In September of 2007 Deaf Outreach Coordinator Cathy Storey and Co-Leader Kevin Smith led a team of eight (four deaf and four hearing) to Simferopol Ukraine. God used this team to open many doors for the deaf people of the Ukraine to no longer be looked at as invalids but to be given equal access to the same opportunities for education their fellow hearing citizens have. We hope you will be blessed and encouraged as you read the exciting fruit filled report from Cathy.
Ukraine Deaf Outreach Team
Update #7
October 2
4:35pm
Dear Friends,
Today at 2:30 pm I was making preparations for the upcoming Mission Bridge School when I heard that welcome sound coming from my computer that Cathy Storey was online! At 2pm Thursday (esd time) the team was in the hotel in Kiev in the 5 hour waiting process to travel to the airport to begin the return flights HOME!
What follows is the chat we had (minus my comments of excitement) about the meeting the team had with the Mayor of Simferopol.
Please note: The Mayor of North Canton, David Held wrote a proclamation honoring the City of Simferopol and Vasily for their work with deaf people in Ukraine.
Enjoy and please pray!
Gmail Instant message chat I had with Cathy Storey while she was in Kiev Ukraine waiting to go to airport to return home after Mission Bridge Ministries & Deaf Outreach Church Simferopol Ukraine Outreach…10-2-08
Cathy Storey…
Well...the meeting with the Mayor....
here goes....
When we arrived I showed the Proclamation to Nadia....
She said that it had two mistakes so maybe it would be better to give it to him after we left so it wouldn't be a big deal and he wouldn't bother having it translated
I was kind of disappointed, but God knows what he is doing.....
anyway....I thought the Mayor meeting was nixed
So on Monday....they said we were meeting the Mayor on Weds.
Then on Tues. night they said we couldn't meet with the Mayor because they refused to accept the Proclamation unless it was translated in writing.....
They already had someone read it in broken English..
and they NEVER HEARD of a Proclamation sooooo.....
When they read the part of Sept. 8th being dedicated to the Mayor of Simferopol
they all busted up laughing......
Not what I had in mind either.....
Sooooo....
then I explained to Vasily what the Proclamation was...that is was applauding the Mayor, Vasily and the Crimean Deaf Society and Zaporitskiy University for their efforts to educate the deaf.......
Like I said....they never heard of that before so Vasily thought for a while… and they said we would keep the 9:30 am appointment....
I figured we would go in and hand the plaque to him...shake hands...and leave
When we arrived....
they took us into the conference room of the Mayor...maybe something like city council room
they had a Ukrainian flag and US flag and Crimean flag on the huge table....
the Deputy Mayor was at the head....Kevin was to his right, then Vasily...then me....
_____________________________________
One point....Leroy was really concerned because they call the deaf invalids and would NEVER hire them to work for the city.....and he was going to "tell them how it was" OR "not participate"
Kevin and Darwin explained the importance to him of showing respect and it's not about him....
toward the end of the table was Sarah, Julie and Leroy.....other side were Mayor staff and interpreters....Nadia, Darwin and Sjouna
Anyway...Kevin started and gave his name and said he was the leader of Deaf Outreach.....then forgot to say what he did for a living…(he added it later)
then it went to me.....
I stated my name...that my daughter was hard of hearing and that I worked for the Mayor of North Canton.....
(this is all unrehearsed too)
Sarah then introduced herself and said she worked for the Peace Corp and currently for the Mayor in her village in Moldova and she was interested in youth centers....
Julie thought to herself...aw crap..they sound important what do I say??......
So she introduced herself said she had a deaf sister and she worked for the city of Canton.....
Then Leroy said.....
Then Leroy said, "Honorable Mayor...my name is Leroy Lynch and I work for the water department for the city of Canton. I've worked there for 30 years and I thank you for the opportunity to meet with you"
Darwin introduced himself as an interpreter for Deaf services.
then the Mayor said...
I have two questions for Mr. Lynch
What do you do at the water dept?
Leroy listed his responsibilities including running the back hoe and fixing water pipes etc......
then his next question or actually statement.....
I am very interested in the fact that you work for the water dept. That is exactly what I used to do when I started working for the city of Simferopol....and I am very impressed with you being deaf doing that job because I know what skills it takes to do your job....
