Deaf World Ministries Update 

11/09/09
We are getting involved in the Tucson Deaf Community and reaching out to minister in spreading the word and touching lives.  We have also become involved in helping to care for the homeless in the area.  This involves feeding and clothing them.  However our resources are limited. Perhaps some would like to give to help in our effort to touch lives of the "untouchable."

Recently a member of the Tucson Deaf  community passed away. Sadly, he did not know the Lord Jesus.  We had met him once and spent a few hours with him.  He was  formerly from Pennsylvania and had attended WPSD (Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf).  We had become friends in that short amount of time, however we did not have an opportunity to share the Word with him. But this has made a marked impression on me.  LIFE IS SHORT AND WE DO NOT KNOW HOW MANY CHANCES A PERSON HAS TO RECEIVE JESUS AS LORD AND SAVIOR. We need to seize our opportunities to let people know about Jesus and God's plan to save them from their sin.  The Bible says, "It is the kindness of God that leads people to repentance."  We need to be kind, too. We need to give them an opportunity to repent and enter the abundant life provided by Jesus. Are you wiling to help share the message of such a great salvation?

9/23/09
We were gone back to Pennsylvania from April 14 to June 23 at which time we met wit several Deaf people and shared what God had put on our hearts.  We were also privileged to speak at some hearing services to share what God has been doing and things the Lord had shown us. We were encouraged by the people who reported that they had been ministered to and their lives were changed - this was one month after speaking. This means the word had been sown and fruit developed and had grown in their lives.  It was two and a half months of ministry to both hearing and Deaf people.

All in all, we were happy to get back home! Ahhh, Now we could start settling in.  We thought. The first thing that happened was that Ron had a severe infection in his toe on the left foot with some major complications.  He was basically bedridden or using a walker for that month.  As this time of testing came to an end, Carol developed a problem with her left knee and had to use the walker, which she is still using.  We are seeking the Lord for her complete healing.  She is forced to stay on the couch during the day with little or no getting around - or if she does move around it is with a walker or riding cart.  So, medical events have limited our actions/ministry.

However, during this time we have begun developing another form of ministry, but now with any Deaf people.  We became aware of the number of homeless people around here.  The Lord started speaking to our hearts to begin providing food and clothing for them. We were also able to provide a bus ticket to Lordsburg, New Mexico for a lady who was down on her luck and needed to get there to get her Social Security checks.

We continue to study Spanish to be able to minister effectively in Mexico among the Deaf.  After learning spoken Spanish we will learn the Mexican Sign Language (which we are actually doing simultaneously).

We have been able to continue ministry via our VP (video phone) with those Deaf we already have contact as well as some new Deaf contacts in various parts of Arizona and other states.  We also, continually run into more Deaf through "Divine Appointments" and are waiting for the Lord's leading to start Bible studies or a church with them.

We have also found some new doors opening via the Techie world of MySpace and FaceBook which has been a blessing to do and touching many lives!  Pray for this door to continue to be open and that it will be effective for the kingdom!

Our eyes are always alert for opportunities to minister with and among the Deaf wherever we are.  Please pray for us to continue to flow in the Spirit of the Lord's leading!

3/09/09
We have begun making contacts with key people in the Deaf community.  This has been a key step, albeit, cautious as we are making our goal to be an "assisting ministry".  We are doing some advocating for Deaf rights.  It is a shame that in the USA people are still resisting the ADA and not following the law of the land.  In Tucson, AZ would you believe that some TV stations do not caption their news?  There are NO movie theaters that have Open Captioning for the Deaf in their community.  They are alienating a whole segment of their society.  Stay tuned for reports on what is happening in our advocacy work.

Deaf are lacking in having Deaf churches in and around Tucson.  There are some interpreted services, however when you ask the Deaf which they prefer "Deaf church or interpreted services" there is a resounding call for Deaf Churches, with Deaf Pastors.  Deaf churches allow for the Deaf to have a church that fits their culture and their needs.  Interpreted services only allow for the deaf to be passive bench sitters, not participants, not able to ask questions nor be involved in ushering, teaching, or other areas of ministry that are offered to maturing hearing people in a hearing church.

