Part
4. Thanjavur & the New SDA
Church
Pastor Jordan signing to the deaf group at Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India in a rented hall - as the church was not yet ready
That Friday afternoon,
we met with the local deaf group. There
was a heavy rain storm making it hard for some of the members to get there. But, we had a nice time meeting them and having our first
program with them.
Two years ago, I saw the picture of a single deaf lady who
was part of the first major baptism..
She had said that though becoming a Christian could be difficult for
marriage for her, she was going to follow Jesus. I had been impressed by her picture and her determination,
and wondered what had happened. Well,
we were not to be disappointed, for in due time she came in with our original
old deaf brother, Meshak.
We learned that Sumathi had been cast out of her home after the baptism.
She is now working for a few rupees a month helping care for Mr. Meshak
and another deaf man in his home. After
assessing the situation, we left funding with Sister Watts so that there would
be enough funds for Sumathi to become a Bible Worker specializing in work for
deaf women, should the Lord continue to lead in that way.
Sumathi had been cast out of her home for becoming a Christian - she may train as a Bible Worker
This group was the most advanced of all the SDA deaf groups
we had met. Mr Meshak and his late
wife had been actively serving their Lord for many years among fellow deaf
people. One of the older deaf
members was a well educated deaf artist. Another
active interest was a landlord..
Friday night I was asked to take a vespers service at the
Thanjavur hearing church. First, a
lady shared the history of the churches efforts for working with the deaf
people. The next morning,
Elder Sundaram wanted me to go with him to the boarding academy where he used to
be the Director. It was another
opportunity to tell about deaf ministry. Jeff
remained and took the service with the Deaf in Thanjavur.
After the Sabbath
afternoon service, we got to go and get a quick look at the new Thanjavur church
building for the Deaf. Just
under construction, with the concrete roof only having been poured the day
before, the church looked a bit rough.
But we were told that once things were completed, the red brick walls
would all be plastered, and would look
very nice.
Front door view of unplastered new Thanjavur church, Dec.7/02 18'x 36'- railroad behind
The church is about 18' x 36' with a small extra vestry built on the side toward the rear. The church is in a nice residential area, and not far from the main railroad. A bathroom building still needed to be added. The simple electrical wiring along with some others things are needed to complete the building.
Local hearing church pastor and Regional Director stand by side of new church for Deaf - quite possibly, the first SDA church building just for Deaf in the world! Church was since plastered inside and out.
After the excitement of viewing the first church building for
deaf that we know of in the world, we went briefly to visit the Regional office
headquarters in the city. Again,
the local Director lives above his
office in an apartment. The
office was furnished very economically with very simple desks, and only one
computer for the whole office.
Saturday night Jeff
and I had to ourselves and we were anxious to again work on emailing to our
families. We found an internet store and sent emails.
Sunday was a big day for the
Deaf. Someone had arranged for the
local TV station and newspaper to give coverage.
A local hearing politician came and asked some questions about the deaf
work being done. The non-member
head of the local deaf association came and gave a speech. Earlier, he had in some way threatened Brother Sachi, the bus
driver. But, the driver had sat him
down and fully explained many things to him.
He then took him and showed him the new church being built for local deaf
people. The local leader had a
complete about face, and then offered to buy some chairs for the new church.
Sunday he came and gave official congratulations to the deaf group and asked
if the deaf association could keep some of their records in our new ‘deaf
church’. What God can do to change hearts!
When the meetings were
over, we headed over to the local deaf school. A
social worker, who was a local church member had arranged for our visit and we
had the privilege of meeting the head mistress and having a few words with the
students. The students were so
excited to meet a deaf man from America,
Jeff Jordan!
Pastor Jordan was probably the first American deaf person they had seen at the Thanjavur deaf school
One somewhat disturbing thing we found out - especially for
someone from North America - was that it is against the law for a deaf teacher
to teach in the deaf schools there. The
oral method of teaching is used and only occasionally is
sign language used in the classes. However,
the children were all using sign language on the grounds.
The heart burden of the teachers seemed to be to find work for their
students when they were finished with school.
Finally, we went out to
visit some of the members in their homes. It was
especially meaningful to meet our original member, Brother Meshak, now a
widower, in his own home. Finally,
we headed to the train. There, we
secured the services of two old coolies who wanted to carry our suitcases.
I shall long remember the old one who carried my large 55-60 lb. suitcase
on top of his head. But, if these
men did not work, how would they live? One
of them had no children to support him in his old age.
One was 64 and the other was 70. The
one that carried my large suitcase could not quite keep up walking with us, but
he made it.
Two other younger coolies carrying Jordan's and Blake's suitcases
To help the Thanjavur area in deaf ministry, we decided on
giving $500 toward a sponsorship for a lay worker, hopefully to be Sumathi.
We left over $200 to pay off the school bill of our hearing pastor for
the Deaf so he could begin receiving regular pay as a full time worker.
We also decided on honoring the request from the Region for $100 toward
Christmas presents for each member of the deaf congregation.
When Pastor Jordan returned, he found that there was another $250 US on
his desk for India and this has been sent to help with a bathroom for the
church.
Another over-night train ride brought us back to Hosur, but
this time the train was to get in between 4 and 5 in the morning.
Fortunately, we could do a little sleeping when we got back to our guest
rooms.