1945~2020
Some men stand out among others.
Neville Muir was a giant of a man. He was loved and admired by thousands around the world, not as a rock star is by unknown fans but as one who has personally reached into and touched the lives of many. He was a man who had, unwaveringly, a heart after God.
I first met Neville at Osaka International Church (OIC) in 1994. He and Lill would come into the church with their four young boys Brent, Erik, David and Ian. Ian was always a trick and the life of the party. OIC became DMI’s base in Japan, supported by pastor Jack Marshall who at 91 continues to serve on DMI’s Japan Board.
When I began to serve as pastor at Minoh International Church, DMI became our primary focus of giving. It was an easy decision. I still remember Neville speaking to our congregation. Like Jesus, he had “no beauty or majesty to attract us to him” and like Paul, he may have been “untrained in speech” but in his gentle, Christlike way, Neville captivated us and won our hearts. Neville was exceptional not just because of his vision or all he was able to achieve in his life, but simply because of who he was.
Everywhere he went, he took the presence of Jesus with him. Everywhere he went, people responded to him. Everyone loved Neville, and God’s favour was upon him. It was a treat to see him engage with those around him, so humbly, so gently, with such good humour and with such amazing compassion.
His vision was to take education, employment and the gospel to the Deaf in developing countries. It began with the sponsorship of one Deaf boy over 40 years ago. Today, his ministry has spread all over the world. I’ve been associated with DMI for decades and worked for DMI for years and I still don’t know how many people Neville has reached.
This is not only because of the sheer volume of ministry work that Neville has done, but the humility with which he has done it. Every week there would be contact from a far-flung region: another child sponsored, another medical bill paid, another classroom opened, another believer baptised, another evangelist supported. Neville’s reach into the world is almost impossible to define. What’s more, often when there was a financial need, Neville would just quietly reach into his own pocket to pay.
He was a man of great faith. In the face of hardships and impossibilities, Neville always remained calm and trusting. His exploits of impossible outreach sometimes made no sense whatsoever but Neville’s love for the outcast was unceasing and he always trusted God. Somehow, the lost were reached. Somehow, the right place was found. Somehow, the money came through. Somehow, it worked out.
He was a man of great character. Forty years of mission work will inevitably see, from time to time, misunderstanding, moral failure, betrayal and loss in the field. I never saw Neville lose his temper or his resolve. On the contrary, he handled all tribulations with wisdom, humility, patience, decisiveness and compassion.
He was a man of great humour. There were few conversations I had with Neville that didn’t end up in laughter. He was delightfully self-deprecating, and would laugh long and hard at his own faux pas, especially when it came to international signing. Whether signing the word ‘toilet’ instead of ‘taxi’ in Myanmar, or mistakenly encouraging a congregation in Korea to enjoy coffee and sex after the service, there seemed to be no end to the mistakes which international signing afforded, and which Neville obliged.
This self-deprecation was never more on display than with his sickness. Neville struggled with multiple cancers for about seven years, and he would share stories of his treatment with all of us. Who can forget the horrendous but hilarious account of his flight from the Norwegian conference in 2017? “I started to bleed on the flight to Norway, then as soon as we arrived I was put into hospital, endured a cystoscopy and had a catheter put in…it was excruciatingly boring… I could not eat anything and my only human contact was when a nurse came in wearing bright yellow hazmat attire, just to change my catheter!” This wasn’t a personal mail. He wrote this for all to read in the newsletter! From anyone else it would have been too much information, but for Neville, we were all family, we were all sharing his journey and he wanted us all to laugh along.
He was a man of great mission. Tremendous mission. Mission work that extended so far and so wide it became impossible to record everything. On one visit to our church, Neville was sharing stories of the lost who were being reached in the most remote corners of the world. I asked Neville afterwards who was recording all the stories. No-one, he said. That’s when the idea for a blog was born. (The newsletters report more on DMI’s schools, churches and projects. The blogs focus on individual stories.) In the last year or two of his life, I was not the only one prodding Neville to write an autobiography. To the best of my knowledge, he never got past the first paragraph. For a man about whom many books could be written, trying to write one himself was surely too daunting.
