​Greetings in Christ
 I wanted to give you an update on baptism and explain how we do outreach in other countries.
 
Thank you for all of your prayers for us and your concern for the people!!
 
You can be sure we will always find a way for the people to be baptized!!  I love to baptize people!!  In fact 18!!! Were baptized on Sunday!!  Thank You Jesus!!!  Awesome!!!
 
I also want to explain that when we go to work in an area it is always by invitation from the local LCMS partner churches 
 
We always work with the bishop and the local pastors as we train the Deaf leaders.  We want them to be involved and connected with their local Lutheran Church!
 
On this trip to Liberia I am staying with Bishop Amos Bolay at his house and we are able to talk over many things.  Bishop Bolay and I first met in our doctoral classes at Concordia Seminary.
 
The Deaf leaders here lead deaf worship themselves.  Bishop Bolay is very supportive of them and encourages them to be their own leaders
 
These leaders are working to become deaconesses and evangelist and pastors.  The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Liberia has commissioned one of the deaf to be an evangelist.  He did the baptizing!!  Lord willing, he and the other leaders will be baptizing more people next Sunday!
 
The reason I said "no" for me doing the baptism is now the evangelist knows he can. And just as important the people know he can!  They are continuing their outreach and teaching with the many deaf muslims, jw, and other lost people.  (Two Muslims came to church today because the deaf invited them!)
 
We thank God for all of the deaf people who want to become trained and serve his people.  Please pray for us as we work with people in America and around the world to train them to become Deaconesses, evangelists, and pastors!
 
Also that many many more people will learn about Jesus, become baptized, grow in faith, and serve our Lord
 
 I look forward to the day when we will all be together in heaven and you will meet the many people you are praying for!!
 
Thank you for your support!!  
We very much appreciate ALL your support so we can continue Lutheran Deaf Outreach!!
 

​Nov 14, 2017
 
Greetings from Liberia!
 
Today I scared a lot of babies!!  Some of the hearing pastors brought their young children to church.  Whenever I get too close they begin to cry!!  A young girl in America one time said I “was scary, but nice” :)
 
But one young boy, Amos, was very scared when I first arrive at the house. I was staying in “his” area.  Why should this white guy be living in his house??  But now we have become the best of friends.  He always comes to greet me.  He sits down and shares my food with me.  We don’t understand a word each other says, but we are having a great time!
 
We have no electricity since I arrived, well, one time we did have for about 4 hours.  Once in a while they use a generator, but that is very expensive.  But I really appreciate bishop Bolay and his family for welcome me into their home.  I have learned so much as I get to see the Liberian way of life and all that happens. 
 
Classes with the Deaf again are fantastic.  They have so many questions and want to learn. Yesterday we needed to stop this afternoon at 4 because it was time to eat and several of them became upset because they wanted to go longer!  (they arrived at my door at the house at7:30 in the morning).  So I promised them we could continue discussion during supper time. We did until dark at 6 pm:)  Today we were able to go until 5:30.
 
Please pray for the Deaf as they travel.  I think the traffic is worse than last year.  It took us over an hour to get back from a short trip last night. But also pray for one young couple with two boys.  They have both had malaria for several months.  We are sending people to buy them malaria medication and I pray that will help in healing them.
 
Some interesting/cool things I have learned:
They use a refrigerator for an oven to bake the bread.
If you have bread, you have not eaten.  (they see bread as only a “snack”)
They use floor linoleum on their ceilings for cool look.
We use good smelling ant and bug spray every day!
 

​Today I had to say one of the hardest things in life as a Pastor - I had to say no I would not baptize two people.  The great thing is they want to become baptized!!  But they want me to baptize them.  Normally that would seem like a good thing, but when working to train leaders I must say no
 
Why??  I want the deaf leaders in Liberia to baptize them!!  If I do it, they may think the white man or Reinke or American is better.  NO!!  Also I want them to see their leaders as the people who Baptize.  Their leaders are the ones responsible for their spiritual care.  Their leaders are the people God is calling. 
 
I thank God the people are growing and want to become Baptized.  I thank God for His Gospel working in the lives of His people.
 
Please pray for the leaders as they continue to share His love and forgiveness!!
 
 
 

From Rev. Dr. John Reinke:

Greetings from Liberia!!
 
I am very impressed.  Last year the Deaf did not have any church or Worship together.  They are now meeting each week and they are leading Worship themselves!!  I rejoice in their study and practice together.  I watched Worship today and they did very good with Law and Gospel! 
 
They are inviting their Deaf friends to come and join with them. They are very eager about everyone learning about Jesus.  But they are also very serious!  If someone comes to the workshop to see the “American,” but does not come to Worship – wow – they are questioned very seriously about why they are coming!!  Good for them:)
 
I know some of you have seen pictures from the Liberian Deaf people online:) They are taking pictures and putting them on Facebook.  (unfortunately, I do not often have internet or phone connection) They are very eager to begin our time together. 
 
We arrived at the place I am staying about 1 am Saturday and we started classes at 9 am Saturday!!  Last year was our first experience, learning about the people, their sign system, and the culture. 
 
(we also have one/more Deaf Muslims.  Please pray for them)
 
This trip we are focusing more on the making disciples/leaders. Much of our discussion will be on setting up the training of disciples and how they can continue the training.  The expectation is for all of them to have at least 6 people they are training. 
 
We are also meeting with Bishop Bolay and what is required for the Deaf to become Elders, Evangelists, Deaconess, and Pastors.  There are many questions about how things work in Liberia.  But everyone is very excited and I am thrilled with their eagerness to move forward. 
 
Thank you to all of you for your prayers and support!!  I thank God I am able to be here.  Thank you also for your financial support – without you these trips would not be possible. 
 
God’s Blessings!!
 
PS – the plane trip was also blessed as I was able to take for a long time with a Muslim on his way home for his grandfather’s funeral.  He has met people from the Lutheran Church.  So I was able to talk with him about his culture and what will happen when he arrives home.  But I was also able share the Gospel with him and he accepted on of the Jesus Hug cards.  Please pray for the Holy Spirit to help this seed grow.