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.
Of our five senses it is arguable that eyesight is the one most important to us. It's the one with the highest bandwidth into our brains. When we need to concentrate and when we pray we spontaneously close our eyes - even the slightest movement in our field of vision will draw our attention.
Because eyesight is such a powerful channel into our consciousness, preachers and teachers are encouraged to use visual illustrations to help convey the point they are making. But this doesn't help those with little or no eyesight. That's why we have started encouraging our Fellowship Groups to seek "non-visual" illustrations to make their meetings more engaging.
Engaging other senses can bring an extra dimension to prayer and worship too. It's not a new idea. Remember how Mary expressed her worship - by pouring a pint of perfume on Jesus' feet. John remarks that the house was filled with the fragrance (John 12:3).
Of course communion involves senses other than sight. We touch and smell the bread - taste it and the wine. But blind people tell me that communion that is conducted silently can be disconcerting. "What's happening now?" is the question they would love to ask. At the beginning of each month we celebrate communion together at Torch House. We have started to reinforce the multi-sensory aspects. Fresh crusty bread fills the room with its special fragrance and it crackles when broken. The wine is poured into the cups from as high as we dare so that it too may be heard. It adds an evocative extra dimension to our remembrance of Jesus' death.
So let's get creative. Give us your ideas for how we can use senses other than sight in sharing the gospel and in our prayer and worship. The good ones will get passed on to inspire our Torch Fellowship Groups to make their meetings more engaging for blind and partially sighted people - well, for everyone actually!
The first week in June at Torch Holiday and Retreat Centre was Surprises in Spring week. Torch chairman Rev Ron Wells was the speaker, bringing his unique mix of Biblical wisdom and humorous stories. Guests came mainly from the Midlands; encouraged to go by New Groups Coordinator, Clive Leakey.
The age range was extraordinary: 2 to 83! Mother of one of the two 2 year-old guests, Jeanette, tells her story:
"Since our daughter Dawn was born two years ago, my husband Jason and I have longed for a holiday. So when Clive Leakey told us he had booked us on a Torch holiday, we prayed about it and decided to go. As the time drew nearer I grew more and more anxious and, in no uncertain terms, told Jason - and God - that I was not going! I became convinced that it was God's will for me not to go and even backed up my case with scripture. My main anxiety was going away on our own with Dawn, which we hadn't done before. But by God's grace, and prayer from Jason and other close friends, I realised it was God's will for us to go and that He would deal with my concerns if I surrendered them to Him. Moreover, if we didn't go, I would deny Jason, Dawn and myself some of God's blessings.
The holiday turned out to be one of the best we've had, with good food, good company, good weather and plenty of laughter. Jason particularly enjoyed sharing his faith and personal experiences with other Christians and listening to theirs in turn. Dawn enjoyed herself too, and there was always somebody to play with her and keep an eye on her when necessary. But what I really liked about Torch Holiday & Retreat Centre was the lovely family atmosphere. We will be back!"
Both Jeanette and her husband Jason are blind. The family live in Coventry where they lead the core team starting a new Torch Fellowship Group. Reflecting on the week Clive said, "It was everything you could imagine a holiday at Torch HRC should be".
Joy Lea-Wilson writes:
One of the many activities that guests enjoyed at the action-packed holiday in June was a London Eye "flight".
Participant Gareth Smyth says of the holiday: "Don't hesitate to go to Torch HRC - you'll not regret it. People are so friendly and loving, and you can be yourself and really feel God's presence."
This autumn we are looking to launch three new Torch Fellowship Groups, two of them in places where there used to be Groups. The first to open will be in Coventry at the Methodist Church, Earlsdon Avenue South, on Saturday 22nd September. Then on 13th October, Bedford Torch Fellowship Group commences at Priory Church, Newnham Avenue, and the following weekend Nottingham Torch Fellowship Group starts.
It is thrilling to see new and fresh interest from people who seek to reach out and engage with blind and partially sighted folk in their communities.
