Prayer Letters
December 2021
“Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.” – John 6:27
Greetings to you in the precious name of Jesus Christ. We thanked our Wonderful Magnificent Lord and Savior for each of you who read our letter. We pray that this letter finds you well.
Ivory Coast
On July 2021 we were very blessed flying to Ivory Coast because of COVID restrictions and we did not know if we would be allowed to travel. God worked miracles for us because countries closed to the international travel, and we were able to travel. A deaf ministry leader in Ivory Coast told me that we were the first to visit them since COVID started. In preparation for the trip, I worked seven months to get necessary official documents for my wife, Joy’s passport. Her adoption papers and birth certificate were lost and need to be replaced. In order to get her adoption papers, she needs to supply a birth certificate and to get her birth certificate, she needs to supply adoption papers because of name change. This was seemingly impossible but with prayers, we finally resolved this and received her passport a week before our departure. Government offices were understaffed and there were long delay processing applications. We had faith in our Lord that if He wants my wife to go, He will get Joy’s passport before our departure. The Lord answered our prayers.
More than a hundred twenty deaf came for the camp and church services, I preached more than ten times on the theme of Holiness. My wife gave two workshops to deaf ladies encouraging them to save themselves for marriage. During my time in Ivory Coast, I was sick with viral gastroenteritis for a week. It did not stop me from serving the Lord and ministering His people in Ivory Coast. More than twenty-five deaf campers came forward and told me personally that they were praying for quick recovery for me. This touched my heart.
Before our departure, the church leadership requested me to baptize their 12 Deaf Ivorians and I love baptism! Baptism is a profoundly serious event, it is not something to play around, and I question each person of their belief and their understanding the purpose of the baptism. Baptism is a one-time dedication of your commitment to follow Jesus. Identifying with Jesus in His death (going under the water) and being raised to walk in a new life (coming up out of the water). It is a beautiful picture of what God has done in your heart, and it is a celebration of joy! They will be the first members of their future Deaf Church, and they received new Holy Bibles as a gift after their baptism with their deaf ministry leader, Brother Leonce Ekeni.
Kenya
In August 2020, a church in Nakuru, Kenya started Kenyan sign language (KSL) class after I encouraged their pastor to reach their Deaf. I continue to work with his church by supplying the teaching materials, moral support, and encouragement remotely as needed. Last July they started their deaf ministry because a deaf lady visited them. They are very encouraged, and it is a blessing to their church. Pray that more deaf people will be reached with the Gospel and sign language students to be bold to communicate with the Deaf community.
USA
Four days after arrived home from Ivory Coast, we went to Deaf Family Camp in Mercersburg, PA where I was a guest speaker for five days. We had eighty campers and it blessed me to edify and encourage them to keep their eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ. On the third day, twenty-seven campers including myself suffered from the COVID-19 virus. My family recovered after a week, but I am dealing with the debilitating effects of COVID-19 since August. Pray for my full recovery as I continue to serve the Lord.
Namon's Update
It has been two years since I mentioned that my wife and I planned to adopt a deaf orphan named Namon from Ivory Coast. Their government has been refusing all international adoption applications, is waiting to adapt its laws to the decisions of the Hague Convention and create a regulatory authority before opening international adoption. This process could take years. Because of this, we decided to close the adoption case and started the sponsorship for Namon. Through sponsorship we can help improve Namon’s life and meet the needs of Namon with his school, health, clothes, supplies, and toys.
Wishing You a Joyful Thanksgiving, and a Very Joyous Christmas!
Your partner in the Gospel,
James and Joy Campbell
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