As I said....Kevin shared his profession too....and the Mayor was blown away with both of them and their high positions.
The Mayor sent greetings to Mayor David Held and his card etc.....
He said he looked forward into partnering with us and stated their plans for doing that.....pictures were taken and then it was done.....
Vasily talked about that to everyone!
Very cool.....So NOW the Mayor's Office has had their eyes opened...Vasily said that if they don't do what they say...he will have Leroy come with the back hoe and tear city hall down!! HaHa!
The mayor also was impressed that so many of us also worked for our cities....
Now THAT'S what I'm TALKIN' about!!
Cindy: What did the Mayor say they were going to do for the future?
Cathy: Mayor's office plans to work with the Crimean Deaf Society now and listen to the needs of deaf people....possibly offering them jobs and looking closer at education specifically computers because of Kevin stating that he communicates all over the world via computer.
Please continue to pray for the team as they travel home. [ arrive cak 6:30 pm ]In a few days
Ukraine Deaf Outreach Team
Update #6
September 29
10:06pm
Hello Prayer Warriors!
Your prayers are making a huge difference here in Ukraine!
Friday: Spent the day just wandering the shops of Simferopol and spending some down time as a team. We were able to process what God has done so far...praise Him for it....and pray for the remaining days. Sarah's friend Vova joined us for coffee later. It was a nice time of fellowship. In the evening, we spent the day preparing for the Youth Conference on Saturday.
Saturday: Youth Conference at the House of Culture. There were about 85 deaf youth present including a representative from the Ministry of Education for the Deaf. Kevin and Leroy always have a large group gathered around! They share RSL and ASL signs. It's awesome to watch them. The young people have the biggest smiles on their faces!
After introductions, Kevin made his presentation. Everyone was intrigued with his college education and career. He told of others who are deaf or hard of heard and their jobs. They asked so many questions i.e. "How do you communicate?" "What can you provide for your family?" "Do you have an interpreter at work with you?" "Did they hire you only because your deaf and get a tax break?" Very intelligent questions coming from young people.....
When Kevin was finished, we presented the Proclamation from North Canton Mayor David Held to Vasily, and praised him for all the hard work he is doing on behalf of the deaf citizens of Ukraine.
Lunch was served and then off for a music and dance program.
The program consisted of performances put on by different classes from the boarding school.......it was amazing the amount of work they put into it. Full choreographed song and dance acts with beautiful costumes. We knew all the kids and they were so excited to see us there, waiting for their "Good job!" from us.
I'm not sure who took more pictures.......Vasily or Leroy!! I think they were having their own picture taking contest!
Sunday: What a special day.......we met at the Deaf Society for an all day excursion with 28 Ukrainian deaf people! Vasily and his wife Tatianna were our tour guides. We went to Yalta and saw three castles there; Swans Nest, a beautiful castle at the end of a cliff; then to Sevastopol where some of us got our feet wet in the Black Sea. We had SO MUCH FUN!!
I find it amazing that last year, we chose not to visit all these places. It would have been only our team and about four other hearing people and we would have paid all the expenses. We all agreed, we were here for ministry, not for a christian vacation. (thanks to Mission Bridge School). This year, we got to visit the same places and more, but this time with a bus full of deaf young people! God is good all the time!
Our last stop in Sevastopol, before returning to the bus. We past an Orthodox Church. It was so beautiful and ornate. I wanted a closer look. Tatianna cleared it with Vasily timewise to take us to the church...their church. Vasily and Tatianna showed us around the inside....where appropriate. Pictures were displayed of the church when it was bombed in WWII by Germany. On the way back to the bus, I had the opportunity to share my faith in Jesus Christ as my Saviour to Tatianna.
God continues to enrich each team members lives with His Goodness, Might and Power!!
Today, we are meeting with Zaporitskiy National University to see the third part of their campus. We'll get some paperwork to take home with us for Gallaudet. PRAY for Gallaudet's response in a timely manner.....so much is dependent upon it. We hope to get a response before we leave Thursday.
We will be working with Sarah, who specializes in planning and starting youth centers. Pray for this to go smoothly and the ideas get put into motion.
Tomorrow, we travel to Feodosia to minister to the children at the hard of hearing boarding school.
