The Quarterly News Magazine of Torch Trust for the Blind
OUR AIM: To overcome sight loss as a barrier to finding a personal faith in Christ and to living a fulfilled Christian life.
From:-
TORCH TRUST FOR THE BLIND, Torch House, Torch Way, Northampton Road, Market
Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 9HL, U.K.
Telephone: (01858) 438260, Fax: (01858) 438275, email: info@torchtrust.org
Charity Number 1095904.
What are Torch Fellowship Groups really about? A number have closed. Why? we ask. But what about the 120-plus Groups that continue - why do they continue? And new Groups - Coventry in October, Bedford in November - why do they open? What are they providing that isn't provided otherwise?
The professionals call the problem "social exclusion". Losing sight is for many the fast track to social exclusion. You can't go where you want, when you want, and you meet fewer and fewer people. No one has time to listen. Nobody seems to care.
Community is the remedy. Something to belong to. Somewhere to meet others. Something to contribute to, as well as receive from.
This is something Christians are uniquely well equipped to do - or should be. Community is programmed into our spiritual DNA. We worship a Godhead of three persons living in perfect unity, a model of community. That said, community doesn't always come naturally - even to Christians.
It's fundamental to building community that we listen to each other. We bless people when we give them something as precious as our time, some moments of undivided attention. Even in the middle of a crowd Jesus gave his time and attention to the neediest individuals. And the community we seek to create in our Torch Fellowship Groups is one where people meet Jesus through us.
Gordon Temple
Forty-eight years of Torch. That's something to celebrate - and exactly what we did at our Thanksgiving in Tonbridge, Kent, on October 27th.
The celebratory atmosphere was reinforced by the energetic singing and dancing of the vividly dressed Watato Children's Choir, whose joyful worship belied their heart-breaking life stories as HIV/AIDS orphans in Uganda.
Memorable moments from the event, which drew a crowd of around 300, included touching testimonies from those who have been blessed and their lives touched and changed by God through Torch's activities.
David Brown shared how in earlier years he was committed in Christian service as a regular preacher but fell away. He told how 26 years later, "... the Lord used my loss of sight to bring me back to himself, and finding I had nothing to read I got in touch with Torch and began to receive books and tapes." Drawing on resources from the Torch Library, he is once again preaching regularly.
Dorothy Boorman had found faith in Jesus after losing her sight, and expressed how much the Torch holidays mean to her. Although at first reluctant to go, she said, "I had the most wonderful time of my life ... I did not want to come home, I really didn't." She belongs to the Tonbridge Torch Fellowship Group: "We only meet once a month but I could go there once a week because they make you so happy."
George Curry expressed appreciation of his Torch Fellowship Group (Tonbridge) and of the audio books and magazines from Torch: "The diction and articulation of the tapes is fantastic ... and the magazines - I play them six times before I send them back."
Gordon Temple, Torch's chief executive, spoke of Torch's 4-dimensional mission: literature, fellowship, holidays and international, and of "pushing the boundaries" with plans for growth in each aspect. He declared, "We are going for gold - on a countdown to our 50th year in 2009". Referring to 2 Corinthians 9 he concluded, "We have brought our thanksgiving to God. Encouraged, we return to our work - 'supplying the needs' - to come together again next year with even greater thanks to God"
I can't believe that Wendie and I have been at Torch HRC for six months - the time has just flown by. As I cast my mind back to those first few days I remember the little concerns, like trying to find our way around the house and searching to locate kitchen equipment etc. Gail and Beth soon came to the rescue and not only licked us into shape but warmly welcomed us into the team and more importantly into the Torch family.
Very soon we were into helping with houseparties and outings, meeting with lovely guests, many of whom had been visiting Torch HRC for many years and could tell us newcomers a thing or two - in the nicest possible way of course. Wendie and I have already made some very good friends in our short time at Torch and although we do miss our friends back in Dorset we have no doubt that God called us to be here and has continued to bless us mightily.
Our introduction has been a very steep learning curve; we have laughed a great deal, dealt with difficult situations, been touched by the way God has spoken to our guests in a very real way and been humbled by the way some of our guests deal with really challenging problems.
Wendie and I would like to thank everyone who has made these first few months so special and would encourage everyone to come and stay to find out, first hand, what a special place Torch HRC is with its unique blend of fun, food and fellowship.
Haydn Everall
What an exciting and varied multitude of holidays we have to offer in 2008!
