2016 Expressions of Emmanuel Report

In an effort to save expenses and keep people informed quickly about Expressions of Emmanuel, we are mostly sending out mission reports via email. We realize that some of our precious friends, mission supporters, and prayer warriors do not use email so this report will briefly sum up 2016.

January 2016

The Prophecy Seminar was held in Sherman, Texas. Brother Darryl Nunnelley did a wonderful job teaching us. Those who attended really benefited from the event. Brother Darryl has also donated numerous copies of David Reagan’s book about being ready when Jesus comes again. We are very thankful for the generosity of Brother Darryl.

Jolene Sinclair came to learn and serve at the EOE mission house for a mini internship.

Cory Williams, Phoebe Kautt, Abby Kautt, and Johanna Kautt came to serve with us on videotaping Saturdays. We did several tapings in January and throughout the year. We completed many more Bible lessons and some additional songs including three songs that the summer interns signed at Deaf camp in July. Please pray for the taping and editing of these projects to be a blessing to many! We are thankful for all who help!

February

Selah and I assisted in interpreting for Cindy (the daughter of Linda McConnico) at a Christian women’s retreat in Denton, Texas.

Signs of Love Deaf Church, Hot Springs, Arkansas

We shared in services on February 20 and February 21. We visited new Deaf Christian, James Jones in Texarkana, Texas. James came to join us in the services in Hot Springs. God richly blessed the outreach.

March

Sharon Kirk began helping us as our administration assistant. Sharon has lived in Tulsa for many years. Her family will be moving to Grove, Oklahoma in early October. She will continue to help us with newsletters and music license acquisitions for our DVDs. She has worked diligently! We so appreciate her and her family!

March 20: Westview Christian Church and Deaf Outreach at First United Methodist Church in Shreveport God so blessed our fellowship and sharing on Sunday morning at Westview Christian Church. The Church helped us sponsor a new DVD. We are so thankful for them! On Sunday afternoon and evening, we had a wonderful time sharing with the Deaf from that region at the First United Methodist Church. Evon Malray planned the event so that we could share with the Deaf in a large area. God blessed our outreach with Deaf people who are eager to learn God’s Word.

April

Samantha Smith did a part time internship as she helped with Power Point programs, outreaches, and mission house organization. Samantha has continued to help throughout the year as she prepared two DVD covers and joined us again for the DeafNation World in Las Vegas. Samantha is now studying at Biola University. Please pray for her on this new adventure.

Our local Deaf friend, Tracy Harris was eager to work. We helped her search for a job. Her health did not allow her to work. She is doing better now. Please pray for her to find a job. She is celebrating the birth of her first grandchild. Her daughter, Marcie and husband, Devon rejoiced as Colton was born in July. Marcie Campbell has recently started coming to work in the mission office occasionally. Congratulations to and prayers for Tracy, Devon, and Marcie.

Lilly Garrett came to serve and learn with EOE for two weeks in April. Lilly edited four songs! Steve taught Lilly as well as instructed Kaylin Stanford and Jon Ellis about editing. We took Lilly, Kaylin, and Cloudi to the Deaf Deaf World event in Plano and shared DVDs with the Deaf. Lilly also joined me as I visited the homes of many Deaf people.

Vonda spoke to the Bonham Kiwanis club about Expressions of Emmanuel. We are thankful that many local businesses contributed so that The MARK OF THE LAMB could be produced. Hayley Chapman did the wonderful artwork for the DVD cover. We are so thankful to all!

Character Development Program—April 4th
We enjoyed returning to Taloga, Oklahoma where we had shared their 2015 VBS. This time we shared a character development program in the public school and invited students to their upcoming 2016 VBS. Steve used the talents of our therapy dogs, Luna and Neo to share about the importance of love and obedience. We are thankful for the generosity of Kimballs and the Christian Church in Taloga. The public school kids were very receptive. What a blessing!

