I completed my Grief Recovery Program on August 12th, 2013, which was a three month program. The day I graduated was Carole’s spiritual birthday. Special thanks to Curt Clemens, who is certified in Grief Recovery.  He became my best friend. He guided and supported me spirituality during a lot of difficult times after Carole’s passing. That day, I removed my wedding ring and I accepted that Carole went to Heaven and I was to move on with my life.

On July 30^th, 2013, I met Chante Fefee on Facebook.  We started talking and decided to meet up on Skype.  From there, our friendship blossomed.  I shared with her about my loss for Carole and how it was very difficult at times.  Chante was very supportive and that I liked that.  She shared with me about her past marriage situations, which showed me she was open to sharing.  I shared that Carole wanted me to be happy with my life after her passing.  Chante agreed with that I should be happy with my life and not be depressed.

Chante and I went on a Google Hungout video date with another couple on August 17^th, 2013. I called Panera Bread and ordered her lunch, comprised of her favorite foods: Apple Fugi salad, Chai tea, and shortbread cookies. After picking it up she signed into her laptop and our date began. She was so encouraged. It was a lot of fun.  After the couple left, we continued to talk for a few more hours.  Oh how time went by quickly.  During our date, I expressed I was nervous about our date, but Chante made the date enjoyable.  She confessed that she was also nervous because she never went on a date with a deaf disciple.  She knows American Sign Language, which I appreciated.

We did confessed that she and I have an interest with each other, but I shared that I wanted to take the relationship slowly.  She understood. Chante expressed that I am worth the wait, which blew me away.  I felt so encouraged that I began to pray to the LORD about my feelings with Chante.  On August 25^th, I texted Chante and asked to Skype.  When we did, I got straight to the point and shared that I was very interested in her and I wanted to grow our relationship possibly to the next level.  We texted and Skype weekly.

I sought advice from Darin and AT Ford who are Evangelists at the Annapolis Regional Church about my interests with Chante.  They were very excited and prayed for us.  AT suggested I speak with Jesse and Lynn Carey who are close friends with Chante.  For this reason, I wanted to seek advice on possibly dating Chante as I wanted to take our relationship to the next level of our friendship.  Chante and I had our dates using Google Hangout.  We had a blast, which made me more interested in her.

My goal was to visit Chante in October. I sought advice from Mike Taliaferro about my plan but advised me that was too fast and it would best to meet her in person first at the SW Conference in Long Beach, CA.  I agreed with Mike’s advice to meet her first before planning to visit.

My goal was to have a great time with Chante at the SW Conference.  We met for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.  We had more opportunity to share and discussed about life.  She did expressed she was disappointed I didn’t fly out in October to visit her, but she understood that I seek advices from the brothers at church.

Chante & I were nervous for meeting in person for the first time on November 7^th.  After I picked her up, we went to Wendy’s for lunch to talk.  Afterwards, we went to meet her grandfather.  That was a lot of fun.

That evening, we went on a double dinner date at Subway with Gabriel and Nicole. I remembered Chante asking, ‘What our goals was for the next five years?’ Chante expressed she wanted to get married, have kids, and co-lead a Deaf Ministry.” I was thrilled to hear Chante expressed this because I also dream to lead a Deaf Ministry. I also expressed that I wanted to marry and have children in the future. Chante smiled.

On Friday, November 8^th, we dressed formal for the James Bond single event. Our double date was with Gabriel & Brittney Taylor-Davis. We went to eat dinner at the Olive Garden, went to the event and had a blast together. It was an evening to remember.

On Saturday, November 9^th, I led a signed a song in American Sign Language and preached a message for the Deaf Ministry.  The topic was ‘Breakthrough In Your Outreach to the Deaf Community”. I thought I did well for my third time.  I was very nervous and wanted the sermon to go well and be understood by the audience.  I got a lot of compliments that I did well which made me feel better.

That evening, Chante and I went on double date with a couple names, Zach Lotane and Courtney Branson, for dinner at La Creperie and went to a single’s dance event.  The next day Sunday, we stayed at the conference for the short time because Chante needed to arrive at the airport very early. After Chante picked up her flight ticket at the Delta ticket counter, we talked for a while.  I expressed how I appreciated our time together and enjoyed every minute together. I cried because our departure was difficult to say goodbye, not sure when I would see her again.  Chante expressed she was very grateful for all the encouragements and wonderful times together.

