Commissioned Believers Deaf Ministry, equipping you with tools you can use to minister to the deaf. Raymond & Kathryn Montoya
Missionaries to the Deaf
Bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ
to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Since 2001,
Celebrating our 10th Year of Ministry to the Deaf
Raymond and Kathryn Montoya, Missionaries to the Deaf.
Home of Commissioned Believers Deaf Ministry, bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
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Raymond &
Kathryn Montoya
(208) 431-1167
PO Box 413
Eagle, ID 83616

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kathryn@cbdeafministry.org
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Haiti Update
Posted on Monday, October 29, 2012.
Haiti Update

Thought I'd send you this update as I am still in Haiti for a few more days.

Things are going very well here. We had the first ever Haiti Christian Conference for the Deaf last week and ended it with a Wednesday morning service. We expected about 25 Deaf people to come, and ended up with over 55 Deaf Haitians! This is the beginning of the first Deaf church in Haiti! We had guest teachers from all over the United States join us. The classes offered were the Book of Ruth taught by Tamla Htoo , The Parable of the Four Seeds taught by Shawn Collins and Lindsay Allen, How to Lead Small Groups taught by Bob Lindquist, Interpreter Training taught by me and Sara Sherbert and William was blessed by having Pastor Chris Hughes (a deaf pastor) be his personal trainer all week. Margaret Spratlin organized and oversaw all the events.

The week began by the local pastor asking Pastor Christ to teach the Sunday morning service. This was the first time a deaf pastor led in the hearing church. All were mesmerized by his words as interpreted by a local interpreter James.

Construction is moving quickly here. Houses are poping up about 20 at a time. The church is coming along nicely and may be ready for their first service in November!

After our conference week, the team left and I moved from the guest house (ran by The 410 Bridge) to a different guest house called Mission of Hope. I entered my room to find two roommates waiting for me. They were two geckos, each in a different corner of the ceiling. I made a deal with them that I would stay on my side of the room if they would stay on their side. The agreed and did so for a few days until they got bored then left. Today I found a new roommate in the window sill of my bathroom. I named him Chula, as he is a very large, all black tarantula! Thank God he is behind a very well mounted screen!

This week I have been working with a Deaf man, William, who is our pastor in training. I am teaching him bible stories and he is working on memorizing the books of the bible in order (and has to spell each one in French correctly, which he can do with only a few mistakes as of today!). He has memorized the major bible stories from creation up to the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. I am hoping we will finish the bible this week, but with two "field trips" planned I am not sure we will have enough time.

In the afternoons I split my time between teaching hearing Haitians how to interpret into Haitian Sign Language and teaching a deaf 3-year-old we just found living in Leveque (where the Deaf community lives) with her hearing parents. She had no language and I had the honor to begin teaching her her first signs. She reminds me so much of when I first met Emily at that same age with the same language deficiency. She is beginning to pick it up, but with me teaching her only 1 hour a day, it is not the same as having someone signing to her 100% of the time like I did with Emily. There are two teachers for the Deaf here in Leveque who have been joining me in these tutoring sessions and will continue with them when I leave. I am praying we can get more of the Deaf community involved with her so she can become more fluent in HSL more quickly.

Tomorrow we are going to visit a Deaf school in Port-au-Prince, then on Thursday we are going to visit another Deaf school in Jacmel (which I hear is beautiful). One of our goals of these trips is to begin making plans for a Deaf school in Leveque. There are many different models of Deaf schools and we want to plan carefully how we want the one in Leveque to operate. We also plan to meet with the Deaf pastors of each town if possible to explore training options for William.

God is blessing us daily with His provision and grace. Thank you all for your prayers, encouragement and support!

Love to all,
Kathryn Montoya MS, CI/CT, NIC
Missionary to the Deaf

Ray Montoya,
Pastor CB Deaf Ministry
www.cbdeafministry.org

CB in Haiti!
Posted on Sunday, August 12, 2012.
Bonswa from Haiti!
Hello all,
I wanted to share with you a little bit about life here in Haiti. I have been here for just over one week with four more weeks left to go. Already so much has been going on while I have been here; God is moving in such a mighty way!

La Piste
The trip started a bit rough when I came down with a stomach bug right away. Praise God it was only a 24 hour thing and I was up and about in no time. Just before I got sick I was able to go to the old deaf camp in Port au Prince. Many Deaf are still living there while they wait for their permanent home in Leveque. It was a sad place as many of the deaf people who were displaced because of the earthquake were living there waiting for their home. Many felt hopeless and shared with me all their problems. I prayed with many and was so happy to be able to offer them the hope of moving to Leveque in the very near future.

