Paul Aseka's Reports

Paul Aseka spent 2013-2015 as an intern at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas, thanks in part to a grant from the United Methodist Committee on Deaf and Hard of Hearing Ministries. Paul is from Kenya and became deaf at age 7. He has studied at National Technical Institute for the Deaf in Rochester, New York and is sensing a call to ministry with the Deaf. At the March 2013 meeting of the UM-DHM, the committee set aside funds to support local churches that desire to develop Deaf Christian leaders. In these articles, Paul shares his experience as an intern.

Spring, 2015

During spring semester, 2015, I took four courses, Modern financial management, Accounting 2321, English 1301, and History of America. That was more challenge for me to go through, but I did well.

For building capacity, I contacted with Evon Malray who was the one of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Ministry committee, about our choir group to travel to her Church (First United Methodist Church) in Shreveport, Louisiana. Evon Malray and I stayed in touch till I discussed with our choir director, Melinda Powell. It was a few months from the time when I lastly visited Shreveport on December, 2014. In the middle of March, 2015, our choir group went to FUMC in Shreveport, Louisiana to perform. Evon thanked me for trying to build a good relationship between Lovers Lane, with her and her church.

In April, I paid the Dallas Deaf Center (DAC) a surprise visit on Friday when I got off work. The Deaf Senior Citizens were happy to see me after being absent for a long time. They were my great friends and I spent an hour with them. Some of them asked me some question about the Bible. The quote was, "Was Jesus there before God created earth?" I answered, of course, yes.

In May after my school closed, my supervisor Rev. Thomas Hudspeth and I went to DAC for devotion. It was third week of May, 2015. I led devotion on that day and quoted the verses (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8) about "A Time For Everything." I explained to Deaf senior citizens about positives and negatives that we experienced in our life today. I also challenged them by quoting one good verse about "Time to tearing clothes and time to mending." I asked them, who can throw luxury cloth after tore? They answered, they would mend and precious it. This was a good chance for me to see their thoughts and opinions than feed them every word. Again I went to Dallas-Indian United Methodist Church with my wife to do the Bible study after worshiped at LLUMC. I used the same verses which I shared with Deaf senior citizens at DAC.

At Lovers Lane UMC, I gained more knowledge about administrative work and operating office equipment such as postage meter, folding machine, and fax machines. I would observe staff using the equipment, then, I would practice on the machines myself. I also learned how to generate reports on Fellowship One, the church's database. Using Fellowship One, I did membership and attendance reports each week.

I led worship service at our Deaf Sunday school by leading prayers, praise songs and giving announcements. I usually led our class when my supervisor was away for workshop. Before the end of May, 2015, I got some ideas of starting BBQ for our Deaf Ministry to celebrate and interact. I successfully made it happen. This was a good idea because I tried to invite more people to come and interact with us.

On May 31, 2015, I went to home to see my parents and siblings after being absent from my village home for five years. I got back on June 17th, 2015. I tried to pursue my work after I gone home. For God's call me to do in Church, I felt that He wants me to do Missionary by encouraging the church to know the needs of Deaf people of the world. I sensed that some hearing churches are still not recognizing the needs of Deaf Christians around the world wide. I also need more time to think about the next step.

Fall, 2014

At the University of Texas, Arlington, I'm a full time student with twelve (12) credits. I studied very hard to earn B's in all courses which I took. I learned a lot about Information System especially digital revolution which happened after the World War II and Mathematical Applications for the Management, Life, and Social Sciences. I researched one area that every Church needs, digitization, because it helped processing of converting text, numbers, sound, photos, and videos into data. I also learned database and how to solving problem in Math which are important for every employer and non-profit organization around the world wide. These helped learning how to analyze problems and make a good looking presentation.

I went to Dallas International Rescue Committee (IRC) to see how my ASL students were performing. I learned that some of them were able to sign every picture of buildings, furniture, street signs, shops, fruits, animals etc. One of the main challenges was that there were new students who knew nothing about ASL and their home sign language, but they kept smiling when others signed. I felt that it was unfair for them, because they were unable to participate. I recommended to the IRC volunteer co-ordinator that IRC needs to do the best for those deaf students who behind.

I went to Lovers Lane Academy for the Deaf on several Wednesdays for the devotional. I gave them an opportunity to watch the biblical video and encouraged them to share with each other what they have learned from it. I learned that ASL video helped them be able to catch the important sign verses, more than reading sentences in the Bible. I taught them the Lord's Prayer.

