Hello, Family and Friends!!!
I’m excited to share what God has been doing here in South Africa. He opened many unexpected doors, allowing me to be His vessel and witness His powerful and gentle love transform hearts. Before I share, I want to let you know that I will return to the USA on November 1st, departing this beautiful nation on October 31. Please continue praying for me as I have many important plans in my final two weeks here.
Note: I have chosen not to include pictures, as these testimonies are very personal. I want to honor and respect the privacy of each person involved.
Below are some testimonies from this time. This is just Part 1 — more will come soon!
God’s Love Untangles the Knots
A Deaf South African mother welcomed me into her home for a few days. As we spent time together, she shared her painful story. She told me how she once had faith in Jesus but had almost lost it after experiencing persecution in her marriage and even from her own children. She carried deep wounds—both inside and out.
She also showed me two large knots in her hair that had been stuck for over a year. Because of this, she felt very low about her appearance and struggled with self-worth. I gently spoke words of encouragement, declaring that she is precious and worthy in God’s eyes—right where she is.
With God’s help, I carefully worked to untangle her hair for over four hours. When fatigue set in, I silently prayed for guidance. Suddenly, God gave the idea to use warm water. Within an hour, the stubborn knots were completely free.
When she touched her hair afterward, her smile returned. For the first time, I saw her joy shine through, and her self-esteem began to rise. Again, we reflected on how precious and beautiful she is in God’s eyes.
Those knots reminded me of the deep bondages and traumas that can weigh a person down. People can try their best to help—just like in Mark 5, when many tried to help the man possessed by a legion of demons but nothing worked, or like the woman who suffered for twelve years, seeking help but finding no healing. Human help has limits, but the power of Jesus—the Living Water—can truly set people free.
Just as warm water loosened the knots, God’s Spirit reaches where human efforts cannot. This moment revealed His gentle, transforming love in a tangible way.
A Secret Opened, a Heart Set Free
Another remarkable moment was with a Deaf young adult whom I met several times over coffee and meals in public places. We discussed the Bible as he asked questions and shared his spiritual journey. It was clear that God was leading the conversations and opening his heart to understand more of His truth. Over time, trust grew as God worked gently in his life.
This young man carried a deep hunger for God—like a deer longing for streams of living water. I often saw him unexpectedly at different Deaf fellowship gatherings and Christian events, where older Deaf believers warmly welcomed him. Over the course of two months, as we met in many places, it became evident that God Himself was drawing him closer.
Yet, there was something hidden deep inside him that he hadn’t shared with anyone. After two months, through the gentle prompting of the Holy Spirit, he finally opened up and shared a personal secret he had carried for a long time. The moment he shared, freedom came—like a heavy weight being lifted off his shoulders.
He later shared that it was the atmosphere of grace and love—the very love of Jesus—that gave him the courage to open up. It wasn’t about a person; it was about how God’s presence reached him, just as Jesus reached out to the tax collectors, the woman caught in adultery, and many others with mercy and compassion.
In that moment, he personally encountered God’s mercy and love. It was a reminder that Jesus softens hearts, breaks chains, and sets people free.
Forgiveness Blossoms in a DeafBlind Man’s Heart
At a Deaf church, I met a DeafBlind man who had been feeling depressed, lonely, and without peace, even though he faithfully attended church with very little understanding of what was being shared. The leaders invited him to join us for a meal since he lives nearby. At first, he remained quiet and distant, but then he noticed my cane and began asking questions about it.
I communicated with him using tactile sign language and showed him how to use the cane. As he tried it, a smile slowly appeared on his face. That simple moment became a doorway to connection—God was opening a path for him to experience care and attention.
The Holy Spirit moved in a gentle yet powerful way. God provided an opportunity to speak words of life and declare His truth about identity and worth. As we continued communicating, he began to share about the pain and deep anger he had been carrying toward his family.
Right there, God touched his heart with the message of forgiveness. I could see hope rise in his eyes as the burden he had carried for so long began to lift. It was a clear reminder that Jesus meets us exactly where we are—bringing healing, peace, and freedom.
These are just a few stories of what God has been doing in South Africa. Thank you for your prayer and support. Your partnership allows God’s work to continue—bringing hope and life to hearts that long for Him.
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…” — Ephesians 3:20
Part 2 coming soon.
All Glory in Him,
Kevi Humphrey
About the Author