On Wednesday, November 13, I had a meeting with Mike Taliaferro for an hour. Some disciples were concerned about my decision for dating Chante because they thought it is too soon after Carole’s passing. I explained to Mike not to worry what people think about my decision.  I was ready to move on. Mike asked me when I plan to ask Chante to be my girlfriend? I was happy that Mike accepted my decision that I was ready for a new relationship with Chante. Carty and Ford from Annapolis supported my decision to ask Chante to be my girlfriend.

I discussed with Chante to visit her for 2 weeks from November 25th-Dec. 9^th and it was agreed. On Monday, November 25^th, Chante pick me up.  I took her to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. I gave her poem ‘When I Open Our Good Book’. She read the front page then I show to her the back page by ASL. The poem reads:

I feel gospel of new promises Revelations.

We both can picture Skype face hope in person—focus our scripture as faith smiles looking above us; 

Text our reconnection, change is the Genesis of our story just beginning

Psalm hands read the signs prayers reach new life chapters—

When the good book opens to our story, Heaven shines on new hearts,

We can reflect the message of joy together written on every page.

I shared my memories when we first met and how I am very grateful for our friendship. This was the time I planned to ask her to be my girlfriend.  Boy, I was nervous! When I asked, she was shocked and answered with a YES! She hugged me twice. God answered our prayers about dating. We had much in common by long distance relationships experiences, married experiences, & Deaf Ministry experiences. I am very happy that Chante can communicate with me using ASL.

We planned a second trip to visit her from December 23^rd-January 7^th.  We had a fantastic times together. I am glad I met some disciples for fellowships at Annapolis Regional Church and planned double dates. I appreciate she interpreted for me on Sunday and midweeks. Chante have done terrific job.  I interpreted church songs to give her a break.  A special thanks for my team interpreters, McCall Finnerty, Lindsay Koncz, & Chante on Sunday, December 8^th, 2013.

Chante’s receptive skills for American Sign Language is growing since I have been teaching her the right way to sign during our video-chat times on Skype and FaceTime. I believe God has great plan for the future for the both of us to lead the Deaf Ministry together. We are looking forward for our ongoing relationships to be closer to the Lord and staying faithful in Christ in 2014!

1. Who reached out to you? Why did you became a disciple?

Cash McHargue and his wife, Maria reached out to me in November of 2010.  I was baptized January 23rd, 2011.  I chose to become a disciple because I have always had a love for God but I wanted that love to grow deeper and really have the chance to build a relationship with Him.

2. Reason for college major Deaf Studies.

I am very passionate about languages and cultures and wanted to learn more about Deaf Culture and ASL.

3. When and why did you learn ASL?

In 2007, I decided to take ASL as my general education requirement for a foreign language.  I fell in love with ASL and knew I had to pursue it.  It came very naturally for me because of my love for languages.  Deaf Studies was my major and Spanish was my minor.  I hope to become an interpreter in the future!

4. Your best memory as a disciple?

My best memory as a disciple was visiting the Deaf Ministry, in the Valley Church, in Los Angeles and meeting brothers and sisters that I had never met! They were so warm and welcoming and made me feel like I was family.  We went out to eat after church and took pictures. I really felt at home with the Deaf Ministry in L.A.!

5. Share your experiences about the Deaf Conference at the World Discipleship Summit in 2012.

I went to one class as part of the Deaf Conference and met many new people, including Joe Cepeda! I really enjoyed learning about God in ASL! I learned many new biblical signs that I had not known before!

6. Do you have a vision for the Deaf Ministry?

I would love to see more Deaf ministries in our sister churches all over the country, especially in the Baltimore/D.C. region.  I would also love if there were Deaf conferences or retreats every year because the Singles, Marrieds, and Campus ministries have retreats, workshops, and ICMC’s quite frequently.  It is my dream to see Deaf ministries get together for retreats as often as other ministries in our churches do.

7. What is your favorite scripture and why?

My favorite scripture is James 1:2-5 because it really helps me to get through times that are tough.  It also reminds me that life is a journey we embark on to grow closer to God and build our relationship with Him.  We can find pure joy in the good times and the bad, but most importantly, in Christ Jesus.

8. Have you interpreted at church services before? What was the hardest part to interpret? What you do enjoy the most about interpreting?

