Newsletter – January 2020

Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe it’s 2020! As they say, “Time flies.” So we must “walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time” (Colossians 4:5). This is my desire for the year.

Last October, God opened the door for me to share my ministry during the Missions Conference of a local church here in Trenton, Georgia. On Friday night, I talked about the needs of Deaf people to “hear” the Gospel and how people can help by volunteering at the Home Office, even if they don’t know sign language. It was exciting to see how supportive and receptive people were! Two ladies from the church volunteered at our office a few weeks later, helping with cleaning and with preparing our newspaper for mailing. I was so thankful for their willingness to serve. Two missionary families from the conference visited our Home Office. I was thrilled to give them a tour and show them how God is using SWM to reach the Deaf world. During the conference, I also signed a song called “The Value of One.” In the Bible, some people brought one deaf man to Jesus. Jesus took time to sign with the man because every soul is important.

In November, the Lord provided me with a unique opportunity. I began tutoring a teenage young lady who is interested in learning sign language. This is a unique experience because she lives in New York! So we are conducting a one-hour class every 2-3 weeks via Skype on the internet. That may not sound like much. But I enjoy getting to know her and her mom. And I enjoy sharing my love of sign language and Deaf culture with them. My goal is for her to bypass the Beginner Sign Language class when she attends the ASL Institute in Pennsylvania that SWM conducts annually and be ready for the next level.

I love when God takes notice of our personal needs and even desires. I enjoy making greeting cards for personal use, gifts, and sales. Certain aspects of these projects require a printer for images and text. My old printer had been giving me problems. So I began looking for a new one. A gentleman in the area learned about my search, and donated money for me to purchase one! This completely surprised me. What a blessing! Also, last fall, one of the SWM missionary couples purchased some chairs and gave me their sofa. The one I had been using was actually borrowed. I am also thrilled that the new one reclines!

UPCOMING – I am really looking forward to an upcoming trip on February 19-21. God has opened the door for SWM to set up a display and talk with students for the first time at Pensacola Christian College! I will be traveling down with Bro. Jon and Mrs. Diane Barr. Our goal is to share the need for more missionaries to the Deaf, and let students know about possible opportunities to intern with SWM. I am also looking forward to visiting my brother and sister-in-law while I am in Florida.

At the end of February, SWM area-wide Fantastic Saturday meetings will begin. Throughout the spring, SWM missionaries will conduct meetings in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Arizona, and California. I am excited to help with several of these meetings.

Prayer Requests:

• We are ready to transfer content to the new SWM website! We are very excited about the changes and hope that this will make the site easier for people to navigate and access important information. Please pray that everything goes smoothly and quickly.
• Bro. David Bennett, Bro. Jon Barr, and others are working on a special animated Gospel presentation in sign language. Copies will be given out this summer at the DeafNation World Expo (a secular event with displays and activities for Deaf people from around the world). SWM International is taking a team to share the Gospel at this event. Pray that God will bless this project and that it will be finished in time.

Please continue to pray that I will raise the rest of my support. I still need $1,050 more monthly.

Thank you so much for your support, encouragement, and prayers! God bless you!

Truly Blessed,

Tabitha Beam
Ecclesiastes 9:10