Braille Scriptures help change lives

There are around 12 million blind and visually impaired people in India. In many cases, their condition is the result of the poverty and malnutrition which continue to blight parts of the country. Despite these difficult circumstances, though, blind and visually impaired people can lead a fulfilled life as active and valued members of their community if they receive the right type of help at the right time. Supplying some of this help, in the form of items such as audio materials, Braille Portions and New Reader Scriptures and white canes, has been a priority of the Bible Society of India’s Special Audiences Department since the mid-1980s (see World Report 393/9 and 398/11).

The Bible Society of India (BSI), with the assistance of the American Bible Society and United Bible Societies, has been providing Braille Scriptures for blind and visually impaired people in different Indian languages for many years. These are distributed by mission agencies working in the field. But what is the impact of this work? A camp for visually impaired people, organised by Mission to the Blind (MTB) in October, revealed just what can happen when the Bible is provided in formats and languages that people understand.
Photo: A Bible study session at the camp for visually impaired people held by the Bible Society of India in Bangalore in October 2005. Photo: BSI (IND05DJ-9.JPG)
A Bible study session at the camp for visually impaired people held by the Bible Society of India in Bangalore in October 2005. Photo: BSI (IND05DJ-9.JPG)

INDIA – Thirty-one visually impaired people came to a specially organised camp at the Union of Evangelical Students of India Retreat Centre in Dodda Gubbi, Bangalore.

“I was filled with worries. I was searching for peace and joy. Today’s messages spoke to me and I do believe that God is with me.”

“I have three sisters who are also blind like me. This used to worry me much. In this camp I have learnt not to worry but to trust in the Lord for everything.”

“I wanted God to do what I wanted; now I have learnt to pray for God’s will. The talk on marriage made me realise that I should be more responsible and wait till I get a good job to get married.”

“I was lifted up from my discouragement due to loss in business. My faith is renewed. I am glad to see the efforts of MTB in making blind people understand the Gospel and the truths about God.”

“I have learnt not to blame God for the difficulties I face in life. I will overcome temptations by the help of God.”

“My worries affected my health and studies. Fanny Crosby’s biography was a great blessing to me. God has given me new courage. I want to be baptised.”

“I learnt to pray. I have decided to endure any hardship for the Lord.”

True Friend

These are just some of the ways that the camp impacted the delegates, all of whom were Kannada language speakers. BSI provided Braille Scriptures for them in their own language. The delegates were taken through studies in the Book of Luke and through various topics that related to their needs. Dr P I Varghese, head of the Society’s Special Audiences Department, encouraged the delegates with an inaugural talk on the theme of Jesus as the True Friend – setting the tone for the rest of the camp.

For some, the camp marked a significant turning point in their lives.

Moses was sent to the camp because a Christian friend was concerned about the way his life was going. It was feared that he would be a disruptive influence – but God had other plans. In the first afternoon session, the speaker told how a blind friend of his had recently committed suicide due to loneliness. The story set Moses thinking about his own life and how desperate his situation was. He met with God there and then, and told the camp on the second day:

Different man

“I was a sinner and I came to this camp drunk. My drinking spree starts in the morning and goes on into the night. Whatever income I received went into drink, smoking, drugs and other bad habits. I was touched by the message and realised my sins. I am a different man these two days.”

Puttanna, a young blind man, went to meet his friends in a school and some of the students there invited him to the camp. There, he heard about Jesus for the very first time and compared him to the gods of his own religion. It was his turning point. He went back home with joy and peace through meeting with Jesus. Puttanna has now asked BSI staff to go to Kollegal to start a regular Bible Study.

The changes did not stop there. Many who were already Christians but living a cold spiritual life rededicated themselves to live a vibrant Christian life. And 21 responded to a challenge to be intercessors and to share the Gospel with blind and visually impaired people. They will begin by sharing, forming small groups in their school hostels. 15 of them pledged to share the Gospel with others.

All of this from one camp where the Bible was accessible in a format, language and context that enabled people to encounter its life-changing message.

This report relates to projects IND801, IND802S and 78135.
(WR 399/19 - 01.02/06) [3 photos]