As I See It

by Glen Langston

The Lord tells us that "To whom much is given, much is required." This can apply in many ways. Take our senses, for example. How often do we fail to use what God endows us with? There are many books and other printed materials that are available so that the average person can learn about God. And yet many remain ignorant of His word.

Perhaps this point bothers me so much because I never had this option. I received too much oxygen at birth and have been totally blind since. I am not trying to evoke pity, but rather want to point to the fact that only a tiny fraction of the printed word is available either in Braille or on tape for the people who cannot see. What is available is bulky and expensive. I did not get a Bible in Braille until I was ten years old. The Scriptures in Braille are in 18 large volumes and take up around six feet of shelf space. Not only that, getting any materials printed in Braille is a time consuming process.

As in other communication areas, there are revolutionary changes taking place in Braille production. Now, a tract or other pieces of literature can be placed on a scanner (or typed) and sent to a computer. The computer automatically translates the materials from print to Braille. The material is electronically sent to a Braille printer (embosser) and within a matter of minutes, a Braille copy is printed. Costs of the equipment have dramatically fallen in the last few years.

This means that we can now easily produce Bible materials in Braille for the ten million people world wide who presently use this medium, but many more rely on cassette. Over all there are an estimated 240 million people throughout the world with vision problems, ranging from total blindness to severe sight impairment. The demand for Braille religious literature is remarkably high, especially in third world countries, the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Recently, because a small amount of Braille Bible literature was sent to Ghana, five people obeyed the Lord. In one year, 19 souls were added to Christ in South India as a result of Bibles and lessons being sent in the Tamil language.

My wife and I have worked on the mission field for the past 30 years. Before returning to the States we began plans to start a full time Braille ministry. Now that we have moved back to the States, we have been able to engage in extensive research and activity into both equipment and the global need for our ministry. We are move convinced than ever that this ministry is vital. I have obtained the Braille embosser, computer, scanner and other necessary equipment. The cost of beginning such a ministry was relatively small compared to start up costs of similar efforts. We are continually looking for additional support to finance the phenomenal growth experienced in this ministry. Any contribution would be welcome, but a monthly commitment would allow us to make a more planned effort as we conduct this outreach. The support is needed in such areas as: mailing, printing, office management, travel, hardware and software upgrades, etc. (There is a real need for additional personal support to replace that which has been lost over the last few years.) We want to give the blind the chance to regain the only true and eternal "Sight." Your participation in this ministry is prayerfully requested.

ABOUT GLYNN LANGSTON |

Glynn Langston is a native of Houston, Texas. (Because of treatment he received as a 2 pound premature baby, the sole survivor of twins, Glynn has lived without the vision most people take for granted.)
After spending several years at the Texas State School for the Blind in Austin, TX; Glynn became a pioneer as the first blind student to attend sighted classes in the Houston Public Schools. He graduated magna cum laude in 1967.

He made the Dean's list at Southwestern University (Georgetown, TX), was named to Who's Who in American Colleges & Universities, and graduated cum laude in 1971 with a degree in European History and Public Speaking. Glynn speaks fluent French, is conversational in Russian, German, and Spanish, and reads and writes in Braille. He is an avid Ham Radio operator and has been involved in several life-saving calls. He has had audiences with kings (such as King Faisal of Saudi Arabia) and presidents (such as President De Valera of the Republic of Ireland). For a period of time he was a radio and television spokesman for the Irish National Council for the Blind. He served as a missionary for over 22 years on behalf of Churches of Christ in European settings, reaching thousands of people, some visually impaired, with the Gospel message.

Glynn and his family have committed themselves to the development of Insight International, a Braille Outreach Worldwide Ministry. It is Glynn's vision that free Biblical literature and audio cassette for the visually impaired be available so that more souls can know and respond to the Lord. The need for this material is greater than any of us could possibly imagine. Glynn is truly a remarkable person; one worthy of your prayerful support.