DOG SHOWS: BIBLE TEACHING ABOUT OBEYING THE MASTER

DeafNation World Preparation:

By April, we had prepared by recruiting team members, teaching sign language classes to hearing team members, and all sorts of important preparation. In April and May, we had booth practice days. We are thankful to Hillcrest Christian Church for space for classes and practice.

TESTIMONY:

“I am Aben’ezer (Deaf) from Ethiopia. Yesterday during our church program we watched one of your ASL song DVDs. I really loved it! I would be happy if you can send me a soft copy of it with subtitles as there is a little variation between Ethiopian Sign Language and ASL.

MAY and JUNE:

Some Interns Arrive: Andy, Kendra, & Hayley
All three of the interns who arrived in May jumped right in and got busy learning and serving.

Steve was having extreme pain so after trying months of chiropractic treatments, two sessions with a Christian Chinese acupuncturist, we decided that an MRI was in order as he was NOT getting better. Andy and Kendra joined Selah, Cloudi, Steve, and me to go to Dallas. The youth did some errands while Steve and I got his MRI. We had planned to go to Andres’ graduation from cosmetology school, but could not due to his late MRI. Selah, Cloudi, Kendra, and Andy went and represented us as they showed support at the graduation. Congratulations Andres’, We are proud of your hard work!

The next week the MRI showed a mass. The doctor instructed us to go to the hospital right away to confirm the mass. We went home to pack for the hospital and to allow Steve to do a little more editing teaching before we went to the hospital for Steve to be admitted. He was very ill. He was locally hospitalized from May 24 until June 2nd. Over the course of those days, I prayed and sought the Lord for wisdom. I also called and sought counsel for what the best plan for Steve. During his initial hospitalization, he was unable to eliminate waste from his body as the mass was on his sacrum and was pushing on the many nerves there. On Selah’s 21st birthday, the doctor told us that Steve had adenocarcinoma, an advanced case of non-smoker’s lung cancer. Only one tiny 8 mm mass was found in his lung, but a 6.5 cm was found in his sacrum. No other sites show masses. Because this was atypical for adenocarcinoma, and due to the fact that his bowel function was not satisfactory, we decided to leave the local hospital and go to MD Anderson in Houston to seek their expert advice. On our 10th Wedding Anniversary, Rick and Sharon Reece drove us to Houston to drop us off at the emergency room. My anniversary gift was that MD Anderson admitted him. We stayed six days in the MD Anderson hospital. Then we stayed a few more weeks nearby at the Hope Cancer Retreat.

In late June, MD Anderson told us that we needed to return to the hospital for many appointments and treatments and that we would need thousands of dollars to be seen. Over the course of a few days, people gave generously so that we could take him back to MD Anderson. We are still in the process of making sure that we thanked everyone. THANK YOU! Basically the doctor told us that we would need to start radiation and chemotherapy, BUT THE NEXT DAY… we received a call from the Physician’s Assistant with a test result that was AMAZINGLY EARLY! The PA told us that Steve had a cancer that was fueled by a DNA mutation. She joyfully explained that Steve could take two pills a day and that this targeted therapy oral chemotherapy would attack the cancer in his body, but not harm the good cells. She said that he could have a very good outcome and would probably live a normal life span. What a MIRACLE! I got off the phone and jumped up and down and said “STEVE, you are GOING TO LIVE!” We found out that this medicine would cost $400 per tablet which equals $24,000 dollars a month. I called my pharmaceutical rep friend, Janie Huff, and asked her advice. She quickly gave me the contact information for the manufacturer and they informed me that we would receive it FREELY due to our financial situation! PRAISE THE LORD! We also received advice from a homeopathic doctor in Tulsa. We have been carefully pursuing all avenues to find healing for Steve. Naaman from the Old Testament was willing to dip in the River Jordan, seven times… so we want to be willing to do whatever we need to do. We have been using a lot of supplements. In order to continue treatments at MD Anderson, we have more than $1500 dollars of expenses monthly. We are working on all of the bills and are grateful for the generosity that we have received.

