Central Asia Mission Trip 2009
by Janice Combs
Thank you for journeying with me to this land that I find quite comfortable now. There are not many "creature comforts" but, the grateful hearts welcome me and I find fellowship among brothers and sisters who do not speak my earthly language.
Because we have been able to return to the same school for three years now, we have actually touched the lives of every student in the hard of hearing school. All have been tested, some have their hearing aids with lab produced ear molds (which they love) but many of the 225 still wait for their instruments. We have made impressions of all their ears in ready for the funds to provde the hearing aids. We were also able to service, train and answer questions while doing some minor repairs and now look forward to possibly working with the Deaf School next year.
Olana is one life that has been touched. She is a child from the deaf school who still needs hearing aids. Her father died of drunkenness and hypothermia several years ago and her mother died this past year. She had no money to come back to school. One of the workers there found out she was not there and managed to find her in absolute poverty and brought her back with her, enrolling her in school, replacing some tattered clothing and seeing her every weekend. She is the most grateful and eager child. We have tested her and she has some hearing.
Your hearts will be blessed to know that many of your instruments are enabling the young people in leadership roles with the Deaf Fellowship. 
It brought joy to my heart as I was ministered to by a young man who was able to go to seminary last year and now preaches, interprets and leads the worship. He is one of many who have been touched by your gifts.
I have heard the cry of the deaf in an impoverished Haiti and will go there December 2-6 and need your prayers and support. The needs of the hard of hearing there are overwhelming but we serve a big God who has compassion and always hears. Through your gifts, you journey with me as I go so all may hear of His amazing grace. We are provided a hearing aid kit for every $100 donation. Make your gift in any amount to Southside Baptist Church and note it "For hearing aids".