Wednesday, the plans are to travel somewhere with Slava and Galina.They are who the ladies stayed with last year. Then off to Sergey and Tianna's house for dinner at 5 pm.
Thursaday, we leave Simferopol for Kiev and spend the day and night there.
Friday, early morning.........Homeward Bound!! (pray we get through customs leaving Ukraine and entering US)
We miss everyone and can't wait to see you...........
There are so many ministry opportunities that each team member has had, but it is too much to write in the short amount of internet time I have.
Blessings to all and we'll see you soon!
Cathy for the Team
You are about to read 2 VERY EXCITING updates from the same day. One is from Team Co-leader Cathy Storey and the other is from first time team mate and Pastor of the Deaf Outreach Church pastor Darwin Smith. The first one is from Cathy....
Ukraine Deaf Outreach Team
Update #5
September 27
10:23pm
Greetings to All!
Thursday........I am not sure I can express the rich and powerful day we had.
We met at the Deaf Soiety at 9:30 am. Nadia, Kevin and I went to buy school supplies for the boarding school. While we were gone.....Leroy, Darwin (or Darvin, as he is called here) Julia, Sarah, Vasily and his wife Tatianna played American football and volleyball on the sidewalk. They all had a blast!
The guys, again, were tired because they stayed up late again talking........
Yesterday, they went with Vasily to Sergey's house. Sergey is a very skilled carpenter and was the one who re-designed the desks at the House of Culture, from Malone College. He also is the one who preached to Kevin last year. Kevin, listening to God's voice THAT TOLD HIM to be quiet and let him talk, did just that. Last night, Leroy witnessed to him and explained the gospel to him CLEARLY from one deaf man to another. He did not accept Christ as his savior.......YET. We believe it is no accident we were called here and that the men are staying where they are. Pray that hearts won't be blinded by the enemy.
When we returned, we took took the bus to the boarding school. We spent time playing with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders. Each child drew a picture for us.....we have enough for an art gallery! They were so excited with their toys. The teachers were excited to see the children receive them. Each child got their own!
We were supposed to go right away and set up a sports competition with the 9th and 10th graders, but Vera and the teachers begged us to have tea and sandwiches with them again so they could ask more questions. They allowed us to pray before we ate. Darwin blessed them and encouraged them in the wonderful job they are doing with the kids. It was a blessing to compare information about deaf education. Kevin and Leroy shed so much information about deaf education. They expressed their frustration, as children, being taught with "hearing methods". Vera, the director, stated before we left, that they will be considering changing some of their methods of teaching. Afterwards, Kevin expressed how much we appreciated the time they had allowed us at the school.
The team building/leadership skills took place out in the courtyard. The first game was the like flag football but in a square.....and without a football. If your flag was taken you were out and last man standing won a point for their team. There were four teams each with their own colored cloth ties. They LOVED it!! Kevin, Leroy, Darwin and Julia demonstrated it first and they caught on instantly. All had a great time.
The next game promoted team building........
Each team, in turn, stood on a line and were given mixed up numbers from 1 to 10. As a team, they had to figure out a way to arrange themselves in numerical order WITHOUT stepping off the line. The teams were each timed and the fasted team won.
The awards? Every team got a ball! Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Football. (Here soccer is actually called football) One student wanted his picture taken with the american football. He stood like a Heisman Trophy Winner with it!
Yesterday, in Kevin's presentation, he talked about how in America, the deaf citizens do not look at themselves as INVALIDS. It was DEFINITELY reinforced today. Those kids felt VALUED and ENCOURAGED. The thoughts that God keeps bringing to mind is that of Jerimiah 29:11 and that He cared so much about them to bring American Deaf all the way to Ukraine to show them His truth and love in a tangible way. I'm amazed.....
We litterally had to leave the school grounds for the students to go back to their studies.........
The team headed to the Deaf Society to teach ASL, but when we got there, it was cancelled due to most of the interpreters being out on long assignments. We weren't too disappointed because we were running out of gas. So, we went next door to pizza shop and had a relaxed dinner together. Vasily then joined us and we continued building our relationship with him. He can be very silly!
He calls Leroy a Panda Bear and Darwin the big, soft Elephant! He's still thinking at Kevin.
