Andrew Miller is the International Director for DMI. When he’s not eating Twisties 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…

#9 Liezl

Quiet, shy, and heavy-laden yet resourceful, caring and hopeful, Liezl – a Deaf pastor – is an unsung hero, a loyalist to the Faith and a dear friend. I speak to her in the quiet foyer of a hotel in Bacolod, Philippines.

Andrew: Your life is not an easy one, is it?

Liezl: [Looks at me with a sad smile.] There have been challenges in my life.

And there still are, aren’t there?

[Same sad smile] I’d rather not talk about my family.

Well, let’s talk about Bacolod, then. What’s Bacolod like?

[A brighter smile breaks across her face] I have many friends here.

And if you were working for the Bacolod Tourist Bureau, what would you add to that about Bacolod?

Bacolod has the most beautiful scenery.

Now we’re talking.

It is the ‘City of Smiles’. 

You’re on a roll now.

It’s called that because the people here are so happy. The climate here is also great. Sunny so much of the time, but also good rainfall to keep the place green and lush.

It’s not too hot?

This is normal for us. We love it.

I remember first meeting you at Albert and Kim’s boarding house in 2019. How long had you been there at that time?

Only three weeks! I was struggling at home so took a break to work in the kitchen and live at the boarding house. I had two kids at the time and they were staying with my parents-in-law.

How is your family situation now?

[I’ve brought that sorry smile back.] My husband, who is also Deaf, is not well. He has constant headaches so he can’t work. The pain can make him short-tempered. We have a third child now so I have to support my husband and three children.

What work are you doing to support your family?

I teach in a Deaf Church every Sunday. It takes me an hour and a half on public transport to get there so it takes up most of the day. Other than that, I’m a full-time housewife and mum so I’m really not able to do any other paid work.

I don’t understand how you make enough to support your whole family.

That’s the problem. [Liezl looks despondent.] Sometimes I ask friends for some help. Sometimes Albert and Kim help me.

We talked a few months ago about you starting your own business. What happened there?

I just can’t make it work time-wise because I have to take care of my kids.

Is there any way that we can help you support your family?

I’d love to start my own business, but I have to focus on my kids for now. It’s not easy at home….

How did you first meet Albert and Kim?

They visited my hometown, but I wasn’t there at the time. So they went looking for me. And I’m so grateful they did! I ended up meeting them outside one of the Deaf schools in Bacolod.

What came of that first meeting?

They sent me to Davao to study in a seminary for four years and then I returned to Bacolod for another year of study.

That was a big change. Did you enjoy that?

Oh, yes! And now I teach at a church in Bago where typically 15 Deaf would gather each week.

What do you enjoy about teaching at the church in Bago?

I just love explaining the gospel and teaching from the Bible. It gives my life meaning and beauty.

How about Neville? When did you first meet him and what impact did he have on your life?

I first met Neville in 2007 at the original boarding house of Albert and Kim. There was a baptism class in one of the resorts nearby and that’s where we first saw him. He was such a good man. Always so kind and helpful and always so cheerful and generous.

Was it Neville who first encouraged you into ministry?

Actually, no! I’m the youngest of four kids. Everyone else in my family was hearing. I still remember when all my siblings would go off to school and I would be left behind. That caused me so much sadness. Eventually, I was allowed to go to school, but it was a hearing school so I was 12 years old when I entered grade one. Strange as it might seem, the hearing teacher told me that in the future, I should want to be a missionary and I should study for this. I was so happy and excited to hear this and the teacher always encouraged me to achieve this goal. 

I wasn’t expecting you to have such a call into ministry!

It’s surprising, isn’t it? But between that teacher, then Neville and Albert, I have been guided and supported in ministry and that’s what I love most.

I know it’s a challenging hypothetical, but if God could grant you any request, what would you ask for?

[Liezl beams.] That’s easy. The opportunity to teach in more churches.

~

We encourage ‘tent-making’ (second-jobbing) in all our fields. Yet more support is needed for our pastors who receive very little, if any payment, for their ministry work, or for those like Liezl who are still supporting a family while they serve. To support Liezl (or any of our pastors) please give generously at https://deafmin.org/donate/ or click on the ‘Donate’ button below and mark Liezl (or other name) in the reference.