Newsletter – July 2014

Prayer Letter
July 2014

Dear Fellow-Laborers,

Sometimes when people ask what I do as a “Home-Office Missionary”, it is difficult for me to explain. So many different activities happen here at the Silent Word Ministries Home Office. Some are major tasks, and others are small. It varies every week! Also, because I am not out preaching (obviously) or involved in a lot of “my own” meetings and “front-line” ministry, the temptation is to compare myself with others and feel that my ministry is not as important as theirs. But this is not true.

God has a unique ministry for each person. Among other things, one of my responsibilities here at the office is helping to organize the volunteers (deaf and hearing) who serve in many ways – cleaning, putting labels on letters and newspapers, printing books and other materials, detailing vehicles, planting and watering bushes, proofreading, duplicating media and more. Without their help, it would take us a lot longer to get things done! Never underestimate any person’s role in God’s plan! God can use anyone who has a willing heart (2 Corinthians 8:12)!

My role as a home-office missionary is to do whatever needs to be done in order to free others to do what they need to do.

A couple of months ago, I was watching an online sermon from the pastor of my home church in Tennessee, and he made reference to something called “the sixth man” in basketball. I was unfamiliar with the term, so I looked it up. This is what I found.

“The Sixth Man”

“In college, high school, and NBA basketball, the ‘sixth man‘ is the fans attempting to influence the game by cheering and chanting for their team of choice. The fan section is referred to as the ‘sixth man‘, because they are considered the‘sixth‘ player of their basketball team…Quality sixth man squads attend home and away games to support their team…These student sections are known for their creativity in chants, intimidation tactics to distract the opposing team…High school sixth man clubs are able to have the largest impact on the game because the size of the gymnasium is much smaller than its college counterpart. Sixth man squads organize themselves sometimes inches away from the court and work to intimidate their opponents personally. Player-fan interaction occur a lot because of this….The ‘sixth man‘ has taken the role of cheering to a higher and more intense level. The main goal is to be so loud that their team gets pumped up, and the opposing team gets intimidated. Most squads choose to stand up during the whole game.” (Wikipedia)

As a single lady, I believe God wants me to be SWM’s “sixth (wo)man” – a team member striving to encourage others on the SWM team and to assist them in reaching into places I can’t go and doing things I can’t do, while still doing what I can here at home. God has also allowed me to help with nearby SWM meetings, interpret for the Deaf, and minister at Deaf socials in the area. Please pray that He will continue to provide more opportunities to minister in the future. “For we are labourers together with God…” (1 Corinthians 3:9).

Thank you so much for being part of my “team” by cheering me on through your financial support and prayers.

Prayer Requests:

• Wisdom for decisions and opportunities.

• Growing faithfulness in every area of my life.

• Open doors of opportunity as I attend various Deaf socials in the area.

• Laborers with SWM (leaders, volunteers, and skilled workers).

• Good attendance and enthusiasm for SWM meetings and ASLI (American Sign Language Institute) this summer and fall.

• Meeting opportunities to share my ministry.

• Increased support. Presently, my current monthly support level is $1800. I receive $1,115 (this includes $500 supplemental income from SWM). My remaining support need is $685.

(Truly Blessed)

Tabitha Beam