In the Evangelism department, I always gathered information of first time visitors, new members, and those who will be baptized from pastor, then process them into the data and system before sending out a membership report to all pastors every Monday. I also sent out the welcome letters from the senior pastor to the first time visitors every week. I also posted attendees into the software program Fellowship One, changing rosters for each Sunday school book at the end of the month, printing attendance forms, also member forms and then put in all the books. And I also put offering money bags in 24 Sunday school books.

I was invited to present to the audience during Silent Night Benefit Dinner, which was hosted by Lovers Lane Deaf Ministry team. Miss Deaf America, Rachel Mazique was our special guest speaker. I presented about my work with Deaf Bhutanese refugees at the Dallas International Rescue Committee (IRC). I explained to the audience about where they came from, who they are, how they were motivated to learn ASL, and what they learned from me. My presentation attracted people, because it was good for them to learn how hard I could be able to work through without help from someone. I also closed with prayer for the 70 year celebration of Lovers Lane in the Sanctuary. It was good experience.

On August 17th, I met with Staff-Parish Relationship Committee (SPRC) and they interviewed me about my call for ordained ministry. The interview took about less than forty minutes. The next day, there was a big meeting in Asbury Hall. There were numerous staff, members, and committees present at that time. The aim for the meeting was the Action Plan for 2015 and nomination of candidates for ordained ministry. There were 62 people present, 61 of them voted for me and only one person against. Eventually, my name was announced as a certified candidate for ordained ministry.

My family and I were invited to First United Methodist church in Shreveport, Louisiana to spread the good news about Jesus Christ. Mrs. Evon Malray distributed flyers with my picture to the Deaf community before I went there. She and other members of her church set up plenty of food, but few Deaf people appeared. She decided to welcome homeless people to join our dinner inside church building. This reminded me that Jesus said, "Feed me when I am hungry." She did this as example, because I felt that Jesus was in them. I attended worship service in Couch Chapel. I signed sing like "Jesus inside work outside God changes me." I read the Bible verses and interpreted how they applied to my life. It was about Jesus healing a man who was born blind. I used these verses to apply Deaf people who had experienced negative attitudes from hearing churches. I served the Lord's Supper after FUMC blessed wine and bread.

July, 2014

July was a slow month as I prepared for DHM conference in Chicago. I have been about outreach activities, Deaf Ministry at our Church, the conference in Chicago and my education for several days. I'm ready to share them with you now.

In outreach activities in July, our lay servants from Lovers Lane and I went to Dallas-Indian Methodist Church, including my supervisor; for Deaf Bible study at 6:30pm, Tuesdays. We used the study book, On the Threshold of Grace by Donald Haynes. I led one of the chapters on "Perfect Grace" which the founder of Methodism, John Wesley, emphasized. Our scripture focus was Hebrews 5:13-14 and 6:1, which is the story about God's character and how his love inside the body of Christ (Church) is made perfect. These verses were meaningful for me to help deaf group to understand why loving each other is important and that God loves us no matter who we are.

Also, I went to the International Rescue Committee to visit Deaf refugees to learn what they are experiencing with IRC staff. I noticed that some of the refugees's ASL signs improved and others, not. I also noticed that some IRC staff who worked with Deaf Refugees seem to pretend to understand very clearly what Deaf refugees signed and that they tend to smile all times when deaf refugees asked for their needs. I could see that the communication between Deaf refugees and IRC staff was difficult there. I encouraged the manager of IRC to let the refugees learn some roads sign and buildings outside, rather than keep them in classroom all the times. The refugees are always walking to and from IRC to their apartments, so they need to learn how to read street signs. For only the second time since this past May, I took the group outside to teach them traffic lights, zebra cross etc. (Zebra cross is what Kenyans call a crossing walk on a street corner!).

I also went to Dallas Deaf Action Center for the devotional. I led without my supervisor. I used the same verses that I used at the Dallas Indian study, and that helped Deaf congregation to understand the love of Christians. I signed sweet song to inspire them.

At the DHM conference in Chicago, I learned one very important historical note. Dr. Kirk Van Gilder from Gallaudet University told us that during the early to mid-1900s, the hearing Methodist churches had increased their educational requirements for ordained ministers, while at the same time education for the deaf went down. That information helped me understand why there are few deaf pastors and churches today.

