Part 6.  Impressions of India and Deaf Ministry

    So what are my impressions after three weeks in India?

  1.  A wonderful work has been begun, but the surface has only been touched.  There are 19 million Deaf in India.   Yes, the work in India with hearing has been mushrooming in many areas as God has been opening door after door.  Hundreds, perhaps thousands of people from around the world have become involved in helping hearing work in India. 

On right is the new hearing pastor in Thanjavur, Manickaraj, who God helped learn signing so quickly

      But amidst all the rush to reach the ripening fruit, a people have usually been forgotten, the Deaf.  But, God has, in His own way, been helping us make an important start in ministry with Deaf people.

  2.  It may be that some of the newest members in some areas have been baptized prematurely.  Counsel was given to slow things down for better preparation.  However, the need for deaf ministry has been demonstrated, and that deaf people can be worked with effectively in India.  We must now walk through the doors that God has opened, and put things on an even more solid footing.   

    A huge vote of thanks must go to Dorothy Watts, who has slowly become more and more involved in both heart and action as she has administered the funds sent for Deaf work

It was humorous for Dorothy and I, but not for Jeff,  as a bird had just lowered it's 'droppings' on Jeff's hair and sweater while we were out viewing India on our first day in India.  Yes, I had heard that "adaptability" was the first rule for 'missionaries' and we soon learned that this was true.  Dorothy Watts did such a wonderful job of helping us adapt to India!

3.  However, as we look at the total needs,  much more than Dorothy is able to do is needed.  Supervision and training needs to be given to all the lay volunteer workers.  In the immediate future, Elder Rao can give some of this, as can the new pastor at Thanjavur, Pastor Manickaraj.  But, ideally a supervisor needs to be found who can direct all the work in the Division, as well as be regularly out in the field working with, nurturing and training the volunteer lay workers.  Work needs to be started in North India, Nepal and in all other regions of India.   

4.  Is it possible to raise the amount needed to provide a full time Deaf Ministry Director for the Southern Asia Division?  If the amount needed could be guaranteed for five years, then it would not be a ‘flash in a pan’ program, but a long term approach could be made to meet needs and make aggressive plans.

  How much would be needed?  About $2,000 US for salary, $1,000 for extra expenses, $500 for travel and $500 for departmental expense and promotion = a total of about $4,000 US per year, or $20,000 for five years.  That is about $32,000 in Canadian funds over five years.

Southern Asia Division headquarters where proposed Division level Deaf Ministry Director would be located

Dorothy Watts, who knows the need, gave this encouragement in a recent email:  

NOTE:  If God has impressed you with this need, and you would like to help, just email us for details of how to give at:   office@deafhope.org

  UPDATES:

January 3/03: As of time of today, a Canadian member has pledged the first $1,000 of this $32,000.  God is providing the “First Step”.  Surely God will work on more hearts!

January 6/03: Elder V.K. Baby writes from the South India Union -   "Last Sabbath, i.e. 3^rd Jan. 2003, I sent Mr. P M Baby, our volunteer to Kattapana, a small town in High Ranges of Kerala state with our local SDA Pastor to give Bible studies to a small deaf group. I am planning to continue this study program for few months. In his absent I take care my group at Fort Kochi. Last Sabbath I, was with them. Slowly, with the help our God, we will start a station at this small town. The distance from Fort Kochi to this place is 150 kms."

Please feel free to visit the main Canadian Deaf Ministries Web Site at:

www.deafhope.org