Wow! Time has slipped by us! Currently we are preparing to host our first Deaf Conference to be held August 13-16, 2019, in conjunction with the Pastors’ and Workers’ Conference that Fundamental Baptist Church International hosts. We are both thrilled and thankful for this opportunity. Oftentimes we are asked to visit sister churches to help reach the Deaf in their community. Being that it is just our family and being that we are just a “baby” church, we find this difficult. We are praying that churches in Ghana will bring their Deaf to “hear” the Gospel at this conference.
In addition, we have invited a special guest speaker, Bro. Jason Maloney, from First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana, to preach and teach this week. Bro. Maloney has taught sign language at the collegiate level for over 15 years and has been a Sunday school teacher for over 20 years. Our goal is to have Bro. Maloney teach the Bible in such a way to enhance the language of the Deaf here in Ghana. One of the frustrations we face here is that the language is found wanting. We are praying that this conference will open new doors of language and comprehension.
In May, Sesime, a lady who began attending church in January, told us she was getting married. As excited as I was that she was doing it the correct way culturally, I was concerned that it was not the correct way biblically. Her fiancé Samson was not born again, and she would be yoked up with an unbeliever. We scheduled a meeting in our home. Samson understood the Gospel and put his faith in Christ alone for salvation. We were not able to attend the ceremony in their family home, but our church held a small reception for them. I took the opportunity to show our people the importance of marriage and the importance of their vows, and I was able to share the Gospel with family members who had also attended. Oftentimes these ceremonies are done without interpreters. This was the first time many of our Deaf understood how God values marriage and that it is honorable.
In June, one of the members of FBCI came to me, concerned for a Deaf man in his community. He led us to the area, which was not close, and introduced me to Abuakwa. I was able to share the Gospel with Abuakwa, and he turned from trusting his good works to take him to Heaven and put his faith in Christ alone. Abuakwa asked me to return to share this with his Deaf friends. What a blessing it was to see 6 Deaf from this area put their faith in Christ. Please pray that Abuakwa and the others will be able to attend church. From this area, it is difficult to catch a tro-tro to church.
Thank you for your continued prayers. Please pray for our health (sickness is spreading), the approaching Deaf Conference, and these new converts.
Your co-laborers for Christ,
The Hall Family