In summary, I have learned that conference in Chicago helped to understand the work of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Ministry (DHM). And that International Rescue Committee (IRC), and Dallas Deaf Action Center (DAC) helped me to gain experiences.

June, 2014

My work during the month of June seemed to be slow, but diligent. I received good news from an aunt of a Deaf couple who needed to find a church in Dallas. The couple lived far away from our church. My supervisor told me to visit them and I said no because I felt really awkward and had never met them. I shared my experiences of trembling in the past with my supervisor. One funny thing, I asked my supervisor "why couldn't you go first?" He responded, they might not be comfortable with meeting just a white person. I responded, that I couldn't go because, even though I am African, I also might experience difficulties in meeting with the couple because I come from a different attitude, culture and life style.

The conversation seemed to show a conflict between my supervisor and me. Later I thought to myself what main challenges might I face when I meet with this deaf couple? I wasn't able to answer that question until later, when I began to feel different. My body became warm while I was still thinking about that question. Strange, it was Holy Spirit whispering my heart, "Paul don't leave a child behind," I looked up and that this reminded me of the Bible story when Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children" (Luke 18:16).

So, my heart and mind said yes to go, and my panic vanished. My supervisor and I discussed and agreed to go to visit the Deaf couple together. When we arrived at their house and they opened the door for us and we were surprised that they gave us a warm welcome to their house. We saw their cute two hearing kids and I noticed that one of their older kids couldn't speak and watched cartoons on TV to keep him company. The Deaf couple started talking about finding a church to worship God and discussed marriage. They were very supportive of each other and agreed with each other's ideas. I was shocked to learn that the work of Holy Spirit was among and leading them. I breathed down slowly when I saw such a positive response from them. We also noticed that their older kid really needed support through socialization with hearing kids so that he could learn on how to speak. We invited them to come to the Vacation Bible School at the Dallas Indian UMC, where we were leading an adult Deaf Bible study. There were also activities for young children, so the whole family could come and enjoy the experience.

Also in June, I went to the International Rescue Committee (IRC) where I taught Deaf refugees ASL. I noticed that they are improving in ASL, but still have a problem with reading and writing. I have no idea on how to suggest to the IRC that they should establish a Deaf refugees school to learn how to read and write English. The refugees only know how to sign from picture cards.

I learned how to deal with my panic so I could move forward to do a home visit, that the visit became positive, and that Deaf refugees still need more educational support.

May, 2014

Watch this report in ASL:

May was a harder month as I approached difficult situations. The situations were not related to work but my personal life and I took care of them first. Last month our Deaf fellowship members (trained Lay servants) and I went to Dallas-Indian United Methodist Church to do Bible study and ASL class. I noticed that Deaf members of Dallas-Indian UMC were participating and understanding. I learned that the work of Holy Spirit helped them to understand the Bible and that the Holy Spirit interpreted for them clearly. Our job at Dallas-Indian UMC was done on the 4th week of May. We will continue to work with that Church whenever they need our help.

On May 22, 2014, my supervisor and I went to Dallas Deaf Action Center for the devotional. Deaf residents always cheered when I appeared there. I gave them a good sign song which inspired them. That was about "God cries when we don't love each other." After that my supervisor gave them good news from the Bible. I learned that Deaf residents at DAC love the way I smile and act.

In summary, I learned that my situations for last month was not so easy and that messed up everything. DIUMC helped to achieve my work through teach them Bible and that DAC residents made my work look good.

April, 2014

Watch this report in ASL:

April was a pretty busy month as several people prepared for Sunday Palm and Easter. The Church staff had a busy week before Easter. We attended the presentation for a week and had complimentary lunch.

I went to International Rescue Committee (IRC) where I taught Deaf refugees ASL. I learned that they improved with a bit of ASL. One problem is that they are unable to spell alphabets because the letters are easy to forget every minute. They are good at signs with pictures of animals, vegetables, fruits, cars, motorcycle, train, toys, clothes, meat, chicken, eggs, house, chairs, and tables. They were very happy to have me there again after was I absent for three weeks because I didn't have transportation. I was proud of them myself because they now knew my sign name. Five of them are already fluent in ASL. Some of them are still struggling with ASL especially old Deaf refugees. I felt that ASL was their first step before starting job training. I also noticed that they don't go to mosque due to lack of knowledge the Dallas City.

