I DID IT!!  Ok, truth be told, Jesus did it – all of it – but He did let me participate.  It’s rather like the memories I have of running electric with my dad in my young apprentice years.  He made the plans, set the studs, marked the measurements, drilled the holes, and then said “Here – pull this wire through these holes along this wall”.  Yup, I wired the room…that was me.

So, what exactly have Jesus and I done?  Here are the highlights:

–He got me back to school so I could relearn ASL
–He nestled me in a community of friends and faith-walkers
–He sustained me through 4 years of school, etc (and there was a lot of ‘etc’)
–He kept me safe and healthy during a long & happy roadtrip
–He set me up with both short-term and long term lodging
–He set me up with a job that brought new friends and growth opportunities (and lodging)
–He set me up with a ministry organization that fits, like hand & glove
–He granted me favor in every deaf community I’ve entered

What’s next??  Well, traditional full time missionary support.  Getting my living expenses covered so that I can focus on reaching deaf people and making myself available to them at any hour, rather than putting them on hold while I work my paying job.  You’ll essentially be paying me to do what you cannot – to represent Jesus in the deaf community, in their heart language, and disciple them so that they can confidently (and accurately) disciple others.  You’ll be opening up my schedule so that I can go to the un-served and/or under-served communities around the United States and build the relationships necessary to introduce people to Christ.  There are, according to figures located last year, 250 cities across the US with no deaf churches.  It’s not my objective to plant churches, per se, but if there’s no deaf church in the city, there’s likely noone reaching out to the deaf people who live there.

As soon as I can count on your support, I can transition out of my current job and into full time ministry.  As you look around, you know time is running out, but more to the point, deaf people are entering eternity as fast as everyone else.  Most of them are doing so without knowing that the saving gospel of Jesus is meant for them as well.  If you have the language skills and cultural awareness to reach them, by all means, do so.  If you don’t, I have good news:  Here am I, SEND ME!

Like the wiring projects with my dad, once I get my part done and He adds more power, we’ll light up the world!  (or at least a significant portion of North America)

Stay tuned!

ps: I also have a web-based store of mugs, hats, shirts, and other items with one-liners addressing a variety of topics.  Something might interest you.

pps: If you’ve read this before, and recognize a change or two, it’s because I just had a 4 hour budget planning meeting with someone more thorough than myself.  There y’have it.  🙂