About twenty years ago, three blind men traveled by bus to Manila hoping to meet with American missionary
Dr. Arthur Lown. Knowing that he was involved in the work of Bible translation and knowing that he was blind
like they were, they hoped to persuade him to help produce a Braille version of the Tagalog Bible.
With about half a million blind persons in the Philippines, producing a Braille Tagalog Bible was surely a
worthy project for Dr. Lown, and he took personal responsibility to see it through to completion. It was
a big project and it eventually led to the founding of Resources for the Blind, with Dr. Lown as the full
time director.
In the years since, Braille Bibles have been made available in all the major dialects of the Philippines.
Cassette Bibles have been produced for those who don't know how to read braille, and large print Bibles
have been added for those with low vision. All versions of these Bibles have been distributed free of
charge to thousands of blind persons throughout the Philippines. For the first time in the history of
the Philippines, the blind have the Bible at their fingertips.
| |
 |
I Realized I'm Not Alone
Jerome is one of 7 blind students enrolled with about 100 sighted students at the Wesleyan Bible College
in Rosales, Pangasinan. We think you will be inspired by his story.
I don't want to live anymore…
I am Jerome Perez from Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija, 20 years old, blind and the eldest among three siblings.
When my father left us for an overseas work in Japan and never came back, it was only my mother who
supports us for a living. When I was 14 years of age, I became blind because of an eye injury. This
made me so hot-tempered and so negative in my life, because I cannot accept it. I know my dream in
helping my family, especially my mother, is not going to happen. I always tell the Lord every time
I'm praying to please take my life and I don't want to live anymore because I'm useless.
I realized I'm not alone…
In January 2001, I met one of the RBI staff in our place and he told me that even if I'm blind I can
still go on with my life and that I can still go to school. Since then I was so happy and hoping that
I can go to school.
RBI staff invited me also to attend the summer camp. I'm so happy that time because it was my first
time to mingle with other blind people. Not just that thought, they made me realize how important
I was in the sight of the Lord even though I was blind. It was May 9 that I was so thankful to God
that even though I was a sinner, He still did forgive me. I realized how precious I am to Him. I
realized that I am not alone and He will never leave me. I learned in Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded
you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will
be with you wherever you go."
I want to grow…
It was a blessing for me during the camp that the program for blind students at the Wesleyan Bible
College in Pangasinan was introduced Reynold, one of the blind graduates, who is already a pastor,
told us about the program. It gave me an interest to go because I want to grow in the knowledge of
the Lord and learn how to face the real world though blind. I also want to learn how to read and write
by the use of Braille. I want to be fully equipped and be independent.
I don't want to waste this chance…
When I was accepted in this program I really thanked the Lord because here I learned how it is to be far
away from my family and to do things for myself. The Lord gave me a wonderful opportunity to be in His
service and I was so thankful that He chose me among the people. I don't want to waste this chance in my
life to be in the wonderful plan He has for me…I also would like other blind to experience what I am
experiencing now with the Lord-His LOVE for me.
|
|
| |
|
|
Braille Magazines