Last night, we met at Nadia's again for bible study and a time to encourage, what will now be a new church. They were so excited about the Mission Bridge devotionals. I was looking forward to teaching mission bridge, but God was clearly leading for Darwin to share and encourage them. The group will start meeting regularly and will start praying and searching for a pastor.
We all were blessed from a wonderful day of ministry and were looking forward to a good night of rest and a relaxing day Friday.
Our plans for today, Friday, are to spend a time in prayer and worship. We are giving God all the glory for the doors He has opened and the work He continues to do.
THANK YOU for all your PRAYERS, LOVE AND SUPPORT!! It's making a HUGE difference!!
Gotta run............
Blessings,
Cathy for the Team
UPDATE FROM PASTOR DARWIN SMITH
Sent: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 6:08 pm
Hello,
Just wanted to give everyone an update on how we are doing here. Please forgive my spelling. I am typing on a russian keyboard that is hard to understand smile. Before I left to come here I told the Church I wanted to see God open the Jordan River for us like he did to Isreal. Well I have to tell you God has opened that river wide open.
Let me start by telling you about the Deaf schools. They let the team in last year but were not to open to them. This year they have opened the doors and have welcomed us in like we are family. Today we played with the younger kids and then gave them gifts. it was like Christmas day.
Then we had a copetition outside with the older kids and played games with them like we do at camp. They loved it. They were like it was such a special day. They said they nevery play games like that just soccer and volleyball. Wow what a blessing. I really want to bring these kids home with me. Many are orphans who were just dropped off at school and never saw their parents again. There are over 200 kids here.
Next I want to share about the Jordan River. Of course it does not run here in Ukraine but God showed His power here. On Tuesday our team was asked to meet with a group of hearing people who has left the Orthodox church becuse they were not teaching the Bible. There are about twelve wonderful Christians that are born again and realized the church was teaching false. The problem is they have no pastor! They asked to meet with us. We said ok but honestly I did not want to meet with them. Then last Tuesday we met with them for about 3 hours. They were crying and just sharing their frustration on wanting the truth from Gods word. They were all friends who have just gotten saved in the last few years. The team shared stories and the Bible and Leroy was crying and Kevin was encouraging them. They said they want what our church has. They asked 100 questions and at the end they asked to meet with us again. So tonight we met with them again. I taught from 1 Peter 5:6-10 after our teaching they asked for help and Ideas on how to set up a church. We told them we will help them through the internet and I have contact with another missionary here in Ukraine whom I will see if he can help us.
IMAGINE a DEAF church helping to set up a HEARING CHURCH. have you ever heard of that? I am telling you we feel this is a real miracle from God.
He is so powerful!
Then we came home and we are staying with the President of the Deaf Society. A deaf man who is paid by the goverment to serve the Deaf. He is a wonderful inteligent man, however he is not a Christain. We have been so careful not to preach to him or offend him in any way. This week we were talking about creation and he said God made us. Wow I was suprised. Tonight at our very late supper (10:30) smile. he was telling us about many other Christians who have tried to witness to him and the Jehovah Witness and Morman and he say they are all goofy. That opened the door to us. I told him not once did we open the Bible to preach to him.
I shared how God changed Leroy and how God changed Kevin and how God can change him. Thats all I said and told him I would not preach to Him. I just asked him to watch us. He respectfully agreed. I need your prayers for this man. He is a key to winning this town to Christ. If God can change him he can change this town. Well it is 1:30 in the morning. I am going to bed. Keep us in your prayers and I love you all so very much.
Love in Christ,
Darwin
Ukraine Deaf Outreach Team
Update #4
September 23
7:05pm
Wow......what a DAY!!
We are all exhausted.......
Wednesday: Met at the Crimean Deaf Society, then left for the Boarding School to tour the facility with Vera, the director. This is the same building we went to last year and played with the kids, but this year.....we sat in the classroom for each grade and watched and took pictures. This has been unheard of in the past for them to allow anyone to do that. The kids thought it was pretty interesting that their American visitors had to have an interpreter too. Instant bonding!
After watching the classrooms, we had tea and coffee with Vera and some faculty to exchange ideas and thoughts. We edified Vera in front of her staff, of what a wonderful job they are all doing. It was amazing to me, to see the difference in her demeanor towards us this year from last year. In 2007, she was all business and very protective. Now, she's all smiles and relaxed (but still professional).
