Vanessa VanCleave, author of Hearing AIDS: How a Deaf Child with AIDS Taught Me to Hear God’s Voice, will be coming to Checotah for a Book Review and Signing at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26 at the Jim Lucas Checotah Library.

VanCleave is an author, Mvskoke prayer warrior poet, teacher, and storyteller. After serving eighteen years as a sign language interpreter, she is currently the Curriculum Director and English/ ASL Instructor at Schulter High School.

VanCleave grew up in rural Oklahoma and loved writing in high school. She graduated from Eufaula in1991.

After attending Connors State College she went on to obtain her bachelor’s degree in English/writing from East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma, and a master’s degree in education curriculum and instruction from the University of Missouri– Kansas City.

VanCleave also received ministry training at the Berean School of the Bible and Victory Bible Institute School of Worship. She is also a graduate of Christian Leaders Authors and Speakers Services (CLASS).

In 2000, Vanessa founded Hands of Hope Ministries, a nonprofit prayer and missions organization dedicated to training up warrior poet messengers who know their mission and live with purpose.

Her essay “Happy Go Home” and poems “No Place Like Home” and “Do Not Resuscitate” won the Originals (East Central University’s literary arts magazine) award for creative nonfiction and poetry two years in a row. Her articles have appeared in Today’s Christian Woman and Guideposts magazines.

Her mission is to inspire, encourage, and motivate others to connect with God and live with purpose.

Don’t miss this appointed time to “Hear God’s Voice” from this talented author and pick up a copy of her new book.