Tickets were sold out to the Opening Ceremonies – yet there were crowds assembled outside wanting and waiting to go in.  We even observed a protest of a group of 50 Deaf who were frustrated that they had flown from afar and were not able to purchase a ticket.  We had been inside McDonalds when Timothy asked if I wanted to go out and interact with the crowd. So right when we went outside a line of athletes formed a line to march into the arena.  We were in the perfect position and were able to greet Deaf person after Deaf person.  Often the line stalled long enough for us to share a POWER PRESENTATION and present them a POWER PIN.  Power Pins about Jesus were placed in the hands of Germans, Americans, Ukrainians, Kazaks,  and more……   Rute and Timothy

Sara and I noticed that an Athlete from Kenya while we were in line at the McDonalds.  We ask him if we could visit with him.  He went to sit down and we went to get chairs and turned to see his head bowed. He was praying.  We then began to share with him the POWER PIN and he immediately stated that he believed God had told him to come to meet us.  His team had stayed behind in the hotel but he really felt God pressing him to come and said, “As soon as I saw you sharing about the POWER of JESUS I knew why God wanted me here!”  We then accompanied him back to his hotel where we met the Kenyan Team.  At first they wanted clarity – You Jehovah Witnesses?  We said, “Absolutely NOT! We believe in the power of the resurrected God-Jesus Christ!”  The Deaf Kenyans rose to celebrate! We shared a faith in  JESUS and there was cause to celebrate! There in the lobby a group of eleven Deaf athletes from the Kenyan delegation stood up and sang a song for us.  The coach looked on concerned until we told him we too are Christians!  We were able to share the POWER PIN plus they were quick to want to also share the POWER in THEM!!! So we gave them PINS and trained them in the POWER PRESENTATION. We also made plans to meet together again to worship our Lord Jesus Christ!  We gathered in a circle and I was able to pray for the team; their protection, their witness, their victory – in Christ.  –Parker

A Deaf athlete approached us. He was a member of another faith.  He was interested in the POWER of Jesus. Kea  began to share the POWER PRESENTATION.  He was very curious and eager to know more about Jesus. Soon others from his team gathered around until we were face to face with a group of twenty .  All were deeply intrigued about this man, Jesus, whose life gives us power to live.  We were able to give each of them a POWER PIN.  They had questions and a desire to know more but their leader motioned them ahead.  Pray the seeds that are planted will go deep!  –Sampson

I stood alone admiring some pictures on a wall by a Deaf photographer when through a door came a group of athletes – immediately they came face to face with me and their eyes went straight to my POWER PINS.  Suddenly I had a captive audience — (really it was more like they captured me – I was surrounded by a group of Deaf from an Asian country) —and Timothy and I began to share the POWER PRESENTATION. The group were so engaged, really interested!  I gave a pin to each one.  They kept standing near me. They hugged me, told me  “I LOVE YOU”.  This Deaf Team were being chaperoned by a local official.  We were also able to share the POWER PIN with him as well – and as he received the pin, he thanked us and then led the team on their way.  — Rute

AROUND THE WORLD

Tickets were sold out to the Opening Ceremonies – yet there were crowds assembled outside wanting and waiting to go in.  We even observed a protest of a group of 50 Deaf who were frustrated that they had flown from afar and were not able to purchase a ticket.  We had been inside McDonalds when Timothy asked if I wanted to go out and interact with the crowd. So right when we went outside a line of athletes formed a line to march into the arena.  We were in the perfect position and were able to great Deaf person after Deaf person.  Often the line stalled long enough for us to share a POWER PRESENTATION and present them a POWER PIN.  Power Pins about Jesus were placed in the hands of Germans, Americans, Ukrainians, Kazaks,  and more……   Rute

Kea’s Mask Story,

Kanoy’s Story

Samson’s Story

Before lunch, I was at around the Taipei Deaflympics Arena near the phone booth area.  Somehow, I approached to a man who is an official for sports in India.  I gave him the POWER PIN and told him the POWER STORY.  It turned out that, he already knows about Jesus.  I told Kea about it, and then he joins to talk with him about their India culture.  There was three other Indian with him, as well. We gave them the POWER PINS, and I told them the POWER STORY.  We planted the seed to them.  The man, the Indian official, told Kea about his testimony about how he became a Christian in India.  I joined and watched his stories.  It was very interesting!  He said they have a mission out there for the Deaf.  I was thrilled to hear that he is already saved.  — Donna

A man from Japan that Kanoy and I met and chatted with him.  We noticed that he had no idea who Jesus is at all.  So, I grabbed the opportunity to share with him about POWER PIN and told him POWER STORY.  He seemed really interested to know who Jesus is. Then, he needed to leave.  So, please pray for that guy and hope that he will know Jesus. My heart really touched by him that he don’t know Jesus. He is a nice guy from Japan.  Smile… — Bef