Praise God for the Faith and Endurance of our beloved interns! James 1:2-4 says, “Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.”

As Steven and Vonda were away handling Steve’s medical condition for 31 days, (4 weeks) the interns, (Andy, Kendra, and Hayley) were left with the task of taking care of the house, editing testimonies, getting the new DVDS done, and doing administrative responsibilities for Expressions of Emmanuel. Selah and Cloudi also helped oversee the care of the interns. It was a surprise that took us all by storm. We didn’t expect this, nor did we wish for it. It was an emotional roller coaster, but we stuck together in prayer and rose to the occasion. And guess what? God helped through the challenges!

Right before Selah’s internship started in Colorado Springs, CO. Andy Lobaugh drove Selah’s car 14 hours for her to Colorado, so that she would not be exhausted at the start of her internship with Focus on the Family.

Laura Skinner and family, and Sherry Lococo came to help oversee the internship program in June while Steven and I sought the best medical care. Laura helped interns keep on track and helped give wisdom as we patiently endured testing. She also helped oversee provisions for the interns. Sherry drove from Missouri and stayed at the EOE mission house for two weeks and led the sign language class so that the interns could learn sign language and to be ready for our DeafNation outreach in Las Vegas. It was wonderful and fun to for the interns to have Laura and Sherry come and accompany them. During this time, the two other interns, Autumn and Bekah came and joined the group. It was nice for them to have extra set of hands to help. All of the interns including Laura and Sherry are heroes as they worked diligently to finish tasks that we left for them. God had provided a way for Steve to get medical care and for the internship program to still thrive. In late June, Steve and I were able to come back home and continue leading the internship program. Thanks to Laura and Sherry for leading the program in our absence.

The interns had the opportunity to enjoy Deaf Awareness Day at Six Flags Over Texas. This was just another way for them to learn about the Deaf Community and also have fun. The interns were involved in serving the local Deaf community, a Deaf Camp at Isaiah’s Place, the DeafNation world and serving at the EOE mission house. At the end of the summer, they went to small zoo to celebrate. We praise God for Andy, Kendra, Hayley, Autumn, Bekah, Jolene, Samantha, Kaylin, Michael, and Lilly who served with us this year. The interns came from: Oklahoma, Oregon, Alaska, Virginia, Tennessee, Florida, Texas, and Arkansas. Our goal in having internships is providing opportunities to serve and learn in Deaf missionary work. We need to train other faithful servants of God to reach out and share Jesus with the Deaf.

This was a GREAT opportunity for EOE to reach out to masses of Deaf people.

THIS SUMMER WE ATTENDED THE DEAFNATION WORLD IN LAS VEGAS. (JULY 5-8, 2016) WHERE THOUSANDS OF DEAF PEOPLE ATTENDED. WE PRAYED FOR 25-35 WORKERS ,BUT GOD GAVE US MORE! 44 (and one 5 month old baby) served. The following were members of the amazing Expressions of Emmanuel team in Las Vegas: Janie Huff, Danette Pellatz, Ariel Dotson, Steven Hamilton and Vonda Hamilton (leaders), Selah Burnett, Cloudi Bland, Summer 2016 Interns, Tare Hankins, Minerva Allard, Christopher Allard, Keisha Allard, Mary Parsons, Jay and Dinah Reid, Michelle Smith, Erin LaRue, Cortney Smith, Joey Martinez, Darryl Nunnelley, Angela Turner, Mayre Kemnitz, John DeNava, Jr., Roxie DeNava, Virginia Hite, Pastor Gerald and Terry Lynn Michau, Carey Lewis, Lamont Dolton, Cassy Huff, Cady Pellatz, Corrina Pellatz, Allen Kemnitz, Joshua Kemnitz, Baby Pellatz.

