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The Harrisons
Missionary ambassadors-at-large to the hard of hearing
Welcome to the Master's Lip Reading Academy
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NOVEMBER 2008 REPORT
Christmas Music: What do you hear?
Hello Dear Friend, The other day I had an amazing experience with Christmas music at church. Read the attached file and tell me of your experience re. music only. There will be other topics to talk about later on. How do you handle music or the words sung? Do you understand the words? What works for you and how did you resolve the problem of music? It was only a few years ago that I discovered that I didn't understand the words to music. I just accepted it and carried on not knowing what the message was. This is definitely a problem among some hard of hearing people. Your feed back is important to me. Write me when you have time. David M. Harrison |
Christmas music
by David M. Harrison © 2008 Christmas is a wonderful and challenging time for people with disabilities. I enjoy the festivities, the shopping, parties, excitement, plays and music. Music? Oops, this is a touchy subject for a hard of hearing person who has problems distinguishing words. I must confess, I don't hear what you hear. Some hearing impaired people do not understand the words sung in those beautiful songs. We hear the beautiful melody, but it difficult to make out the words. I do want to hear what you hear. While attending a Christmas pageant at the church where our eleven-year-old granddaughter was performing in the choir, I made an amazing discovery. I hear the melody that you hear, but don't understand the words. I can hear the sound of the music and the voices singing, but word distinction is completely lost to me. Words sung never made sense to me because of an auditory malfunction. Words spoken where I cannot read lips are misunderstood. This is not just my personal problem. Almost 35 million hard of hearing Americans experience it too. The singers sing their hearts out, but the message is lost and does not reach the brain due to a breakdown in the inner ear. Hard of hearing want to hear what you hear! Turning up the volume or yelling louder is not a solution for us because the message is still garbled. Many of those beautiful songs are traditional for the Christmas season. I have no clue what the message is about. For example, songs like, Little Drummer Boy, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, Mary Do You Know? What Child is This? O Tannenbaum, I Wonder As I Wander, and O Holy Night. How can this be? you may ask. These songs are sung from sheet music and not out of the church hymnbook. The youth choir began singing “Do you hear what I hear?” My daughter reminded me that the words to all the songs were flashed on a big screen in the back of the auditorium for the singers to follow. I turned around. For the first time in fifty years I saw the words and understood the message of that beautiful song. With tears streaming down my face, I felt overcome with joy. I spent the rest of the concert with my back to the choir and my face to the audience just to see the words. I now see what you hear and was truly blessed. What an amazing discovery! Why could we hard of hearing people not have the same screen for us? Many of the solutions for hearing accessibility are already used in the church today. Why not make them available to the hard of hearing people? Allow me to list a few of my ideas:
Musicians have loud speakers nearby to help them synchronize the music. It would be nice to have a couple of small loud speakers near the front pews.
The choir uses sheet music. Why not have a few extra copies for hard of hearing?
If the song is in the hymnbook, tell us the page number so we can find the words.
Print words in the bulletin.
Power point all the words of choir and special singers.
We use FM wireless microphones; why not provide FM wireless receivers?
These simple steps would benefit many hard of hearing persons in the church.
Give me some feedback or hints on this topic of music only in the church. LET MY PEOPLE HEAR! Mr. Harrison is available to speak at any church service or social gathering to share and give demonstration on hearing loss
E-mail dmharrison1@juno.com 423-624-1669 www.lipreadingacademy.com
From the Harrison's
LET MY PEOPLE HEAR!
To God be the Glory! The Lord is still moving in a mighty way. What a privilege to be in the service of the King of Kings.
Cathy and I have the honor to serve at the voting polls. We have not missed an election in over fifty years. As Officer of Election, I open the polls with prayer and close with a hymn of thanks. God is still in control of who gets elected.
Cathy and her co-worker Marcie Rosales visit in the Spanish community near Main Street in Chattanooga giving out Gospel literature and Bibles. They visit elderly friends in nursing homes, including a deaf-blind lady.
We served at our church's rescue mission on Thanksgiving Day. We enjoyed sharing the Word of God with the homeless and less fortunate.