I have only interpreted at church services twice, starting last month in December 2013.  The hardest part of the service to interpret is when scriptures are being read.  There are a lot of hard words in the Bible to pronounce and spell, and a lot of stories and history that I do not know yet so sometimes I can get confused in what is actually going on in the scriptures.  I love to interpret because I can use ASL.  I love using sign language and try to use ASL every opportunity I can, whether it be through interpreting or just chatting!

9. What would you like to see at the future Deaf Conference?

I would like to hang out as much as possible with all Deaf Ministries in ICOC.  Maybe plan dinners and different activities to do where we can all hang out, outside of conference classes!

Carole Daphne Cepeda passed away from this earthly life on May 2, 2013. Her death from cancer at age 43 ended her life far too soon.  But her legacy of devotion to others will live on for many years.

Carole was born deaf and raised as a Kingdom Kid  in South Africa and Canada. Her parents, Doug Lightening and Daphne Renton, helped plant the church in Johannesburg.

Carole was baptized as a teen in 1986.  She moved to Los Angeles in 1995 to be part of the Deaf Ministry in the L.A. Church.  The loving and encouraging spirit she had toward the deaf disciples in L.A. and other cities was an inspiration to all who knew her.

She met her future husband, Joe Cepeda, when he was visiting the L.A. Deaf Ministry from his home town of San Antonio in 2002.  The initial meeting led to a long-distance friendship to a dating relationship in 2004.  They were married in San Antonio on September 17, 2005.

Carole faced challenges with courage and a faith that was deeply rooted in God’s word and His love for her.  She was a friend to many and lived her life to the full.

Her husband, Joe, expresses his deepest appreciation to all disciples and friends who have offered encouragement and prayers.  Memorial services for Carole were held in Oakville, Ontario; San Antonio; Durban, South Africa; and Los Angeles.

A video of the Los Angeles service can be viewed at end of the article.  A highlight of the service was Joe’s heartfelt signing of the praise song “Forever”.

My name is Britney Garstka, and I became a disciple on March 15th, 2008. I had spent one short semester at the University of Toledo where I was reached out to by Nino Bradley. I moved back home and transferred schools and continued to attend the Cleveland Church of Christ and was finally baptized in Cleveland. It was an eventful night! I had grown up as what I thought was a Christian. My mom had gone to seminary school and raised me and my 3 sisters up in accordance with the bible. We would have family fellowship at home most of the time, which was led by my mom. Occasionally we did attend church and I remember going to Sunday school a few times. I remember church being boring and more for grown-ups than for kids. When I started studying the bible in Toledo, I came to learn much more about the Bible than I had ever known before. The hardest lesson for me to learn was about baptism and how people become saved. My mother had always taught me that if I believed in my heart and confessed with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, then I would be saved. I did not learn about baptism and studying the Bible and living out the scriptures until I was in college. I ultimately decided that Jesus himself got baptized, so how could I be exempt? I desired to wash all my sins away and to be sure of my salvation instead of doubting it.

I had an interest in sign language early on in my life. I remember teaching myself the manual alphabet and memorizing it when I was in elementary or middle school. When I was a senior in high school, I finally had the opportunity to take ASL as a foreign language class. I loved it! During my short time in Toledo, I had discovered that I could pursue sign language even more and chose to change my major from nursing to become a sign language interpreter. I love the variety of places I go and the people I meet. I am forever learning new things and I love the opportunities and challenges that I am presented with.

I met my husband, Cliff Garstka, at the Ohio Valley Youth Camp in 2010. We were both camp counselors for the teens and although we barely spoke at camp, we found that we shared a love for the outdoors. After camp, Cliff considered taking me on an encouragement date. We are 7 years apart, and because of our age difference, he almost did not ask me on a date! He thought I was too young, and I thought he was too old. He decided to encourage me anyways, and we both hit it off immediately. We began dating after our 3rd date! We were finally engaged in December 2011 and married on May 5, 2012. We continue to serve the youth in the Cincinnati church and are now leading and ministering to the “Pre-teens”, which are our 7th and 8th graders.

