Coffee For TWO!

[Webmasters note: This is the story of Jackie and Stanley Weston and is used with their permission]

It all started with a cup of coffee after working with each other at General Electric for 15 years.

Stanley Weston has been deaf since about 18 months of age, due to a very high fever. He is originally from Indianapolis and attended the Indiana School for the Deaf.

Jackie Weston, originally from Kentucky, while working at General Electric, and being recently widowed was searching for something to expand her life further. She asked if Stanley would teach her sign language, as he often held classes at G.E. to teach people to sign. He agreed and little did they both know that is where the story and incredible journey of this unlikely marriage and ministry begins.

Since Jackie knew no sign language, their first communications were done by writing notes, she invited him to come to church at McCormick¹s Creek United Pentecostal Church, where there were no interpreters at the time.
Then they went out for a cup of coffee and continued to write notes, as her signing was very limited to the ABC's and spelling everything out. She says, "a few days later, he came over and laid about 20 books on the table and she told him, "I can't do this". Stanley told her, "you just need to trust God and He will anoint your hands."

Many people think the Weston's have been married for years, but they only celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary in December. Jackie states that, "I know God has called me to do this or I would have never been able to learn so fast." Stanley said, "I am very proud of her and my daughters and grandkids who have all learned to sign." They communicate a lot. He has two daughters and she has two daughters and one son and a step-daughter from her late husband that she loves as her own, they have 19 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren between them. Jackie's children have all accepted Stanley with open arms and learned to sign to be able to communicate with him. One grandson, Noah who lives above them learned to sign to his "Papaw" before he could speak.

The Weston's both took an early retirement due to health reasons, and that has given them more time to devote to their ministry, "Silent Praise".

Their pastor R. L. Robertson says, Jackie and Stanley have been members of McCormick¹s Creek Church for several years. During that time they have worked together to teach sign language and foster understanding between the hearing and the deaf and hearing impaired. They frequently travel to other churches to teach or sign at their services or special meetings. Many times they have traveled to neighboring states to encourage and help others to get their sign language ministry off the ground. Their ministry is God called and they have answered that call. Not only are they a blessing to our church and an asset to my ministry, simply put they are an inspiration to others.

Denominations are not a factor for the Weston's, God called them to do this for all people and thus they are open to teaching sign for many different churches so the deaf population can learn the Bible and the truth.

The couple has done basic sign language classes, interpretation for seminars, home Bible studies, visitations and outreach fellowship for the deaf and hearing impaired. Stanley said, "I always wanted a hearing and deaf ministry, and now I am a deaf minister/teacher, it makes me feel good, it is awesome. I was very disappointed with my life before we were married, and was very bitter, but people prayed and I came into church in April of 2000." Again he says, "It is awesome!"

In the United States alone there are more than 28 million deaf or hard of hearing people that can hear so little that they have to use sign. Jackie says, "in a way we are missionaries, but we don¹t have to leave the U.S., there is a whole world of people that are untouched right here." With the Indianapolis School for the Deaf, there are thousands of deaf in the city, but it is hard to pinpoint where they all are, to go and reach them.

The Weston's currently are teaching at their own church, McCormick's Creek Church, Whitehall Pentecostal Church and Mitchell Wesleyan, they also conduct some classes out of their home. Stanley's daughter who attends Lighthouse Tabernacle in Gosport has recently started a sign language class in her church. Also, Jackie's youngest daughter has started signing music and soon will interpret at the Mitchell Weslyna church. But in the surrounding area McCormick's Creek Church is currently the only church with an active deaf ministry and an interpreter at all the services to her knowledge. Jackie said, "what I really want to see is an interpreter in every church."

Outreach director for their church Aleatha Langley stated , "Jackie and Stanley have had a real commitment to their ministry for the deaf. Especially by teaching the hearing how to communicate in sign language. They have truly built a bridge between the hearing and non-hearing worlds. When they first met, Jackie did not know any sign language. Motivated by her love for her husband and those who are deaf she went from knowing no sign language to being fluent in it! Together they are now teaching classes to doing conferences and she interprets church services. Their commitment has made an impact on many lives. They are motivated by love and that love is what continues to motivate their work and ministry today. Because of their hard work this endeavor has grown and will continue to blossom under their care."

Isaiah 29:18 is a scripture the Weston's use often and it says,"And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book..." They use that in the context of signing for the deaf .....let's them see the words of Bible.

See what can happen when you simply ask someone to have a cup of coffee with you!

Rachell D. Robertson