My first trip with Neville was to Myanmar. Burmese law required us to stay in hotels. For a week, we ate dinner together, just the two of us, sharing our lives, sharing vision, munching away, always laughing. It was such a rich time of fellowship. I feel so honoured to have had that time with him.
He was a great family man. He had such a great love for Lill and his boys. He adored his whole expanding family. I was always thrilled when Neville would tell me he couldn’t make it to an event or do a certain task because he had to attend a grandchild’s birthday. He had such a desire to put his family first, and the quality of his family today is a testimony to that dedication.
Neville Muir was the finest example of Christian living I have ever met. He stands out amongst a stellar line up of faithful and fruitful servants. He was the embodiment of the good samaritan, the epitome of a good shepherd. He was a pioneering missionary, a modern-day apostle. Thousands of Deaf and hearing people around the world have been affected by his love for the gospel and his love for them. We used to joke with him that he should be dubbed ‘St. Neville of Beaconsfield’. We all laughed at this but it was less of a joke for us than it was for Neville.
When I heard the news that Neville had passed away, I was initially overcome with sadness and grief. As I processed this, I found my sadness being superseded by gratefulness. I miss Neville. I will continue to miss him. But I will always be grateful for the chance to know him, to work with him and to enjoy his friendship. His legacy will last for decades, if not centuries. And when future generations ask after him, I will be amongst those who can say with pride, “I walked with Neville”.
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
Such a beautiful tribute. You have obviously lost a dear friend and a very special, selfless person.
Beautifully written Andrew, you speak for all of us, his friends.
Neville rescued me from homelessness when I was living in Korea in 1983. I lived in a room at the back of the Inchon Church for several months. Neville, Lille and their family were a breath of fresh air for me. I echo what Andrew has said: Neville had a great sense of humour. He could always make me laugh. He was incredibly generous. He took the Gospel to the ends of the Earth. I can hear Jesus say to Neville: “Well done, good and faithful servant. Come into the kingdom prepared for you.”
Thank you Andrew for sharing this. Every now & then unsung heroes touch our lives. I’m so glad our Master & Saviour, Jesus, takes note of all those hidden, wonderful sacrifices that we may have not known of but He does. We loved Neville, Lil & Ian, too. ( not knowing the others as well) Even though we were a very small part of his life, he always made us feel special & loved. I’m sure many could say the same thing. Love & condolences to Lil, Ian & the family as they mourn the loss of such a special man.
All you have written about Neville is true, Andrew. It is easy to exaggerate when writing about a person who has newly passed away, but after having walked with Neville for ten years, I can confirm everything you have said about this giant.
We first met Neville in 1969 when pastoring Collingwood Church of Christ. He turned up at our evening services with a dozen or more deaf in tow. This started for us an amazing friendship as we supported, prayed for and visited many of the DMI centres. We were inspired by Neville’s passion, patience, endless compassion and constant supply of stories of earthquakes, house fires, boiling toilets etc.
Our lives are the richer for knowing him – to us he was God’s ‘Apostle to the Deaf’.
To Lill and the family we extend our heartfelt sympathy and assure them of our continued prayer and support.
Barry & Anne Cutchie.
Have a nice trip to the beautiful place above. You wil be mist
Signelill and patrick smeding woll
I remember still to this day our visit to Australia years ago. And it was so much fun beeing there. You worked hard, you loved your family. It was easy to see the bond you all shared. You are a grate loss for this world, to so many people across the globe. I give my condolances to Lill and the Boys, and to the big extended family you created in so many corners og the world!
Rest in peace Neville, never forgotten
Andrew,
Oh that’s so beautiful your written memories. He was an inspiration to all of us.
When I was 19 years old I met Neville for first time at his parent’s house in Ivanhoe for Deaf Christian Fellowship in August 1968 until he left for Japan. We were writing together.