Although we work with the youth, my time is divided between the kids and the Deaf ministry. Cyndie Imfeld is a sister in the Cincinnati church who also signs. She and I studied the bible with Robin, a deaf woman, and baptized her this year! We are excited to see answered prayers and growth in the Deaf Ministry. My first dream as a baby disciple, was to be involved in and to lead a deaf ministry. After a few years, that dream started to fade, but God is faithful! My husband, Cliff, has adopted my dream for a Deaf Ministry as one of his own, and is pursuing taking sign language classes. With the help of Cyndie’s husband, Kevin, Cliff has had a few studies with a deaf man who has been visiting. We both wonder what God’s plan is for the Deaf Ministry as well as for us. Maybe one day we will no longer be leading the youth and will be leading a Deaf Ministry! In the meantime, I am working as an interpreter and I also serve by interpreting on Sundays at the Cincinnati Church of Christ and for other church events.

I am encouraged to see the Deaf Ministry grow and pray for it to continue to grow! I love meeting new people and learning more about their lives. I hope to be able to share the gospel to deaf and hearing alike, and to grow the Deaf Ministry!

My favorite scripture is Proverbs 19:21, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Carole Cepeda’s biopsy was on December 27th, 2012. It was sad Christmas week because of her liver pain, which had started in April of 2012. Carole’s Father, Doug Lightening, flew to visit us in San Antonio on Friday, December 28. He then rented a car and I met him at the Transplant Hospital in the evening. Carole stayed at the hospital for three days. I came up with a surprised plan to have small church service on December 30 for Carole. Mike Taliaferro preached the short sermon and communion. Alyssa interpreted for us. We are very grateful for our best friends, Todd/Gine Paszkowski, who also joined with us. Carole appreciated that I, her husband, planned that small church service for her.

Carole was discharged from the hospital on Sunday, December 30th in the evening. My parents, Doug, Carole and I met with the doctor on January 5, 2013, when we received the bad news that Carole was diagnosed with Angiosarcoma (rare liver cancer) and was given 6 months to live. Our family was shocked and cried about this news. She feared dying.

Megan Oberholster, Carole’s sister, flew to San Antonio from Canada on Thursday, January 10th, and stayed over my parent’s house. Carole made decision to move to Megan’s house in Oakville, Ontario in Canada on Saturday, January 12th. She had two reasons for her move to Canada: she wanted to be closer to her family and to live there for 3 months to receive her Ontario Health Insurance. Carole’s Mother, Daphne Renton, flew to Oakville to stay temporarily with her daughter to take care of her terminal illness. I was sad that I was unprepared for this move and could not quit my job immediately because I needed to keep my health insurance to support my wife. I prayed daily and sought advice from disciples about this tough situation. I had a meeting with my employer to request for FMLA but this plan was unsuccessful since my company is so small. My employer allowed me to take off one week unpaid so I could fly back and forth to take care of my wife’s terminal illness. I was concerned that if I continued to work and Carole didn’t survive, I’d regret missing the opportunity to be by her side at the end of her life.

I flew to visit Carole for one week on January 25th-February 1st. I was happy to celebrated Carole’s 43rd birthday on Monday, January 28th. On Sunday, February 10th, I created Carole’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CaroleCepeda to encourage our family in Christ and friends to read her posts. I typed weekly updates about the status of Carole’s health and how I was doing during our difficult times. Many times our family in Christ expressed how much they would love to chat with Carole on FaceTime or Skype but Carole didn’t have energy to chat with many friends. Carole was able to chat with her friends for short periods of times. My goal was to setup fundraising because we need strong support from our friends to raise funds for our monthly income and Carole’s medical bills. We appreciate that the International Church of Christ (ICOC) has been praying for us daily. Sunil Punjabi and I had meeting on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 after our men’s midweek and he advised me to resign from my job immediately and move ASAP to Canada because I needed to be with Carole. My church paid for our health insurance for two months. Amen! God made it clear that I should resign, and on February 16, 2013, I resigned my full-time position as Assistant Office Manager at the Little Texans Pediatrics. I surrendered my job to make my priority to be with Carole. My vehicle stayed in San Antonio, TX. My family in Canada provided transportation for me.