Our Deaf Ministry started to work with Dallas-Indian United Methodist Church. Deaf people always attended this Church but without a no sign language interpreter. Interpreters were unable to interpret for Deaf there during worship services due to home-sign language. We found out that they needed to learn ASL and the Bible. We met with their pastor and discussed the areas that need to be improved and ended up we all agreed. Deaf members of DIUMC spread the good news about our plan for teaching ASL and the Bible. When we arrived there, we saw many people already in the church waiting on us. There were hard of hearing, hearing and Deaf people. We divided into two groups. One group studied ASL and another one the Bible. We were four Deaf people from Lovers Lane who already took Lay servants training. Our Deaf pastor by the name Rev. Tom observed us. Most Deaf chose Bible study and I felt that they were very hungry to learn more about Jesus Christ. Some of them used home-sign and others used ASL. We saw one of them used his iPad to televise everything what we taught and what some members asked. We felt that it was meaningful for him to review at his home.

On April 17, 2014, my supervisor and I went to the Dallas Deaf Action Center for the devotional. It was good for us to wash the feet of six Deaf residents. We prayed and sang together before Easter event. Before we washed their feet, we taught them that Jesus washed his disciples' feet before He was arrested and crucified. This doesn't mean to boast but remember Him who sacrificed His life for us. Then six volunteers sat on the chairs and washed each other's feet. After that we prayed before closed devotion.

I learn that team work helped me to achieved my work with awkward places and that Deaf refugees improved ASL. DAC residents understood that devotion was good for them to learn about Jesus Christ.

March, 2014

Watch this report in ASL:

March was a pretty busy month as I prepared for one big event in San Antonio and another small event, and as usual, the Dallas Deaf Action Center. I had another project, and I waited for someone on the church staff to video me signing the Lord's Prayer and to sign the song "Praise God from whom all blessings flow." I gave up waiting and videotaped the prayer and song myself.

I also attended Lay Servant Training in the Metro District of the North Texas Annual Conference for four Sundays after worship services. It was very interesting for me to learn something about the function of Lay Servant. There were several hearing people from various United Methodist Churches in the North Texas Conference. I was one of four Deaf participants, all from Lovers Lane UMC. I participated in classroom discussions (we had ASL interpreters, provided by Lovers Lane), on Jesus's conversations with the disciples, "Who Do You Say I am?"

The hearing people voted for me to present a testimony on the last training day, which was on March 16. I immediately agreed and they gave me a good topic, "What Jesus means to me." This is my story which I presented:

Jesus Christ is the same as yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever. I experienced in the past that I used to go to church where is no translator with my mother. I asked her to interpret for me in that church, I was sick to see her word "LATER" all the time. When the people laughed in the church, I repeatedly asked why are they laughing? She replied with one word "Later" that never happened. I saw the two Deaf men talking about their church. I introduced myself to them and brought me to their church where was a translator and Deaf pastor. I immediately told my mother "NO MORE LATER." She seemed puzzled because I already found church. Jesus always answered now and NOT LATER. He called me to spread good news through the sign of my hands NOW not Later. The wonderful message of past, today, tomorrow and future Jesus always answered now and No more later.

The congregation cheered and I felt that this story inspired everyone. Then, I got my local lay servant certificate. On March 20, I went to the Dallas Deaf Action Center with my supervisor for the devotion to Deaf residents. That was perfect day because they had a St. Patrick's Day party on that day. Every resident put on green beaded necklaces, that was so fun. If someone wasn't wearing green, then they would be pinched! I shared the same story what I presented at the end day of Lay Servant Training.

On March 27, I traveled to San Antonio with Lovers Lane Academy for the Deaf students, along with five other Deaf Ministry leaders. This was a four day retreat based at Providence Place (formerly Methodist Mission Home), which was hosting "Walk with Jesus."

I was one of the table leaders who monitored the students' reactions to ensure that they understand the presentation. The most important topic was about "How to Clean My Heart," led by Chaplain Carol Williams. She used her examples that applied to her life from the past. That helped me to learn how to clean my heart.

The other thing that was very interesting was to write an individual's mistakes in the past on red heart papers then nail them on the cross of Jesus Christ. Then the paper hearts were burned in small grill. When the red heart paper became ashes, then that meant that God has taken away our sins. That was very interesting for me. I also signed song about "this is a good day to love Jesus" and invited walkers, volunteers and staff of Providence Place to dance and praise the Lord with their hearts.

I learned last month that led my heart to change bad to good.

February, 2014

I first noticed two great grandparents from Bhutan appearing in my ASL classroom with Deaf and hard of hearing refugees who were struggling to understand my sign language last month.

