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…

#5 Lill

Lill Muir is the grand matriarch of DMI. The widow of Neville, she was with him in the beginning and very much the driving force – the heart – behind much of his ministry to the Deaf. Diagnosed with Alzheimers, Lill found some memories were not easy to recall throughout our interview yet she remains spritely, in good spirits, rich in faith and feels very much connected to DMI.

Andrew: What a journey you’ve had!

Lill: Oh, I know! What a journey, indeed! So many ministries, so many wonderful people and places, so many memories, no wonder it’s hard to keep track of them all!

You first went to South Korea with Neville in 1978 to minister to the Deaf, not really knowing what would come of it. How did you feel when you first went? What were your expectations?

I was already experienced in travel having journeyed with my father for many years. He was a merchant sailor. So for me, this new mission was all a big adventure. But I do remember when Neville and I first went to South Korea – before we began the ministry – and Neville saw this woman trying (and failing) to communicate with her Deaf son. It really motivated him to do something about it. He really had a heart for the Deaf. I don’t remember what the expectation was when we started the ministry and maybe that’s not important but that’s the motivation we took with us. 

After several years in South Korea – and after planting 11 churches for the Deaf – you moved back to Japan (where you first met and married Neville) to raise your boys. How was your time in Japan?

I enjoyed Japan very much. Such a lovely country. I enjoyed raising my four boys there and they were such good boys! I could have raised them in any country and it would have been okay! Really, no other mother could have had sons as good as mine!

My mother had four boys, too. She might want to take you up on that.

Haha, she’s welcome to. I’m standing by my statement!

On second thoughts, maybe she wouldn’t take you up on that. Anyway, when was your first trip to Africa? Can you tell me about that?

Oh, it was such a long time ago and there were so many wonderful people!

The ministry started there with Daniel in Tanzania, Josephat in Kenya and David Bulime in Uganda. Is that right?

Oh yes! I loved Africa. I made so many trips there I can’t remember my first one but I know I loved everyone and everything I saw there. When we realised we had the chance to start sign language churches and schools for these beautiful people, I was in. God had brought us together and there wasn’t much more to think about. I loved these people and I tried to understand them and know them as much as possible. I’ve forgotten all my signing now! But back then, working with them was such a joy. I don’t know if people love their work as much as I have loved mine. I really loved it so much.

It’s extraordinary to think how much Neville achieved in one lifetime so this is a really mean question to ask but what do you think Neville’s greatest achievement was?

That’s easy. Marrying me! Haha! But Neville had such a huge heart that I think his greatest achievement was simply loving people. There are so many examples of him providing work and education, one-on-one support for the Deaf and of course, sharing the gospel with them. He just had such an enormous capacity to love people. I think that outworking of love was his greatest achievement.

How about you? What do you think your greatest achievement has been?

God has given me the gift of laughter and I have used it often! So my greatest achievement has probably been joyful hospitality. I always loved it when people came to our house. I loved caring for people. In that sense, I think I have been the ideal support for someone like Neville. God brought us together to achieve together and that is what we did.

Neville travelled a lot. How did you cope with that? 

It was no problem. My boys were such good boys. They were always so well-behaved and very helpful.

But you must have missed Neville when he was gone?

I don’t know! I had so much fun with my boys! In later years, he was away more, but the boys were older then so it only got easier.

You moved back to Australia in 2001. How did you feel about that and how have you enjoyed living in Australia?

I was happy to move to Australia, but to be honest, I didn’t think too much about it. I’m just grateful for the many different people that God has brought into my life and whom I’ve been able to befriend. I still remember their faces so I love to look at their photos. We took photos wherever we went so I have an enormous number of albums now. The local op shop used to set albums aside just for me because they knew I needed so many!

What is your favourite memory of your time with DMI?

Oh boy! I’ll have to go to the albums for that! There’s no one single favourite memory. It’s the collective memory of all those that God has brought into my life, the memory of seeing Neville help people. I’m just so thankful to God for giving me the life that I have.

There must have been some hard times, too. What did you do to deal with problems that arose in the field and how did you manage it emotionally?

The first thing is to pray. I have to pray and God hears my prayers. If I hadn’t done that and kept a love for people in my heart, I would have struggled. 

You have a strong faith. How do you maintain it?

My mum taught me from childhood how to pray and we often prayed together. Mum and I were almost like sisters. We had such a close relationship. I learned so much from her. And that faith that she instilled in me has been with me throughout my life. I’ve seen God work so many times in my life; there have been so many examples of His goodness. My desire is still to share His goodness with others. Sometimes that goes well, sometimes not so well, but I always keep my hope to help people.

How is Ian doing? (Ian is Neville and Lill’s fourth son. He has Downs Syndrome.)

He’s doing so well. I wondered how he would go in a group home but he loves it! I thought it might not work out but it’s great to see him flourish there. Now that’s his home and he’s happy there. He takes advantage of the fact that he’s one of the most verbal of the disabled residents so he often gets to decide which meals everyone will eat! 

Sausages, I’m betting.

Haha, yes, you know how much he likes them. He did a Bible reading in church recently which was great. He is a very capable boy. Boy! He turns 40 in March!

Makes you feel old?

No, I don’t feel old at all!

You have Alzeimers now. How are you doing?

It’s very mild. Sometimes I have trouble finding the right words but physically I’m in great shape and able to enjoy life. I don’t even think about it!

How are you going in the care home here?

The people here are really wonderful. But they know nothing about DMI so it feels a bit like something is missing at times. I still feel connected to DMI and DMI is a big part of my life still. I’m hoping to go back to Norway for a visit at some point in the future. That will bring me full circle. We’ll see how we go.

You’re an amazing woman. Thank you for talking to me today.

Oh, my pleasure! 

~

To continue the work that Neville and Lill began to support the Deaf in education, employment and in hearing the gospel, please give generously at https://deafmin.org/donate/ or click on the ‘Donate’ button below.