2009 Deaf Marriage Conference / Retreat

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

It gives me and my wife a great joy to share with you about our first annual East Regional Deaf Marriage Conference, which was held on April 3-5, 2009 at Lifeway Conference center in Rigdecrest, N.C. There were 35 married couples from nine (9) different states attending the conference.

The theme was "Extremely Marriage Makeover" led by Dr. Jerry Seale of Knoxville, TN and Arthur Craig of Houston, TX. The theme included four different workshop titles (Blueprint, Foundation, Walls and Roof). There was also a panel discussion with questions and answers as well as a newlywed game.

Ralph and Debbie Bradshaw of Ashvelle, NC graciously invited all married couples to their beautiful home for dinner and felloship on Saturday, April 4. They were a great hospitality and they served us very well. We had a great time of fun and fellowship.

The East Regional Deaf Marriage committee members (larry Barnes, Dawn Barnes and Nathan Blanton) and the workshop leaders did a wonderful job, which made this conference a great SUCESS. Let us give thanks and glory to God for what He did for the conference.

Here are the stories below from some couples. Please read their stories about their experiences at the conference. Our hopes and prayers are that you will be inspired by their stories and that you will consider joining us next year. The conference will be held in Rigdecrest, NC on April 23-25, 2010.

As for finanical issues, the CEA was able to suport some couples who were not able to afford. We would like to continue to help out next year and thereafter, but because of the costs and the high demand for the marriage conference, the CEA is requesting finanical support on a regularly basis (monthly or one time gifts of as the Lord leads you. Please make check payable to CEA, 455 Marshall Lake RD, Torrington, CT. 06790 and state it is for the marriage conference. Receipt will be issued upon request.

For your information, there will be Midwestern Regional Deaf Marriage on September 25-17, 2009 in South Dakota. See attached. Please pray for the successful conference there. For another information about the CEA, please visit our website: www.ceaforchrist.org

We need your prayers and support. Hope to see you at the conference/retreat next year, April 23-25, 2010, Lord willing.

Serving Together for Christ,
Job and Bukola Ayantola, CEA founders/Evangelist & DMC coordinators