For the months of March and April, Occupational Therapy was provided at no cost for Carole. Carole’s doctor visited Megan’s house every week to prescribe medications for Carole’s liver pain. I remembered she told me and encouraged me to be happy when she passed away. Carole and her sister Megan talked about Heaven. Carole was praying daily to become fearless and preparing to go to Heaven before she died. She told her sister before she died that she desired to see her brother, Caleb, and her Dad who lived in South Africa. Carole spoke of how she was ready to go to Heaven and did not fear it at all. Carole persuaded me to visit San Antonio for couple of weeks but I was very concerned that her health would decline quickky. I decided to visit my parents in San Antonio for two weeks on April 23. Our best friend from Los Angeles, Christine Rushing, flew for the short visit to spend time with Carole on April 26-April 30. I called my mother-in-law, Daphne, on Saturday, April 27th and received the bad news that Carole’s was expected to die very soon. I felt stressed and terrible about this sad situation. I had planned on attending the TX Statewide church service in Belton on April 30 and hosting the 1st Anniversary Deaf Open-Caption Movie (DOCM) event on May 4 but had to put those on the side and caught an emergency flight on Sunday, April 28 to be with Carole for the last week of her life. I arrived to see Carole at the hospice care on Sunday afternoon. Carole pulled me a tight hug and kissed me. Carole’s last words were, “hugs and kisses.”

Later, Daphne reminded me that Carole want to talk to me. Carole said “I want hugs and kisses,” so I gave her twice the amount of hugs and kisses. Caleb and her Dad arrived on April 30 to spend time with Carole. She was very happy to see Caleb & Dad for the last time. Carole was super encouraged to watch the DVD of special songs in American Sign Language (ASL) from the Los Angeles Deaf Ministry family. She was part of the LA Deaf Ministry team for 6 years from 1995-2001. On Wednesday, May 1, Carole’s body is about to shut down and she wasn’t able to communicate any more. She could only breathe. Daphne & I held Carole’s hands as we prayed, and we were there for Carole’s last breath at 10:38am Eastern Time on Thursday, May 2, 2013. We cried heavily and felt heartbroken for our loss. Special thanks to the Oberholster family, Daphne, Doug, Mission Point Christian Church, & Deaf Ministry ICOC for supporting me during this difficult time of Carole’s passing.

Joe accomplished four goals before Carole passed away: her last birthday, late Valentine’s Day on Sunday 2-17-13, early 8th Anniversary on 4-16-13 for dinner and dancing to two songs called “My Valentine” by Martha McBride and Salsa music, & to be at side for her last breath. Carole will be always be a part of my life. She was inspiration and impacted the Deaf Ministry around the world. I thank God for giving me a beautiful wife for 7 years. She taught me a special skill of gentleness that I will not be forget. Carole was a disciple for 27 years, gentle and strong spiritual woman. I love her all my heart and am going to miss her. Carole was my best friend in Christ and I am very grateful that she was my special partner in the Deaf Ministry.

My name is Cyndie Imfeld, and I help interpret at the Cincinnati Church of Christ. I
became a disciple in the summer of 1982. While taking summer classes at the Cincinnati
Conservatory of Music in my hometown of Cincinnati, a classmate, Robyn Church, reached
out to me and invited me to a commuter bible talk. I noticed immediately that Christianity
was real for the students in this bible talk. They shared openly about their lives and how
they were putting the scriptures into practice. I wanted what they had, and I expressed to
Robyn how Romans 7:15 described my life completely (…what I want to do I do not do, but
what I hate I do.) After about 3 weeks of personal bible study, I was baptized into Christ.

During my last year of college I took an ASL class for a language credit. Not long after
I graduated, a sister, Cindy Schneider told me that she had Neurofibromatosis, a disease that caused tumors to grow inside her body. Two of those tumors were in her ears and she knew their removal would cause her to be completely deaf. Together we took several sign
language classes to help her to transition into the deaf community and me to learn how to
interpret for her at church. Through the years we met and studied with several deaf people
and at least two became disciples. One, a deaf-blind woman named Donna LePiors, remained a faithful member of the Cincinnati Church of Christ for more than 20 years. About five years ago she moved to Michigan for health reasons but remains in contact with us. Cindy Schneider passed away around 2006. For several years we had no deaf ministry. This past summer, I reconnected with a deaf man, Charles, who had come out to church several times when I was first learning sign language. I hadn’t seen him for nearly 20 years but noticed him at a “deaf take-over” event downtown and invited him to visit church again. He came and liked it so much that he told his sister’s friend, Robin Edwards about it. Robin was new to Cincinnati and looking for a church. She showed up one Sunday in November and was baptized in March. It brought tears to our eyes to look up and see Robin rise out of the water. There were hundreds of arms waving in deaf applause and praise from the congregation!