We presented our ministry to Gethsemane Baptist Church and at Parkway Baptist Temple.
For the month of November, I rented a booth at the local indoor flea market. It was an experiment to promote the LIP READING ACADEMY to the public. Working ninety hours in five weekends, we met many people with hearing loss who do not know where to turn for help.
While in the booth I did take time to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ by passing out over 1000 Smiley tracts, 400 Spanish tracts, and about 500 of the “Pardon Me” tract written by Ted Camp. We recorded 55 salvation decisions for Christ and found a number of Christians not attending church.
Three of those who got saved were profoundly hard of hearing. Each one admitted his need for a Savior, but insisted he could not hear normal conversation to understand the Gospel message. I demonstrated the amazing amplified hearing device that I wear. Using a demonstration model, the message of salvation was presented, heard clearly with each man responding to the invitation to accept Christ as personal Savior.
I believe that ministering to the hard of hearing is an open mission field to reaching many unreached souls for Jesus Christ. Three of the fifty-five converts would not have come to Christ without assistance in hearing.
Pray for a permanent place for the Lip Reading Academy and for good attendance in 2009.
Pray for the new converts that they will grow in grace. Names have been given to local churches.
David M. & Cathy Harrison
Salvation decisions for November 55
Total saved for the year 148
Dear Friend,
Christmas, an exciting time for our family, boasts wonderful sights, events, and delicious menus. We feel pleased to have our adult children home and to watch our grandchildren perform in Christmas pageants or choirs. Sharing the Christmas story from God's word (Luke 2:1-20) is our treasured tradition.
With my since-birth severe hearing loss, I miss much that is spoken in church because…
- Many parts spoken are done without a microphone
- Faces are covered so I can't read lips
- Words sung are very hard to distinguish, so the message is lost to me
- Some scenes are portrayed in total darkness
- Voices spoken or sung offstage are unintelligible to me even with the PA
- Music sounds like a foreign language, except for very few words I grasp
I am not alone in facing the above experiences. What do you miss at Christmas time? How do you and your family handle these situations?
My dream and desire is to improve situations like these for hard of hearing people.
My friend, I have good news for you . I am on a crusade to make changes that will help the hard of hearing community. We are making wonderful plans for the coming year that could inspire and impact the city of Chattanooga and churches in a positive way for hard of hearing.
Become part of the team that can change the future for the hard of hearing community. Join me in the prayer and planning stage of this exciting venture of faith. I value your input.
You can help by attending one of our series of classes. I want you to become an associate ambassador for hard of hearing by telling all your hearing impaired friends about the Lip Reading Academy . I encourage you and a family member to enroll in a class this winter.
Classes begin Feb. 2, 2009 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. each Monday for eight weeks in the commons at the Gathering at Memorial Baptist Church, 4445 Hixson Pike, Chattanooga, TN. Register early.
From Feb. 3 to March 31, 2009 there will be two series taught for eight weeks. Choose the one you can attend: 10 to 11:30 a.m. or 6 to 7:30 p.m. The same exciting lesson is taught morning and evening. These classes will be held at the relocated Stanley Heights Baptist Church, 1215 McBrien Road (off Ringgold Road) in Chattanooga TN.
Visit our website at www.lipreadingacademy.com.. Call me re. classes 423-624-1669
Christmas joy and a Blessed New Year 2009 to you!
LET MY PEOPLE HEAR
David and Cathy Harrison P.O. BOX 3021 CHATTANOOGA TN 37404
October 2008 Mission report
from David & Cathy Harrison
Each Wednesday for the last eight weeks we taught lip reading and hearing loss coping skills to a group of 24 seniors at a retirement center on Signal Mountain. Our last class was October 29th.
We were able to set up a table at a Wal-mart health fair promoting hearing loss awareness and the Lip-Reading Academy.
We were invited by the City of Chattanooga to the annual Go!Fest a disabilities awareness day. Go!Fest is part of an initiative created by Mayor Ron Littlefield to help make Chattanooga more accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability. 2500 people attended this event.
Cathy felt blessed at the 22nd Annual Deaf Baptist Ladies Retreat at the Choo-Choo, a three-day event with 229 ladies in attendance.