When I was approved to volunteer for International Rescue Committee (IRC) Dallas, the number of Deaf and hard of hearing refugees was low, now they have increased. I faced a lot of challenges especially communication with Deaf refugees who were unable to read and write. All of them were uneducated because their government didn't think they were worthy. Because they spoke Nepali and deaf sign language, Bhutan government didn't accept and welcome them. Bhutan government then moved them out from Bhutan. They have had no where to go and the IRC put them in a Displaced Persons program. Most of them lived in camps in Nepal for more than 15 years. Many have grown children; some of them lost their children by death in these camps.

All of them are Muslims and don't know American culture and I had to teach them on how to sign pictures of fruits, vegetables, animals, milk, meat, eggs etc. I also identified their gestures and home sign language and used it to translate into ASL but it was difficult for me. I also taught them on how to count money. They also need a lot of support for their living in USA. I'm absolutely certain that they would improve.

IRC emailed me to interpret for deaf lady refugee from Iran who became US citizen a few years ago. I went with IRC employment specialist to her house to interview her. I noticed that she was unable to read and write. The IRC employment specialist used to write on a piece of paper and I translated for her till she made up her mind. IRC staff felt that I was useful resource for them.

Also, I went to Dallas Deaf Action Center for the devotional with my supervisor. I saw that there was a conflict among Deaf residents, they were complaining about another Deaf resident who disrespected them, we resolved this situation through using powerful word in the Bible: James 2:14-17.

I learned that I was useful for IRC and Deaf ministry to make work smooth. My challenges need a lot of supports from our Deaf fellowship members and church. I felt that I gained more experiences in communication with foreigners. My supervisor told me a story about John Wesley's prayer when he send his first parish; "Lord help me to be useful."

I still teach them.

January, 2014

During the first weekend of January, I and a few other members from Lovers Lane, helped two of our Deaf fellowship members with packing their property into a U-Haul truck. On the first day of the move, we packed and loaded all day until the truck was full. The next day, I drove that truck to La Vista independent living center in San Marcos, Austin. In Texas there are only two independent living centers especially for Deaf. There were other two men from our fellowship who worked with me to unload their stuff into their new home. We unloaded all stuff into their house and fixed the loose furniture. It was really hard work for all of us and we worked with without rest because we understood that older couples couldn't do that without our help after we returned to Dallas, about a 5 hour drive.

On Sunday we returned to Dallas, I visited Oak Hill United Methodist Church where one of the members of the DHM, Caroline Koo, worships. This was my second United Methodist Church to visit that has a Deaf ministry. We took morning breakfast and worship there. Koo and I discussed about how she could strengthen the Deaf ministry after we worshipped in the sanctuary there. I gave her some ideas of how to make that happen through fellowship with a small group.

I also went to the Dallas Deaf Action Center for devotion. The title was about "reunited family." The example was about how Esau met his brother Jacob after he stole the blessing which Esau hoped to receive from his father Isaac. I used this topic because I knew that some of the Deaf people have had some issues within their families and that helped them to think why it is meaningful to bring family together. I started to work with International Rescue Committee as ASL volunteer, which is a part of my job description. I met with volunteer coordinator of IRC and she told me that the number of Deaf people from Bhutan were about 30.

In summary, I learned that there was a good opportunity for me to gain knowledge and experience on how to use technology and my skill to communicate with people from near and far.

December, 2013

December 2013 was too short for me to accomplish my work because I was overwhelmed with plans for my wedding which happened on December 14, 2013. On December 13, our Deaf fellowship established a room for me, my wife, brothers-in-law, grandmothers-in-law and parents-in-law for an evening dinner and there were a lot of gifts. On December 14, our wedding was held in Wesley Chapel and Rev. Tom Hudspeth presided our wedding ceremony. Now I'm husband to Jessica and step father to Jayla. My supervisor and I went to the Dallas Deaf Action Center with LLAD students to close the devolution before Christmas event. We performed the drama for the residents and then they performed for us. The title was about the birth of Jesus Christ. It was a pretty performance. My supervisor gave me two weeks' vacation, December 16-29, 2013. On 29th, I led our Deaf fellowship when he was away. I read and signed the Bible, Luke 2:21-38. It was about the Church is a place of rejoicing.

In summary, I concentrated on my wedding and that helped me to understand the meaning of marriage and gain knowledge.

