Central Asia 2007
by Janice Combs
The young deaf
couple was brought to the clinic quite literally “from the hills” surrounding the small village.
“They are fearful… they cannot hear their baby cry !”
Faces gleaming with gratitude, they joyfully wave goodbye.
“He that hath ears let him hear”
The old bewhiskered gentleman in traditional garb brusquely brushed his face with the backs of his tired,
gnarled, hands. He seemed embarrassed so I pretended not to notice as I proceeded to test and fit him. 
As
I turned on the world of sound around him, there was no stopping the deluge of tears down the weathered
cheeks. Grabbing frantically for a huge handkerchief he exclaimed joyfully, "Thank you for remembering me!"
We broke the wall of silence for many in this village and its surrounding mountains as the deaf and hard of hearing traveled many miles and waited for hours with hope of hearing once again. In a matter of three days, we fitted 133 hearing aids and each of them has a story of a life changed. "May you be blessed!" was the message over and over, that blessing is yours, dear brothers and sisters. May I never forget that I am but a vessel for God.
This would be a two-part journey. I would leave this valley for the capital on 
Thursday morning, to meet
a young American who has an established ministry with the deaf through two special schools there. I was
eager to meet the two children who had no ears. Excitedly, both responded instantly with great joy as the
bone conduction units were placed upon the mastoid bones. They, too, will hear the birds sing!
His small body shook and his teeth chattered so loudly we heard it across the room. I knelt, stroking his cheek and comforting him as I quickly placed the ear mold material into his only "good" (severe loss) ear. Upon completion, the teacher shouted “Mahsud!” His timid voice repeated his name unheard of before "Mahsud", he said. She exclaimed, “You did not speak before!”
Trained and educated in her work with the deaf, Lisa confidently took over the testing at the hard of hearing school at my invitation. As I watched the eagerness in her work, it was obvious to me that the equipment should remain with her. There was so much to do! She was incredulous as I announced to her later, "Lisa, the Lord wants you to have the equipment. You can test the more than 600 children and let me know what the specific needs are for my return".
Be blessed as you read a part of her report to me received 10/14/07.
"Yesterday, I was able to go to the orphanage, and thanks to Janice, who was here recently from America with testing equipment and hearing aids; I tested and fitted Vitya with two hearing aids! He was so excited running around, pointing at his new hearing aids and showing everyone he could. I said a few words and he did a great job copying me. He is obviously deaf and cannot hear a lot, but I can tell the aids are helping him to hear noises and maybe even some speech. In the past, I have observed him in his class. I noticed everyone yells at him and he still doesn't understand them. Instead he cries a lot because of their yelling. Seeing a big person in front of you yelling is pretty scary for a six year old who doesn't understand what they are saying or wanting him to do! Thanks again Janice for leaving me your testing equipment and the two hearing aids for Vitya! God is good and has not forgotten the orphans or the Deaf!!"
Joyfully journeying with you, So all may hear — Janice Combs