But 5 years later in 1974 I was falling away from the Lord for 16 years. I felt like I was in a deep pit, trapped faraway from the Lord until in 1991 I came back confess, forgiveness to the Lord, ( a long story) Neville heard from me and he was visiting me and were supporting so very surprised to see him. I was crying as happily. We kept writing until his family came home to live here. We were travelled to overseas and churches with him around in Victoria and Sydney too and Lill also sharing and helping together.
We were neighbours in Beaconsfield for 12 years. Impossible not forget to him.
I miss him so dearly.
Our thoughts of love and praying for the Lord to comfort Lill, Brent, Erik, David and Ian and all wives and all family. With heartfelt deepest sympathy ?
With God’s blessings
Susan Shannon
“I walked with Neville”. It is indeed a privelidge to know the man, a saint of the Lords, a friend, someone who with Lill, looked after my mother and made her feel she had family close by because the rest of us were not close (‘Im in the UK). His life inspired many and bought so many to see Jesus.
Walking with Neville is a joy, because Neville walked with Jesus. Looking at Neville was a joy because he reflected a lot of Jesus in his own life. I’m sure he was not perfect, but a man worth imitating. As Paul wrote: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Cor 11:1).
Neville, thank you for who you were. Lord Jesus, thank you that we knew him. And Lord please hold Lill, and her precious family. Hold them tight in this time. Amen.
Neville were introduced to me by my late Husband who had been a student at VSDC. As I seen him at DCF and other church and got to know him each time. Then when DMI were formed and I attend 2008 Egypt conference. Bit by bit I was inspired by his work and his knowledge of Korean Sign Languages. He is a mountain of a Man who faithfully serve and committed to the Lord when he made that promise since he was a little boy. And kept this promise from that day onward.
We are sorry to see you go and knew your time was up, you fought that long and hard battle. You have been an inspiration to us all around the Globe. Your example shone on us. We all are in this as ONE and must work together to continue DMI. And praying that the new leader and helpers will continue to grow.
My Sympathy to Lil and four sons and extended families. You won’t be forgotten.
Linda Beasley United Kingdom.
I too had the honor of walking with Neville in many countries and missions. We too laughed, prayed and worked. It was an honor. I will miss him. We had a standing joke about whoever got to the meeting or event first to save. A seat for the other. So, Neville, save me a seat! See you later my friend. Praying for all his family.
Debbie Kahn
in His Sign and Deaf Child Hope
We started Deaf Missionary in 1996 because we were challenged by Neville and He encouraged us to reach more Deaf people in other country.
Thank God for his gift of communication with Deaf people on different language and International Sign Language in different country which leads us to do this because of his example.
Raymond and Rita Abernethy from Northern Ireland
Andrew ; your written story about Neville is really amazing. It shows that He has a golden heart for Deaf people in the world.
Hi Andrew,
Thank you for your moving tribute to Neville. He came to WA and twice spoke at our seniors meetings about the DMI ministries. We will never forget this humble servant of Jesus. He came and shared with us straight after he had Chemo in Melbourne hospital. We thank the Lord Jesus that we came to know Neville
Our condolences to Lil and family.
