A Cry for Help
by Janice Combs
"One people group in
Central Asia has a unique barrier to hearing the gospel. They are literally unable to hear. These
are the Deaf of Central Asia. There is a great need to share the gospel with the deaf. Deafness in
Central Asia is often considered shameful and seen as a curse from God! They need access to God's
offer of hope! Simply pray that the Lord would do whatever is necessary to help bring the gospel to the deaf of Central Asia. Also pray that the church would be planted among the deaf so that God would be glorified
among them".
A prayer request received June 11, 2007 from one unknown to me just as I was preparing to return to that dark land. What confirmation! Joy filled my heart as I realize you and I are an answer to this cry for help. While my request for a visa to return to one country was rejected, the way has opened for us to visit yet another just across the border.
"Come," the Father says
with out-stretched hand…and, together we go."I can hear! I can hear!" shouted the children at the orphanage in the foothills of the majestic mountains in Central Asia, 2002. "I can hear them singing!" exclaimed 14 year old Emmie at the tiny school outside the squalid squatters camp she called home in South Africa in 2003. "Nueva vida!" (new life) shouted the ancient man when he was delivered from his prison of silence high in the Andes in 2005.
You have soared to great heights in the majestic mountains of Central Asia, the rain forests high in the Andes and the plains of South Africa. You have donated 500 hearing aids since the Lord began this ministry in 2002. A donation of only $100 can rescue a deaf child from a world of silence where the birds do not sing and there is no softly whispered "I love you". Five hundred hearing aids translates into $50,000 but that’s only the beginning as the hearing aids are valued at $700 – $1,000 so you see how the Lord multiplies the fishes and the loaves. You have donated testing equipment for the deaf school in Central Asia and trained the speech teachers in its use. The eternal value of your gifts in these dark countries is beyond measure bringing great joy and hope where there is none. You, my brothers and sisters, allow me to be His hands and feet but you are the heart and together we touch lives as He unfolds His greater plan– SO all may hear – saving Truth And redeeming love IN God’s grace.
I will be leaving to go to Central Asia on September 20th - October 1st. One way you can partner with me is to give a donation for the hearing aids that I take there. Please make your donations in any amount to: Southside Baptist Church notating it "For Missions-Hearing Aids"