The Quarterly News Magazine of Torch Trust
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, Torch House, Torch Way, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 9HL, U.K.
Telephone: (01858) 438260, Fax: (01858) 438275, email: info@torchtrust.org
Charity Number 1095904.
Prayer was one of the priorities of the early church (Acts 2:42). It can't have been long before they recalled Jesus' prayer lesson, given in response to the disciples' appeal, "teach us to pray" and giving us the perhaps over familiar Lord's Prayer.
'Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven' is a big prayer; when we look at what's happening in the world we might be forgiven for thinking it fanciful. God's will so evidently isn't being done in many places and in many lives. Rank injustice, grinding poverty and widespread immorality appal us. But a closer look reveals that God's will is being done in many places. Countless Christians are working in Christ's name to right wrongs and minister to an incredible diversity of needs. With God's help we are together taking ground for His kingdom.
The celebration of Torch's 50th anniversary prompts us to look back and give thanks for many, many answered prayers. It also spurs us to look ahead, and in the next Torch Family News we intend to share something of a vision for the future. In all our planning we have this prayer as our foundation: 'Your will be done' in Torch - in every aspect of Torch work. It's his work, not ours.
Gordon Temple
Follow the Prayer Diary enclosed with Torch Family News
Visit the website homepage for the daily prayer item
Use Torch's Daily Prayer Guide 2009-10 (available free on request)
Request the Biannial Chief Executive's Prayer Letter
Call the Torch Prayer Phone 01858 438277 (updated fortnightly)
The precise date of Torch's 50th anniversary was 8th June. We marked the occasion with a day of prayer, at both Torch House and Torch Holiday & Retreat Centre. At each a commemorative tree was planted.
During the day we were able to link in people from around the country through a telephone conference. The day was divided between sharing of past memories with thanksgiving to God and prayers for future guidance and provision, culminating in the celebration of communion together. Prayer remains as central to Torch as it was in the earliest days.
Torch continues to celebrate its golden jubilee year. But it's also a very significant anniversary for Torch Fellowship Groups. Peter Jackson, blind pianist and evangelist, was midwife to many of the early groups. He tells the story of the very first Torch Fellowship Group, in Birmingham ...
'I returned from my first visit to Torch House (then in Sussex) in an excited state. I had been one of the guests at a Thanksgiving weekend, and I had been given an introduction to Torch's outreach work through Christian literature in audio, braille and giant print. I was filled with admiration at all I'd witnessed.
'Yet ... there was something still needed, something even more personal. What could it be?
'As I prayed and thought, the conviction grew strongly upon me that the answer was to augment this vital outreach by person to person involvement. This was the vision given, the seed sown in my heart to provide some means of meeting together on a regular basis - hence the forming of the first Torch Fellowship Group in the home of Barbara Cudmore, in Birmingham where I was then living. The first meeting took place in January, 1970.
Who can now calculate the blessing in and through the Fellowship Groups in those years, and in future years - till the Lord comes?!'
* * * * * *
We also asked Barbara Cudmore, 'what do you remember about the first meeting of the Birmingham Torch Fellowship Group?' Here's what she had to say ...
'Alas, my memory, 39 years on, has several gaps in it, but I do remember it as a well planned meeting - including a powerful Christian message.
'I certainly remember the venue - the not over-large lounge of my home in West Hagley, Birmingham. I think there were over 30 of us squashed in, spilling over up the stairs. Ages ranged from a young baby plus mum and dad, a gang of visually impaired pupils from Lickey Grange School for blind children and various adults including a gentleman in his 90's.
'Our next meeting was in a Community Hall in Central Birmingham. Under the capable leadership of Sid Parry and the committee, the group continued to flourish for many years.'
Bromley: We had a Torch Garden Party to celebrate our 50th birthday, and shared about the beginnings of Torch. We had decorations, a cake with candles on it and sang Happy Birthday. One lady gave us a cheque for £50 - one pound for each of the years. It was a good party and the weather was good - enough for us to sit outside after lunch for our tea and cakes.
Falmouth: As part of our 50th celebrations we were invited to have a stand in the Churches Tent at the Royal Cornwall Show. Good contacts were made with people from around the country at this three-day event. Zoe Weller, a former Falmouth Torch Fellowship member (now attending Southport), enjoyed making friends with Carol, a pastoral worker, and 'Martha the sheep'!