After being in the singles ministry for several years, I married Kevin Imfeld, in 1989.
We recently became “empty nesters”. We have two daughters who are both disciples. Our
oldest, Stephanie, 21, was married to Kyle Pollock in December, and our youngest, Samantha, is 19 and active in the campus ministry at the University of Cincinnati. Kevin has learned some sign language from me and is enrolled in an ASL class to begin in May. Samantha has also taken an interest and is enrolled in ASL class next semester at U.C.

What inspires me most about the  Deaf Ministry ICOC is being able to go to a seminar  anywhere  in the country and enjoy an instant connection with deaf disciples and interpreters.  It’s not a connection based on a common language, but one based on a common relationship with Jesus Christ. I love how God has allowed modern technology to strengthen our communication.  Skype, Face Time and texting make it even easier for deaf disciples and interpreters to encourage one another.

One of my favorite scriptures is Ephesians 3:20-21: “Now to him who is able to do
immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Because of God’s power, I believe that the Cincinnati Church of Christ Deaf Ministry is going to grow tremendously in number, in faith and in unit. I also believe that there will soon be more interpreters and deaf people of all ages and backgrounds praising God in ASL! To God be the glory!

1.WHO REACHED OUT TO YOU?

I was talking to a friend from Michigan on Video Phone and asked her if she knew of a good church in Cincinnati that I could attend. I was new to the city. She helped me get in contact with her brother who lives here to get his advice. When I talked with him later, he said that he was currently visiting a good church called the Cincinnati Church of Christ. He suggested that I try it.

2. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A DISCIPLE? WHEN DID YOU GET BAPTIZED?

I learned from Britney, Deb and Cyndie as we talked about God, discipleship and how to follow God. We got together regularly to study the bible. I was amazed when they told me about light and darkness. I realized from that study that I was in the darkness. I learned that to become a disciple I had to hear, believe, repent, confess that Jesus is Lord, and be baptized. That is what I needed to do to go from darkness to light. New life. That’s what I wanted. On March 17, 2013, I was baptized into Christ. I feel so good! I am the new Robin.

3.  HOW DID YOU BECOME DEAF? WHEN DID YOU LEARN ASL?

I would say “unknown” based on a few different comments from my aunt, uncle and mom. I was very young, but I have no idea exactly how I became deaf or when it happened.  I was 4 or 5 when I learned sign language.  I learned it when I went to Kendall School for the Deaf on the campus of Gallaudet University in Washington DC.

4. WHICH BIBLE STUDY WAS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE? WHY?

ACTS 2:38

Peter replied, ” Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”. WHY? Because it was challenging to learn that I was still in my sins. I needed to repent and be baptized. I wanted to be in the light and have a new life. I always want to be learning about the Bible and God. I understand that I still sin today, but I am so thankful for God’s forgiveness and this exciting new life!  I want to continue to gain understanding and faith in God.

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SCRIPTURE?

1 PETER 2:9-10

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and God’s special possession that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness and into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people but now you are the people of God. Once you had not received mercy. But now you have received mercy.”

WHY?  Because being on the dark side means you’re not a Christian and many things are blocking you from having a relationship with God. When I became baptized, I came into the light. I shine as a new person to God. I am God’s daughter, full of blessings from God!!

6. WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE DEAF MINISTRY AT CINCINNATI?

I want to see deaf people in Cincinnati come to God as disciples and know how good it feels to have new life. They need to understand about the Bible and God.  They need to believe in God.

Mamta Singh was Born in Gujarat, India in a strict Hindu family.   She moved to the United Kingdom as a child, this was her first exposure to Christ.   She moved to United States and went to high school.   She started experiencing an identity crisis.   She went to college and started to think about life.   Is God real?   What do you want from me?   Why am I so lonely?   She tried to do variety of things such as studies, shopping, relationship, and family but her priority focus is relying on God.

After 2nd year in college, Mamta was selected for a special program called Institute of Government (1 of 28 students in NC).   While she was there in Raleigh, Someone invited her friend Carol to a Bible study at NCSU. Carol took Mamta with her.   She sat listening as the sisters did the Word of God study with Carol.   Mamta was fascinated and wanted to know more about God.   She was baptized in the Triangle church at Raleigh, North Carolina.

Mamta read the Bible for 2 years in KJV and skipped reading Chronicles and Kings.   She was attracted to the teaching of Jesus: especially, ‘Do not store up treasures on Earth’.   She read in New Testament about baptism.   Mamta didn’t have anyone to baptize her so she baptized herself in the shower.

