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.   

​Jesus Signs Workshops are designed to train and equip others to share Jesus with deaf  people and their families. 
We will provide you with:
· Opportunities to learn/improve religious sign skills.
· Immersion into deaf culture.
· Opportunities to learn about deaf ministry.
· Resources for deaf training.
There will be four classes:
· Beginner signers
· Intermediate signers
· Advanced signers; and
· Deaf
 
Costs:
· Registration $25.00
· CEU’s $30.00
· Lodging is on your own. Options will be provided when you register.
· Transportation is on your own.
We will accept walk-ins for the weekend; but we ask that you register so that we can plan for materials and food. Lunch and dinner will be provided on Saturday. Please bring a snack to share during break times. The harvest is ripe and the workers are few.
More information can be found at:  

If you have any questions about giving donations to World Lutheran Deaf Outreach; please contact us.

Mail
 
Send your donation to
Lutheran Deaf Outreach
PO Box 1795
Janesville, WI 53547
 

Online Giving
 
Can be done at www.LutheranDeafOutreach.org to our PayPal account.
 

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Please contact us for more information if you would like to use this service.
 

Thrivent Choice
 
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​              Are you interested in hosting a Jesus Signs Workshop?  We have available dates for 2016.  Please contact Rev. Dr. John Reinke (RevReinke@gmail.com or 608-436-9600 voice/text)
             Jesus Signs Workshops are designed to train and equip others to share Jesus with deaf  people and their families. 
It is estimated that 90% of Deaf children are born to hearing parents.  These parents may be faithful Christians; but, do not know how to share their faith with their Deaf  child.  We want to equip these parents and their congregations to share Jesus with their Deaf child using Luther’s Small Catechism for the Deaf and other resources.
Deaf people are scattered and live in every area of the country, in every city, and near congregations of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod.  We want to train members of our local congregations to reach out to the Deaf in their area with the Gospel. 
Did you know that it is estimated that 98% of Deaf people do not know who Jesus is.  It is our mission to teach others how to bring a deaf person to see Jesus.
The harvest is ripe and the workers are few.  Pray for the Lord of the harvest to send more workers.  Please pray for God to guide people who want to share in His mission to join with us. 
 

​             Let me introduce you to Duane.  Duane has been a member of the Jehovah Witnesses.  Recently he was baptized at one of our deaf congregations.  Our deaf people witnessed to him and his family, teaching them using the Deaf Catechism. 

THANKFUL!!!
 
 Webster’s Dictionary tells us that this word means conscious of a benefit received. This ministry IS truly thankful for each and every one of you and the prayers you’ve given on our behalf and also the monetary gifts you have given and sent!
 
With this newsletter it is a good time to let you know how we are doing financially. Following is a brief view of the last 12 months. The amount needed to cover ‘just the basics’ of this ministry comes to a little over $14,000 EACH month. This includes salary for our 2 dedicated Pastors, the Federal and State taxes needed for payroll, Concordia Plans (insurance/retirement), as well as Workman’s Comp insurance.  The average received per month over the past 12 months comes to about 66% of what is needed for ‘just the basics.’
 
We are so thankful that the South Wisconsin District - The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod has given Deaf Ministry a monthly grant that covers the Concordia Insurance Plans for both of our Pastors.  The mission gifts you prayerfully put in your weekly offering envelopes has allowed for this gift of help from our District.
 
I wish the report was better, however this is what the figures add up to be. We depend on your gifts given prayerfully and thoughtfully. Statistics show that between 95-98% of all Deaf people do NOT know Jesus as their Savior. This is not acceptable. We must get this important message out.  Please help us continue this vital specialized ministry.
We want all people to know true thankfulness: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 118:1   
 
Linda Ault
WLDO Secretary/Financial Officer

What is TEA Time?
 
TEA Time is our plan for reading through the Bible in two years.   We began on January 1, 2016 and will finish on December 31, 2017.  We are using our guide to read two to three chapters daily  Monday—Saturday (Mon to Sat).
 
Why “TEA” Time?
 
TEA is a double meaning. 
 
First, tea time is connected with relaxing, reading, meditating, talking – quiet time.  We want this to be a time to relax with God in His Word. 
 
Second we are using TEA as a way to guide our reading.  Each week we are looking for the T.E.A.:
 
Theme
Encouragement
Application 
 
The Theme helps us to see what connects the readings for the week. 
 
The Encouragement helps us to focus on what God is doing in the lives of His people. 
Application helps us to see how these verses apply to our lives. 
 Video - VLOGS
 
Each week we will also put videos on our website www.LutheranDeafOutreach.org and on our YouTube channel TEAtimeASL
 
Sunday afternoons we will share what to look for in the readings this week.   Monday thru Saturday we will be adding a daily verse done in n ASL.
 
Our Sunday worship sermons for the next two years will also follow the readings for that week.  We will also put the TEA (Theme Encouragement Application) summary for the week online.   
We pray God will bless your time in His Word!

​             How are we going to train more workers?  How can we equip more people to join in the outreach to Deaf people and their families?   We are expanding out training of people with a heart for Deaf Outreach. 
             We will be leading  a Jesus Signs Workshop June 4-7, 2015 at Concordia Lutheran Church in Kirkwood, Missouri.  We are joining with people in the St. Louis area to in reaching out to equip people to share Jesus with Deaf people. 
It is estimated that 90% of Deaf children are born to hearing parents.  These parents may be faithful Christians; but, do not know how to share their faith with their Deaf  child.  We want to equip these parents and their congregations to share Jesus with their Deaf child using Luther’s Small Catechism for the Deaf and other resources.
Deaf people are scattered and live in every area of the country, in every city, and near congregations of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod.  We want to train members of our local congregations to reach out to the Deaf in their area with the Gospel. 
This is just one of the Jesus Signs Workshops to be held around the country as we continue to reach out and train workers in Deaf Outreach.  WHY?  Because 98% of Deaf people do not attend any church.  We do not want them to go to hell.
The harvest is ripe and the workers are few, pray for the Lord of the harvest to send more workers.  Please pray for God to guide people who want to share in His mission to join with us.  If you are interested, or know of someone who might be interested,  please sign up and we will send you more information as it become available – send email to LutheranDeafOutreach@gmail.com and check out the web page at www.LutheranDeafOutreach.org.