Twenty different holidays are on offer, ranging from book week to activity week, gardening week to health and beauty weekend, walking week to computer weekend, plus houseparties, Bible studies and Torch Fellowship Group holidays. There is something to suit everybody.
But also in 2008 we are taking some Torch holidays on tour and giving you the opportunity to experience a holiday in different parts of the UK. Gail and her team are going to the Midlands, Oxfordshire, Ireland and Scotland.
We start our tour with a weekend at King's Park near Northampton, 9-11 May, with speakers Peter and Kate Mancey. June 2-6 we are in Oxfordshire, staying at a beautiful Christian centre called Windmill Farm. We shall be visiting some of the picturesque villages in the Cotswolds. August 22-26 we are in Scotland staying in a recently refurbished centre reminiscent of Torch House, Hallaton. Our outings will be to places like Stirling, the Falkirk Wheel and hopefully the Edinburgh Tattoo. Then finally September 22-26 we shall be in Newcastle, Northern Ireland. Newcastle is at the foot of the mountains of Mourne; it is a gorgeous seaside town and the accommodation is in a wonderful Christian Conference centre.
We would love you to join us for a Torch Holiday in 2008 and can assure you of a week full of fun, family times, fellowship and great food. For transport information, costs, and any other information please contact Torch Holiday & Retreat Centre: tel: 01273 832282; email: TorchHRC@torchtrust.org
The Torch Houseparty at the Keswick Convention is a wonderful opportunity to combine great Bible teaching and Christian fellowship with outings in the beautiful Lake District. The Houseparty in 2008 will be from 12th to 19th July.
In order to ensure accommodation at Ferndean Guest House, it is essential that we have definite bookings by the end of this year. If you are interested please ask for a booking form from Torch House as soon as possible.
Near the Vendee coast is La Pas Opton, Spring Harvest's riverside holiday park. This will be the third year Mike and Edith Townsend have taken a group there, to stay in a beautiful French villa, enjoy exciting cuisine, join in the Bible teaching and explore the peaceful countryside and coast.
For more information or to book, contact Torch House.
Anne Crawley tells how a new Torch Fellowship Group started in Bedford
About 18 months ago I started going to a group run by local charity, Sight Concern (I am registered partially sighted) and there I was told that Torch Trust was hoping to see a Torch Fellowship Group start in Bedford. I was very excited and arrangements were made for Clive Leakey (Torch's New Groups Coordinator) to come and share more about the work of Torch.
We then started meeting together as a Prayer and Planning Group, which initially had a few disappointments but also some encouragements. The Planning Group is made up of Christians from different churches in the town that soon gelled into a relaxed and creative group. As the launch date, October 13th, drew nearer, many of the Prayer and Planning Group became a little apprehensive about what to expect.
But on the "big day" as people started arriving our fears quickly subsided as folk began sharing together. We had a wonderful day with everyone laughing and generally enjoying the whole occasion. Our theme was all about "Produce", creatively looking at the Parable of the Sower, and later in the programme I taught everyone how to make a corn plait. God really blessed the whole day and we give him thanks for it.
Mrs Paddy Howe traces the connections
So where did this one come from? A while ago, I went with my husband Neil, who, as Director of the Somerset Association for the Blind, was invited to be the speaker at a Torch meeting in Taunton. This was our first introduction to the movement and we noticed that several people had travelled in from Wellington to Taunton for the meeting. It was very apparent that they could benefit from a nearer group. We then moved house, into the Wellington area and so the idea was born. In the Taunton Vale district, there are approximately 650 people registered visually impaired or blind.
Rosemary Lane Chapel in Clayhidon were happy to host an exploratory meeting to see what the local interest might be. 16 people attended and David Palmer gave us a stimulating and thorough introduction to the work of Torch. Liz Hargreaves, who runs the Taunton group, kindly came along with 2 of the Taunton members. We are very grateful for their support.
Before we begin with the group we are planning monthly prayer times and we have now fixed a date for our first meeting for prayer: Thursday, November 15th at 7.30 pm in Rosemary Lane Chapel. We have heard from quite a few people now who would like to come to that, so we hope for a good gathering. I, myself, do not feel that I am the right person to do more than get this off the ground, so we really need to pray for a strong leadership team. Please pray for us that we will not move on until we know the Lord's leading.
The launch meeting of the Coventry Torch Fellowship Group was well attended by local visually impaired people. Jason and Jeanette Fowler reflect ...
