Monday, August 17, 2009
NEWS
It always seems to be that way, good news, bad news. The bad news arrived first, with the first few deaf who came to church. Two of the deaf community (not in our church) were killed Saturday morning in a wild car wreck which sheared the car into pieces. One was 19 and the other was 21. BOTH had promised to come to our Independence Day celebration, September 13. We are planning a big day and will celebrate patriotism much as you would at home. As more and more arrived, it became evident that these boys were well known among our deaf. Some saw them this past week, some played football with them two weeks ago, but most importantly, three of them had witnessed to them several times. The boys seemed to have open hearts, but put off until tomorrow. Tomorrow will never come.
Last week a new family came to visit and seemed to drink in everything that was taught. They left without the Lord but with a promise of returning next week. They did. While Armando was preaching, they were the only ones I could see out of my peripheral vision without turning my head. I became very burdened for them and prayed throughout the message that we could share with them personally. After the message I went upstairs to retrieve the folder with drawings that help the deaf understand salvation. It was still being used in a class so I waited. In just a few moments our deacon came up and said he wanted to witness to this couple and needed the book. I gladly stepped back and sent him on his way. He and his wife spent thirty minutes or more with them. When I sneaked in, the man was praying with tears rolling down his face. In a few minutes, they both stood up and confessed Christ as their Savior!
Although the day started quite dreary and downhearted, it ended with the angels (and us) rejoicing in Heaven. Immediately when they came outside, they were swamped with ALL of the deaf hugging them and congratulating them on their salvation. So not only are we reaching 20 or more young people at present, we are still reaching those who are slightly older and their families.
Thank you for praying and giving that God's work might continue.
Gary & Ann Layne
It always seems to be that way, good news, bad news. The bad news arrived first, with the first few deaf who came to church. Two of the deaf community (not in our church) were killed Saturday morning in a wild car wreck which sheared the car into pieces. One was 19 and the other was 21. BOTH had promised to come to our Independence Day celebration, September 13. We are planning a big day and will celebrate patriotism much as you would at home. As more and more arrived, it became evident that these boys were well known among our deaf. Some saw them this past week, some played football with them two weeks ago, but most importantly, three of them had witnessed to them several times. The boys seemed to have open hearts, but put off until tomorrow. Tomorrow will never come.
Last week a new family came to visit and seemed to drink in everything that was taught. They left without the Lord but with a promise of returning next week. They did. While Armando was preaching, they were the only ones I could see out of my peripheral vision without turning my head. I became very burdened for them and prayed throughout the message that we could share with them personally. After the message I went upstairs to retrieve the folder with drawings that help the deaf understand salvation. It was still being used in a class so I waited. In just a few moments our deacon came up and said he wanted to witness to this couple and needed the book. I gladly stepped back and sent him on his way. He and his wife spent thirty minutes or more with them. When I sneaked in, the man was praying with tears rolling down his face. In a few minutes, they both stood up and confessed Christ as their Savior!
Although the day started quite dreary and downhearted, it ended with the angels (and us) rejoicing in Heaven. Immediately when they came outside, they were swamped with ALL of the deaf hugging them and congratulating them on their salvation. So not only are we reaching 20 or more young people at present, we are still reaching those who are slightly older and their families.
Thank you for praying and giving that God's work might continue.
Gary & Ann Layne
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