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…

1. In Yeong Heo

In Yeong Heo, Deaf, is DMI’s South Korean representative and a member of DMI’s International Board. We meet in the Philippines where we have both arrived to participate in a FatherHeart school training. Gunnar and Matthijs are teaming up to interpret.

Andrew: It’s good to see you again, my friend.

In Yeong: Likewise.

Just curious, am I the worst signer you’ve ever experienced or have there been others?

No, you’re the worst. Sometimes the truth has to be said. I’ve seen some other bad signers but you are without doubt the worst I’ve ever seen.

(Gunnar and Matthijs are in hysterics.)

Should I try to improve or is it a lost cause?

If you’d stayed in Australia and learned only Auslan then you might have had a chance but because you’re travelling around so much, I’m sorry my friend, there’s simply no hope for you.

(Matthijs is on the floor.)

I still have nightmares about that conversation in Korea when I first visited you and signed in Auslan to that female friend of yours ‘I’m sorry I don’t sign well’ without knowing that in Korean sign it meant ‘Sex with a signing woman’. Have you or the woman ever forgiven me for that?

Yes.

So, I’m allowed back into Korea?

Yes, but stop using Auslan there.

Okay, getting serious, tell me about your childhood. I believe it was challenging.

I was born deaf and was moved to a school for the Deaf when I was very young. My family were all hearing and my father didn’t want to have to deal with a deaf kid. I hadn’t been at the school long when smoke from a coal fire killed my father and brother and left my mother in a coma for a month.

That must have been heartbreaking news for you.

Well, no-one told me that they had died. There were just rumours at the school. People were whispering and saying how sorry they were but no-one actually told me what had happened! Eventually Neville heard the rumours and came to visit me at the school.

Is that how you first met Neville?

I’m not sure. He came to the school many times and took a special interest in me after my father and brother died. While my mother was in a coma, he said that he would adopt me if she didn’t make it. She survived and Neville began to support me but I didn’t know about this for a long time.

How old were you then?

About 5. 

Tell me about Neville’s influence in your life.

Neville would come and visit the school frequently – at least once a year. Every time he visited, he would sit me on his lap and we took photos together. So the other friends said that he must be my dad! And actually, that’s exactly how I felt. I never felt that I was without a father. I never felt abandoned. Neville had such a positive impact on my life. He supported me financially. He really cared for me. He had such a big heart. 

And this care was long lasting, wasn’t it?

It was. And I was soon to learn that it wasn’t just me that Neville cared for so warmly. I remember many years later going to Zambia with Neville and Gunnar, together with the son of a prisoner. I saw how Neville cared for this young boy. His name was Hastings. Neville supported Hastings for many years through to adulthood. At the time we visited Zambia, I identified with Hastings and remembered how I had experienced the same love from Neville myself. It gave me a clearer picture of how big this guy’s heart was!

Did Neville have a role in you becoming a pastor?

Yes, but it was by example not by anything he said. I saw Neville travelling to many places and listened to the many stories about how he helped so many people. As I grew up, I felt that that is what I wanted to do, too. That is who I want to be.

I met your wife a couple of years ago when I visited you in Korea. How did you meet her? Tell me about your family now.

My wife and I grew up together in the same school. But after high school, we went our different ways. We went to different work places and to different churches. My wife joined a fellowship where the other people spoke well of me. So she began to think, ‘Okay, maybe this guy is an option for me’. She sent me a fax and asked to meet me. I got the hint. I met up with her and the rest is history. We have two CODA* boys who are all grown up now.

* Child Of Deaf Adults

How did she feel about you wanting to be a pastor? How did she feel about being a pastor’s wife?

I shared with her early on about wanting to be a pastor and asked her if she was willing to help me in this. She said yes enthusiastically.

Korea began as a supported country and is now a supporting country (and an important one at that). It’s the only country so far to make that transition. How did it happen? What’s the secret to your success?

When DMI first started in Korea, Neville supported all the pastors financially. But things have changed. Korea has a better social security system now. The government provides pastors with allowances so they receive income from the church and from the government. Our lives are financially stable now. We don’t need support from DMI anymore. We are grateful for the support we received but we don’t need it anymore.

What is the role of DMI Korea in DMI’s mission today?

We’re especially interested in supporting other Asian countries: the Philippines, Myanmar and China. We want to encourage the development there – like this Fatherheart school in the Philippines now. We encouraged that. It’s our initiative. We are also promoting the loan program here in the Philippines, too. I have a lot of interest in self-sustainability projects among the Deaf in the Philippines and to see them become financially independent. They also have spiritual needs which we want to meet – to teach them from the Bible because they only have a limited understanding of the gospel at this point. So I want to teach them the Bible and guide them, just like we’re doing now with the Fatherheart school. 

What is your personal role in DMI now?

I’m a member of the International Board. And I’m the ambassador for DMI in Korea.

I saw you preach at the International Conference in Kenya last year. You’re clearly a gifted teacher. Is this one of your main strengths as a pastor or do you prefer to work in other areas of ministry?

I don’t think preaching is my main strength. I do it because it needs to be done and I just do my best at it.  People around me say that my way of explaining things is easy to understand. I’m good at sharing and explaining the gospel. But I don’t know if that’s my top skill.

You’re a funny guy. You routinely crack us all up. What role do you think humour has in ministry?

I think Neville has influenced me there! He was so funny and loving at the same time. He had such a joyful heart and was always joking and that has had a big influence on me. Actually, you know, when you first came to Korea, I thought, ’Who is this guy? He doesn’t look like Neville’. But as I got to know you, I can see that you have the same twisted sense of humour that Neville had. I can see he’s influenced you, too!

I’m flattered! And yes, Neville has had a big influence on me, too.  What is your hope for DMI Korea and for DMI globally?

For Korea, I hope to raise more financial support. Globally, I hope to see more Deaf pastors and leaders raised up and working in ministry.

How’s the food been here in the Philippines?

It’s pretty good but I miss the kimchi.

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In Yeong and DMI Korea are focussing this year on supporting the Deaf in Myanmar where the war has taken such a devastating toll, and the Philippines where we have our school and many churches in need. If you can help support our ministry in either country, please visit: https://deafmin.org/donate/

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