PO Box 395 | Beaconsfield Victoria 3807 | Australia
Tel: +613 5940 5431 | Fax: +613 5940 5432
Email: info@deafmin.org

Important Message for Australian Donors

Australian Tax Deductible Projects

Charles Njejimana

We have been posting information on DMI’s Facebook page regarding Charles’ health issues and now want to add updates to our website … his health has deteriorated and we ask that you please continue to include this delicate situation in your prayers:

Originally from Burundi (east Africa), Charles is in his final year BA Applied Sign Language Studies at Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, India which is a collaborative program with UCLan UK. He is a well-known personality within the campus among the student body for his intellectual discourse and support of others. He went to India to study with a hope to go back to Burundi and serve his country and fellow Deaf people.

We only recently found out that in 2012 Charles noticed some uneasiness in his left eye and sought medical attention. He received basic care and no improvement in his condition was made. The only way to ascertain the cause was to have some scans which were too costly for him to fund. Eventually a way was made possible and scans showed that he had a tumor in his brain which, if left untreated, could cause permanent nerve damage thus rendering him blind in the eye (possibly both) and of course creating difficulty for communication. The only cure to this tumor was surgery.

We were told that during Charles’ operation the surgeon successfully removed 95% of the tumor; he was discharged on 4th June and has been recovering from home.

Now we have learned from DMI’s Director in Burundi, Fabian Hamissi, that yesterday the situation changed; he collapsed, was rushed to Hospital and taken direct to Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

You can watch Charles’ earlier message here

AUSTRALIAN ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING REPORTS

Download reports here PDF 7MB

An Obedient Man

In October 2011, DMI held its 5th International Conference in New South Wales, Australia. One of the international delegates was Deaf Pastor Lewis Nkhoma - DMI Director from Zambia and overseer for several deaf churches (200 attendees). At the start of his journey naturally there were concerns from his family, his well educated siblings’ (all hearing) when they learned that Lewis had been called by God to plant a church “he wouldn’t get paid enough by the Deaf”. They were right!
Lewis went through considerable hardship in the early part of his ministry, washing buses for pay and he slept at the bus station each night. After marrying, he & his wife had to live separate lives for the first 14 months, not having enough money to rent a room. Now they have a 1-room apartment and are blessed with two small boys … Blessing and Taonga (means thanks). Lewis loves to lead praise and worship in sign language. Filmed in connection with the DMI Conference, Lewis (brown jacket) demonstrates his enthusiasm

He is Above All

Here is is beautiful presentation of ‘Above All’ signed by ladies from Monash City Church if Christ, Victoria, Australia on Easter Sunday 2013. A mixed group of Deaf and Hearing, lead by Melanie Robertson (D)

DMI Syria celebrates 8th Anniversary

Jesus words give hope and encouragement for us not to give in to despair … read Nedal and Fadi’s latest newsletter

Here’s a video message from the Deaf in Syria to all supporters of DMI. Please pray for them as they endure unimaginable hardships every day due to the civil war in their country

Lean not on your own understanding

Proverbs 3:5-6 are favored verses to remember, especially at times when you may be in disbelief at the direction your life is taking. Canadians, Doug & Val Clutton were in exactly this situation five years ago when the Lord nudged them to consider a life back in the Philippines. Read their newsletters which highlight the fascinating story of how an audiologist became an agriculturalist!

Want to know more about DMI and what we do? Check out this short video. Share it with your friends, and make sure you subscribe to our new YouTube channel for more videos in coming months.

Introducing DMI

Thank you Seung Su

Recently, Neville & Lill had the pleasure of hosting a young deaf man from South Korea, whose idea it was to produce a short impact video for DMI. When time permitted, Seung Su visited the office to select photos and film clips from Neville’s vast selection. Not only did this young man enjoy sightseeing and skydiving during his short stay in Victoria but, he also captured some informative video and voice-overs from Neville, then completed the task after arriving back home last week.

DMI’s vocational and skills training program in Ligao has received a few success stories that we’d like to share. read more…

$16,000 Clean up bill in the Philippines

Part of our mission in the Philippines will be to investigate the damage caused by last year’s typhoon to the work in Cagayan de Oro and to ascertain the repair needs. We have reportedly about $16,000 worth of damage, which includes repair of the road to the rubber plantation so that we can get our rubber out.

read more…

Meet Armie

Armie’s first ever school photo probably looks very different to yours.

Armie is 30 years old and has just graduated from grade 1. She is deaf, and hasn’t had the same opportunities for an education as you. Her parents are both deceased, so she lives with her sister who couldn’t afford the cost of sending her to a specialised deaf school.

Last year Armie was able to begin her education at a Deaf Action funded school in the Philippines, thanks to donations from our generous supporters. For the first time in her life, Armie is able to learn reading, writing, maths and sign language, giving hope that she will be able to break out of the cycle of poverty.

Armie’s story is not unique. There are thousands of deaf children around the world who don’t receive a basic education either because their family can’t afford it, or because the deaf schools are too far away.

Deaf Action partners with Deaf Ministries International to provide educational facilities for a group of children that are often forgotten about. Deaf Action website We provide dormitory accommodation for those who need it, and full scholarships for those who can’t afford the cost.

Download printable brochure PDF 1.5MB

Gerd Martinsen Memorial Fund

Gerd Martinsen ‘Mormor’ had a heart for missions and followed, with great interest, the development and growth of the Church and Bible School at the DMI Centre in Kampala, Uganda.

In her memory, a fund has been established to receive donations towards the ongoing needs at the Centre as each year new students require training. After graduation, these students eagerly go out into other countries to spread the Gospel.

Need a Gift Idea?

Have a look at our new gift brochure to purchase a gift that will change the lives of at risk, deaf communities in Africa, Kenya, Myanmar and the Philippines! Pigs, Chickens, School Uniforms, Trees and Plants and more … Print/view the brochure PDF 1.2MB

Sponsor A Pig

The pigs are back! The project came to a halt following a disastrous succession of typhoons and local disease but, we are up and running again. A team from Berwick Church of Christ in Melbourne, Australia repaired the pig pens so with a new breed of pigs the project has been recommenced. To breed and raise a pig to selling age costs about $80. Once sold the profits go to the running of the school and the remainder reinvested into the program. So please sponsor a pig for $80

Click here to view pig sponsorship, and other projects.

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