Josephat is the Co-ordinator of DMI (Deaf Ministries International) in Kenya and under his leadership the number of new Christians continues to grow.

“I was born in September 1969 into a family of 20 siblings. My father had five wives. I was born hearing but became deaf at the age of 8 as a result of my teacher frequently hitting my head. I developed a headache and could not walk home. I was admitted to hospital and was there for one month and I became deaf. I tried wearing hearing aids in school but they were of little use to me. As a result of my deafness I could no longer communicate with my family and friends. My mother did not give up on me as she searched and found a deaf school for me to attend. It was 285 km from my home. There I first saw sign language and learned to communicate with my hands. Four years later I attended another deaf school, Kapasabet School for the Deaf, 175 km from my home. I completed primary school in 1986 and then for three years I attended a technical school for the Deaf. My school life was not easy as many of the teachers did not have sign language skills and they were very difficult to lip-read. As a result the education standard was low for deaf children.

I became a Christian in 1984 in Sunday School at the Deaf school. I became aware of Christ through Pastor Daniel Njihia (D) who now works as a DMI missionary in Tanzania . Using visual aids Daniel explained to me the gospel of Jesus and I gave my life to Christ and accepted Him as my personal Saviour. When I was baptised in 1986 I had a dream that I would become a pastor and work for Him among deaf people in Kenya . Today that dream has become true as I work with deaf people in DMI Immanuel church for the Deaf in Nairobi .

In 1995 I attended the AIM Bible Institute in Pwani. It was difficult for Jeremiah Mboya and me being the only deaf students. There were no sign language interpreters and I almost gave up but God's Holy Spirit encouraged me to continue. Through help from other students and much prayer and fasting I completed the four years of studies and received above average grades. I thank God for answering my prayers.

In a normal week I work in the DMI office, providing counselling, leading church services and co-ordination the nine branches of DMI Immanuel Church for the Deaf in Kenya . Only on Saturdays I can sometimes have some rest.

In 1997 I started praying that I might marry and have a family I asked God to help me find a woman according to Proverbs 31. Then I met Patricia in 1997 who was attending the Immanuel Church for the Deaf although she was not a Christian then. During one of my sermons six deaf people, including Patricia, accepted Christ into their lives. I taught her about the new life in Christ. After five months I felt God wanted me to say the words to Patricia, “I LOVE YOU” but it was hard for me. When I talked to Patricia she said that she had three dreams several months ago but was afraid to tell me. In these dreams I would pay the dowry, marry her and we would have a colourful wedding! We were married in November 2000 and now we have a daughter, Esther, born in 2002. Praise God.

(Extracted from HANDS Around the World, DMI, Australia - Issue 5 - August 2004 )