commissioning x2

This Sunday we were commissioned, and Nathanael licenced as a pastor through the Hopewell Network.

Joel Kolb stood up front and talked about the fact that we are actually ministering to a community within a community. We are ministering to Belizeans and within that culture Deaf Belizeans. (or it could be looked at the other way around, ministering to Deaf, and Deaf within the culture of Belize. )

All of that to say we had 2 commissionings. We were first commissioned last week through our Deaf sending church: Connecting Deaf.

We were blessed to be a part of the service. Todd preached on all of our callings to the world. This can be right next door, or around the world.  They had a time of prayer for us. (Of course I neglected to get someone to take a picture.)


They then treated us to an awesome lunch at Mission Barbeque.

This week as I stated before was our commissioning through Hopewell. Nathanael was confirmed as a pastor. We then had a time of prayer. The elders and our families prayed for us.  

We had a time of goodbyes after the service. We were so thankful to those who came and spent this time with us!  

Here is a link to the service incase you wanted to see the prayer time: 

Live streaming Hopewell Telford Service, go to August 13th Service

The prayer and confirmation start about 1:45:10 

The Sound in the Silence

The room was silent but for a few clicks of a keyboard and the occasional swish of clothing. No spoken words, but full of life.

It had been a while since I had been to Deaf church. Too long for me actually.  My lack of exposure to ASL has lead my already struggling vocabulary to decrease.  The people at Connecting Deaf church were more than gracious with my struggle to communicate.

The lack of spoken words didn't decrease the Spirit of God that was in that place.

I am not sure if you have experienced "knowing" someone was a Christian before they told you? My lack of ASL didn't decrease the fact that God was in that place today. It was wonderful to fellowship with other believers, to be encouraged in our journey back to Belize, and to work at my ASL.

Connecting Deaf is one of our sending churches, and a support in the Deaf community.

as a PS thanks to Greg Stemler for taking our younger two children to Hopewell for us :) I am sure it was an exciting day for him as well!