Submitted by Stacey McKenzie, Ukraine
Timothy, my son, I am giving you this
instruction in keeping with the prophecies previously made about you, so that
by them you may strongly engage in battle, having faith and a good conscience.
1 Timothy 1:18-19a
How can a missionary reach a people group that is scattered
or hidden? A group that may not all know the same language or have no specific
geographical location where they live. This is the case with the Deaf. As we
arrive in our new home, whether it be the huge mega city of Delhi, India, a
small town in southwestern Ukraine or the familiarity of Texas, the Deaf are
largely hidden and very scattered. Street evangelism or large Christian rallies
are not going to draw in large crowds of deaf people.
As we look back on our experiences, success in ministry has
not been based on numbers of the Deaf flocking to an altar or large churches
being formed. God has been very clear in His direction to us, “Find your
Timothy”. Our first Timothy was Raj, a
devout Hindu known for persecuting Christians. As he made threats against our
family, we loved on him and shared the Gospel. Months later, a quiet baptism in
a wading pool set up in our living room marked the beginning of his new life
and journey as a disciple. Now, six years later, Raj is a missionary to his own
people, reaching thousands of Deaf with the Gospel!
No matter where we are and how large or small the Deaf
population may be, we begin by praying for just one person. One person that
will take the Gospel message to heart. One person that will repent and become a
new creation in Christ, and then for that one person to become like a son in
the faith. God has always been faithful to send us that one person, and we have
been delighted to see “Timothys” mature into a “Pauls”.
Lord I pray that these missionaries will find a Timothy to
invest in and bring up as a son in the faith. I pray for more who will learn to
teach and spread the Gospel much farther than any western missionary could ever
reach.
I pray that I would be a Timothy and diligently seek out
knowledge and training from other believers, and that I would find a Timothy so
that You would use me to raise up a son or daughter in the faith.