1/23/09
We have landed! PAH! After several months of searching and using lots of energy, we have  found a place that will fit all our needs.  We have found  a place located on about an acre of land and has a place that will allow for the continuing of ministry in our downsized format.  Our place is located just outside Tucson, Arizona.  It has a  definite Western flair with cacti (plural for cactus) in both the front and back side of the property, split rail fence around the back and two sides.  It has some young fruit trees in the back.  We believe this will be a place  that is a house for the glory of God and provide opportunities for hospitality - this was one of our main prayer focuses.

Hospitality will be an emphasis of the ministry. We were blessed to have guests with us the second night and for 10 days providing us with an opportunity to show the Spirit of the Lord in hospitality.  In February we will be having some people coming to spend time with us for three days, allowing for more hospitality ministry.  It is awesome that while we are providing this ministry, we have been doubly blessed as those staying with us have been a great help in getting things accomplished that are needing done around this place.

We will be adding pictures as soon as possible.  Right now it is full of boxes. 

There is a lot of work to do fixing up things and getting furniture and office items replaced.  We took a big loss when we sold most of our things at auction, however, at the time we felt it was the best thing to do with our limited physical conditions and limited staff.  Now is a time of rebuilding. The one huge benefit is that we are out of debt and will stay that way!

While seeking a place to settle in for ministry to continue for Deaf World Ministries we were always seeking out those who are Deaf.  Making contacts in this area is crucial as it is "plowing new ground".  We have made contacts in Mexico and the USA.  Yet we are still looking for that key person who God has that will be able to open doors.  Those we have contacted have been valuable and precious.

With the "hunting for a location" over we can now give greater emphasis to focusing on the Vision and implementation of the goal of reaching the lost and discipling those who want to grow in wisdom, power and favor with God.

Your continued prayers and support are important as we seek the Lord and seek out the Deaf in the area. We have been learning Spanish so we can reach out to those Deaf in Mexico.  We have made 4 trips into Mexico.  Ron will be teaching sign language to Deaf in Mexico who have no sign language.  This will also provide for presenting the Gospel to both children and parents.  We will also be studying the Mexican  sign language.  This is a lot of work and has its expenses too.  We will need to be proficient in Spanish and  their sign language.  Pray for our success! 

We greatly appreciate those who  have continued their support and prayers and for those new supporters.  Without your support, it would be impossible to continue  this ministry.

Write us and let us know you are standing with us.  Our mailing address is listed on the home page at the bottom and our email is the same as  listed in several places on this web site.  Thank you and God bless you.

10/29/08
In July 2008 Deaf World Ministries moved  to the Southwestern USA.  We arrived at Benson, Arizona on July 31 and began  looking for a place to set up our ministry.  Currently, we are still looking for a specific location which will serve for our home and for our ministry center.

We have been seeking out the Deaf in the  area and have made contacts with the Deaf and are beginning to make plans for ministry for  our new vision for Deaf World Ministries direction.  We  have made ministry contacts in Mexico and  will be going to Mexico  to work with Deaf there once we have our home and ministry location set up.

We ask you to keep lifting us up in your prayers for direction  AND open doors. 

We have been giving some updates of our move on YouTube as well as some short video teachings  as well. We have also added GodTube to a source  of getting our messages out. We have also used  our Windows Live blog to get teachings out to both hearing and  Deaf.

Our main effort has been using ASL on YouTube under the name of DeafArizonaRanger which is not only a place for Christian Deaf but as  well as non-Christians.  For Hearing  we have just started  using YouTube as DeafRanger.  So please log on to YouTube and  see what is being said.  The written blog  is located at: http://deafrider.spaces.live.com/ - there is currently only one teaching there but we hope it will be a great encouragement to you.

You are encouraged  to leave comments at these sites and  let your friends know so they may  view them too.

Ceri-Jayne Hawley in now involved in her own ministry, In His Hands Ministries. If you would like to support her, contributions should now be sent to her ministry.