David & Marsha Mitchell 
Puerto Rico

 
News from Puerto Rico - 8/15/2010

David and Marsha Mitchell, missionaries.
Ezelis Sistrunk is a CODA (child of deaf adults). She will work with children of Deaf adults in Puerto Rico, until December, 2010. This is a faith ministry. She trusts God to supply all her needs. We ask that you pray if the lord would have you to support the important work that Ezelis is doing in the name of Jesus.

Progress toward Deaf School. Dr. Diane Robinette of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Associate Professor of Education at Tusculum University College, Greenville, Tennessee, gave her five month sabbatical in 2009 to work in Puerto Rico to develop the Deaf school. She researched materials, contacted educational professionals, investigated locations, and prepared a 126page application for the school’s license. This will be submitted to the Council of Special Education, soon. Our thanks to /Dr. Robinette! The school project needs $36,000 to hire a teacher – salary and basic expenses.

Victor Martinez drove ten hours round trip to pick up 5 members of a Deaf family in the central mountain region of Puerto Rico. In this little village there are 40 close relatives who are Deaf. Victor took them to the Easter Crusade for the Deaf in Arecibo. By the time the four hour crusade was finished, four Deaf people were saved and 20 others rededicated their lives.

David and Marsha Mitchell are in Tennessee for medical treatment. He has a serious ear infection (bacterial mastoid bone infection). Pray for them.

If you want to receive more information, ask for the Puerto Rico Deaf Ministries newsletter. www.prdm.org.
Newsletter, November, 2008

They are waiting for a ride to church. For a long time, many Deaf are waiting. "Please David Mitchell, when will you repair the van, the brakes are bad?" The Deaf wait! 

This text message came to my phone when I was off the island. Our ministry had lent a van to Victor who lives high in the mountain city of Aibonito where many Deaf live. Victor and his wife Isabel are Deaf and they have a deep commitment to the Lord to take God's Word to other Deaf people. Please pray as we are training them as new leaders with much to learn.

Victor picks up Deaf people in 5 towns around his home to go to church, the first Bible class had 28 Deaf in attendance. At a later time 22 were picked up in PRDM's van at one time! - the van broke down - Victor saw a hearing friend, asked him to call the police to help take people home - ... and those "who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, they shall be filled. " Victor asked a mechanic to look at the problem with the van ... $300.00 estimated cost. He took an offering from the Deaf. .. $20.00, not enough!!! That was on August 17. 

PRDM had lent them the van, ... had no funds at this time to make this repair. Victor and his wife praised the Lord, "He will provide". 

Praise the Lord, the small Deaf church in San Juan, Light of Christ Deaf Church (SBC), who are involved in reaching new people with Victor and Isabel, offered to help repair the van. They too are learning to reach out in mission involvement!!! When the van is running, there will be 35 Deaf people meeting for church in their home. Some of the Deaf live in very difficult places: the road is so narrow, or there is no road. Many have been reclusive in out-of- the-way places but Victor searches until he finds them, then encourages to go to his home to "hear" the Gospel. Many of these have NO LANGUAGE, ONLY GESTURES. - - - Waiting now for mechanic to finish the van - -- 

... Another van is parked at the office of PRDM. Pray that it soon can be repaired (it's been broken down since late June). 

All of us face obstacles when we find new Deaf who have no education, teaching them about God's love and grace given through the sacrifice of Jesus ... Overwhelming, to say the least, to first teach language of signs, then the Gospel. 

You are most faithful, we thank the Lord for each of you, your prayers, financial support, sending items for helping the poor and for evangelization, coming on short-term mission projects ... how we love you! We are struggling to equip the Deaf to find the many unreached Deaf people on this island. 

Is our Lord touching your heart to help us complete the task? Our pastors/families retreat, meeting annually during Thanksgiving weekend, is urgently needed. PLEASE MAKE THIS A SPECIFIC PRAYER DURING OUR PREPARING FOR THE RETREAT, IN FAITH THAT HE IS PROVIDING FOR THESE YOUNG MEN, WIVES AND CHILDREN, through you and us as -a-team.___ _ 

BLESSINGS - PRAISES!!! 

Our summer was blessed by our Lord! See brief camp report! The Lord had victory! Praise Him!!! "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations, knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience". James 1: 2-3 

Serving the Master among Deaf people,
David and Marsha 

Announcement- The Deaf School

Ms. Wanda Torres, the Administrator-Teacher, is now working full time to finalize all government requirements so the Deaf school can begin.

October 15, 2008

Dear Friends of the Deaf, 

With resentment, Jose (not his real name) (DEAF) recounts his educational experiences. In his elementary years, he attended kindergarten and was held back for approximately 7 years, without seeing educational progress. By the age of 12, he was moved up to 1st grade. His hearing classmates of 6 to 7 years teased him because of his age and height. 

His elementary and middle school years were humiliating, without a qualified teacher of the Deaf to provide equal and quality education in the language of signs. Much writing the teacher used, he says, he never understood. At home Jose's parents used only made-up home signs. His Deaf father had never attended school. 

Jose met other Deaf people outside the school setting and began to learn sign language at the age of 15. In Vocational Rehabilitation at age 16 he learned technical skills and worked just under 7 years. Currently he is out of work. 

Jose's two Deaf daughters are in a better school than he experienced but they are so far away in the U.S.A., Massachusetts, in a Deaf school. 

History Repeats Itself! Jose's 6 year old Deaf step-son is in the same public school system in the west coast of Puerto Rico, repeating the same experiences as Jose! Having repeated kindergarten, NO sign language instruction, he is WAITING for an interpreter!! 

HOW CAN WE STOP THIS VICIOUS CYCLE? Jose is not alone in his experience with education. The Deaf need the best possible solutions. Government figures say there are 150,000 plus Deaf people in Puerto Rico. Education is the key for making these people independent and productive individuals. Even now, less than 5% of hearing family members with Deaf children can communicate with their child. Many parents of the Deaf have had to send their Deaf child away from home, even outside of Puerto Rico, to find better educational opportunities. 

Consider Jose's testimony. He NEVER had that opportunity, and still today at the age of 34 looks back at his educational experience with sadness, wishing he could read and write. Surely you are sensitive to the educational needs of the Deaf children here in Puerto Rico. 

We invite you to have a part in the starting of our Christian Deaf school. Christian Organization for Education of Deaf has been a dream, a vision, a calling of God and is soon to be a reality. Join us in helping the Deaf children of Puerto Rico! 

Puerto Rico Deaf Ministries a non-profit 501 (c)3 organization based in Ponce, established the Deaf school organization. Boards are functioning. The Administrator-Teacher is now working full-time to complete all necessary requirements to commence immediate operation. 

Your prayers and donations will make Quality Education for the Deaf a reality. Please make all checks payable to: PRDM-Deaf Education (this is a tax-deductible gift). Together we can make a difference, help and hope! 

Our Lord, who values children said, "Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me ... " Mark 9:37. 

Your Co-Laborers Serving Jesus Among the Deaf people,

David Mitchell, President
Puerto Rico Deaf Ministries

Wanda Torres, Administrator-Teacher
Christian Organization for Education of Deaf

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Please stop all you are doing right now, and pray for the needs in this country.   Pray for God to provide everything they need and pray for His guidance, wisdom and protection over these missionaries.   Pray that the people here will understand the gospel of Jesus Christ, and have an opportunity to say "Yes" to Him, and be saved.

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