In the beginning ….

When Lill, Brent and I moved to Korea from Japan in the December of 1978, we had no idea of what God was going to lead us into or what an adventure of faith He was going to take us on. 30 years later we look back in awe as we see His hand guiding, protecting and building His Kingdom among the Deaf in spite of us and not because of us. He has seen us through house fire, earthquakes, floods, military coups, volcanic eruptions, typhoons, robberies, arrest, TB, malaria, car accident, misunderstanding and false accusations. God has remained faithful and has helped us to persevere.

In the March of 1979 the first church was commenced in the city of Inchon, Korea. Lee Doo Hyong, whom we sponsored as a little boy through World Vision, was one of the four in that first church.

We originally had not considered church planting but, this is what eventuated and we have not stopped doing so to this day. 170+ churches later God is still working among us as He has sent our way a wonderful group of co-workers, both missionary and nationals, whom we thank Him for daily.

From that small beginning in the basement of the East Inchon Methodist Church the work has spread to over 20 countries on every continent except Antarctica!

Although church planting has been priority, an holistic approach to ministry has been part of the strategy. Without education how can the Deaf understand the gospel? How can they become leaders in their communities or churches if illiterate and ignorant? This resulted in the establishment of schools, vocational colleges and Bible colleges for the Deaf, of which we operate ten at this time. What is the point of education if the Deaf cannot find jobs afterwards? We are now involved in projects that provide employment and other income-generating activities. Ranging from cheese cake and coffee shops, food carts, restaurants, bakeries, sewing and wood work factories, a pig farm, rice growing and rice milling and now a rubber plantation, these added programs help meet the needs of the Deaf with whom we are involved.

During the year, 30th Anniversary celebrations were held first for the Inchon Church in April, then in Norway in September, again in Korea and finally in Japan in October. Thank you to all who helped organize these functions and to those who attended.

This, the 30th year, also had its difficulties. We lost Paul Owako, one of our treasured deaf teachers at the school in Kenya, who suddenly died of cerebral malaria leaving an irreplaceable gap. Crops have failed due to drought in some areas making life very difficult for DMI (Deaf Ministries International) workers and believers alike. The economic down turn has resulted in a cut of up to 50% in support for the fields which has caused great stress to us here on the home front but even more so to those working on the field whose incomes have been halved at the same time as cost of living has increased. I am constantly amazed at their faithfulness and uncomplaining spirit. It is our hope that through your generosity we can finish the year in the black and make up some of the loss our people have experienced during the past year or so.

Thank you for your faithful support and prayers not only over the past year but also the past 30 years, as some of you have done. Your partnership in this ministry is never taken for granted.

God bless,

Neville and Lill Muir (H)
(Directors of DMI of Australia)

(Extracted from DMI booklet, January 2010 - to look at more photos as there are too numerous photos to insert in LW, look up at website: www.deafmin.org)