These team member came from the following states: Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, Tennessee, Alaska, Arkansas, Oregon, Colorado, Kentucky, Nevada, and Wyoming! God brought this wonderful team together. We shared thousands of DVDs and tracts with the thousands of Deaf people. Please pray for God to bless the seeds of this work.

Darryl Nunnelley and Joey Martinez worked diligently carrying on a truck much of the booth supplies and equipment. So many individuals gave, served, prayed, and encouraged us so that this was a successful outreach. Many lives were also touched by the testimony videos that were shown. Thanks to Betty Fulk, Nancy Gallemore, Ashley Stephens, and Selah and Cloudi for sharing their testimonies. Thanks to all who helped. Please continue to pray for God to use the DVDs and tracts to touch many lives!

The interns had the opportunity to enjoy Deaf Awareness Day at Six Flags Over Texas. This was just another way for them to learn about the Deaf Community and also have fun. The interns were involved in serving the local Deaf community, a Deaf Camp at Isaiah’s Place, the DeafNation world and serving at the EOE mission house. At the end of the summer, they went to small zoo to celebrate. We praise God for Andy, Kendra, Hayley, Autumn, Bekah, Jolene, Samantha, Kaylin, Michael, and Lilly who served with us this year. The interns came from: Oklahoma, Oregon, Alaska, Virginia, Tennessee, Florida, Texas, and Arkansas. Our goal in having internships is providing opportunities to serve and learn in Deaf missionary work. We need to train other faithful servants of God to reach out and share Jesus with the Deaf.

JULY—2016

DEAFNATION WORLD IN LAS VEGAS, JULY 4-9

THIS SUMMER WE ATTENDED THE DEAFNATION WORLD IN LAS VEGAS. (JULY 5-8, 2016) WHERE THOUSANDS OF DEAF PEOPLE ATTENDED. WE PRAYED FOR 25-35 WORKERS ,BUT GOD GAVE US MORE! 44 (and one 5 month old baby) served. The following were members of the amazing Expressions of Emmanuel team in Las Vegas: Janie Huff, Danette Pellatz, Ariel Dotson, Steven Hamilton and Vonda Hamilton (leaders), Selah Burnett, Cloudi Bland, Summer 2016 Interns, Tare Hankins, Minerva Allard, Christopher Allard, Keisha Allard, Mary Parsons, Jay and Dinah Reid, Michelle Smith, Erin LaRue, Cortney Smith, Joey Martinez, Darryl Nunnelley, Angela Turner, Mayre Kemnitz, John DeNava, Jr., Roxie DeNava, Virginia Hite, Pastor Gerald and Terry Lynn Michau, Carey Lewis, Lamont Dolton, Cassy Huff, Cady Pellatz, Corrina Pellatz, Allen Kemnitz, Joshua Kemnitz, Baby Pellatz.

These team member came from the following states: Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, Tennessee, Alaska, Arkansas, Oregon, Colorado, Kentucky, Nevada, and Wyoming! God brought this wonderful team together. We shared thousands of DVDs and tracts with the thousands of Deaf people. Please pray for God to bless the seeds of this work.

Deaf People. Please pray for God to bless the seeds of this work.

Darryl Nunnelley and Joey Martinez worked diligently carrying on a truck much of the booth supplies and equipment. So many individuals gave, served, prayed, and encouraged us so that this was a successful outreach. Many lives were also touched by the testimony videos that were shown. Thanks to Betty Fulk, Nancy Gallemore, Ashley Stephens, and Selah and Cloudi for sharing their testimonies. Thanks to all who helped. Please continue to pray for God to use the DVDs and tracts to touch many lives!

LAS VEGAS PICTURES—DEAFNATION WORLD -MANY THANKS TO
ALL WHO HELPED. THOSE WHO WORKED IT, THOSE WHO PRAYED, AND THOSE WHO GAVE! TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO SERVE THE DEAF
FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO LEARN ABOUT THE LOVE OF
OUR JESUS!