In Coventry we have a large leadership team led by a young and very able couple, Jason and Jeanette Fowler - both of whom are blind (Jeanette's story above.) Three people have taken on the role of promoting the Group through churches, Social Services and many other avenues. The entire team also recognise the importance of being seen to observe good practice and therefore applied to be CRB registered; Jason says: "To demonstrate the truth of the word of God through our actions as well as our words." (James 1:22).
Posters are one way of alerting people to the needs of blind and partially sighted people. We have therefore produced a poster that you can place on your church notice board that highlights the isolation and social exclusion that many blind people face, and encourages support through local Fellowship Groups.
If you are interested to receive some copies then please contact David Palmer on 01858 438272.
On 16th June, Christian disability charity, Through the Roof, launched "Integr8" with an event entitled "Get Involved". Integr8 is an initiative that empowers, enables and equips young disabled people to make a positive difference.
An Integr8 Sports and Arts day – called "Interactive & Inclusive" - will be running on 22nd September at The Salmon Youth Centre in Bermondsey.
More information: www.throughtheroof.org/youth
Or contact: Tim Wood - 07847 601691 or email: tim@throughtheroof.org
Disability Sunday provides a great opportunity to raise awareness of the needs of blind and partially sighted people and other disabled people too. With 1 in 30 of our UK population living with debilitating sight loss this is something every church should take an interest in. It's also an occasion to encourage prayer support for Torch's mission.
Why not invite a speaker from Torch, get someone with sight loss to participate in leading the service, request display materials from Torch or use materials downloaded from the Torch or Disability Sunday websites.
For more information contact Torch House or visit www.torchtrust.org/supporter/DisabilitySunday.htm
Thanksgiving 2007 - October 27th, 2.30 pm - Tonbridge Baptist Church, Kent.
A highlight of the day will be a visit from the Watoto Children's choir from Kampala Uganda who are staying at Torch Holiday & Retreat Centre for the Thanksgiving weekend. The choir consists of 18 orphaned children who have lost their parents to AIDS. The Watoto Mission website is: www.watoto.com
Address of church: Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent, TN10 3HZ. It is located off the A227 on the north side of Tonbridge.
Exit M25 at junction 5. Take A21 towards Sevenoaks and Hastings. After about 4 miles, exit onto B245 to Hildenborough. Follow the B245 through Hildenborough to Tonbridge. After nearly 4 miles turn left up Dry Hill Park Road, signposted Shipbourne. At roundabout left onto A227, left again at next roundabout into Darenth Avenue. Turn right into Darenth Road, church car park on left.
After more than a year of training and preparation the weekly Torch programme will be launched on October 6th at 9.00 pm on Premier Radio. This is the eve of Disability Sunday which gives a neat theme for the first edition.
Do listen in! There are a number of ways to receive Premier Radio:
When Mr and Mrs Heath were commissioned with "you give them something to eat" there was next to no Christian material available in an accessible format. Thanks to their obedience in following that call, the Torch Trust came into being, a main stream of which is the Torch Library.
Our borrowers are often at home all day and have long hours to fill. Many live on their own. Books are not only for interest, or the means of answering questions when there's no one else physically there, they also become companions. C S Lewis wrote "we read to know we are not alone".
Braille and giant print take up huge amounts of shelf space and even a small collection of cassette books can start to pile up, so a library and especially a Christian library is quite literally a God-send.
This month sees the publication of our latest Cassette Catalogue, which now has over 2200 titles "feeding" some 1700 borrowers. It has a new look and is more easily read by print readers with limited sight. We hope the new layout will also be helpful to carers and professionals.
The Library is divided into the four main categories: Study, Spirituality, Biography and Christian Fiction. Not only something to suit everyone's tastes but also encouraging our borrowers to have a balanced and varied reading diet.
The Torch Library contains a wealth of books to help with those unanswered questions, to aid understanding of scripture and doctrine and to stimulate theological thought. We have commentaries on all the major books of the Bible, from classical authors such as Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones to up to the minute ones like Tom Wright. Other sub-categories in this section include: Bible Stories Retold; Bible Characters; Thematic studies; Apologetics; Doctrinal; History; Churchmanship & Other Religions.
