Matthijs Terpstra – DMI Chats

Andrew Miller is the International Director for DMI. When he’s not eating corn chips in Sydney, he’s travelling around the world raising funds and DMI’s profile in developed countries or visiting the fields we support to see what’s needed and how our funds are being managed. Either way, he works tirelessly to avoid unidentifiable food and meets lots of weird and wonderful people who he just can’t resist interviewing…

#3 Matthijs Terpstra

DMI International Development Coordinator

(The circumstances for this interview are the strangest I have ever experienced. It was held in a bedroom in Ps Albert’s house in the Philippines. Being the only air conditioned room on a very balmy night, there were five people gathered in the room. Matthijs was sitting on a bed on one side of the room. Gunnar, who was interpreting, was sitting on a bed on the other side of the room. On a bed between them, In Yeong was lying in his underwear getting a massage from Ps Glenn, while I sat at the foot of Gunnar’s bed trying to ask questions to Matthijs.)

Andrew: DMI is a weird organisation. You’re a young Deaf Dutchman working for DMI Norway, and you’ve been paired up with an old hearing Australian guy with poor signing to co-lead DMI. How do you feel about that?

Matthijs: You are a great blessing for DMI. I’ve always been happy to work with you. I’ve learned a lot from you as well.

It’s worked out surprisingly well, hasn’t it?

Yes. I experience a lot of mutual understanding when we discuss things.

(In Yeong seems to enjoy having his neck worked on.)

You’re an exceptional communicator. How did you learn so many languages?

I’m Deaf, so naturally, sign language is my native language. I grew up signing Dutch in the Netherlands and then I learned Norwegian sign language after moving to Norway. As a Deaf person, you automatically pick up international signing as well. Once you’ve learned three sign languages, it gets easier to learn others.

But you also read and write English, Dutch and Norwegian. You’re clearly not only a very handsome man but a very clever one, too. DMI is lucky to have you.

Haha! I don’t know. I just know I’m Deaf and I’m doing my best. I’m the lucky one to be working for DMI. That’s my experience and I’m grateful for that. I can see that many lives are being changed and that gives me a lot of motivation and satisfaction. DMI really makes a difference.

(Ps Glenn is working on In Yeong’s shoulders. It looks very relaxing.)

Tell me about your Deaf journey.

To be Deaf has always been a normal thing for me. I come from a mixed Deaf and hearing family. My mother was born Deaf. My father is a CODA*. I have a Deaf twin sister and an older hearing brother. So the first language in our home was sign language.

*Child of Deaf Adults

And what sort of education did you have?

I went to Deaf primary and high schools. At university, I had an interpreter. I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in business management.

You’re always gushing about your wife. Tell us the story there.

Football was our life passion. We met in the European Futsal Championship for the Deaf and liked each other immediately. I became a project leader for a youth program operating between three countries – Ethiopia, Netherlands and Norway – so that meant that I could travel for free between those countries and meet her often. We married and decided to live in Norway. That’s the short version. And I felt this was God’s plan as I met Gunnar and began to know more of DMI.

And you have two little girls now.

Yes, aged 3 and 5 years old.

(In Yeong is having his thighs rubbed.)

When did you first meet Neville and become involved in DMI?

I met him for the first time in person in Uganda in 2017. I began working for DMI as communication and fundraising officer for DMI Norway soon after I met Gunnar in 2015.

What attracted you to the organisation?

It was working among the Deaf in developing countries that attracted me. And the big bonus was that it was Christian work.

Your role with DMI has changed over the years. What are you doing now?

After a couple of years, I became the director of DMI Norway, and then I was asked to be the Finance Manager of DMI Internationally while maintaining my role as director of DMI Norway. That was a very busy time, working from early morning until late in the evening over a long period. But it was a good challenge. Later, you (Andrew) came in. Neville stepped aside and then you and I became co-leaders of DMI International. Susi took over the finance role.

What have been your greatest joys and challenges as DMI’s International Development Coordinator?

My greatest joy is seeing people come to understand the Father better through the Fatherheart schools. I also enjoy working with the micro loan program and seeing the difference it makes to so many Deaf families.

The greatest challenge is simple – there is never enough money. So the ‘wiggle room’ for us is pretty limited. We are good at supporting individuals. We know them well and can help them grow. But with more resources we could have a greater impact on a whole local level.

Your role is changing again now, isn’t it?

Yes. You and I have been talking about that. I’m currently working in DMI at a reduced capacity (50%) because of my work with the National Association for the Deaf in Norway. And this will reduce again soon as a I take a senior position with another Deaf organisation.

You’re a sought-after man!

DMI has many areas of ministry and many fields. Working with you and Susi, I will continue to carry the responsibility for some areas of the ministry. And you, Andrew, will become the International Director of DMI. I think this is good. You won’t have to coordinate with so many people. You can work more effectively. I am grateful for the time we have worked together as co-leaders but I think DMI is ready for the change.

(In Yeong is having his pecs caressed.)

We’re a faith organisation. Obviously those at the top need to be people of faith. How important is your faith to your life and work?

It’s everything. I start my day with God and I end my day with God. It’s hard for me to imagine living a life unless by faith.

God bless you, my friend.

(My shoulders are a little stiff from all the typing. I tap Ps Glenn on the shoulder…)