An update is way overdue, and an annual look back seems odd as we enter Autumn… but “odd” is one of my frequent descriptors, so, I’ll take it.
Last summer, just after our 100th annual family reunion in June, Dad got sick. Bad enough that we had several trips to the ER/hospital, the doctor and I traded cell phone numbers, and I cancelled some plans (that’s my dad, of course I did!). They watched for bowel rupture, gallbladder issues, and more. We’re still not sure what that adventure was all about, but he’s been doing much better since about Autumn ’22.
Christmas Morning, I started my adventures with a loss of gross motor control on my right side. When I got home after a 4-day hospital visit, half of my Christmas gifts were contraband and I had instructions to avoid salt, sugar, caffeine, and stress. Three out of four isn’t bad, right??
I returned to Indy New Year’s Day, with follow up doctor appointments scheduled and intent to add “office manager” to my responsibilities. The 20 hours that come with the title would raise me to 40/week (billable). Plans for next housing near Indy were underway, as well as a return to greater involvement in those communities.
Not so fast… Jan 20 I returned to the ER/hospital, and before they released me three days later, it was declared that this time, I had a stroke in my balance area that left evidence and the need for some rehab in speech and fine motor skills. In March, some numbness on my left side had me back again, scans showed no change, but some temporary medicine was made permanent. In May, I had a short period of second employment, washing dishes at Pizza Hut, but my body wasn’t having it. Fatigue. Oh yeah, and no salt, sugar, caffeine, or stress.
August of ’23, mom went into the ER/hospital, twice. I’ve been in Ohio (that’s my mom, of course I have!). We haven’t arrived at the end of that adventure, but so far the infections seem to be gone. Now they can deal with the two extra-large kidney stones then see about the heart weakness. I’m in Indy for a week that includes a deaf event I’ve been looking forward to, then back to Ohio for a few days of doctor appointments, then back to Indy for the winter (I think).
The ministry office lease expires at the end of the year, and we’re downsizing* significantly to a co-working space and a storage unit. That’ll cut the monthly expense by more than half, and we’re mostly a remote team at this point anyway (COVID helped). My hours have been reduced to maximum 15 per week due to budget and health, and the recent trip to Ohio reduced them even more for a few weeks.
*Downsizing includes unsold product we’ve been storing. If you want DVDs of the Dr Wonder show or Silent World movie, or books of Deaf testimonies, let me know before November. There will be a shipping cost.
I remain thankful for housing arrangements in both states at no charge. I expect to return to living in Ohio in the spring of ’24 for parent care, it’s about that time. I’ve already been warmly welcomed at a deaf church near my parents’ home, as well as the deaf church I used to attend near the deaf school, and several hearing churches in eastern Columbus. I only have five welcoming churches in Indiana. (That’s missionary life, and I love all you folks!)
My current assignment is ramping up, as well as a healthy pile of backlog. I’ll be researching and writing family & children’s curriculum to go along with the Jesus Film by Deaf Missions. Several ministries, including Deaf Teen Quest and Deaf Millennial Project, will be writing small group material to go alongside several movie clips. Deaf Missions has a discipleship plan for the film’s release in the Spring. We’re starting this month with a feedback forum weekend covering the first clip and the age-related lessons. See the Deaf Missions website for more.
In case you didn’t already get the word, we’ve been focusing on a name change and adjustments to our branding. We are now Deaf Kids Connect, and if you ask, we’ll tell you that our goal is to connect them to their families, communities, themselves, and most importantly to Jesus. Both names are legally us, but the public transition is in full force. For starters, the new name eliminates the first question of “what’s that?” Our new website has more details – see DeafKidsConnect.com.
Now that the weight of websites and file access/security is being handled by others, there’s more room for me to focus on writing, both for Deaf Kids Connect and for my own stuff. I’m also putting more focus on non-apparel sewing, my modern variation on tent-making. More on that later.
Re-reading the above will give you several items for your prayer list, and there are a few ways to help financially. Giving to the Deaf Kids Connect ministry will help with my payroll (they’ve been supplementing my sponsorship all along). It also provides contribution deductibility since they’re a 501(c)3. Giving directly to me goes in a special account I have for deaf events like the one I’m attending this week (www.NCCDeaf.org) and the NAD conference July 2024. The ministry of Jesus goes with me to those things, whether I wear a DKC label or not. Fuel & food cards are also welcome – my car and I like to eat. To be fully transparent, there are a few direct gifts that go straight into my checking account, then get spent on gas, food, and medicine. (I grew up during the televangelist exposure era – transparency is important.)
I’m very thankful for the variety of people who have helped in small-but-huge ways, like hospital rides, collecting mail, unloading the car, and being sanity supports when things got overwhelming. That’s what friends and family do, and I’m very appreciative that several have done it for me this year. The word “thanks” doesn’t cover it.
Until next time… be well…