When tea time was over, we went to the multimedia classroom where Alex teaches computers in the afternoon. We watched a DVD made last year, of the Deaf School, to celebrate their 100th Anniversary. They are making us a copy to bring home. Then, they brought in about 25 high school students and Kevin gave an outstanding presentation!! The presentation was on his education, work and lifestyle. They had so many questions for him!
Okay....that's all for now. Probably won't have time to send an update tomorrow. Will be going to the Boarding School again to play with the grade school kids and then have a sports competion in the afternoon, incorporating leadership and team building skills. 4:00 pm for ASL classes again and then off to Nadia's for Mission Bridge.
Again....fast letter, but wanted to send this out.
Blessings,
Cathy for the Team
Ukraine Deaf Outreach Team
Update # 3
September 23
2:00am
Hi Again.....God is so Amazing!!
Monday: We all met at the Crimean Deaf Society with Vasily to nail down times for going to the preschool/kindergarten center. While waiting, we met a deaf lady who came in for assistance. She happened to have a brother who lived in America. She said her son was murdered...poisoned because he was a witness to something. I asked her if she knew about Jesus and she said yes. I told her we would pray for comfort for her. (That's the short version)
Later, we met with the Deputy Dean of Zaporitskiy National University and had lunch with him.
We will meet with him again tomorrow for a tour at the House of Culture where they are starting the South Campus which will include deaf education. Their first deaf student is studying WITHOUT an interpreter. Why? Because the government will only pay for an interpreter if they get 10 students taking the same class and after they can prove to the Ministry of Education that they know how to teach deaf students. (That's where Gallaudet comes in) So, they are waiting for the resources on deaf education from Gallaudet to present their program to the Ministry of Education. When that happens......MANY doors will open up for the deaf.
Tuesday: After meeting Vasily at his office, we all walked to the Preschool/Kindergarten Boarding School. We met with Vera, the Director of all the Deaf Boarding Schools. We met Vera last year at the grade school, but she did not allow us access to this school at that time. There are 26, 3-6 year olds who are starting to learn language.
They were all smiles taking their pictures and getting their toys we brought. Our puppets were a hit! They all got kisses from Granny the puppet....which brought laughter and many smiles! One of the teachers took Granny when we were ready to leave, and was making her talk and playing with her. We figured the kids would never get to play with Granny because the teacher would always have her! Granny looked surprisingly like the teacher who was playing with her. After looking at them both and thinking, well not TOO much thinking, I said to her in sign and English...."You look the same!" Nadia also interpreted in Russian....then....EVERYONE including Vera was ROARING!!! Not the brightest thing I've said this trip! Julia said, "We were all thinking that, but I can't believe you SAID it!" I got a hug and a kiss from the teacher, so she wasn't TOO offended!
Anyway, we had a great time!
Next, we had a great tour of the House of Culture with the Deputy Dean. His name is also Vasily. Nadia refers to him as Vasily Zaporitskiy, which is the name of the university where he is deputy dean. We took alot of pictures. It was amazing to see the difference in the building from last year to this year. Even just last year, it hadn't had heat for 10 years and was run down. Now it has fresh paint, pictures, satelite.....amazing! All of this because Kevin went personally to Gallaudet and met with the Director of International Programs and Outreach and presented the needs of deaf citizens in Ukraine.
We then met at the Crimean Deaf Society and taught deaf adults and interpreters ASL with our ASL/RSL translator. Everyone learned alot and friendships grew. There will be a few more classes.
Finally, we met at Nadia's. Nadia has a group of friends who have experienced an intimate relationship with God. The are so thirsty for the Word. They have no pastor. Their original pastor told them they had too many questions and that he was starting the church at a new location and they were NOT invited to come. He told them, IF they could get their questions answered somewhere else then, MAYBE later they would be invited back. Before that happened, one of the men had a friend who desperately needed to be admitted to a rehab center (which is through the church) It took him 2 MONTHS to get ahold of his pastor!