Comment on "So What's the Difference" by Fritz Ridenour: "Thank you for a lovely book. I read it twice and it was spiritual and uplifting." (Douglas Callan, Belfast)
We have so many good books to feed the soul. This is where our borrowers can read authors such as Selwyn Hughes, Philip Yancey and Richard Foster. Sub-categories in this section include: Christian Living, Devotional, Christian Disciplines and Hymnology.
Comment on "Listening to God" by Joyce Huggett: "Thank you so much for sending me such an interesting and wonderful book. I have not been able to leave it! It has encouraged, uplifted and inspired me." (Doris Lloyd, Polperro)
With over 1,000 biography titles, we are confident that there's something to feed all our borrowers' hearts with inspiration. This is our most popular category and includes household names such as Helen Cadbury & Fiona Castle, Philip Keller & Helen Roseveare. This category also includes: Organisations and Missionary titles.
Comment on: "Tears in the Dark" by Mark Edwards: "Thank you for enabling me to have the privilege of reading an amazing story of God's love." (Laurence Hardy, Haywards Heath)
When our strength is at its lowest, this is the time when we are most resistant to discipline and perhaps least discerning about what our hearts, souls and minds are consuming. Our last category - but not least as it has over 400 titles - is Christian Fiction.
Christian Fiction is often based on the author's personal or researched real life experiences, but always endorsing Christian values. It is a dimension that expands our imagination and in so doing gives God yet more scope to transform us, even through our leisure time.
Comment on: "When Tomorrow Comes" by Janette Oke: "Wonderful to hear the start of this story carrying on from Henry bringing Amber home. What always comes through those stories is the love they have for each other. It's so important to families and we would pray that more folk had this feeling in their family." (Ette Arklass, Rugby)
The Lord really has prepared a table in the Torch Library, and everyone is invited to come and be filled with good things. The Cassette Catalogue can be obtained by ringing Library Admin on 01858 438266.
It was in December of last year that Torch launched the DAISY New Testament. It is available to blind and partially sighted people to buy from either the RNIB or Torch. We have now jointly sold over 750! At well over twice the quantity of the next best-selling title in the RNIB's DAISY collection, it is the best-selling DAISY title ... ever.
Using the special DAISY players, the single New Testament disk can be accessed by book, chapter and verse. Available from Torch House at £3.99.
Over the years of transcribing books into braille, giant print and audio formats Torch has formed excellent relationships with Christian publishers. More recently Torch has sought to develop constructive partnerships with these publishers that will help us get more books to blind and partially sighted readers more quickly.
From a conversation with renowned Christian publisher IVP (Inter Varsity Press) came a really creative idea. IVP plan to offer audio versions of selected books as downloads from their website. But instead of duplicating what Torch does when recording books they proposed that they sponsor Torch to make the recordings for them. Torch then has free use of these recordings for the Torch Library while IVP will offer the same recording for purchase from their website. From each sale IVP makes, Torch will receive a small royalty.
Training courses have become an important aspect of church ministry. Alpha and similar courses have been the means of many coming to faith in Christ. Purpose Driven Life has helped many shape and focus their Christian lives. Now there is a new course designed to release people to confidently share their faith. On the impact of the course, co-author Kevin Higham comments, "Churches are becoming naturally evangelistic and people are being saved." For more information see www.blowingyourcover.com or call 01425 280425
Without Torch to transcribe these course books and supporting materials, blind and partially sighted people would effectively be denied the benefit and blessing they can bring. With the resources in a form they can read, blind people can be among those leading the courses.
Working with publishers, Monarch, Torch has just added Blowing Your Cover to its catalogue of courses in braille and giant print. If your church is planning to run the course make sure blind and partially sighted people get the chance to join in. Contact Torch House to purchase accessible copies.