Leveque
A few days later I was able to go to Leveque, where Ray and I had visited last March. Many of the Deaf remembered me and were so thrilled to see me back again. My warmest welcome was from William St. Louis who God has called to be a pastor. He was so happy to see me, as he knew I was there to teach him God's word.

The rest of the week I began teaching various bible verses and what it really means to be a Christian.

When they were taught what it means to be a Christian, they were surprised. They said: "I just thought you had to go to church" and "I thought you just had to pray"

Pastor William
Our "pastor in training," William, was able to perform his first official duty last week. There was a couple who were celebrating their 15 year wedding anniversary while here in Haiti on their mission trip. The husband wanted to renew their vows in the construction of the new church. We practiced with Pastor William on how do this and he did a wonderful job. The wife was so surprised and cried (of course!) and Pastor William was so proud to part of their special moment. As a gift for conducting the service they gave him a picture of their family.

Pastor William had an interesting talk with me. He said that he thought that all Americans were only married for a few months then got divorced, but now he has met many Americans who have been married for many years and he was very surprised. This is good for the Deaf to learn the truth about Americans, as they hear many rumors and believe them without question.

Joseph
This week we started to learn about the life of Joseph using a felt board that was donated to us. This is such a great tool to help the Deaf understand clearly God's word. Thank you to the church who donated this and bless you!

Some of the quotes from the Deaf who are learning these things were:
"God can take something bad and make it good. After the earthquake we are now living in Leveque and are much happier than before the earthquake" from a Haitian woman who just learned the story of Joseph.

"If I was accused of something I didn't do or was sold into slavery I would be angry, not patient like Joseph" from a Haitian Deaf leader.

Building the Church
The church is under construction and coming along very nicely. We decided that today after church we wrote scriptures and prayers for the Deaf and the church. It just so happened, the foundation was being prepared today so we threw them into the rocks of the foundation before the cement was poured.

Margaret and Kyle are the two coordinators for the 410 Bridge. Margaret works from Atlanta and Kyle works here in Haiti. Margaret comes to Haiti as often as she can and leads trips. If you are interested in joining a team or being an intern for the Fall, Spring or Summer session please contact her at margaret@410bridge.org.

Albert
Today was one of the hardest days I've had to encounter. Today I met a 17 year old deaf orphan who was the size of a 10 year old. He had never learned to sign and was completely unable to communicate. I sat down with him and within 15 minutes he had learned over 20 signs. This boy just needs someone who will take him in and love on him. Please pray for Albert.

Memorizing scripture is next on our list for spiritual development. The Deaf have been learning stories from God's Word and learning passages, next we want them to actually memorize some of the verses they are learning. In order to do this we have to break down the verses into concepts. We do this by drawing pictures on a whiteboard then translating the verses from the pictures to signs. This helps them to memorize the verses as they recall the pictures and the language is very conceptual.

Please be in prayer as we continue to pour into the Deaf the Word of God.

Blessings to you all from Haiti and the Deaf community of Leveque.

In His Sign,
Kathryn Montoya MS, CI/CT, NIC
Missionary to the Deaf

Ray Montoya,
Pastor CB Deaf Ministry
www.cbdeafministry.org


June Prayer Letter
Posted on Saturday, June 02, 2012.
In Loving Memory of Traci Temple
This newsletter is dedicated in loving memory to Traci Temple. Traci was such an encouragement to our ministry! She loved Jesus and wanted the Deaf to know about Him. Traci was so eager to go with me to Africa when we were planning to go in 2010, that is when she was diagnosed with stage 4 Pancreatic cancer. Her battle ended on April 28, 2012 when she went home to be with Jesus and join her son Isaac. Our prayers go out to the Temple family.

Rest in peace, can't wait to see you again when I get there! You can see Traci tell her story at http://vimeo.com/17276318.

Looking for Partners!
Recently many people have been writing to me and asking how they can be a part of CB Deaf Ministry. We are always looking for prayer partners. Please include us in your prayer lists, prayer meetings and family prayers. We know that many of you keep up in your prayers regularly and we praise God for that. We are also praying for people to join us as representatives in their local state, community or church. In this role you will help spread the word about the spiritual needs of the Deaf and what we at CB Deaf Ministry are doing.

Lastly, we are looking for people who would like to do some fund raising, whether for a specific project, child sponsorships or for the ministry in general. There is so much you can do right where you are to get started reaching the Deaf for Christ! No matter where you are or what your experience is, you can begin praying for the Deaf and for CB Deaf Ministry.

If you are interested in joining the work we are doing, please let me know and I will send you the information you will need. I look forward to building relationships as God grows our ministry!