August – 2016

Isaiah’s Place EOE Deaf Youth Camp

The EOE interns went to Isaiah’s Place in Whitney, Texas to help with a youth camp that reached Deaf teens and children and their siblings. Some parents also attended. The youth were very attentive and receptive to the Bible teaching. We shared visual dramas, DVDS, Scripture memory, games, and crafts. Everyone had a wonderful time. We are thankful for Diane Frederickson, the director. She made us feel so welcomed! The interns as well as one of the Deaf college age girls participated in the taping of three Christian songs that will go on a future DVD. Soon after this camp, the interns returned to their homes. We are so blessed!

Focus on the Family and Colorado Deaf Outreach.

Early in August, I (Vonda) flew to Colorado to help Selah drive back to Texas. This trip also gave me the opportunity to learn about the wonderful internship experience that Selah had at Focus of the Family. Her counseling internship really showed her that she wants to counsel. We were able to give DVDs out in Colorado to the Deaf School, Deaf Churches, to some of the FOTF interns (one taking the DVDs to Moody Bible Institute), and to Focus on the Family. We are thankful that Selah was able to intern with FOTF and to stay with the Kemnitz and Holt families. Larry and Debbie Holt also welcomed me while I visited in Colorado Springs. I am also thankful to our cousin, Melodee Wise and family who were supportive to Selah. Selah and I traveled back to Texas via Kansas where we visited my Ozark sign student and Happy Hands co-worker, Tricia Buckingham and family. Her family graciously hosted us and we had great visit. Selah and I also visited in the Tulsa and Sapulpa area for a few days. Cloudi was at home happily taking care of her Papa for me. Selah and I stayed with the Huffs and Allards. It was a joy to see Gerry Westlake. She spoke words of blessing and encouragement to both Selah and me. WE had no idea this would be our last visit with her as she went to be with the Lord on September 12th. Gerry was among the first people in the Deaf ministry at First Christian Church in Sapulpa to whom I ministered. The truth is Gerry ministered to me as she encouraged me as I taught Bible classes, interpreted, and did outreaches. The MORE DVD is being made in her honor. The HOLY HUGS DVD is being made in the memory of Chuck Hawkins of Boise City, Oklahoma. Chuck and Sandy have been very encouraging supporters over the years. Please pray for these families as they grieve their loved ones.

Cache Christian Church

We were thankful to join the Cache Christian Church of Cache, Ok at the Sandy Lake Park in Texas for a day of fellowship. We gave DVDs to be shared with the Church.

Visiting with Dale Dickison/Christian Camping

Steve’s childhood friend (friends since they were five years old) came to visit! Dale is supportive friend and has generously supported EOE. We thank God for the short, but fun visit! We also enjoyed Labor Day weekend with the Reids and Parkers. We are thankful for our friends! We are thankful for you.

Please just keep praying for Steve. He says, “I want to live and serve my Lord. We have LOTS left to do! “

DVD Production Website/Social Media

Steve and I continue to work rigorously on DVD projects. Although the interns did a fantastic job working on the DVDs, there was still much to do. Just last week, Steve sent off Walk With Love: Two Feet Forward to be duplicated. He hopes to send More and Holy Hugs off on Monday. Please pray for these projects.

Before October 23rd, we hope to finish the Shalom Bible Lessons from Israel. Please pray for God’s blessings on these projects.

Steven Carr, Bethany Santillian, and others from Your Web Pro LLC. of Lubbock have worked feverishly helping us with the art designs for many DVDs. They continue to update our website and help us with social media. God is using our Social Media outreaches in a powerful way.

September: Cherry Hill Women’s Retreat and FCC, Mena, Arkansas
Sharing as the main speaker for the Women’s Retreat at Cherry Hill Christian Camp near Mena, Arkansas was a treasure. Hearts were tender to the Lord. Pastor Gerald and Sister Terry Lynn Michau came to participate with us on Friday night. We met a mother and her 24-year-old Deaf daughter who was never permitted to learn to sign. Please pray for this family as they seek to find a place for her to learn. The Michaus and EOE are looking for possible plans to help this family. We gave them all of our DVDs to help her learn sign language.