God used Pastor Darwin last night to really encourage them. They believe they have to go to Bible College to serve the Lord. Darwin told them that each of our team is here on a mission trip and none of us have gone through Bible College, but God is using them in a big way. He used Leroy as an example and Leroy broke down in tears......then we were all in tears......it was such a sweet time to come together in worship, fellowship and encouragement. A week before we left, we were able to print out Mission Bridge Devotionals in Russian! (Mission Bridge planted a ministry in Northern Russia a few years ago and the devotionals were translated in Russian at that time) We will hand them out on Thursday when we meet again for Mission Bridge School. God is sooooo amazing! This all was no accident.
Okay....my internet use is limited, so I hope this all makes sense. The relationships here are growing........
God is opening so many doors.......
Thanks for all the prayers, love and support still.......
Blessings to all!!
Cathy for the Team
Ukraine Deaf Outreach Team
Update #2
Sunday September 21
11:15pm
Hello to everyone!!
We have arrived and are safe and sound! Our flights and connections went like clock work.
Nadia met us in Kiev at the airport and flew with us to Simferopol.
We were so surprised and delighted that Vasily, Director of Adminstration Crimean Deaf Society, met us at the gate taking pictures and smiling from ear to ear! Kevin, Leroy and Darwin are staying in his home!
Me and Julie (in Ukraine we are Katiyah and Julia) are staying with Sojouna and her family. Sojouna is a CODA (Child Of a Deaf Adult) and an interpreter with the Crimean Deaf Society. Kevin and I met her last year at a meeting there to learn of the needs for the deaf. She only speaks Russian and RSL (Russian Sign Language). We are having a blast trying to communicate. Our sides hurt from laughing so much.
After we got settled in our homes and ate dinner, we met the guys at Vasily's house. It was great to see his wife Tatianna. We made great plans for this week with Vasily and Kevin leading the way! Here is what looks to be our up coming week:
Monday: Playing games with the kindergarten children at the boarding school.
Tuesday: Playing with the preschool children. Last year we were not allowed to visit, but this year we were asked to come. This is a building full of 2-3 year old deaf children. Then later off to the boarding school to have sports competion with the older students. We will be competing with soccer, basketball and volleyball. We brought miniture golf and "hillbilly golf". I have no idea how to play it, but I'm sure I'll find out! We will be meeting most of the week at the school to play games with the teens.
In the evening, we will pick up Sarah from the airport. She will be staying with Lyuda. She is hard of hearing.Kevin and I met her also last year at the special meeting at the Crimean Deaf Society.
Late afternoon, we will meet at the Crimean Deaf Society to meet with the adult deaf and interpreters to teach ASL (American Sign Language) We will be using our power point projector to make this so much easier. See, we have an ASL/RSL translator CD.
Wednesday: Vasily has a surprise excursion from 8 AM to 8 PM. Hmmmm.......?????
Thursday or Friday: We are meeting the Mayor of Simferopol and making a presentation. The Mayor of North Canton, David Held, has sent with us a Proclamation applauding the efforts of Vasily and Zaportizskiy University for the relentless work to bring higher education and computer education to the deaf in Ukraine. Pray God will open doors of opportunity for the Mayor to become an advocate for the deaf.
Saturday: Deaf Youth Conference. There will be 85 attendees from all over Crimea, to learn what capabilities and opportunites there are for the deaf. Kevin will make a 20 minute presentation including pictures of working deaf Americans, including himself, with unique permission from security of his company, where he works in research and the Economic Director of North Canton, Eric Bowles. Eric is hard of hearing and allowed special photos to be taken of him just for this occation.
Sunday: Spending the day with Vasily and friends....praying to have a time of fellowship and sharing.
Monday or Tuesday: Traveling to Feodosia to meet with the Director of the Hard of Hearing School to determine what needs they have and playing with the children.
I don't have my planner in front of me because I'm downtown at the internet cafe at the post office, so that's all I can remember off the top of my head.
Mission Bridge School will be held at Nadia's apartment three different nights this week also. Pray for understanding and clear communication and interpreting both hearing and deaf.
This morning....Julia was at breakfast with Sojouna, because I was still sleeping. I had been up all night half sick.
Out of the clear blue sky Sojouna asked if Julia believed in Jesus and asked why when she said yes. Julia explained the gospel to her. When she was finished, Sojouna's husband walked into the kitchen, so the conversation ended. But, praise the Lord for that opportunity!!
We are resting today and taking it easy before our busy week.