Kona and Kelsey
It is amazing to me how God puts together His people to accomplish His purposes. While volunteering at a Signing Time event I worked closely with the coordinator, Krissy, who is a Certified Master Signing Time Instructor. As our relationship began to grow, God put it on the heart of her babysitter, Kona, to go on a long term mission trip to work with the Deaf. Soon Krissy told Kona about CB Deaf Ministry and shortly after that she was able to contact Pastor Joel at our campus in Uganda. Now she and her friend Kelsey are planning to go there this Fall! How amazing it is to witness God working! Kona's story is even more fascinating.

You can read about both their stories at http://thesilentsenseofmusic.wordpress.com/ Please pray for Kona and Kelsey as they prepare to do this work.

Deaf in Haiti
Since I have come back from Haiti I have been able to keep in touch with the Deaf community there. William, whom God has called to be a pastor, has been so encouraged in God's word, that he has begun preaching! Yes, God is giving him sermons and he is faithfully sharing those with the Deaf in his community. His hunger to study deeper has encouraged me to go even deeper in my own bible study. I am looking forward to the day when I can go back and we can share with each other what God has been teaching us.

In our partnership with The 410 Bridge I am praying that God will allow me to go back for the month of July. Teaching bible lessons, continuing education for deaf adults and interpreter training are on my list of duties when I go, but I know that while I am there God has much for me to learn. The people in Haiti are so resilient, they have overcome such tragedies and experienced more trauma than any person should experience in a life time. But through it all God has directed them closer to Himself and given them opportunities to be servants of Christ. I am humbled to serve along side of the Deaf Haitians!

To read more about the Deaf Community in Haiti please go to http://cbdeafministry.org/PDF/Project-Brief-Deaf-Leveque.pdf.

Do Not Curse the Deaf...
Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the Lord.
--Leviticus 19:14

Kahruum was found by evangelist Shahbaz Jalal when visiting a small village. He did not understand why this boy was an outcast. He quickly learned that Kahruum was deaf. Others in his village believed that he was cursed and they refused to have anything to do with him. Kahruum was not allowed to go to school and never learned any language. He lived with only his poor grandmother who was too sick to care for him. With the help of a sponsorship through CB Deaf Ministry, Shahbaz was able to adopt Kahruum and bring him into his family.

Soon after, Shahbaz noticed a boy in his own village who spent the days roaming the streets. He inquired about this boy and found out that he too was deaf and that his name was Ramesh. Ramesh's family would not pay for him to go to school and his father rejected him because of his deafness. Shahbaz sought God who led him to request another sponsorship through CB Deaf Ministry. With both boys sponsored and living in his home, they are both able to go to school, learn about Christ and experience a loving family. Now we are looking for new sponsors for these two boys.

If you can spare $40 a month please click here and type in the name of the child you would like to sponsor. 100% of the funds you send will be sent directly to Shahbaz for the care of Kahruum and Ramesh.

In His Sign,
Kathryn Montoya MS, CI/CT, NIC
Missionary to the Deaf

Ray Montoya,
Pastor CB Deaf Ministry
Deaf Mission and Intern Opportunity
Posted on Saturday, April 07, 2012.
I'd like to introduce a unique ministry and large development project working with 150 deaf families who lost their homes in the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. It is not only a way to minister to the poorest country in the western hemisphere but a special way to minister to our Deaf brothers and sisters there who are marginalized as happens with cultural misunderstandings in the 3rd world.

The organizational leader of the project is a Christ centered missions organization called The 410 Bridge whose guiding verse is 1 Peter 4:10 "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in it's various forms". It's an incredible way for American Deaf and those that know ASL to go on a trip and use their gifts as the Haitian Deaf people communicate through ASL.

CB Deaf Ministry and The 410 Bridge are partnering together to bring God's word and education to the Deaf in Haiti. Ray and I had an awesome time working with this vital group of people that have come together out of calamity and are leading us in developing "their" community- both physically and spiritually.

NOTHING LIKE THIS HAS EVER OCCURRED ON THE EARTH BEFORE!

This is the first and only deaf village in history of this size and purpose!

We are planning on returning to Haiti in the near future, if you are interested in going on a mission trip, being a summer intern (details below), doing some fund raising for the Haiti deaf community or just want to ask more questions, please contact us:

Kathryn Montoya, CB Deaf Ministry
kathryn@cbdeafministry.org
208-431-1167

Micah Thompson, The 410 Bridge
micah@410bridge.org
727-252-9915

Video: http://vimeo.com/33230475
Blog: http://kyleinhaiti.com/haiti/leaders-rising-to-the-occasion/
410 Bridge Website: www.410bridge.org

In His Sign,
Kathryn Montoya MS, CI/CT, NIC
Missionary to the Deaf


Internship Description:

Under the direction of Kyle Reschke, Project Manager for Leveque Deaf Community, interns will assist with all aspects of programming for service teams visiting the deaf community. Coordinating educational classes, leadership training, Bible studies, work projects and children’s activities are among the routine duties. Serving as spiritual guide and sign language interpreter for the teams will also be expected. Using proven leadership skills, interns must be mature and self directed to succeed in this role.