Though cassettes are fast going out of fashion a recent survey has confirmed they are still popular with blind and partially sighted people. The problem is that equipment and spares are getting scarce. If your church has switched to CD and is pensioning off a high-speed cassette multi-copier, then Torch may be interested in having it as back-up for present systems. Please call Torch House or email info@torchtrust.org with details.
Each day it now costs around £2,300 to keep Torch running. Where does all that money go?
To get a clearer picture we can divide the costs (including staff) across the activities we undertake. Just over half our expenditure goes towards giving blind and partially sighted people access to Christian literature including our magazines, the Torch Library, daily Bible readings, Bibles, books and booklets and more. Without the dedication of many volunteers it would cost greatly more.
The regional and international outreach programmes each account for about one seventh of the total expenditure. Much of the money that is passed on to overseas projects comes from donations made specifically for those projects.
Running Torch Holiday and Retreat Centre accounts for about one eighth of Torch's gross expenditure but only around one thirtieth of net expenditure after taking account of the Centre's own income.
Just one fourteenth goes to cover the governance (or overall administration) and communications costs - including the production of this newsletter and other standard print literature.
Many days go by when the income falls well below that daily expenditure figure. Yet our experience is that - largely through the generosity of his people - God does provide for Torch. Thank you to all who contribute by donations and bequests.
All of us need to be faithful in prayer for God's provision that we may continue to develop our ministry and make the vital difference in the lives of blind and partially sighted people both in the UK and abroad.
Lapson Mbewe, a trustee of Torch in Malawi, reports on Janet Stafford's recent visit:
As there are many blind people in the country it was good that Janet was able to minister to some of them. She visited Torch Fellowship Groups at Dande, Chindole, Makande, Mpheza, Magoti, Bangula, Nyamithuthu, Phokera, Mkotamo, Nsanje boma, Chiphwembwe, Matundu and Marka. It was really good to see the blind brothers and sisters being reached with the gospel as well as the practical help which was given to them. A lot were treated medically and helped with clothes, and some money for food.
Many received healing both physically and spiritually. The highlight of this was the time when there was a gathering for aged blind people and widows. This was really the time God was at His work. Seeing these people who are very old singing for the Lord all night, giving testimonies and sharing the words of the Lord, made me praise Him. There are not many places in the world where there are meetings like this. People always think that aged blind people can do nothing for the Lord. I was so challenged to hear them singing and sharing the gospel. They came to the meeting with sad faces and went home happily. Praise God!
I felt that it would be good this time that Janet should visit some churches which are related with the work of Torch in the area. Doors were opened for us to visit Ng'ombe Baptist Church, Mtopola Bethany Bible Church and Christian Apostolic Church of God. In all these churches she shared the gospel of the Lord and also spoke about the work of Torch.
She had time with ladies from different churches around the area and had lessons with them on hygiene in the household. A lot of people have problems with worms, abdominal pains, dysentery etc due to poor living conditions.
As I thank God for all that He did through sister Janet I also would like to thank all those who made it possible for her to visit Malawi. It is my heart's prayer that God should bless you all.
[Full report available from Torch House to UK readers.]
Thank God for growth - there are now 14 Torch Fellowship Groups in Mozambique.
In August a seventeen-strong team went to Romania joining with Nicu and Adina Tole and Romanian volunteers to run a Summer Camp. Not just an ordinary Summer Camp but one for blind and partially sighted children and young people from all over Romania - 44 of them - the largest Summer Camp we have held. The Camp took place in Moneasa a village located 6 miles up the valley from Dezna at a permanent camp centre large enough to accommodate everyone. Craft activities and sports filled the warm days, and the evenings were spent together with singing, stories and Bible teaching from Mike Townsend.