Thank you to everyone for the support, love and prayers! Everyone is doing great so far.
For now........
Blessings,
Cathy for the Team
P.S. The guys have internet where they are staying and we do not. However, we have hot water and they do not. They think they got the better end of the deal. LOL!!
Ukraine Deaf Outreach Team
Update #1
Friday September 19
5:45PM
Greetings Family Members, Friends, Well Wishers and Prayer Supporters for the Deaf Outreach Team!
As you know today is THE DAY the team left for Ukraine. The five members who left from the First Friends parking lot to Canton/Akron Airport to Detroit to Amsterdam to UKRAINE are:
Kevin Smith – Deaf – 2nd year Team Co- Leader
Cathy Storey –Hearing – 2nd year Team Co-Leader
Darwin Smith- Hearing – 1st year Deaf Outreach Church Pastor
Leroy Lynch – Deaf – 2nd year
Julie Ward – Hearing – 2nd year
They will be meeting their sixth team member Sarah Hall who is also from Canton First Friends Church and is currently serving with the Peace Corp in Moldova. Sarah was also on the team last year and is taking her vacation to join them!
A little side note here…
Leroy and Julie are VERY GOOD FRIENDS. They have not dated for 18months… they have just been VERY GOOD FRIENDS. Those of us who know Leroy and Julie have wondered WHEN they were going to be more than JUST VERY GOOD FRIENDS. I was told by the two of them this morning THEY HAVE BECOME more than JUST very good friends.
Wedding in March!
What a joy for those of us who have seen them grow in the Lord, make Him the cornerstone of their relationship and have honored His timing. I am so thankful for privilege of watching God change their heart and watching them respond in obedience.
Ok, now on to the teamnews of the day that you are waiting for!
All team members and family met in the church parking and after packing cars with the limited amount of luggage they carried (this team learned how to pack after last year!) Pastor Stan Hinshaw met us for a time of prayer. How wonderful it is for brothers to live together in unity!Pastor Stan and Pastor Darwin led us in a time of prayer and… then Kimberly Payne came to pray for them as well.
Kimberly is the divine appointment Cathy had several years ago that has led to the amazing work in Ukraine. When Kimberly was in the Ukraine for a dance outreach she met Nadia. Nadia is the mighty woman of God that had been praying for someone to come and help her teach the deaf people…about life, and about God. Cathy and Kimberly sat at a table together for a church meeting… conversation led to Cathy sharing about her passion for missions and deaf ministry…Kimberly told her about Nadia’s prayer… Prayer answered! Look out for those Divine Appointments…you just never know when God might be turning the preparation clock to; TIME TO MOVE IS NOW!
The team arrived at the airport and after unloading the luggage and Cathy’s hubby Dale and I parked our cars we saw them standing outside praying again. WOW! I mean I know this team knows the value of leaning on God but I wondered…is there something wrong? I asked and was told the team just felt a little “weird” a little different feeling than last year. I asked her, “You mean relaxed?”
“YES!” she said.
I told the team THAT IS PERFECTLY NORMAL! The first year of an outreach everything is exciting, new, a lot of fanfare. A lot of people come to see you off and welcome you home. You don’t know what lies ahead because there is an air of unfamiliarity. But after you have had those first time experiences of meeting your hosts, living in the culture, eating the food, traveling from place to place, learning the language, sensing the spiritual climate—there is a natural time of RELAXING. Less people come to see you off and less people come to welcome you home.
Even as I shared that the relaxed state is normal…we also all nodded in agreement that we cannot depend on our experiences but we must continue to be sensitive to God’s voice and ultimate leading. Quite frankly, if this team had not been sensitive to God’s voice on the last trip they would have been out sightseeing and fulfilling man’s schedule rather than meeting with the president of the university. As a result of that meeting, academic education is now available to all deaf people in the Ukraine and a nation has been changed!
As I was writing this I received a phone call from Cathy (…and since the team has left I received…27 texts!And you thought it was only the youth of today that texts. A lot of communication can happen in a very short period of time. Ahh the beauty of deaf culture.) The team arrived in Detroit, was on the plane ready to take off for Amsterdam. The only interesting tidbit of information to pass on…
As Leroy and Kevin passed the restaurants in the airport and got on the plane both said, “Say good bye to American food!”