While free time breaks will be provided, for safety reasons, interns must remain on the Mission of Hope, 410's Ministry Partner on the project, campuses unless traveling on a Mission of Hope approved internship outing.

While challenging, interns will have opportunities to develop many skills and grow as Christian leaders in this unique environment. The deaf residents of the Leveque community have relocated from temporary housing after the January 2010 earthquake and are now living in beautiful new permanent homes. Engaged in work at Leveque, all interns will be a part of a project and life for a deaf community that is truly unique in Haitian history. Interns will develop deep and lasting relationships with both visiting service teams and the hearing and deaf Haitians. While stretched beyond their comfort zones at times, interns serving in this community are guaranteed a life changing experience and an opportunity to work hard in the pursuit of sustainability for the Haiti Deaf Community.

Selection Criteria:
A strong faith - evidence of a mature faith and desire to serve others above self. Interns will be ministry leaders for the teams as well as Christian leaders within the community. With the rigors and challenges inherent in this community work, this is priority number one.
Experience in leadership - this can come in the form of youth group leadership, collegiate clubs, etc.
Preferably will have experience living abroad or at least 1 short term mission trip abroad. ? Fluency in ASL. Both references for the applicant must support fluency in ASL.
Application deadline for summer 2012 Deaf Community placement is April 15th, 2012.
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

Ready for a challenge? We are ready for you!
Back from Haiti!
Posted on Saturday, March 24, 2012.
Bonjou! We are back from Haiti!

We praise God for such an amazing time with the Deaf in Haiti! Also, we want to thank all of you for your support, whether it was prayer, financial, or in another way. Everything about the trip went smoothly and was blessed. We know this was because we were covered by God's grace from your prayers.

We also want to thank our great team leaders with the 410 Bridge. Margaret Spratlin and Kyle Reschke have been doing an amazing job organizing these trips, working with the deaf in Haiti daily and making plans for the future according to what the Deaf need.

As I shared with you in my last email, many Deaf in Haiti were living together in a tent community since the earthquake of 2010. Two organizations, The 410 Bridge and Mission of Hope, have been working together to relocate the Deaf to new permanent homes in the community of Leveque. There will be approximately 165 Deaf and their families moving, totaling over 400 people. While we were there, there were 50 Deaf and their families already moved. Last Saturday, March 23rd, another 16 Deaf and their families were relocated to their own homes. Every month more Deaf will move until all those who choose the option to be relocated have their new home.

While Ray and I were visiting Leveque we were honored to meet so many excited and hopeful deaf people. After the devastation and suffering these people have been through, we expected to see downcast faces, sorrow, and depression. Instead we saw Jesus living in the lives of these people offering them hope and happiness. They were thrilled to see Americans who cared enough to come down and visit them and share Christ's love with them, even though they are deaf.

Some of the goals of our group were to do some leadership training, bible teaching, and help to bring the community together. Many people were already living in Leveque before the Deaf arrived and many did not want to accept them or socialize with them. Through activities such as spontaneous worship and beginning a weekly soccer game, we were able to witness barriers breaking down between the Deaf and the hearing.

Three people in our group did a great job of teaching leadership skills. Two others taught art skills, which allowed the deaf to begin a micro-enterprise (and we got to be their first customers). Ray led worship for both the people in Leveque as well as for our team and taught the deaf about the bible. Here is a video of our group singing and signing How Great is Our God http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyGFxwKemYs&feature=related I taught the book of Genesis to a few deaf leaders who were so hungry for God's word they did not want me to leave. William, whom God has called to be a pastor, asked "how will we learn more once Kathryn leaves?" Studying the bible in a small group situation in their native language is something this group has never experienced.

Later, William, Berthide and Melanie, taught one of the lessons from Genesis to other Deaf in the community. Makenson, another leader sent this email letting us know how it went:

"We was have wonderful day!! We pretty well with deaf in leveque. Taday I'm let you know This afternoon,William , Berthide and Melanie They was Begin teach some deaf learn bible word god. We very happy for this. Because they very encouragement deaf in leveque learn from bible for a new living."

God is doing amazing things in Haiti with the Deaf. Please pray for them as goals of spiritual development and literacy training are calling us back there in the future.

Blessings,
Ray and Kathryn ><>
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