaf Ministries - Some churches only interpret the classes and services for Deaf people when they come. Many of these interpreting ministries could be developed into deaf ministries that teach and train Deaf people to become happy, productive, fruitful Christians. Start by teaching a Deaf Bible Class so Deaf people can learn the Word of God. Grow your deaf ministry!

Deaf Church - Some areas have a large enough Deaf population to start a Deaf Church. A Deaf Church needs a minimum of 75 Deaf people to become self-sustaining. Qualified Deaf people can become involved in every area of the ministry.

Hearing - Deaf churches and deaf ministries should also seek to minister to hearing people. All Deaf people know hearing people. Most Deaf families have a hearing member. Hearing children of Deaf parents need a Sunday School class. Hearing parents of Deaf children should be welcome at church. Reach the whole family with the Gospel. Teach the whole family the Bible. Build a deaf ministry where the whole family is welcome and can learn.

Interpreters - Interpreters are essential to the deaf ministry. Without them most deaf ministries would close. Most people do not realize that interpreters are working while others are listening in church. The interpreter cannot think about the message or songs because he is thinking about how to interpret. Therefore, several church interpreters are needed. Allow the interpreter to attend a church service at least once a week without interpreting. Professional interpreters are required to have additional training the church should also send interpreters for additional training. SWM conducts an annual ASL Institute to help interpreters develop and improve their interpreting skills.

Foreign - Every country has Deaf people! Foreign missionaries should be aware of the Deaf people in their city and country. There is a great need for more missionaries to the Deaf. Many countries that are open to the Gospel and have missionaries to the hearing, do not have even one missionary to the Deaf. If you are interested in becoming a foreign missionary to the Deaf or taking a short-term foreign mission trip, contact David Bennett at SWM.

The desire of Silent Word Ministries is to reach all Deaf people with the Gospel. The deaf ministry is more than interpreting. Pastors, send your deaf ministry workers to ASLI for help. Contact SWM for help with your deaf ministry. We are here to serve you. Let’s reach more people with the deaf ministry.