While attending an in-depth training (R.E.I.S.E.T.) for MO rural interpreters for the deaf at William Woods University in Fulton, I met a young lady named Kristina Franklin. When I first arrived, I noticed several ladies were Pentecostals. I was so excited to see sisters in the truth. As time progress and I got acquainted with others, I met Kristina, a single mother of 2 young daughters. She said that she had received the Holy Ghost about 4 years ago. There were several of the other ladies who also shared a deep love for the Lord, but attended churches of different denominations.
 
One night during a Lab time at the college, I heard Kristina talking very loudly on her phone and sounding quite upset. I thought it was because she is hard of hearing herself and couldn't understand the other person she was talking too. Well, later I found out she was having some personal problems with the camp counselors concerning her two daughters who were attending their camp. The girls were missing their mom and one had tried to run away several times. The counselors were going to turn them over to child protective services at midnight that night if someone didn't come and get them. The girls' father or grandparents were not available to go and get them, so it was up to Kristina, who has night blindness and cannot see or drive at night.
 
My friend Sherry Padgett, asked her what the problem was and Kristina told her of the situation. Kristina was very upset and didn't know what to do. The girls were 6 hours away and it was about 6:00 pm at that time. Sherry told her that they were going right then to pick up the girls. Kristina couldn't believe her ears...Sherry was going to leave right at that moment and help her get her daughters.
 
The 2 of them left and began the 6 hour trip. As they were driving, Kristina began to share her story. She told Sherry that she had received the Holy Ghost. Sherry asked her how she had been baptized. Kristina told her that she had been baptized in the name of the father, and the son, and of the holy ghost. Sherry reached to her Bible and told Kristina to open it to Matt. 28:19 and read it aloud. Sherry then proceeded to ask her what that meant. She asked Kristina if father was a name, if son was a name and if holy ghost was a name. Kristina said "no". Sherry then asked Kristina if her dad went to the bank and signed a check using father or son, would the bank honor that check.. Kristina agreed that the bank would not honor such a signature. Sherry asked her to then turn to the book of  Acts 2:38 and see what the disciples did to obey Matt. 28:19. Kristina began reading  it out loud. At once she began to say..."I have to get baptized in Jesus name...I see it". Sherry had not even had to explain it to her. Kristina's heart was so ready and receptive for the word of God. Well, the trip continued and they picked up the girls. After leaving them with their grandparents, they returned back to classes.
 
Sherry asked Kristina if she wanted to travel home with her, to Kansas City for the weekend, to be baptized in Jesus name. Kristina was so excited to say "yes" and go home with Sherry for the weekend. That Sunday morning June 28, 2009 Kristina Franklin was buried in the name of Jesus. When she came back to classes, she was a new creature in Christ Jesus.
 
Kristina came to me on that Monday and said that she felt dirty in her clothes. I looked at her and told her she looked fine. She said, "No, this is all the clothes I have with me and I don't feel right to wear them." Not one person had told Kristina that she needed to change the way she was dressing. She felt conviction about her clothes. The next day one of the ladies took her shopping and she came back with a new wardrobe and her hair fixed so cute pulled up. She is now going to attend a UPC in Joplin, MO. Kristina is so excited about her new walk with God. Thank the Lord for women who are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ and are willing to share with those around us.
 
If you would like to view Kristina's baptism and testimony feel free to log-on to www.deafevangelism.com and click on testimonies. Kristina is very happy in her new church and serving the Lord Jesus with her new family in Christ. Please pray for all interpreters for the deaf that God will use us and equip us with the knowledge necessary to win the lost in the deaf community.
 
 
Dona Tilley
Cornerstone Tabernacle
Poplar Bluff, MO

 

I am excited to share my testimony with all the women, deaf, and hard of hearing consumers. About a week ago, before my baptisim or before any of the this tradegy that I've experienced with my daughters at Camp Woods in Kansas, I was praying and asking God to used me to help others. Wow! He has been blessing me and using me to help others! What a remarkable work He has done! Praise God!

 

Kristina Franklin

Joplin, Missouri