Coventry Torch Fellowship's first meeting took place on Saturday 22nd September after much prayer and hard work. Some of those who attended remembered the previous Coventry Group, but there were many new faces there too.
Our speakers for this first meeting were the Torch Singers, who as well as leading us in worship, gave a brief outline of the work of Torch.
However, the best part of the meeting for me was the time of fellowship shared over tea afterwards. It epitomised what Torch is about: giving people the opportunity to build relationships so that God's word can be shared in real and tangible ways. Since the first meeting we have been able to visit at least once those who have requested we do so.
Special thanks to Clive for his support and hard work in helping us get the Group established.
It was on 6th October, the eve of Disability Sunday, that the first of Torch's Insight radio programmes was broadcast on Premier Christian Radio. Marilyn Baker introduced the programme and the first person interviewed was Paul Dickin, founder of Through the Roof and the one who conceived Disability Sunday.
On the day itself nine BBC Local Radio stations interviewed Dr Mike Townsend, a Torch trustee. His spot on BBC Radio Northampton was followed by an interview with Clive Leakey, our local New Groups Coordinator.
Insight, presented by Marilyn Baker, goes out at 9 pm each Saturday evening. There's been lots of variety already: testimonies to technology, international to inclusivity, Bible readings to books.
Do listen in - by any of these means: in the London area 1305, 1332, 1413 MW | DAB | elsewhere: Sky Digital 0123 | Virgin Media 968 | Freeview 725 | Internet: www.premier.org.
What can you do to help serve blind and partially sighted people in your church?
Answer: become a Torch Church Representative (Rep).
Could you give 30 minutes of your time each month to raise awareness of the work of Torch and help your church include blind and partially sighted people?
Maybe you would also be willing to take periodic speaking engagements or arrange for a Torch speaker to visit.
Currently 2 million people in the UK population - that's 1 in 30 - experience debilitating eyesight loss. According to the RNIB that's set to double over the next 20 years. It's a challenge for which every church needs to prepare.
We can help you meet that need with a Resource Pack and a twice yearly news sheet called Share@Church which will give ideas that you could use to raise awareness at your church. Please contact us at Torch House for a Torch Church Reps information pack and start to make your church a more welcoming, inclusive fellowship for everyone.
Mike Townsend looks back on the Summer Camp he led with Dezna Torch ...
Two children had life-changing experiences at the Romanian Summer Camp in August.
Two lives changed, but one for eternity.
Over more than 10 years, Torch has supported Romanian organisation, Dezna Torch, to build Casa Torch. Many Torch supporters have contributed finance, skills and labour towards this project. Through their efforts this 18-bedroom house is now habitable. The original vision was of a Christian family home for blind and partially sighted orphaned and abandoned children who faired so badly within the state orphanage system. Under pressure from the European Union, however, Romanian childcare has been overhauled and most of these children now have appropriate care. Consequently the authorities will not approve the opening of Casa Torch for its intended purpose.
Since discovering this earlier in the year we have undertaken research and worked hard with the local leadership, seeking the best way forward for this project. Finally we have concluded that in the new circumstances (Romania is now an EU member country) it is best that Dezna Torch operates independently of Torch Trust.
We are encouraged that they are committed towards opening Casa Torch as a Christian Rehabilitation Centre providing vocational and life-skills training to blind and partially sighted people, and confident of obtaining local funding. We will certainly follow developments at Casa Torch and will include Dezna Torch in our prayers along with Torch's other partners in Romania: Pro Lumina and Light into Europe.
During her Autumn visit to Malawi Janet Stafford accompanied Torch Malawi trustee Lapson Mbewe on an expedition to neighbouring Mozambique. She reflects ...
Yes, hungry - but for what?
One of the most lasting memories for me of the visit to Mozambique is the hunger for God's Word. However, out of the eight churches visited where the blind people gathered, there wasn't one blind person that could read braille, and few sighted people possess a print Bible. But some had received talking Bibles in July and have learnt huge chunks and were able to recite them.
When God's Word is shared the people hang on every word and respond to what is being said. For so long the blind people have been denied the Word of God, but praise God for the churches established through Lapson Mbewe and for the way the sighted members see the blind people as a normal part of the church.
