Here in Gambia

HERE IN GAMBIA

My trip to Gambia Africa started on Wednesday the 23rd out of St. Louis. I will be living with a deaf family Josiah, Elizabeth, and their two children. I arrived, to New York where I met up with Josiah's deaf parents.  Josiah's parents were flying out for a visit. We traveled together from NY to Gambia. I had a wonderful two-day trip. I am now with the Smith family. They warmly welcomed me to their home. We started getting to know each other so we can work together better. They are aware that I am deaf-blind and welcome me to touch their hands to communicate when I need. I've also enjoyed playing with the Smith's children.

 

Today, January 27, was my first time to experience the deaf church at our home. Josiah immediately offered me to sign in ASL the worship songs for church service  (the young men enjoyed learning ASL). I will be learning GSL. It is very fascinating to me to see how young deaf men interact with each other with many not knowing GSL and some who are just learning, they are very patient with each other. Part of my help will be to build a relationship with deaf women, they often stay at home to tend to their responsibilities, caring for their families. We are thinking about doing home visits. 

 

Fundraising Updates:

 

I got around $6,000 which almost meets my goal of $6,900! God is so good! It is amazing to see how God called you to work in this ministry with me to serve Him. I will stay in touch with you monthly because this ministry is yours as well. Even after the goal is met, I will still need your continued support to provide resources to meet the needs of the deaf people in Gambia.

 

Resources Requests:

 

-Smiths just got a pack of new Action Bibles for the deaf Gambians who are unable to read. They are also in need of the new  “Easy-to-Read” Bibles.   for some  Gambians who are able to read. 

 

-Another request, we need funds to buy a ministry van. If we receive a van, we will provide the transportation for deaf people after school and for the activities program. Many parents don’t feel comfortable if their children are walking alone at night especially girls.  Also, we will use the van to transport to and from the church at our home to share the Gospel with them.  

 

Prayer Requests: 

 

-Please continue praying for my parents.

 

-Smiths asked for continued prayer for seeking a  partnership with a Christian church for the opportunity to use one of their rooms to start our own deaf church and prayers for us to find the funds to do so. We plan to speak with this church soon. Pray that we follow the Holy Spirit's guidance through these steps.

 

-I need your prayer for me to receive God's strength to learn Gambia's culture, traditions, customs, and learn GSL for me to be used more in this ministry.


Love in Christ,


Kevlasha

 

*NOTE: I will do my best to take pictures of us ministering and of Gamba's culture. Next newsletter is on February 27.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Calling to Gambia

Image
  Gambia   (West Africa) Hello, Family and Friends! I have great news! God has called me to Gambia. Next year I will be working with two deaf missionaries, Josiah and Elizabeth Smith. They have two beautiful deaf children: an eight-month-old and a two-year-old. I met them at my graduation of disciple training school (DTS) last February. They are self-employed missionaries but partnered with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Gambia. They normally don't have a team but because I obtained God's calling they will. Many unbelievable happenings occurred in which God answered our prayers and led us to each other. I want to share that story with you. The Smith family joined with YWAM DC ASL to commission me to Brazil. -05/04/18- The Smith family returned in  Gambia   from the USA -July 2018 The Smiths visited us at YWAM DC dinners a few times before I went back to Brazil. It was nice to get to know them more and talk about their experiences working in the Gambia. This is what s...
Read more

Put Feet to My Faith

Image
Put Feet to My Faith Greetings!  I hope your summer is off to a good start! As always, thank you for your prayers and support. I really appreciate your encouraging messages! I praise God for everything that He has done for us! I did so well during the Deaf Theology Center (DTC) season in Tennessee! I only have four weeks left to go! I am really looking forward to the DTC ceremony on June 3rd. SCRIPTURE   "I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you." Joshua 1:3 New Ministry in Process I want to share a short update about my new ministry. I had a meeting with some very knowledgeable and experienced people related to establishing new ministries. We discussed cross-culture, vision, and bylaws for my ministry. I know it will take a while  to prepare and develop, but I trust God to make it happen in His perfect timing. I am actively seeing how God places people in each other’s paths to get together for His purpose. I have a...
Read more

God Hears & Answers Prayers

Image
Greetings from Jacksonville, Illinois! I arrived here on the 22nd of August because I had a family emergency, my grandpa was close to death. I wanted to share with you a beautiful testimony about how God and His plan all came together to answer my prayers in the middle of my furlough season after the scripture below.   SCRIPTURE "Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it." John 14:13-14   Sharing Testimony About My  Papa Last Tuesday, August 18, my mom informed me that my grandpa was not doing well, so I prayed, “God, please bring together plans for me to fly from Texas. Please spare my  papa ’s life until I can see him. I ask this of you, I trust you. I trust your timing. This is your plan, not mine.” My family relatives have been visiting him. I constantly prayed everyday until when I landed at the airport on Saturday, August 22. I got home that night and prayed that my...
Read more