Seeds for serving others were sewn for Phyllis Hogue, literally, during young motherhood. Phyllis married Dennis right out of high school, soon started having children (5 to be exact) and became involved in their school lives; PTA, Field trips, and more. To earn a little bit of money she mended furs and began sewing puppets. To provide a ministry, she sold the puppets to churches at a cheaper price than could be found commercially.
While attending church in Wichita, she noticed a deaf couple and wanted to communicate with them, so she started learning sign language. During her first year of lessons, she began working in the public schools with children who had hearing loss. Soon, she was offered a job and began training which would lead to a 16-year career in interpreting to students through signing, a career that was rewarding and touched many lives.
Phyllis’s work in the public schools allowed her to save her earnings for retirement. Dennis had worked hard and saved money through an employer pension fund. With her financial situation secured, after her husband passed away and she retired, Phyllis was searching for her place in serving God, a special place where she could find fulfillment. And she found that overseas.
Phyllis has traveled to Phnom Penh, Cambodia 3 times to teach English to students who would not be able to afford college. For two months, she resides with them in the housing there and teaches them how to better speak English through bible stories. She has also been to Panama to teach Bible School.
When asked about the challenges of traveling to a new country and being immersed in a new culture, Phyllis answers, “I could do more than I thought I could. I learned I could stand on my own.” She had blossomed.
Phyllis likes to sign while she sings hymns. One time, while singing and signing with her students, they asked to learn signing as well. She encouraged them as they located a resource in their area where they could learn the sign language unique to Cambodia. Phyllis planted seeds for the next generation of serving hands.
As traveling gets more challenging, Phyllis is looking for new ways to serve others. Whatever she decides to do, it is clear her retirement years will be in full bloom through using her serving hands.
By Shelli Kadel
Phyllis (far right) and some of her students