Worthing Durrington: Nearly 100 people from the Sussex groups met in the Jubilee Hall (rather aptly) in Durrington to celebrate 50 years of Torch. Gail Millar from Torch Holiday and Retreat Centre was our main speaker. The room was full and there was an atmosphere of excited expectation. Frank Mason, the area co-ordinator and the leader of the Worthing Durrington Group welcomed everyone to an enjoyable celebration event.
Llandudno: Llandudno celebrated Torch's 50th birthday with a special event on 18th July. Using Stella Heath's book 'Coping with the Camel', Roselyn Barnes, the TFG leader prepared a drama event telling the history of Torch. God's faithful provision for Torch over the years was the theme, and people from the Group acted out the parts of Ron and Stella Heath, and narrated the story. Nikki, a braille user, explained braille and we then played a game to try out braille using egg boxes and nightlights.
Perth: Scotland was the first to begin the 50th anniversary celebrations on May 2nd. People came from all nine Fellowship Groups. There was plenty of chatter as friends met up from the different Groups. The day was hosted by Iain Lackie, with Marilyn Baker and Brian and Carol Nokes taking part. We all got to know more about our Chairperson Marilyn, as Iain interviewed her with depth and humour.
Leeds: The Torch singers were glad to go and lead the 50th celebrations in the Yorkshire area. People had worked hard to make it a really special event.
Tonbridge: The Tonbridge/ Tonbridge Wells group chose a musical theme for their celebration. Lots of hymns and songs were enthusiastically and joyfully sung, and Marilyn Baker completed the afternoon, sharing with us from the piano. The deputy Mayor along with other dignitaries joined us for the afternoon. The event finished with a 50th cake!
Aylesbury: About 220 people from seven Torch Fellowship Groups came to this event. The afternoon was varied with each of the Groups taking part. Sue from Milton Keynes had written a brilliant poem on how Torch has grown - the story of the Arab and the camel and all that ... The Torch singers were there, and so were Marilyn and Tracy who shared beautifully as usual. Of special interest was an interview with Olive Coggan, one of the original 'Friday Nighters' who met in Ron and Stella Heath's home, at the time when 'Torch' was born!
Hartlepool: Headland at the north of Hartlepool was the venue for the North-East Groups to meet in celebration of Torch's 50th. Folks from Middlesbrough, Washington, Darlington, and Hartlepool got together for a fish and chip lunch and a seaside stroll before their joint afternoon meeting.
Taunton And Wellington: These groups chose June 8th, Torch's official birthday, to celebrate the 50th year. Liz Gould from Bristol joined them.
Cecil and Irenee Bingham are coming to the point of retirement. Over many years they have thrown themselves into the support of blind and partially sighted people in the province, both through the work of the Torch Fellowship Groups and with individuals. Leonard joined us almost a year ago (see Winter 2008 edition) to work alongside them with the aim of continuity. Leonard takes up the story ...
'I first started volunteering with Torch in 2002 after meeting Cecil and Irenee Bingham at New Horizon. During this encounter, I was challenged about working with blind people. The following year I went to Lebanon to teach a group of blind adults how to bake, giving them a skill to support themselves.
'After almost four years in Lebanon, providing training and employment for blind people, I returned home at the end of 2007. I began volunteering again with Torch and started working as a Regional Networker for Ireland in November 2008. At Easter 2009 I got married to Daniella from Macedonia and she has since been volunteering her time to help with the work of Torch. Currently I am promoting the resources that Torch has to offer and seeking to establish new Torch Fellowship Groups in strategic locations that currently do not have one. My vision: for the number of Fellowship Groups in Northern Ireland to grow and to see new Groups established for the first time in the Republic of Ireland.'
Interestingly in the Gospels 35 specific miracles are recorded, 23 of which involve disabled people. When 1 in 6 of our UK population has a disability, it begs the question, 'why don't we see disabled people in our churches?'
Perhaps we have seen disabled people as more of a problem than an opportunity, an opportunity to rise to the challenge posed by Jesus' engagement with disabled people who were then often stigmatized as 'sinners' by those who thought themselves respectable.
One way you can help the church in Britain rise to the challenge is to encourage your church to have a Disability Sunday service. That can be on the designated date of 4th October or on another convenient Sunday. Request a Disability Sunday resource pack from Torch which can develop your church's understanding and awareness of some of the issues blind and partially sighted people face.
