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As I See It
by Glynn 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.
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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.
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