November 7, voting’s done, and I haven’t reported on ministry activities for two months. This was the thought I started with several hours ago, ready to tell you all I remember about the last 9 weeks…. but the word ‘vote’ got me started on a different track. Now I’ll get back on point.

For starters, I have a job. I was hired by the company I mentioned before to serve different clients. Of course confidentiality applies, but it is safe to say that one client is deaf, so I have the opportunity to communicate with others in sign language and explore a realm for which I had training by not-so-random experiences since my childhood. A wide variety of people have wandered through my life, several of which have developmental disabilities, and one of which was as precious to me as a younger brother. I look forward to seeing him again one day, when we’re both more than healthy and time is not an issue.

I was reminded a couple of weeks ago that during a particularly stressful season of self doubt and externally-induced turmoil, I had an encounter with a precious young lady, deaf and with some mental and physical handicaps. Before the evening was done, there was a faint whisper, a voice I’ve heard before: “you are here for these”. That evening, long forgotten, its unbidden memory, and scenarios and conversations witnessed in the client’s household confirm that I’m in the right place for the time being. It’s not a glamorous job, but it will provide some income for living expenses and loan repayment. There is a high possibility that it will soon be full time, and with that, will provide health insurance and other traditional benefits. More importantly, it provides a means to minister to otherwise invisible people.

My working schedule is essentially 2nd shift, which leaves my mornings free for the two Bible studies and some one on one time and conversations with ladies of the church. It also leaves open a time frame for my next venture, working alongside the person in charge of our church’s outreach ministry. During the current season, that will mean gathering groceries and living necessities to provide to local deaf families and deaf families impacted by the east coast disasters.

As for the Bible studies, one is about to take on a new form. My friend is moving to Chicago where she can enjoy public transportation and more cultural and learning opportunities. She now has Skype on her computer, so we can continue reading through the Bible long distance. I would still like there to be someone local to her area that will read the scriptures with her, someone with grace and a clear & correct understanding of the Bible and the gospel story it tells.

My other Bible study has been on hold while that friend has been out of town. I’m not sure what form it will take when we resume.

Two deaf friends have passed away in recent months, and there are several other families in various stages of grief and loss associated with the expectation and/or aftermath of death. Nor is death the only troubler of people in my circles – illness, personal turmoils, family distress – there have been opportunities to fulfill nearly every aspect of Jesus’ charge to the people sorted at the judgment: “when I was a stranger, or sick, or in prison, or naked, or hungry – you did, or did not, minister to me.” (Matt 25:34-45, paraphrased)

The current ministry prayer requests are these:
— a person well fitted to the soon-to-be-Chicago friend
— strong/clear internet connections and computers while we read online
— an uplifting and beneficial return to study for my long absent friend
— guidance and opportunity to identify deaf people in this area and introduce them to Christ and personal study & understanding of the Bible, whether or not it brings them to the deaf church in our community
— an income flow suitable to repay school debts and cover living expenses without sacrificing time & energy that should be given to ministry efforts

Of course, returning to the voting theme, let us remember to be prayerful and gracious with regard to the election results. Let us not forget to be thankful to God and to the founding fathers and several generations of soldiers and voters and protesters who have given much so that we could participate in our own governance and peacefully select and/or change leadership. As I have said to several, nothing will ever knock God off His throne, and to repeat Paul (Rom 8:38-39), nothing can separate us from His love and personal involvement in our lives, corporately and individually. The choice has been made, now is the time to move forward as citizens of Heaven and visiting ambassadors to Earth, seeking out and inviting those who have not yet met our Lord.