Please contact Carol Nokes on 01858 438260 or email CarolN@torchtrust.org
All following events in the Market Harborough area ...
Thanksgiving Celebration Service: Saturday 28th November 2:30pm at Harborough Leisure Centre followed by light refreshments at 4:00pm with opportunity to browse displays and tour of Torch House. All welcome.
Followed by an optional Celebratory Dinner at nearby Hothorpe Hall: starts 7:00pm. £20 per person. Advance booking and payment necessary - space is limited.
Thanksgiving Weekend Conference at Hothorpe Hall. Arrival 5:30pm Friday 27th November. Depart 2:30pm Sunday 29th November. Includes Celebration Service and Dinner. £175 for a single room or £140 each for two sharing. Advance booking with deposit necessary.
See enclosed leaflet for more information and booking or contact Torch House on 01858 438260 or email holidays@torchtrust.org.
To mark Torch's 50th anniversary we are compiling a book of 50 undated daily readings. Authors include Torch staff and trustees alongside famous names like Jeff Lucas, Margaret Cundiff and David Coffey. Each day there are prayer items that relate to Torch's ministry. It will be published by November at a price of £5 and available in print, braille, DAISY audio and giant print formats. Why not order as Christmas gifts? Contact Torch House to order or email info@torchtrust.org
Changing lives one by one through Jesus.
It has been an absolute joy to watch God impact and change the lives of many guests during our summer season of Torch Holidays.
Leah heard of Torch Holidays through her local Blind association. 'It wasn't at all what I expected, it was so much better. The staff are more like friends and do everything to give you an amazing holiday.'
Anne from Scotland following her first visit to the centre wrote, 'I found Jesus in a very special way, it is a safe place, Jesus in the midst of a very loving family, and I am so grateful for Torch holidays where people listen and care. I will never be the same again.'
Anja, a volunteer from Belgium, came very nervous and anxious not knowing what she was coming to. 'God blessed me greater than I have ever known. I found giftings that God has given me which I hadn't used. It was a life-changing week and I loved all the guests and staff. It's a unique ministry of which I love being a part.'
Just now we have an urgent prayer need. Our trusty old dishwasher is falling apart, meaning lots of back-breaking extra work for staff and volunteers. A replacement industrial-type dishwasher will cost over £3,000, money that's just not available right now.
Gail Millar
Once again blind and partially sighted people have had the adventure of a lifetime as they enjoyed pushing the boundaries of achievement on the Torch activities week based at the Holiday & Retreat Centre this summer.
Tackling low ropes on an assault course ... Navigating logs ... Jumping on bungee trampoline ... Blindfolded sighted people taking the nightline in the woods, as they're led by a blind companion ...
And then at the end of the day there's time to stop and think about the goodness of God in the sharing of Bible study and prayer.
Many blind people find taking any kind of holiday too difficult. Some simply want to relax and enjoy outings with like-minded people. Others want to learn new skills or enhance existing ones. Torch caters for a full range of needs, running over 20 specialist holidays for people with sight loss every year - most from their holiday centre in Sussex but others in wonderful tourist locations around the UK.
For a brochure giving full details of holidays, contact Gail Millar, telephone: 01273 832282; email: Torch HRC@torchtrust.org; or visit the website: www.torchtrust.org
Over the years we have been consistently overbooked for the Christmas houseparty, that is until last year when we moved to High Leigh, the large Christian conference centre in Hertfordshire. There were 40 blind and partially sighted people - a few of them deaf as well - who enjoyed a very special time together and with God as we celebrated Christmas in country house style.
It was only possible because over 30 sighted people were willing to volunteer themselves for all or part of their Christmas, to do whatever it took to make it so brilliant. Unsure of your plans for Christmas? Come and help us make it a special Christmas for a really happy bunch of blind and partially sighted people, most of whom would otherwise be on their own. Contact Gail on holidays@torchtrust.org or call 01273 832282.
Thank you to those who have generously responded to the needs made known in the last issue of Torch Family News. We give thanks to God for a very welcome increase in donation income. Coupled with reductions in expenditure (including voluntary reductions in staff pay) we have seen a slowing in the pace at which cash balances are eroded, but at the point of writing there is very little left and we continue in regular and earnest prayer.
