What’s Up? Matt & Colleen Dundon (son Aiden) visited SWM. They are on deputation as deaf church planting missionaries to Philadelphia, PA, with (WWNTBM). Info: dundonfamily.org
What’s Up? Good news! The 40th Annual Deaf Baptist Fellowship of America is open for 2021. It will be conducted June 13 – 18, 2021, hosted by Pastor Bruce Kelly, Deaf Baptist Church, Smyrna (Atlanta), GA. Dr. Fred Adams, president, gives you a special invitation to attend. Register Early: DBFA2020.com
What’s Up? SWM International Missionary to the Deaf of Romania, Nicole Condra, is continuing her studies in language school to learn the Romanian language. She says it is very challenging and tough, but she is slowly and surely making progress. She has had opportunity to meet several Deaf Romanians but is very limited in her communication with them. She is looking forward to the time when she is able to communicate fluently in the spoken and signed Romanian language.
What’s Up? The 34th annual Deaf Baptist Ladies Retreat, scheduled for October 7 – 9, 2021, will be hosted by Kim Rempel and the ladies of Harvest Baptist Church of the Deaf, Ringgold, Georgia. The retreat will be held at the beautiful Ft. Bluff Christian Camp, Dayton, TN. Put it on your calendar and make plans to be there. (Ad page 5)
What’s Up? 19th annual Deaf Christian Senior Fellowship will be a virtual zoom event, April 18-21, 2021. The theme is “A Living Hope.” The host church is Open Bible Deaf Church, College Park, MD.
What’s Up? SWM International missionary to people with special needs in Liberia, Africa, Monique Lindsey, is excited about opportunities she has for presenting her ministry. She was recently at Victory Chapel Baptist Church, Greenville, SC. They voted to begin monthly prayer and financial support. An added blessing was meeting up again with a former student and his family. In May, she, along with other mission team members, will finally be able to travel to Liberia for a much-needed survey trip. The team will be meeting with church-planting missionaries and national pastors. To contact Monique click here. Facebook: Heart of Africa: Team Liberia
What’s Up? Deaf Pastor Mike Remington, Signs of Life Baptist Church, 3301 North 19th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, invites you to attend the Deaf Baptist Fellowship of Western States, Thursday and Friday, April 29 & 30, 2021. Theme: “The Profitable Christian” – Acts 20:20. Meeting begins Thursday with dinner at 5:00, and ends Friday evening at 8:30. Contact: mr_remington65@yahoo.com.
What’s Up? Harvest Deaf Ministries, Ringgold, GA, Pastor Reggie Rempel, announce the new date for their Deaf Men’s Retreat. The event will be at the Park Grove Inn, Pigeon, Forge, TN, August 12 – 14, 2021. Registration forms are available to print out at www.harvestdeaf.org.
What’s Up? “Heart Language” is a new book by Pastor Randy Dignan, Bible Baptist Church, Jefferson City, MO. Randy’s parents are Deaf, and through them he gained insight into different ways of communicating. Look into the Deaf world and the Bible to learn to communicate with “heart language.” Book available through Amazon or directly from Randy, bbcjc.com.
What’s Up? Dr. Fred Adams and a team from Sword Deaf Baptist College, Clinton, TN, recently traveled to Florida representing the college and ministering in song and preaching in several churches. They also participated in SWM’s Florida Fantastic Saturday with special choir presentations. In March they helped in SWM’s local Fantastic Saturday, teaching and singing. Thank you Dr. Adams for your faithfulness and your willingness to give of yourself for others.
What’s Up? Pastor Mark & Christine Truitt, Deaf Liberty Baptist Church, Overland Park, KS, report that their son, Ethan Mark, who was born December 21, 2020, with several serious heart issues is “mildly better.” The health of his heart is stable, and he continues to be on some oxygen. He is growing like a “normal” baby, eating and sleeping well, giggling, and smiling. They would appreciate your continued prayers for this little one.
What’s Up? Rebekah VanDonkelaar, daughter of SWM’s Deaf Missionaries to the Deaf, Rusty and Cassandra, Palmetto Baptist Deaf Church, Easley, SC, was recently featured in “The Greenville News” focusing on her skills on the basketball court. Reporter Geoff Preston wrote, “When Rebekah first walked through the doors of Woodmont High School as a freshman, it was like stepping into a different world… VanDonkelaar was born deaf; both of her parents are deaf, and she grew up in a mostly deaf community. Rebekah said, ‘When I made the transition, I felt very overwhelmed. The Deaf world for me, was the norm so being involved in the hearing world was awkward.’ Four years later, VanDonkelaar is a senior, a member of the varsity basketball team and has established friendships and relationships with other students and her teammates. Interpreters were provided for her by the Greenville County School District. Through basketball, VanDonkelaar has emerged from a shy freshman to a confident senior who serves as an inspiration to her coaches, teammates and members of the Woodmont community.” Rebekah is a wonderful example to the Deaf world, especially the young people. Way to go, Rebekah!!!!!!!!
What’s Up? Congratulations to Julia Anita Rabe, daughter of Jeff & Anita Leroux. In November, 2020, Julia graduated from Lamar University, Beaumont, TX, as a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership. Jeff (deaf) & Anita serve in the deaf ministry at Oak Creek Baptist Church, Oak Creek, WI.
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