We were blessed to stay with Dick and Joyce Hansen in Mena, and then share a mission presentation at First Christian Church in Mena. The Hansons and the whole church were very generous. Phillip and Ann Hatley plan to help us with our December prison outreach. Great things happened in Mena. Praise the Lord!

In early September, Steve did a whole battery of tests at MD Anderson. The doctors were very pleased. His organ function and blood counts are good. The cancer has not spread to any other location and has been shrinking. Although it just shrank slightly, the doctor was very impressed after only two months of the medication. He said, “You need to thank God.” We assured him that we are thanking God. We are looking for God’s healing hand to completely heal him. We thank the Lord for your prayers, gifts, and love. Please continue to pray. In order to get the care that we need, we need to raise at least $1500 dollars of monthly support for his medical care. We have one church that will not be able to support us after December of this year, so this seems like a HUGE challenge, but nothing is too difficult for God. Please just prayerfully consider supporting Expressions of Emmanuel or EOE’s medical fund for Steve.

Ways to give a tax deductible contribution:

You can give via PayPal by accessing our website atexpressionsofemmanuel.com.
or by giving via Chase: Go online to Chase Quick Pay – This money will go into our Mission Account Use Steve’s email address hamilton.steven@gmail.com
or mail to the following address: Expressions of Emmanuel, P.O. Box 62, Ector, TX 75439

For more information on how you can help, you can call me at 903-449-6328
In spite of his health challenges, Steve went to help us in Las Vegas, and has been busy working on editing DVDs. He has some challenging side effects at times, but we are thankful.

CREATIVE DVD COVERS FOR 1O UPCOMING DVDS

Thanks to the following artists for their help with DVD covers: Miranda and Jackie O’Connor, Bethany Santillian, Samantha Smith, Sharita Isringhouse, and Brent Burden. Thanks to the following for sponsoring DVDs: Bonham area businesses, Christian Church of Anchorage, Westview Christian Church, Sandy Hawkins, Darryl Nunnelley, Hillcrest Christian Church, the Colemans, and others.
Would you consider sponsoring one of these upcoming DVDS?

EXPRESSIONS OF EMMANUEL— CALENDAR FOR REMAINER OF 2016

10/02/16 EOE Advisory Council and Oklahoma Outreaches Sapulpa and Cache Christian Church, Cache, Oklahoma.

10/23/16—11/07/16 Alaska Mission Reporting and Outreaches:FACC,KCC,PCC,HCC,
CCA, and Faith Christian Community Deaf Church (They are generously providing our transportation and housing.)

12/04—12/09/16 Huntsville and Houston Outreach

12/7/16 7 to 9pm Huntsville Prison Outreach to both Deaf and Hearing: Phillip and Ann Hatley from Mena, AR joining us.

Thank you so much for praying, giving, and serving. We continue to go to MD Anderson once a month. We will continue to send regular email reports. If you would like an email report, please contact us at vondabland@msn.com Since this Fall and Winter will be busy with outreaches and doctors’ appointments, we want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas months in advance! We love you! May God abundantly bless you! Holy Hugs!

Expressions of Emmanuel

PO Box 62, Ector, TX 75439

Office: 903.583.6143 Cell: 903.449.6328 Fax: 903.449.6893

VP: 903.449.4086(Z) or 903.257.3448(Sorenson)

Website: www.expressionsofemmanuel.com

Facebook: Vonda Bland Hamilton & Expressions of Emmanuel

Email: vondabland@msn.com or hamilton.steven@gmail.com

Skype: Expressions.of.Emmanuel

Twitter: @VisionsforVonda

YouTube Channel: expressionsemmanuel

Blog: www.expressionsofemmanuel.com/blog/