Dirk Soet
WPCBC
In 1995 My husband and I started the Deaf Ministries List focused on United States of America because after all that’s where all the Deaf Ministries were right? Through a Deaf Christian Chat room on the Internet a Deaf Christian told about being an editor for her church newsletter. Assuming it was a church we had been in contact with I responded back . Oh no she responded I’m in Australia -and oh are you interested in contact with other Deaf Ministries in other countries ? We know a family doing Deaf Ministry in Japan. You mean there are Deaf CHURCHES in other countries and THEY are sending missionaries to OTHER countries and Americans arent running the show ??? Of course I’m interested. and that was our first introduction to Neville.He introduced us to many other Deaf ministries around the world. We emailed him on a very regular basis and always got a prompt (well within a two days or so) answer. and always interested in what we were doing. We had no idea the many people he was involved with. Imagine our shock when we went to Thailand DMI conference (at his invitation) and heard people complain that “Neville is so hard to reach. he never responds to emails” Really ? we were also honored when he came to visit us when he came through our area in Virginia. He showed a slight jealousy when Ian was a huger hit than he was when we invited them to the local ARC (day support program for people with intellectual disabilities) and the local TV station interviewed them. I feel a bit responsible for his busyness and increased load when I think of all the people I sent his way when they asked ” who is in such and such a country in Africa or Asia ” But I dont ever remember him saying ” stop! enough!” Of course once we realized how busy he was we started referring people to whatever location they were interested in. sorry this is lengthy but just wanted you to know the impact he had. Shirley Wilbers. Deaf Ministries List/Connection
Your tribute Andrew is truly the epitome of many of my own thoughts and expereinces. Rather that reiterating these here are a few personal glimpses early on in our friendship of 46 years.
As a newly arrived missionary to Japan Neville was like a big brother to me.
We taught English at the CLC bookshop in Kyoto; he introduced me to friends at the International Friendship House in Kyoto and at the Osaka International Church; and would go out of hs way to help as transitioned to life in Japan. I so valued his caring friendship and his gift of making me feel ‘at home’.
Several phone conversations asking for ‘help’ stand out. The first was: “Guess what? I’ve got myself engaged!”.
The next a call in desperation accepting my offer to make a traditional fruit cake for his wedding. A long time friend in Australia had promised to do that but after the wedding date was brought forward there was no time to get it made and sent out. Sourcing the needed ingredients in Japan where fruit cake & fondant icing weren’t even in their vocabulary was another story but God enabled and Neville got his cake and enough for the 200 or so guests!!
The third call came on their honeymoon. They had decided to come home a day early but needed a bed enroute. I had the privilege of preparing a ‘honeymoon suite’ for that last night. I still vividly recall the hillarious time we shared over the evening meal.
Their wedding was my first exposure to ministry amongst the deaf . I was deeply moved at the beauty of communcation through signing and the obvious joy of understanding that it brought. The ensuing years have only increased my respect and admiration for Neville and his ability to coommunicate the life changing message of the Gospel through signing.
I thank the Lord for a precious friendship with Neville & Lill. There are many things that could be shared but the incredible growth of DMI is testament to the life and ministry of Neville that he truly was ‘a man after God’s own heart’.
My loving sympathy and prayers continue to be with Lill, the boys and their families.
In 1980, at age 19, I met Neville and Lill for the first time, at a conference in Norway.
I will never forget when Neville in 1984 drove 600 km from Fredrikstad to Trondheim with two young South Korean deaf men, to minister to a small group of four deaf, who so much wanted to have fellowship.
And then to experience how you went out in the city to met another deaf, who had moved to Trondheim from South Korea some years before. Just to say hallo, just to let him meet some of “his own”, with the warm concern that he should not feel forgotten and alone.
I realized it was worth having you as my friend for the rest of my life. – Noone felt alone when Neville was around.
Lill and Neville, together you brought a bit of heaven to earth; and it came to pass: “as it is in heaven, let it be on earth.”
Heidi Woll, Norway
My family and I had the privilege of knowing Neville and Lil in Korea from 1978-1983. We were there with Compassion International, and our two families were family to each other. The Muir boys and my 2 sons and daughter were like cousins, and we two couples like family. Over the years, I have not been able to understand how two humans could accomplish such amazing feats, with so little money, all over the world! Of course, I know it was the Holy Spirit in them, but they first had to be willing, dedicated to the deaf, disciplined, self-sacrificing, selflessly serving the God they worshipped. They were one of the best examples of humility, humour, dedication, loving God that I have ever known. Earlier this year Neville and Andrew were to stay with my husband and me one last time in Sydney whilst visiting churches, but COVID came along and they were unable to travel. I agree that Neville’s sense of humour was legendary! What a man of God, and Lil and woman of God. We are blessed for having the privilege of calling them our friends.
