May 2014 Update

Dear Friends & Partners, here is a brief update on recent developments here and in Uganda

Training to Deliver Family Sign Language Course

Helen:  Our two deaf tutors were deaf Kate and Helen. Kate shared about raising her two children: one deaf and one hearing. Both are achieving good levels at school. This was evidently because her family were so inclusive.

  

    Recent research shows that deaf and hearing acquire language at the same rate if the family is equipped to enable the deaf child to do so.  We plan and hope to use our newly acquired skills with families that have deaf family members when we return to Arua.

    Our thanks to the National Deaf Children’s Society for running this training, and to the Dept. of Education for providing grants to enable families with very young deaf members to benefit from this funded course.

Healthy, growing churches..

Adam: Gill Behenna (right), adviser for deaf ministry to the Church of England, and Bob Shrine, Vicar for deaf of W. Yorks, led this very helpful discussion. This was part of  Coventry Deaf Church’s ’Away day’ . We heard some recent research findings on the common qualities healthy, growing churches have. 

Empowering leadership teams;

Gift-oriented ministry;

Passionate spirituality;

Inspiring worship;

Whole-oriented small groups;

Need-oriented outreach;

Warm, fun & forgiving relationships;

Functional structures.

“..if..”

.. Is a word in the bible I’ve often overlooked. But Boram (left), our fellow student , kept wearing an ‘if’ t-shirt that tuned me in to seeing ’if’  in scripture. The word  ‘if’ now reminds me of God’s profound gift of free-will. 

For much of my youth I would prefer to be told what to do rather make  to my own decisions.  I feared making the wrong choice. I was torn between my strong desire to please YHWH (the Lord) and doubting if His spirit’s nudges were better than my fickle desires.
   
The book of Job has  shown me afresh that YHWH longs for us to recognise and imitate His unconditional love. In the book of Job YHWH blesses and gives free-will to all, including his accusers. Yet YHWH satisfies His merciful & just nature at his own expense. I can demand justice of others but  if others/my Maker  demand the same justice of me, e.g. time management…
   
Job has shown me that the Lord  entrusts us  IF we actively trust Him ,his  commands, promises as Job did, regardless of his circumstances. This led to Job’s and YHWH’s ultimate vindication before their accusers. Four simultaneous trials in one book. A literary masterpiece. Adam

Family News

Laurence: Hi. One memorable  day recently was holding a gold ingot worth £307,000. It was on display at the Bank of England museum. I visited it with my dad and grandma. She used to work there.

   I’m looking forward to some missions trips: Pescara in Italy at half-term, then Glasgow for Commonwealth Games. In August I hope to go to Senegal to help plant trees to stop the desert spreading further. Exams ongoing..

Jerome: Hi. Now I have a long period of revision until my first exams in late May and early June. My baptism went really well and I believe God worked through me and others in the church to really explain the reason for baptism to non-believers from university! 

I've been in Scotland with the Officer Training Corps recently, walking in the Cairngorms, with extra weight on my back  to train for my ascent of some high peaks in the Andes this summer. This week was harder than imagined due to gale force winds. Then I spent time in Wigtown with the Robinsons; family friends of ours, who have a livestock farm. The aim was to get my hand back in to some manual work but I got sinusitis, then twisted my ankle! So only managed a bit of work, some revision, and just having fun! :)

Maria: It’s been a busy time since I last wrote with university work, paid work and socialising. In April Netty Hayes came to visit me in Hull and I got to show off my cracking University and city. Easter weekend was spent in Otley with family and boyfriend Tom; we had a lovely weekend and a beautiful day out walking in Malham on Easter Monday. The following week I went to Italy to visit a friend on her year abroad in Perugia. I had a fantastic time and visited Florence and Rome on the day of the double canonisation – what timing! 

Now it’s back to work as I come to my final essay deadlines and exams…less than 6 weeks and it ‘s all over!!! Time flies!: 

Finally…

Last week, our partners in Arua told me that the interpreter training, signed video workshops & rabbit breeding are continuing well. Four deaf building and carpentry students responded to the radio commercial we produced. They’re progressing well. Our knitting/ tailoring training is also due to re-start this month. Please pray all involved will continue to value clear communication, quality workmanship, self-control.

   In Kampala we hear that trainee deaf pastor Lydia is settling well. Thanks for your prayers. Please pray for completion of discussions so that more biblical vocabulary signs can be filmed, & posted on-line.

   Do get in touch if  you can help cover our shortfall in regular financial support from September. We hope to post a 15 min video of DC’s recent work shortly. Future plans are outlined below. Shalom. Ad & Helen

2016 British Sign Language Discipleship Training School

Sarah-Beth(above) is a deaf staff-member at The Kings Lodge , YWAM’s Nuneaton base ,where  we’re studying.

  She has a great vision to see British Sign Language (BSL) users  able to receive teaching in their own language about topics like include God’s nature, character & call on our lives.

Sarah is building a team to pioneering course. If you’re interested, contact Sarah at  www.thekingslodge.com