Throughout its 50 year history Torch has been committed to a journey of faith dependency on God, and we can rejoice in the extraordinary story of God's provision.
I am often asked to explain how Torch's finances work. There's a striking parallel with the Old Testament accounts of the provision of Jehovah Jireh for the children of Israel.
Firstly there was a fairly predictable stream of income from regular offerings (eg Nehemiah 10:37-8). It allowed the regular work to be planned and financed. The income Torch receives from regular supporters - especially that given under standing order - is particularly important to Torch as it's only on this we can rely to meet regular expenses. Encouragingly this has risen in recent months but still covers only about 8% of monthly outgoings.
Secondly there were times of special gifts and freewill offerings. It seems to me that these came as specific needs were made known and willing people, whose hearts God moved, responded (eg Exodus 35:20-29). It has always been Torch's way to communicate specific needs as they arise so that supporters can join us in prayer for God's provision.
Finally, needs were met from unexpected sources (eg Nehemiah 2:1-10). It wouldn't be possible to lay plans in anticipation of this sort of income - it always comes as a surprise! As we reflect on Torch's 50 year history - and even the last year - we can rejoice in how God has provided in unexpected ways again and again, and not always with money!
Just now I am preparing a budget for the year that starts in October. That itself is an adventure in faith especially in the present financial climate. And our heart is to do more of the vital work God has called us to. Pray for us, as we seek to balance prudence with faith - that we might do the work of God.
If you are interested to know more about the way Torch's finances work then do contact me at Torch House or by email: AndrewN@torchtrust.org.
Janet Stafford travels regularly to Malawi and is there right now. Here are some diary extracts from her previous trip …
Day 1: I click my suitcase shut, conscious of a sense of history. 2009 is not only the fiftieth anniversary of Torch Trust but the twentieth anniversary of Torch work in Malawi. In the 1980s Stella Heath, Torch co-founder, travelled in central Africa with ex-missionary Rosina Sharp, feeling prompted by God. Their visit led eventually to a braille production centre being set up in Blantyre, where four staff members produce braille and giant print Bible volumes in African languages.
Day 4: Getting used to heat and dust as I visit many blind contacts in the villages. Poverty hits me forcibly, as always. The harvest has failed in the Shire Valley. Situation desperate - blind and partially sighted people particularly affected. Some of those settled in rural areas in simple huts we provided have been forced to leave for the cities, begging on the streets. Those with sight loss are especially vulnerable to theft. One blind woman has been robbed of her sewing machine - her only source of income.
Day 13: An amazing 6,000 people including children attended the Easter church conference, over 100 blind. Eight pastors said they have blind people now in their churches since our last trip - an answer to the prayers of many years!
Day 16: Lazarus Dawuka has re-embossed the Chichewa Bible volumes. Next is production of Lunda Gospels for Zambia. Braille paper is nearly gone, but a consignment of five tons due soon, with the extraordinary help of Book Aid. Blessings Namate is struggling to keep up with demand of giant print Scriptures in Chichewa.
Day 20: With customs paperwork cleared on the container of aid sent ahead, I have been bagging items for distribution. White canes, clothes, soap, blankets and braille embossers are received gratefully. I have been holding impromptu clinics - dressing wounds, giving simple medicines for pain relief.
Day 26: Definitely a highlight! Nearly 700 blind people and about 300 children came to an 'overnight'. They arrived in trucks yesterday. Singing, preaching, prayer and testimonies continued through the night, some sleeping on the ground as weariness overcame them, then waking and joining in again. I heard many amazing stories. One deafblind man believed through reading the Chichewa braille Bible. One blind woman about to commit suicide because of tremendous loneliness found Jesus through a talking Bible. God be praised!
Day 40: Packing up. Thank God for good health and safety. Must come back soon. So much to do. A resource centre for blind children near the Mozambique border desperately needs renovation. There's the Lunda braille Bible volumes for Zambia to launch. A remote area near Salima with many blind people has a church plant needing help. And much more...
John Akua who is involved in a book ministry in Ghana says he was asked if it was possible for him to supply a blind lady in Tamale with any Christian reading materials in braille. After making a phone call to Peter Jackson (blind evangelist and pianist) he was put into contact with Torch Trust in Market Harborough. John was given several boxes of Christian books in braille to take back to Ghana.
