Christian Deaf Ministries
P.O. Box 144
Arkport, New York 14807
Breaking the Sound Barrier for Christ

Dear Friends of the Deaf Ministry:

It’s time to get another newsletter out to all of you.  I don’t know where the time goes, but it goes!

We had a great deaf retreat in June with Jim Bracelin as our speaker.  He is from Philadelphia.  He had to leave early so Randy Sanders finished up the conference with his story boards and the deaf loved it.

From there I went right into summer camp where I played piano and interpreted for the deaf every day.  In addition to that, I made all the CDs for the messages so that filled in all the spare time.  It was a blessing to be involved in four concerts and some since.  From these contacts, many CDs are distributed and that goes to help the deaf couple in Bible college.

Summer camp offers many opportunities to meet new deaf people, meet families who have deaf relatives and help some with sign language for one reason or another.  Next year we will be teaching signs each week for those who want to learn.

Sign language classes started in September with 23 in attendance. We have a beginner’s class and an interpreting class which prepares people to have a church ministry.  It is amazing each year to see new people coming out to learn for various reasons.  This is my 20^th year of teaching signs and amazed to see how many have gone through the classes during those years. 

The sign choir, HANDS THAT PRAISE, did a concert in the spring, and we have some more lined up for fall.  We have one scheduled for Jan, 2009.  This is a blessing to many people in nursing homes and churches, and keeps us busy learning new songs, and getting programs ready.

Summer camp was held in Jamaica this year with over 200 in attendance from the islands of St. Vincent, Grenada, Antigua and also the US as well as many Jamaicans.  Harvest Deaf Bible College helped with the camp and Dr. Randy Sanders was the speaker for the camp also.  Many deaf were reached for the Lord and helped in their spiritual lives.  In some islands, not much is available for them so this is the highlight of their year.  Next year we will go back to St. Vincent for our 15^th Caribbean camp.

We recently attended a deaf retreat in Rome, NY, sponsored by the D.E.A.F Ministry.  A lot of my time is also taken up with reports and office work- there seems to be no end to that.

I am speaking in a public school again this year regarding the deaf ministry.  Each year I speak to 7^th and 8^th grade classes and besides telling them about Jamaican ministry, I get to share the needs of the deaf in the area.  I think they are quite surprised when they hear about the deaf and their problems.  Usually the deaf are neglected because people can’t communicate with them.  I encourage them to get involved in earning signs, etc.

Sheldon and Rachel Burkett, the Jamaican couple that I am helping through Bible college, will be moving soon into an apartment owned by the school.  Work is being done right now.  I have raised $300 thus far for their rent and need only $50/mo. To finish that project.  This will give them more time to study as they have been living with a family and didn’t have much free time for study.  They also have a car given to them so they can get back and forth.  I am still paying for their car insurance twice a year.  They cannot earn money here because they are foreign students so that makes it hard for them.  Le me know if you wish to help them. Keep them in prayer!

Thanks so much for the faithful support which is sent each month to enable the ministry to carry on the work.  You are partners in this ministry and with you, I couldn’t do it.  Please remember to pray daily for me and the deaf ministry and especially wisdom in choices that have to be made, and strength to keep going with all the projects, etc. Thanks again for your help.

Lois Dungan

A copy of latest annual report may be obtained, upon request, from the organization, or the Office of the Attorney General, 120 Broadway, NY, NY 10271.