November, 2013

November was a busy month for me. I have gained experience in areas where I have been inexperienced. On Thursday, November 7, I went to the Dallas Deaf Action with my supervisor to lead a Memorial Service for Deaf residents who passed away in the past year. My supervisor and I signed songs for the residents before the memorial service started. On Saturday, November 9, I participated with our men's Bible study group at the First United Methodist Church in Lewisville, Texas for the metal workshop to make Personal Energy Transportation (PET) devices. I used the power drill machine to drill bar metals for making PET underframes and then welded them. I was not a good welder, but I was enjoying learning on how to operate the kind of power machines at the workshop.

On Sunday, November 10, I led our Deaf fellowship class, reading the Bible verse John 9:1-41. It was about "Jesus heals a man who was born blind." This was a very interesting verse because I had some experiences in the past when I visited a hearing church in Kenya. Some hearing pastors thought to themselves that they could heal Deaf to become hearing. After I read the Bible verse through, then I interpreted how it applied to a Deaf person like me. I recognized that some of our members shared similar experiences and made some good feedback. It helped me to grow strong confident in my leadership.

On Sunday, November 17, I traveled to First UMC, Shreveport, Louisiana. I and two other Deaf members from Lovers Lane went there to talk about Deaf ministry. The church in Shreveport has a monthly fellowship for the Deaf on Sunday afternoons, and my supervisor asked me to go and give my testimony. One of the other Deaf members from Lovers Lane told the group about Lovers Lane Academy for the Deaf.

I received administration work training this month, and I felt overwhelmed when I started. I learned how to find guests and regular members of the church on our church's database, Fellowship One, and also learned how to post and make reports of various ministries at LLUMC. It was very good for me to learn because I'm motivated to work.

A word helps me understand what I have learned this month: inclusion. No matter my inexperience, I learned that I could gain experience in such things as operating power machines and Fellowship One database. But now through these experiences, I feel more included in the church and community. I thank God for giving me a strong confidence to do anything, no matter if I am Deaf.

October, 2013

October was an overwhelming month for me as I established the events with my supervisor. I went to Dallas Deaf Action Center with my supervisor for the Bible devotional. I sang one song about "Praise God Halluajah" to Deaf residents at DAC. I helped other members of our fellowship with decorating before the Silent Night Benefit Dinner started. This event was awesome and fun because there was a Deaf magic who made people laugh hard. I closed prayer after the event was done.

I assisted my supervisor with schedule, register forms, payment forms and flyers for our Deaf fellowship retreat which held on 25th-26th October, 2013 at Mt. Lebanon in Cedar Hill, Texas. There were about 29 people who came to learn about retreats and how to trust each other. That was very good because I knew that we came together to grow our faith in Heavenly Father. There were also challenge courses that made it enjoyable and fun for us. I closed devotion, I also shared good news about "Giving, Forgiving, and Loving."

In summary, I learned that these events were meaningful for me and other member of our Deaf fellowship to know why trust each other is significantly.

September, 2013

September was a great month as I prepared for the events that are going to happen in October. I helped plan the retreat for our Deaf fellowship members that will be held October 25-26 at Mt. Lebanon Camp & Retreat Center in Cedar Hill, Texas. The objective for this event will be "Building Strength and Trust in Our Christ Family." Also I worked on the Silent Night Benefit Dinner that will be held October 5 at Lovers Lane. I enjoyed worked on these projects that helped me to pursue and learn new experiences especially developing worship and planning.

On September 26, I went to the Dallas Deaf Action Center, where I led Bible devotionals for the residents. I taught on 1 Peter 3:8-15. It was about "suffering for doing good." I chose this topic because I think that the Deaf community needs to know what is good and what is bad by giving them a good example of how Christians show love for their neighbors without judging each other.

During the month of September, I continued to learn a lot about the Stephen Ministry program. I am learning to understand what the function of Caregiver is and how to communicate with a care receiver, especially when he has a lot of problems, depression, grieving over lost loved ones, etc. I received skills on how to solve situations of care receiver. I was recognized as a Caregiver in Traditional Service on September 29. We will be done training on November 3.

On September 25 with the help of a counselor who knows ASL, I took an on-line Keirsey Temperament test. The result described me as Guardian and Provider. Some of my traits are being a hard worker, loyal to mates, a stabilizing leader and being dependable. I usually tend to give to people’s need without them asking me. I do believe that God has given me these gifts.