Gone to a better place – farewell Neville.
Lovingly, Loida (Dart) Callaghan
Rev. Neville Muir ,you are so deeply loved by so many because you showed us Jesus Christ’s heart in every possible way. You are a perfect example of selfless, generous love. Our very deepest sympathy to your wonderful family, as they grieve your incalculable loss. O Holy Spirit, please touch their hearts and the hearts of each person that Neville so greatly touched as he lived his life serving the Lord. Each of us mourns, but Heaven’s angels rejoice as their son has come home to be with his Savior for all eternity. Neville, someday we will join you in God’s house, and we’ll never have to say goodbye again. Until then, dearest brother in Christ and May you rest in Jesus’ arms of love.
We love you. ??
Neville has impact on whoever crosses his path. He was my teacher at VSDC and he was full of surprises planning all sorts of adventures. One day he brought in an electrical frypan and showed us how to cook sukiyaki right in our classroom and we all had to sit on the floor just like the Japanese people do. He wanted us to experience how others live. All messages above only reinforce his desire to share. He was quite a character and I imagine he is looking from above smiling at us.
Firstly, I would like to give my thanks to Neville, I was one of his favourite students when he taught me in school, I always looked up to him as an idol. I shall remember the memories we created together; I miss him so much. I will never forget how much you contributed and gave to my life. God bless Neville and the Muir Family.
– Martin Ramadan
Neville was the most generous and kind person I’ve ever met, he did so much and gave even more. My most significant time with him was when he took me to Queensland and gifted me an experience I shall never forget. Neville was truly an amazing man, he lifted the spirits of many; myself included. God bless Neville and the Muir family. Thank you Andrew for this beautiful tribute.
Rest in peace Neville. I never got a chance to meet you but when I joined Immanuel Church for the Deaf Kenya. I felt and show the great love you had for the Deaf community around the world. Dance with angles Neville we loves you but God love you more.
Thank you Christine for a beautiful comment. I can see Neville dancing with angles, and indeed, we all love Neville, but the Lord loves him more
Neville was a very dear friend as well as sweet Lill. I came to know them and their young boys when I was serving as a missionary in South Korea 1976-1985. David was just a tiny boy and Ian was yet to be born. We shared in ministry together for several years. We celebrated many family birthdays together. I’ll always remember one of Neville’s birthdays I hosted at my house in Seoul. He asked if be could bring a few deaf friends to my house for dinner as well as Lill and the boys. I said sure, but was a tad surprised when 25 deaf friends arrived for dinner! God was truly amazing. While food was prepared for 20 people (not the 45 that showed up), God multiplied the rice and beans and we even had left overs! Neville always made me laugh. And skiing in Korea with Neville and the deaf was a hoot. (That’s another story.) We will miss Nev so much, but I’m sure he is ready bringing great laughter to the angels in Heaven. My family and church here in Colorado are praying for Lill and the boys. We love you and our hearts hurt with your loss. Debbie (Ham) Holt
My memories go back to worshiping at the Ivanhoe Church of Christ with deep admiration of the Muir family, the 3 boys Neville, Ken and Russell’s parents were outstanding christians who unselfisly gave of their time and belongings supporting and encouraging others to do likewise.
I remember Neville bringing deaf students to church, signing for them and taking them to their family home in Ivanhoe to eat.
Neville was chosen to be the pastor when my younger daughter Lyn Melville married William Rea in Japan. They now have 2 daughters Kate Melville-Rea and Hannah Melville-Rea.
Ken has been a boarder with my sister Joy Williams in Geelong, Victoria, Australia
Russell and family are living a taxi ride away from me in Melbourne.
Thank You for writing this tribute to Neville, it will be worth recalling another wonderful man of God in 2000 years
Neville will be remembered as another Child of God who lived on earth 2000 years after Jesus