The cost of all this has proved quite a challenge. Hiring the centre, subsidising volunteer travel and meeting all the other costs has amounted to over £10,000. But it's been well worth it. Several accepted Jesus as their saviour. Among those who had been to previous camps were those who came back clear in their Christian faith. School nurse, Georgetta, who has accompanied children to previous camps, brought 12 children all the way from the school for the blind in the district of Moldova, one of Romania's poorest areas. She explained: "It's a life-changing experience for all the children which is noticed by the school's staff. Some asked why they needed to go such a long way, but by the end of the camp they were asking if they could go again.
Over the summer, Torch has been able to support three holidays for blind and partially sighted people at the Lazuri holiday home in Romania, which is run by George and Florica of Pro-Lumina.
George reports that the Lord has blessed the folks from the asylums that were present and tells us that Laura, 20 years old, had been so touched by the love of Jesus shown to her that she cried for two days before going home as she has no parents. Also Veronica who is an elderly lady has Jesus in her heart and wants now to go to church but has no one to take her.
After sixteen years working with Christian Publicity Organisation in Worthing, Stewart Fox faced a major change in 2005 when CPO rationalised their Christian publishing and printing operation. The closure of the offset-litho department at CPO meant that Stewart was in a position of seeking God for the future.
Curiously, he and his wife, Sonja, had been feeling that it was time to move on and had begun to pray about the future even before redundancy came along. A "meantime" position with a local University enabled Stewart and Sonja to seek God more deliberately and patiently. This resulted in the discovery of the need Torch had for someone to take over from Michael Stafford in Production at Torch, as Michael was beginning to think about semi-retirement. It looked as if God was beginning to point the way. A lengthy process of interviews and visits followed before they, together with Torch, felt it was right for Stewart to take on the role.
Stewart and Sonja have three children - all in their twenties - and Rebekah, their youngest daughter, made the move with them.
On 15th July, Lidia Ann Wood Garzon was born in Madrid, Spain. We rejoice with Paul and Susana, and much look forward to welcoming the three of them back in UK in October!
In the last issue of this magazine, we announced the formation of Torch's Council of Reference, recognising that the credentials of Torch as a Christian mission organisation may not be obvious to those who encounter Torch for the first time. Here we include two more biographies of the eight members (listed below):
Derek has been Principal of the London School of Theology (formerly London Bible College) since 1995 and was elected Chairman of the Council of the Evangelical Alliance in 2004. He has served as pastor of two Baptist churches and began teaching at LBC in 1972. He was President of the Baptist Union 1990-1991 and became a Vice-President of the Evangelical Alliance in 1995. For four years he was the Head of the Mission Department of the Baptist Union.
Derek is the author of 20 books. Among his recent publications are The Message of the Cross, and The Message of Leviticus, both in IVP's Bible Speaks Today series and Meeting the Saviour for BRF. He edits the Bible Themes Series of BST.
Derek is a regular preacher and has delivered the Bible Readings at Spring Harvest and Keswick, together with a good number of other Bible Conventions internationally.
Roy is one of the founder leaders of the Northumbria Community, a Christian Community with a network of over 2,500 people exploring a new monastic spirituality and embracing a Rule of Life: Availability and Vulnerability.
He is a past President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and is currently living in the North of Ireland with his wife, Shirley.
They have four grownup children and a grandson. Roy is a visiting lecturer at several theological colleges.
He travels extensively, preaching and lecturing, and writes on issues of spiritual formation, culture, leadership, church renewal, reconciliation, transition and mission. He is a member of the Renovaré team and has worked closely with its founder, Richard Foster. As a consultant he works with several organisations including Lifewords, Together in Mission, South West Youth Ministries and the Baobab Centre which looks at issues of spirituality, values and relationships in the workplace. He is also a spiritual director, mentor and retreat leader.
Roy came to faith when he was training to be an Outward Bound instructor in the Cairngorms. This led to Bible College, University and two pastorates in the North East of England before he moved to work full-time with the Northumbria Community back in 1992.
Dr Elaine Storkey, Rev Derek Tidball, Rev Roy Searle, Ven Richard Atkinson, Rev David Coffey, Mr Jonathan Lamb, Dr Steve Brady, Rev Malcolm Duncan.