On arriving at Tamale, he went to visit Madam Sala living in her poverty stricken home. The joy on her face as she read the Word of God in braille in perfect English gave John the greatest experience in his eight years of ministry in Ghana. Her face lit up as she beamed, 'I have not read anything in braille since leaving blind school seven years ago and now I am not only reading braille but actually the Word of God.'
She said she had been brought up in a Muslim home and became a Christian and was baptised when studying at the residential blind school in WA [N/W Ghana]. Turning her back on her Muslim family's faith was not without a cost and resulted in her being disowned by the family, so that now she lives with a member of her church. Sala said on a later visit John made to her, 'Since receiving the books, all the despair lying on my heart for all those years has been removed, I am now encouraged through the books that I am not alone in my circumstances.'
A letter received from a blind brother of Mkukumila village in Nkhotakota, Malawi, said …
'I want to thank you for all the good things Torch has been doing to me. As a blind person I am always lonely, but I find companionship with the Lord by reading his Word in the braille Bibles and other Christian books I receive. The blessings I find in reading these books I share with other friends both visually impaired and sighted.
'I will be grateful if you continue to send me the books and magazines as it is only from these books where I get my spiritual strength.'
Our production unit in Malawi is equipped for producing braille in bulk. This is fine for meeting initial Bible orders for other African countries, but is less appropriate for topping-up stocks and meeting the one-by-one requests for the Malawi language groups. It means storing large quantities and that is becoming a problem, quite apart from the money tied up. We are therefore looking to the Lord for guidance on the right equipment to enable us to produce small quantities economically 'on demand' and to provide the means. Please pray with us.
Nueva Luz (literally New Light), the mission to Spanish speaking blind and partially sighted people that Torch has been assisting through the secondment of Paul and Susana Wood, has moved to new premises. The new office is in the centre of the small town of San Pedro del Alcantara in the south of Spain, near the home of David Padilla who now leads the work. Here a small recording studio has been constructed and cassette and CD copying systems installed. There is a stock of Spanish braille Bibles and a library of cassette books.
From here audio books and magazines are sent out to readers across Spain and in Latin America. It's an entirely voluntary operation with close links to a nearby Evangelical church who are very supportive. A Madrid church has provided a small office in Madrid, the former home of Nueva Luz, where two staff members still work to prepare magazines and books and liaise with many blind people in Spain.
By October Paul and Susana Wood will have completed all they set out to do and will return to live once more in Market Harborough with their toddler, Lidia. There's much work awaiting Paul's return to Torch House!
Over many years Torch has fostered a network of international links among those who provide Christian services and resources to blind and partially sighted people. An updated edition of our Directory of Christian Services for Blind and Partially Sighted People Worldwide is now available. To request a copy email JanetS@torchtrust.org or call Torch House. To cover costs a small charge may be necessary.
Alison Cameron of London wrote to us recently about a book she had received from our Library: The Parables of Harris by Peter Horrobin. Alison didn't choose the book herself - a Torch librarian selected it for her - but she writes, 'I was so grateful to have had a chance to listen to it. It had two lessons in it that God needed me to hear.'
In Chapter four - Harris' First Parable - the author describes how Harris, a Labrador puppy, had got up from his place of warmth and comfort by the Raeburn and laid down across the author's feet. The author goes on to say that 'Gently God was showing me that he was wanting us to leave the comfort zone of our own security, come and sit at His feet and be prepared by Him for action - to faithfully do whatever he wanted us to do.'
Alison is a 'Discussion Leader' for Bible Fellowship International and she felt that she particularly needed to hear this lesson and that it helped her in her role helping other members of a group to study.
Another story in the book sees Harris obeying the author in the confines of his home, but once out in the fields Harris, 'obeys' his nose! The author then relates this to church where we obey the minister when he tells us to 'stand up' or 'sit down' but when we get out into the world and start sniffing all the other exciting smells the world can offer us, we go deaf to God just like Harris went deaf to Peter.
Alison wrote to tell us what a gold mine these two lessons were for her and to thank us for the 'quality of life and spiritual food' Torch produces.
[The Parables of Harris by Peter Horrobin (ISBN 9780954638009) is available from the Torch Library in braille (B2695); cassette (C2445); and giant print (G2112)]
Each day a Bible quotation to reflect upon
In braille and giant print
£2.50 each. Ordered in packs of 5: £1.70 each
Call 01858 438260 or email info@torchtrust.org