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- "Everlasting Word",
"Beautiful Hands", "Forever
Friends"
- words that describe the
ministry trip to Southern
California
- April 30 - May 4,
2009
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- HIGHLIGHTS
BELOW
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- Gary (Deaf) and
Rhonda Barrett (hearing); as well
as, John and Marva Gehm (both
Deaf) flew from Oklahoma City to
Santa Ana on Thursday, April 30
and returned on Monday, May 4.
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- The only free
time the team had the entire
weekend was a couple of hours the
morning of Friday, May 1. Since
they were staying, not too far
from the Crystal Cathedral in
Garden Grove, they decided to use
that time to visit the beautiful
Crystal Cathedral campus.
Gary, Rhonda,
John and Marva enjoyed the
beautiful grounds, inspiring
sculptures, and exotic gardens at
this world renowned church. After
their visit, they drove 30 miles
north to Pomona and set up the
Deaf Ministries Worldwide Booth
for the DeafNation Expo that was
to take place the next day,
Saturday, May 2.
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- The Crystal
Cathedral has special meaning for
Gary and Rhonda for it was almost
30 years ago, when Gary became
Deaf, that they began watching
the "Hour of Power" telecast each
Sunday. The "Hour of Power" was
the only Christian programming
that was closed captioned for the
Deaf back in 1980.
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- One of the many
amazing bronze sculptures on the
grounds
- of the Crystal
Cathedral campus. Each of the
dozens
- of sculptures are
inspired from the Word of God
and
- are beautifully
detailed; each face is very
expressive.
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- John and Marva
enjoying the beautiful gardens at
the
- world renowned
Crystal Cathedral in Garden
Grove, California.
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- DEAFNATION
EXPO
- Saturday, May 2,
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- The DeafNation
Expo was packed with over 5,000
people in attendance from all
over Southern California. The
team met one couple who came all
the way from Phoenix, Arizona.
The DeafNation Expo took place on
Saturday, May 2 from 9:00 AM to
6:00 PM at the Los Angeles Fair
Grounds in Pomona,
California.
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- Gary says, "The
team, which also included
individuals from the community,
was so busy we hardly had a
chance to take a break the entire
day. We shared with hundreds of
individuals, gave away over 550
Bibles and about 1,500 tracts
declaring the Good News of Jesus
Christ."
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- Jesus said in
Matthew 21:33, "Heaven and earth
will pass away, but my words will
never pass away."
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- PASTOR FRANCISCO "PACO" RAMOS
ORDINATION SERVICE
- Sunday, May 3 at 10:30
AM
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- The Ordination
Service of Pastor Francisco
"Paco" Ramos took place Sunday,
May 3 at 10:30 AM at Praising
Hands Deaf Fellowship in Long
Beach, California.
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- The service was
very inspirational to the
congregation, family and friends
who attended. It was a special
joy to Paco that his father and
sister were able to
attend.
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- Paco and Barbara
(both Deaf) live in Victorville
with their 13 year old son, David
(hearing). Each Sunday and
Wednesday the family drives 1 1/2
hours (one way!) to the church in
Long Beach.
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- Picture to the
left is Paco and Gary. Paco is
holding his Ordination License.
Gary shares, "It is an honor that
Deaf Ministries Worldwide
Fellowship has the privilege of
credentialing Paco, a man called
of God to the ministry, a man
with deep convictions and a great
burden to reach Deaf men, women
and children with the Good
News."
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- Maurene Shifflett
(Deaf) wrote and performed a very
meaningful poem/song about Paco's
life. (Maurene is the wife of the
late Robin Shifflett (Deaf), known
for his involvement in Deaf prison
ministry. In addition Maurene and
Robin often ministered in drama
together.) Many years ago when Paco
was a teenager, Maurene and Robin
brought him to the United States
from Mexico so that he could receive
an education. It's amazing what the
Lord has done in Paco's life. People
were so touched by Maurene's
presentation that many had tears in
their eyes.
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God had a plan when
Paco was just a "baby".
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"Holy Spirit led" Paco
to the US.
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"Jesus" has always been
faithful.
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- The guest speaker
for this special Ordination
- Service was the
Reverend Paul Miles. Paul
- shared an
encouraging message Sunday morning.
- Paul recognized
God'a call on Paco's life
early
- and has been a
mentor to Paco. He has had a
- positive influence
on Paco's life and walk
- with the
Lord.
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- Before
Gary presented Paco with his Ordination
Certificate, he emphasized the importance of
servant leadership and leading by example.
Among the scriptures Gary shared from God's
Word were:
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- Jeremiah
29:11, "For I know the plans I have
for you," declares the LORD, "plans to
prosper you and not to harm you, plans to
give you hope and a future."
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- Romans
10:15, "How beautiful are the feet
of those who bring good
news!" But Gary continued, "I like
to exchange that word "feet" for the word
"hands". For truly "How beautiful are the hands
of those who bring good news!"
How beautiful are the hands of those in Deaf
ministry as they sign the Good News of God's
love, forgiveness, and grace.
- Paco and Barbara look on as
Gary shares.
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- Before Gary
prays,
- leaders join at
the front of the church
- and the
congregation, with raised hands
towards
- Paco and Barbara,
show their support.
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- Praying for God's
continued "touch"
- on Paco and
Barbara's family and
ministry.
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- God "loves"
you.
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- Paco shares that
God has always been
"faithful".
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- From beginning to end the
Ordination Service was very beautiful.
- Paco and Barbara are faithful
servants of God.
- Please keep them in your
prayers, as well as their, son, David,
- as they serve the Lord in the
Deaf harvest field.
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- Paco and Barbara, your hands
are beautiful!
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- RETURNING HOME - HAVING SOME
FUN
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Gary,
Ed, Rhonda and Rosie.
Rhonda was blessed when her
sister, Rosie, along with Rosie's son, Ed,
stopped by after DeafNation Expo closed. Rosie
and Ed are both graduates of Teen Challenge (a
drug and alcohol recovery program). Rosie is
involved in inner city ministry and Ed is a
youth pastor. Rhonda says, "God continues to do
miracles today. My family and I are the
proof!"
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Gary
asks, "Another picture, Rhonda?"
Santa
Ana Airport, Starbucks order line.
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- Waiting
for our Starbucks (Two guys in this picture need their
coffee ASAP!).
- Rhonda
says that the next stop is Home Sweet OklaHOMEa as she
signs "Smile".
- (Marva is
taking this picture.)
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A special thanks to
each person who made this California ministry outreach
possible through your prayers and finances. We would
appreciate your prayers for the next Expo we will be
attending in Oklahoma
City, Saturday October 3. We are out of Bibles as we gave away
all the Bibles we had left at the Pomona DeafNation
Expo. Specifically, be praying that funds come in so
we can purchase more Bibles right away. Also, we would
like to attend the DeafNation World Expo that will
take place in Las Vegas, July 18-23, 2010. It is
estimated that upwards of 10,000 Deaf people from
around the world will be attending, and it will most
likely be the largest gathering of Deaf people in one
place ever--history being made. This would be a great
evangelistic opportunity for us. Please join us in
praying about attending DeafNation World Expo. For
more information go to http://expo.deafnation.com/worldexpo/.
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