When Google Calls Your Name

...because the world's 36 million blind are not an endless pool of need, but a vast reservoir of potential disciplemakers.

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November 2023

When Google Calls Your Name

RBI's work with the blind has mostly been about supporting blind Philippine disciplemakers. Along the way we have increasingly supplied audio Bible SeedPlayers (and occasionally other items) to a gradually expanding list of other countries, including Ethiopia, India, and Haiti. We have done almost nothing in the US, aside from engaging with the occasional blind inquirer.

That recently changed.

Some combination of our name and location and Google's algorithm has recently resulted in numerous calls from blind folk, or those who care about them, in East Tennessee. And we aren't talking "on page 5" of Google, but, at least in Knoxville, sometimes above Tennessee government sites and the National Federation of the Blind.

Knoxville area map showing topography and roads

So, within the last month, we have had calls from:

A woman facing potential blindness after upcoming surgery, asking about support groups.
A social worker, concerned about a blind client needing transport and a cleaner, less-exploitive place to live.
An unemployed blind woman, recently relocated to a kind uncle's rental house, wondering about possible jobs.
A local Lions Club asking about resources some distance from Knoxville.

Local outreach is not our primary mission, but it really feels like the Lord is in this. So we have begun to respond by listening, praying for guidance, sending an expanding list of local resources, offering a free audio Bible player, and trying to be a bit more prepared for the next call.

Secular organizations and government programs offer some logistical support, but obviously, a loving, caring body within the local Church is much of the Life-giving answer for most of these folk, and may eventually lead some to Christ or help to disciple them. I've met with the local Joni and Friends staff, and have interactions scheduled with some churches with caring ministries, though most of these seem geared toward children or the developmentally-disabled.

Would you please pray for wisdom in how to proceed, that others will come alongside to help, and that we will be able to identify (and/or encourage) the local Church to step into this need?

Blessings in Christ,

Joel

ResourcesfortheBlind.org

SeedPlayer.org

GospelAccessPartners.org

865-403-9006

joel@ResourcesfortheBlind.org

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