Thank you Leroy and Kevin and team for sacrificing American food for the sake of the Kingdom!
This team is experienced.
…This team has gained wisdom.
…This team listens for the voice of God to lead them.
…This team has a heart of unity for the ministry God has called them to.
…I believe this will be a team that God is going to do great and mighty things through them as they …
JOIN HIMin the WORK HE IS DOING – WORK HE CREATED THEM TO DO – WORK THEY WILL BE DOING.
Stay tunedto this web site for updates as I receive them.
This is a report From Cathy Storey prior to their trip. As you read you will notice there was a need for a Power Point Projector...THAT NEED WAS ANSWERED. When the team was given the opportunity to share at First Friends Church the Sundaybefore they departed, God spoke to a husband and wife to donate their one year old projector with an extra bulb--AT THE SAME TIME!He continues to supply all of our needs!
CATHY WRITES...
God has been doing an amazing work in Simferopol,Ukraine since our team returned last year. Those of you who supported that mission trip by praying for us and gave financial support, you can be blessed to know that much fruit has returned from your partnership with us and with Him... we sincerly thank you for that!
While in Ukraine last year we:
Visited, played with, and encouraged 170 deaf children in an all deaf boarding school (69 are available for adoption). The school is 40% Muslim yet has a Christian Director. This same school however is inaccessible to any church.
Built a genuine, loving relationship with the Director and he has trusted us by giving us access to the school.
Started a partnership with the Crimean Deaf Society and the Director of Administration.
Invited to a special meeting with the Vice President of the National University who requested information on how to teach deaf at university level. (Deaf people in Ukraine are not allow to attend public universities). He gave us a personal tour of the university's archives and museum.
Started educating deaf for the first time at college level!
Toured Deaf House of Culture in order to better understand the computer lab and youth center we are starting there in September 2008.
Received two very important official letters from the Director of the Administration of the Crimean Deaf Society. One addressed to Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. and the other to Malone College in Canton, Ohio. Malone has already been instrumental in providing computer desks and second hand computers to get the computer lab started. The goals are to start a computer lab and a youth center, build relationships with the Muslim and Orthodox parents by teaching their children good morals. Then transitioning to a worship center on the weekends.
Since returning last year, the fruit that we see:
The children at the boarding school have been so encouraged of their worth and have been studying hard. Some participated in the national computer competition for the first time where they took 1st and 2nd place--competing against hearing children!
Raised the funds ($900USD) to pay for the second level of computer books that Alex, (the Christian computer teacher) is writing to prepare the grade school students to use the computer in higher education when it begins.
Purchased a used iBook computer for Vesily- the Director of the Administration of the Crimean Deaf Society, which God used to touch his heart.
Deaf team member Leroy Lynch donated a laptop to Alex with Power Point. We are currently searching for a projector that is acceptable to donate.
30 attenders from Deaf Outreach Church recently completed Mission Bridge School and grew so much in their understanding, thinking and vision for their part in joining God in ministry.
We are working on the delivery of 30 computers donated by Malone College to the deaf school.
Met with Gallaudet University's Director of International Programs and Outreach. They agreed to provide resources to facilitate deaf education in Ukraine from 2 years to college age.
Writing grants to sustain the work that is being built.
Team member Sarah Hall joined the Peace Corp and is currently stationed in Moldova- just west of Ukraine. She has used the experience from last year's trip with the Russian speaking/signing Ukrainian deaf to reach out to two deaf ladies in her village that have been ignored for a long time. One lady has a three year old hearing daughter that has no language-- because no one communicates with them. Sarah is currently their only hearing friend. She is also planning on meeting our team in Ukraine to continue with us in the work God is doing.
Future planning as we return to Ukraine September 19 - October 3, 2008:
Build up the computer lab.
Start a youth center.
Family gathering with the deaf folks at the House of Culture to show Christ's love.
Hosting two Mission Bridge Schools- one for deaf and one for hearing.
In doing these things, we are praying for many opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Without Christ our noblest efforts are insignificant.
We covet your prayers for our team as we join God in the work He is doing through us.
Thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support! Our God is so amazing!!
Blessings to all,
Ukraine Deaf Outreach Team
Kevin Smith and Cathy Storey Co-Leaders