In conclusion, I learned that the work of hands, mind and activities were useful to my church and Deaf community to prove that Good News is still spreading.

August, 2013

The month of August was a miracle and fun month for me to learn something different. I felt that I became a leader of the Bible study class when my supervisor, Rev. Tom Hudspeth, was out of the country for his mission trip to Kenya. I tried very hard to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ to understand the role of Christian community. The powerful weapon which I used to share with Deaf fellowship was the Bible verse Matthew 6:1-4 "Giving to the poor." I used pictures on PowerPoint to give them a good example of how Christians showed good things to the poor. I also gave them another example of how most Christians who didn't want to help the poor and they never got award from Heavenly Father. Those who helped the poor's needs would have been blessed from Heavenly Father. I used this because I recognized myself that some Christians loved themselves and didn't want to help the poor.

On August 22, my supervisor and I went to Dallas Deaf Action Center to give a monthly devotional. He read the Bible verse and gave testimonies about mission journey to the Deaf senior group about what kind of people and animals he saw and what kind of food he ate in Kenya.

I attended Deaf Saturday Night Live Worship, it was very good. I met some people from various churches and learned their ways of performing and singing in the church. There were about 150 people from the Dallas—Ft. Worth area, including one group from Broken Bow, Oklahoma. I wished to sign a song but unluckily my name was not on the list. Next time, I’ll be sure to sign a song.

This month, I learned that sharing good news and helping others were very meaningful to the Christian community and that would help to bring diversities together to build faith in Jesus Christ.

Lastly, there was a very good article about the Deaf ministry at Lovers Lane in a local Dallas newspaper that showed my involvement in Deaf Christian leadership development.

Peace, Paul

July, 2013

July was a busy month for me. I felt that I gained a lot of knowledge and experiences. I prepared for Deaf Action Center devotional and our Deaf fellowship class when my supervisor was out of the city for his family vacation for two weeks. I led the class and all members were pleased.

I created the flyers for car wash fund raiser for the need of Deaf children in Kenya and distributed them to the members of the church and other people who are not members. I enjoyed washing various kinds of the cars with the help of our Deaf members. I helped my supervisor packing stuff for his mission trip to Kenya.

I shared my testimonies in Shipp Chapel and Sanctuary. Several people enjoyed my story that they never heard. I shared my story about how I challenged in my life and communicated with my mother in church. She used a word "later&uquot; all the times when I asked her to translate for me in the church. Also I shared my story how I became a Christian and how it helped me to have faith in Jesus Christ.

I learned that the work of my hands helped me a lot through sign language that helped people to understand the stories and that inspired people at Lovers Lane.

June, 2013

The month of June was a great experience for me to make a difference in Deaf ministry. First, I went to the Deaf Action Center in Dallas (DAC) for the Devotional and it was wonderful. It was my first time to preach to Deaf congregation at that place. I used the Bible verses, Matthew 6:1-4, "Jesus Teaches About Giving." These verses inspired Deaf people at DAC.

Second, I attended the North Texas Conference for two days where I learned various ways of singing songs and worship at Methodist Church that helped me to gain some knowledge and experience. There were diversity groups at the Conference. I trained two mission members team on how to use Kenyan Sign Language (KSL), and translated KSL into American Sign Language (ASL), the Bible verse topic being "Good Samaritan and Pentecost." Also, I trained the members on how to communicate with Deaf children to make sure they understand word of God. Last, I also started Stephen Ministry class "Christian Care giving." It was marvelous what I can do in the coming future. The class which I am taking will continue until November, 2013.

In summary, June was a pretty busy month that gained me little more experiences and that will help me to know how to solve challenges among Deaf Community near and far that match our vision.

May, 2013

In the month of May, it was a wonderful month for me to learn new things that I have never experienced in the past of my life. I learned how to set up PowerPoint for my pastor to enable him to prepare for bible study class and edit the June newsletter for our deaf members of Lovers Lane.

Outreach activities, I visited the deaf community especially Action Deaf Center of Dallas for devotional and led songs in ASL about the Lord. Also I visited loved ones in hospital and shared good news about the Bible. I taught Kenyan sign language to the Deaf mission team to Kenya to inspire and motivate them to prepare for their mission work next month. I established the collection boxes at all the main entrances to enable people to recognize and donate to the needs of deaf children in Kenya.

In summary, I learned that new experience was meaningful to me that will assist me to gain more knowledge and abilities to lead Deaf ministry in future.