What’s Up? Deaf Pastor Bruce & Vicki Kelly, are excited to announce the birth of a grandson, Crew Ames, born September 8. Parents Paul & Jensen Kelly and big sister, Kensie are excited for this new addition.
What’s Up? Sympathy to the family of Clay Mitchell (87), Ripley, West Virginia, who passed away on July 27, 2020. He was an active member for 58 years at the Ripley Baptist Temple and a friend to Silent Word Ministries. He was a faithful and loving husband to his wife, Ida, and a great father to his five children, one of those being SWM’s, Diane Barr. He was also grandfather to 11 and great-grandfather to 9. He is greatly missed by his church, community, and family. They will meet again.
What’s Up? Missionary to the Deaf, Jim Sloan, Deaf Outreach Ministries, Rossville, Georgia, is excited to be on the road again during the months of September and October. He will be traveling to Michigan, Illinois, North Carolina, Kansas, and Iowa. He stated that he has now traveled over one million mission miles. Because of Covid-19, his foreign trips have been postponed.
What’s Up? Congratulations to Samuel & Casie (Blanks) Bennett! They were married on August 21, 2020. Samuel is the son of SWM’s David & Vicki Bennett.
What’s Up? Lottie Louise Riekehof (99) passed away on August 7, 2020, She would have celebrated her l00th birthday on August 13. She was well known as an ASL interpreter, author, and pioneer in the field of professional sign language interpreting. She wrote the book, “The Joy of Signing,” which has been used by thousands of sign language students. Her great contribution to the world of sign language and to the Deaf community deserves honor and recognition and is much appreciated.
What’s Up? Happy 80th birthday to Deaf Missionary to the Deaf, Dorothea Francis, Hammond, Indiana. Although her ministry is limited because of blindness, she still ministers via the Video Phone. Dorothea and her late husband, Jack, ministered for many years to the Deaf all across America. We honor you, Dorothea, for your faithfulness to the Lord and to Deaf people.
What’s Up? SWM Missionaries to the Deaf, Jeremy (Bud) & Jenna Ring (Canada), report a good, low-keyed (because of Covid-19) Revival Signs camp in August. Among the 50 in attendance, eleven were deaf. Bud preached each service, plus there were YouTube testimonies of Jim & Terry Bracelin, Allen Snare, Steven Burns, and Ted Camp.
What’s Up? Pastor David & Cheryl Mason, Liberty Baptist Church of the Deaf, Columbus, Ohio, are new grandparents! Shia Waverleigh was born August 9, 2020, to proud parents Jonas & Madeleine Mason. Also, they celebrated the marriage of their daughter, Anna, to Grant Hemphill, August 2. Congratulations to all!
What’s Up? Pastor John & Ana Troffo (Deaf), Tampa, Florida, happily celebrated the marriage of their daughter Rebecca to Danny Pino on July 31, 2020. Congrats!!!
What’s Up? SWM’s Rusty & Cassandra VanDonkelaar, Deaf missionaries to the Deaf, Easley, SC, took their first child, Joshua, to begin his freshman year at Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC. It is a sad and glad time for them all. God bless you, Joshua!
What’s Up? SWM’s David & Vicki Bennett are grandparents again! Paisley Anne Murphy was born to Chris & Bethany (Bennett) Murphy on July 31, 2020, She weighed 8 lbs 3 oz. Grandma Vicki is delighted. Congratulations!
What’s Up? A friend from the past, Roy Barton, Jasper, Tennessee, stopped by SWM to visit Ted Camp. In the early 1960’s, Roy, accompanied then young preacher, Ted, to a radio station for an early Sunday morning broadcast in Bridgeport, Alabama. They shared good memories of those times together and the blessings experienced. Thank you, Roy. You are a good friend.
What’s Up? Pastor Vince Stover, Bible Pathway Baptist Church, Lexington, KY, is looking for a man or a couple to join their staff as an assistant pastor with a focus on the Deaf. The church is young, established in 2014. This is a great opportunity to work alongside Vince Stover. He grew up on the Bill Rice Ranch and has vast experience with people. Contact: EM – pastor.vincestover@gmail.com
What’s Up? Sympathy to the family of Dorothy Sharpton, who passed away August 19 at the age of 97. One of her sons, Jimmy, is deaf and was one of our first deaf in the beginning of our deaf ministry in 1966. He continues to be a faithful volunteer at SWM.
What’s Up? Sympathy to the family of Leon Spurgin who passed away after a long illness on September 11. He led the Men of Action team that built SWM’s headquarters offices. He is pictured (L) with his son, Marvin. Leon has a special place in the hearts of Ted Camp and others of SWM.
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