Some of the groups visited were far from a town and in very isolated areas - what a welcome we received and how appreciative the blind people were to be given encouragement from the Bible. We met a blind woman walking from the maize mill being guided by a small child. Round her neck she had her talking Bible, which had come to her at a very needy time in her life and has brought her wonderful comfort and solace. A number of blind people told how the pastors who have Bibles visit and read to them. Hunger is being satisfied but there are many who are still hungry.
Ndabele is a language spoken in southern Zimbabwe where there are many blind people and a number of schools for the blind. The New Testament in this language has just been produced in braille at Torch's production unit in Blantyre, Malawi, and has now been sent to the Zimbabwe Bible Society in Harare for distribution.
The next production in Malawi is a new booklet for those suffering from HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe. It is called Take Charge and will be produced in the Shona and Ndabele languages, as well as in "Easy English".
Back in the UK at Torch House we have just despatched the four Gospels in French giant print commissioned for Haiti by United Bible Societies. This is a new translation called "Parole de Vie" (Word of Life).
We are delighted that 3 blind men from the Lower Shire area of Malawi have been accepted for theological training at the Evangelical Bible College of Malawi (EBCOM). They will commence the 3-year certificate course in January, providing they can get sponsorship. The cost per student is approximately £600 annually. The training would lead to qualification as pastors. Two other blind men successfully completed the course in the recent past.
Though these pages are most often devoted to Eastern Europe and Africa - Romania and Malawi especially - Torch's vision is worldwide. Our magazines go to readers in 100 countries and we maintain links with Christians working with blind people all over the globe.
For those who have a particular interest in the International work of Torch we are starting a regular International Prayer Letter. Request your copy from Torch House.
[Here is another member of Torch's new Council of Reference, formed in recognition that the credentials of Torch as a Christian mission organisation may not be obvious to those who encounter Torch for the first time.]
Jonathan Lamb came to faith as a child of five at a mission for children in London. He studied Geography and Economics at Exeter University and Religious Studies at Winchester, and then taught at Exeter School before being appointed to the staff of UCCF (Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship).
He served with UCCF for seven years, first as a regional staff worker for the West, then as Head of Student Ministries for the British work. He was then appointed to the staff of Belmont Chapel, Exeter, where he was primarily involved in a pastoral and teaching ministry.
As a student in the early 1970's he had been involved in some of the houseparties at "Little Torch" and, some years later, became the first chairman of the Exeter Torch group. His wife Margaret served as secretary, and they greatly enjoyed many years of fellowship with Torch friends in Exeter and elsewhere in the country.
During this time he also served as East European Co-ordinator for IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students), encouraging the emerging student work in the Communist countries of Europe and the Soviet Union. In 1989 he was appointed as IFES Regional Secretary for Europe and the former Soviet Union.
He is now on the staff of Langham Partnership International, working with Chris Wright in seeking to encourage pastors and lay leaders around the world in the development of preaching and teaching ministries.
He and his wife, Margaret, and their three daughters live in Oxford, where they attend St Andrew's Church. He enjoys music of all kinds, photography, reading, travel, sailing, and Chinese food!
Dr Elaine Storkey, Rev Derek Tidball, Rev Roy Searle, Ven Richard Atkinson, Rev David Coffey, Mr Jonathan Lamb, Dr Steve Brady, Rev Malcolm Duncan.
In August, Carol and Peter Eddon celebrated 25 years of marriage.
Both are blind and when they married Peter already had a degenerative disease; they thought they might have just five years together. Still very much in love they renewed their vows and exchanged rings.
Carol is one of Torch's trustees.
Torch's financial year ended on September 30th. We give thanks to God for his provision through another year, our income exceeding our expectations; yet it has fallen short of covering necessary expenditure. With reserves depleted, the year ahead looks challenging. The cost of delivering our vital core ministries grows relentlessly year on year, yet to stand still would be to fail to respond to huge unmet need among blind and partially sighted people, both in Britain and around the world. Currently donation income doesn't even cover the pay bill. We have come to rely upon the exceptional flow of legacies, but realise they are by nature unpredictable.
For Torch, faith is not optional, and never has been. God is our provider, prompting his people to give and make bequests for which we express heartfelt gratitude.
Projecting income for a budget is itself an act of faith. When that budget tells us that we will struggle to cover our planned expenditure, then there's only faith to support the work that God has placed in our custody and the vision he has planted in our hearts. Please encourage our journey of faith by committing to regular prayer. Torch has never failed to face up to a challenge for lack of funds, so let's make it our prayer that we shall again experience the blessing of a generous God in 2008.