We conducted our first annual “ Keys to Successfully Living With Hearing Loss” workshop in Chattanooga. Dr. Neil Bauman from Stewartstown, PA was our main speaker for the workshop. This workshop was unique in that it deals with hard of hearing people. The workshop was equipped with an assistive FM listening device, plus the magnetic loop system for those who have telecoil switches in their hearing aids. Everyone was thrilled and amazed that the entire workshop was captioned on a large screen behind the speakers. The lectures proved very helpful to the attendees.
Dr. Neil Bauman and his wife, Diane are profoundly hard of hearing and do not know American Sign Language; on Sunday we visited a church in the area that has closed captioning in the morning worship service, a new experience for us. This is something for churches to consider in the future.
Cathy and I hosted the local monthly Hearing Loss Association of America meeting at the Ronald McDonald house next to Erlanger Hospital. The meeting was held at 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon. We asked Dr. Bauman to talk about his book on Ototoxic Drugs Exposed: The shocking truth about prescription drugs and other chemicals that can (and do) damage our ears. This 630 page book reveals some 920 various drugs and chemicals that can or may cause loss of hearing, ringing in the ears, dizziness and the feeling of spinning. You will discover that some drugs can quickly damage your hearing, leaving you with profound, permanent hearing loss and bringing unwanted, traumatic change into your life. For more information see the product section of our website at www.lipreadingacademy.com .
Halloween remains an outreach we enjoy, so we pass out Gospel tracts along with a pre-wrapped treat. This year's attendance was 107 children. All children and parents got a Gospel witness.
Pray that we can find a permanent place to meet for the Lip Reading Academy classes.
Pray as I (David) consider joining the evangelism team going to the “Deaflympics” in Taipai, Taiwan in September 2009. It will cost approximately $3000.00.
Pray for an increase in regular financial support. We may not see it now, but I believe that helping hard of hearing people cope with hearing loss will become a vast avenue to soul winning and evangelism.
LET MY PEOPLE HEAR!
Workshop Notes
The workshop on “Keys to successfully living with your hearing loss” conducted by David M. Harrison and Dr. Neil Bauman was truly a tremendous blessing. This workshop was the fulfillment of a long time dream for hard of hearing people. We have just planted the seed and expect it to grow. The attendees enjoyed the FM wireless sound system, while others benefited from the magnetic loop system. Power point outlines proved very helpful. The one thing everyone enjoyed was the real-time captioning on the big screen next to the speaker. Order one of our Program Manuals of Dr. Bauman's lectures of the workshop. It is the next best thing to attending the workshop itself. You'll find the lectures extremely helpful, easy to understand and assimilate to put into practice. Supply is limited. First come, first serve. The cost is only $14.79 this includes shipping and handling. Order today while supplies last.
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(See More Pics On our Photo Album)
Ronald Mcdonald house.
NOTES FROM THE BOOK Dr. Neil Bauman spoke at the local chapter of hearing loss association of America at the Ronald McDonald house in Chattanooga. His lecture was based on his book entitled Ototoxic Drugs Exposed, the shocking truth about prescription drugs and other chemicals that can (and do) damage our ears. This book is used in some medical colleges as a textbook. It is 630 pages long and covers more than 920 drugs and chemicals that may and can damage your ears. “This book is vital for both physicians and patients, especially for people who already have some degree of hearing loss, says Dr. Harold McPheeters, M.D. This book is on sale in our book store for $35.00 plus $7.50 for shipping and handling.
