March 2017 Prayer Letter

March 2017

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Every new day, month, and year is a new opportunity to serve the Lord. Each new day the Lord’s “His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). The Lord is always faithful toward us. It is a joy to faithfully serve Him with the people to which He has called us – the Deaf. The SWM mission statement is, “But we will give ourselves… to the ministry of the Word” – to Deaf people worldwide – Acts 6:4.

Training – In January SWM conducted our annual Community Sign Language class with 32 attendees. The Lord continues to increase our ministry as people look to SWM for help. Recently, a lady who had some sign language training contacted us. She had never interpreted, but now, for the first time, a Deaf man visited her church. She interpreted as best she could. When he said he would come back, she wrote SWM for help. In just a few weeks SWM will conduct a Fantastic Saturday in her area. We also invited her to our summer ASL Institute training. In addition SWM also has books, videos, and experience to help. This story is now very common. We are thankful and pleased to invest in new deaf ministries. Someone must reach and teach the Deaf.

SWM Outreaches – Boot Camp for Deaf Ministries (BootCamp4Deaf.com) is growing. Lessons are being added for hearing people (in spoken English), and now other lessons are now being planned in Sign Language (by Deaf people, for Deaf people). Spring Fantastic Saturdays have now begun. Several SWM missionaries on deputation report that their support is increasing. SWM websites (view all from SilentWordMinistries.org) are reaching more people than ever. SWM books and videos are reaching the Deaf worldwide. We were surprised to learn the SWM salvation follow-up website, Follow8Steps.org, reported 18,751 visits last year. (Note: Please view and pray for our website).

Volunteers – Everyone in the SWM office is either a volunteer or a missionary who must raise his own support. Some have even moved to Trenton to help. We are very grateful for the many volunteers who assemble books, make DVDs, and help with landscaping, upkeep, and much more. They help make this unique missionary ministry possible. It may surprise you to know that last year 96 people were involved at SWM as volunteers, missionaries or board members. This is God’s ministry, not ours.

“Here We Grow Again” – SWM’s policy is to build as the Lord provides. Often when people think of growth, they think of buildings. SWM is now growing by producing a wide variety of deaf ministry videos. Because of this growth, our present system is not adequate to meet the need. We now need a new “NAS” (backup device). The NAS will be a one-time cost of $1,700. Designate gifts “Electronics Upgrade.” Any plus funds will be used for office needs. Thank you for helping us grow.

SWM is honored to partner with you in ministry. Whether you support an individual missionary, several missionaries, or the SWM office, we are careful to ensure all funds are used wisely and as designated. Thank you for partnering with us to reach the Deaf World for Christ!

Enclosed: God’s Four “No-Nos”
Fret Not – Fear Not – Forget Not – Fail Not

Please view missionary information on back. The SWM mission team is worthy of your prayers and support.

For Deaf Souls,

Jon Barr
(Letter sent as SWM President)