God must have smiled: she graduated and moved to Raleigh, met Carol, and studied Bible.   Twenty one  years ago was the best decision of her life.   Her parents were unhappy when Mamta became a disciple, she moved to London.  Mamta grew in her convictions and has great friendships in the church. She was experiencing  severe persecution such as being locked up, beaten and chased with a knife.

Mamta managed to escape and moved to Georgia.   In 1995: God called her to join the ministry in India.   She never lived in India as an adult.  She was challenged to break up a guy she was dating .   Her thoughts were,”I had to go to India because I kept thinking,  If I don’t go I’ll never know”.   At New Delhi,  during the first night, Mamta realized she left her whole life behind and she don’t know a single person here.   But God is great!!   She learned the language and their culture.

Mamta had an opportunity to go on a four person mission team to Pakistan.   It was the most faith building time of her life and also very challenging.   In Pakistan,  women were not allowed to go out alone, they eat separately from others.  There were frequent strikes.   She was even attacked several times. She came back to India and got engaged that same week.   She was married a month later.   In India, we have arranged marriages even in the church.   Mark and Nadine Templer arranged their marriage to Moses.

For their honeymoon, a month later, Moses and Mamta went on another very small mission team to Dhaka, Bangladesh.   They were there for a year and a half six months at a time.   They learned the Bangla language.

Eight months later, Mamta was sent on the 3rd  mission team to Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.   This is Moses’ hometown.   There,  they speak the king’s Hindi.   She had to learn how to read Hindi so that she could study the Bible with women.   It was an incredible 8 years in the ministry: an amazing journey.

Mamta understood why she experienced persecution.   Almost all the women that she studied with in India, Pakistan and Bagladesh were persecuted.   She was able to give them strength and courage.   God blessed her with lots of fruit. She studied the Bible with so many people who became Christians in these three countries.   Now,  there are two churches in Pakistan and two in Bangladesh.

“God blessed me with a great husband and 2 daughters”.   Both Megha and Manvi were born in India.   In 2003, there was tragedy in her family.   Mamta’s sister lost her husband and her 18 year old son in a boating accident.  Moses & Mamta decided to move back to USA so they could reach out to her family.   Mamta got a job as teacher.   They started a church in Greenville, South Carolina, her hometown.

In 2012, Moses lost his job.   God brought them to Rochester, NY.   They have started a church there called Rochester International Church of Christ.   The church website link is www.ricoc.org. It was just Moses and Mamta.   Now there are five disciples after one year. They found out there was a huge Deaf Community at Rochester. Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) has a great program for deaf students.   They started to reach out to some students.   It was difficult to communicate with them.   Even though,  Mamta is National Board Certified teacher, New York requires her to take additional classes.   They said she needs a foreign language.   She told them that she speak 5 languages, but they didn’t accept that.   So she thought, she should learn ASL.   This way she can reach out to the deaf students from RIT.

Mamta was also really inspired by the Deaf Ministry from the 2012 World Discipleship Summit in San Antonio, TX.   “It was so great to see them worship”.   She loved to see the songs being signed.   She was inspired by Joe Cepeda, who is so dynamic and positive.   Joe spoke to Moses several times and has initiated to help us start the Deaf Ministry at Rochester.   Hopefully, God will continue to help us grow and one day we will have a Deaf Ministry in Rochester.

Mamta have been really enjoying learning ASL at a community college and has a greater appreciation for those who are deaf.   She can share how she grew up to people in ASL and can hold a little conversation with someone deaf.   Mamta had fun teaching her daughter who has taken a great interest in sign language.   They sign at dinner, since it is not good manners to talk with your mouth full.   It is acceptable to sign.   She is excited about learning more sign language and her goal is to be able to study the Bible with someone in ASL.

Mamta’s favorite book in the Bible is Esther.   God works so powerfully and yet is never mentioned in the book of Esther.    She feels  like Esther in so many ways.   God took her to India to help save her people.   When Mamta was appointed a Women’s Ministry Leader by Carol George (Women’s leader in India), she was given the name Esther.   Her favorite scripture is Jeremiah 29:11.   She feels so special that God has great plans for her.   “The current chapters of my life are being written as we speak”.   She don’t know what the future holds, but she can honestly say “laugh at the days to come”.   There are no worries, God has even better adventures planned for her.