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(See More Pics On our Photo Album)
Report from the Harrison's
Ministry at the Tennessee State Fair
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and His ways past finding out! Rom. 11:33 The week of September 5 to 13, 2008 Cathy and I served at the evangelism booth at the Tennessee State Fair. We passed out hundreds of Gospel tracts, talked to scores of people and shared the Gospel with a few who would come into the booth to listen to the Bible presentation. The Holy Spirit always draws in special people that need the Lord Jesus Christ. On Friday evening a young couple came by. I handed them a Gospel tract and asked them, “If you died today, would you go to heaven?” Their response was negative. Could I take a moment of your time and show you from the Bible how you can be sure of heaven? Their response was positive. “Do you speak Spanish?” I enquired. “No, we are Choctaw Indians, from Arkansas.” Audrey (21) is a senior at Belmont University and DeMario (18) is working fulltime. They sat and listened intently as the Gospel story was explained to them. They acknowledged that they were sinners and needed to be saved. They expressed their desire to put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. The dear Holy Spirit moved in a mighty way as they called upon the Lord to save them. This was a very special moment that I have experienced hundreds of time. My heart is overwhelmed with joy. Sometimes I can almost hear the angels rejoicing in heaven over one sinner that comes to Christ. After the prayer for salvation, I take time to question them on the decision they have just made. I talk to them about how to grow as a Christian. When that is finished, I ask them to fill out a decision card with their name and address. I asked them what was their relationship to each other. “Are you married?” I asked. “No, just friends”, they said. I looked at the decision cards they filled out and noticed that they live at the same address. The Lord impressed me to ask, “Are you living together?” They nodded their heads “yes”. “I do not condemn you, for Jesus has forgiven all your past and present sins. Today is a new day for both of you. Why not get married and make it right from now on?” Impulsively I said, “ I would be happy to marry you right here tonight.” DeMario turned to Audrey and said, “Will you marry me?” I turned and waited to hear her response to the proposal. She said, “Not tonight. I want to have a wedding and involve my family.” “When you do have a wedding, I would like to have a part in it”, I told them. They were not involved in a church. I shared with them that I would contact a pastor in the area to come and visit them. On Sunday morning, we visited the Fair Havens Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee to share this story. Three couples came to me after the service and said that they lived near the new converts and would like to visit them and bring them to church. Please pray for all the new converts as they grow in the Lord. The total numbers of personal decisions at the State Fair were 82. This is God's work, not ours. Soul winning is exciting when the Holy Spirit works through us. “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.”
“Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit.” From David & Cathy Harrison, missionaries with Silent Word Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box 899 Trenton, GA 30752
The Harrisons Missions Trip to Vancouver, British Columbia
(The story of a man that got saved watching Cricket)
Dear prayer partner: Our mission trip to Vancouver, British Columbia for the World Congress on Hearing loss was wonderful. The Lord provided for our financial needs in a miraculous way, and it was a very rewarding experience to be there. We give God all the glory for His mercy and provision. Thank you for all your prayers and support. A pastor and wife graciously opened their home for us to stay in while attending the conference. The widow of the pastor who performed our wedding 45 years ago came by for a visit. A family whom we knew in Chattanooga also spent the day with us on Canada Day (July 1), a national holiday. One afternoon we had some free time to visit a nearby park. A cricket game was in progress so we sat down under a shade tree to watch with interest. A forty-four year old math teacher came along and sat down on the bench next to us. “Do you know how this game is played?” we asked. He was eager to explain in detail the rules of the game, from the ball and flat wooden bat to the players' white uniforms and the score keeping board. The topic soon changed from cricket to Christ. David was eager to explain the Way of Christ, using his visualized tract. Upon completion of David's sharing the greatest story ever told, Greg's name was entered into the Lamb's Book of Life. In cricket matches, the spectators seldom cheer loudly or “boo” the players. Good plays are rewarded with applause and a soft-spoken, “Well played sir, well played”. As believers who share the Good News with others, we look forward to meeting the Master in heaven, and hearing his words, “well done…” The Lord blessed with three decisions in Junior Church and an opportunity to conduct a witnessing seminar in the Evening service. We served at the American Sign Language Institute in Trenton, Georgia. The attendance was 105. The daughter of a deaf couple was saved in the children's meeting where we spoke. Lipreading classes begin on September 3, 2008. We are planning a special workshop on coping with hearing loss for October 17 & 18, 2008. If there is one hard of hearing person in your family or business, then everyone around him or her has a communication challenge. Come to the workshop. In His service, David & Cathy All missionary support should be written out to Silent Word Ministries, Inc. earmarked for the Harrisons and sent to P.O. Box 889 Trenton, GA 30752
DAVID HARRISON
P.O. Box 3021
Chattanooga, TN 37404
423-624-1669
dmharrison1@juno.com