Dear Fellow Laborers, 

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;” Colossians 4:2

Happy greetings for Labor Day! Although we don’t celebrate that holiday here in SA, there are plenty of other holidays to choose from. The Lord’s work continues here as we reach the Deaf with the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The church in Katlehong has been going well. I’ve been teaching a series on Discipleship for Sunday School, and we have four members who desire to be baptized. Praise the Lord! We are praying that others who have received Christ as Savior will also take the step of faith in baptism. We are praying also for the salvation of the Deaf staff who work at the school. We’ve had two Deaf teachers saved since the church started, and we are so thankful!

We also have a Bible Study at a Deaf school in Hammanskraal. Recently there was a problem with a Jehovah’s Witness man who claimed he was from our church teaching things that are in opposition to the Truth. The students rebelled and refused to do their school work, and as a result, the principal stopped our contact with the children. Praise the Lord the truth came out, and we now have a new system for recognizing people from our church. This attack has only made the trust between the principal and our Bible College stronger. It has also made her leery of Jehovah’s Witnesses. We thank God for His protection!

The students in the Bible College are growing in the Word of God. We’re starting a new round of classes this week, and I am excited to be teaching I and II Corinthians. Please continue to pray for them to be able to do well in their studies. Also, please keep the dorm building plans in your prayers.

Our dear brother in the Lord’s trial, Michael Radebaugh, has been postponed until November 5th. This was very disappointing, as he was planning to return for his brother’s wedding on the 6th of this month. The Lord has a reason for the delay, but that does not make it easier to accept. We are praying the truth would come out and he would be acquitted then.

September 20 we will be hosting a Deaf Youth Soccer tournament. Please pray that we would have good weather, that many students from four different Deaf schools will come, that the Gospel will be presented clearly, and that the Lord would be glorified in all that is said and done.

Finally, please pray for my father. He is 78 years old and suffers from Parkinson’s Disease. He recently fell and broke four ribs. He is currently in the hospital. We are praying for a quick and complete recovery. Also, that insurance would reinstate physical therapy when he returns home. Your prayers for his salvation (as well as my mother’s) would be appreciated.

Thank you for your faithfulness, your friendship, and partnership in our ministry. It has been a blessing to serve the Lord here, and you make that possible.

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake,

Jimmy Tsoukalas
Missionary to the Deaf of South Africa
http://www.thetsoukalastimes.blogspot.com