Help the Blind Learn About Jehovah

[Witness1970]

In the May 2015 Kingdom Ministry there was an article entitled, 'Help the Blind Learn About Jehovah.' The article mentioned 'a blind sister named Janet' in paragraph 4. I had the privilege of knowing this dear sister and her husband, Keith. They lived in the same subdivision as we did, only about a block away from where we were living at the time. We had visited in their home and met there on occasion for Field Service.

I remember the night the article was studied. Janet and Keith both made comments that night. It was interesting hearing first hand about experiences with the blind at the convention.

 I learned a few things from this family. Janet's husband told me that Janet's vision has gotten worse over the years. Janet's vision was normal when she was younger. When Keith and Janet married, letters had to be 1/4 inch for her to read. Now she can only read if the letters are 1 inch tall. Janet says that the blind are very receptive to the truth since they have not gotten an opportunity to learn about these things before.

Blind people have a lot of things holding them back from learning the truth. They feel vulnerable and will not answer the door if they do not know the person knocking. If you hear someone inside and they do not answer, it might be because they are blind. Other religions do not have braille publications because there is no profit in it. Our organization is not concerned about the money but is concerned about helping people, so they publish material for the blind. This is a case where  the harvest is great but the workers are few.

Keith and Janet travel to handicapped conventions around the country and meet many blind people. Bible studies are conducted over the computer with blind people around the country.  Sometimes the studies are conducted at odd hours because of the time differential.

Janet says that you have to ask lots of questions since people who are totally blind suffer from non-24. Their bodies do not know when to produce melatonin and they might get sleepy anytime. You have to continually ask questions or they might fall asleep during the study. Keith and Janet call theirs a blind ministry.

Before Janet realized the needs of the blind, Keith and Janet had what they referred to as an airport ministry. They are now so busy with the blind ministry that they had to pass the airport ministry off to someone else.

Edited January 24, 2019 by carlos
fixed strange formatting

[jwhess]

Our recent announcements from the organization explained the option of ordering a "Braille" kit through the literature servant.  It would help a sighted person teach a blind person to read Braille.  It won't be shipped for a few months but it can be ordered now.  So I assume there is an additional push to reach those without sight or who are visually impaired.

[dove]

8 hours ago, Witness1970 said:

• In the May 2015 Kingdom Ministry there was an article entitled, 'Help the Blind Learn About Jehovah.' The article mentioned 'a blind sister named Janet' in paragraph 4. I had the privilege of knowing this dear sister and her husband, Keith. They lived in the same subdivision as we did, only about a block away from where we were living at the time. We had visited in their home and met there on occasion for Field Service.

 

I remember the night the article was studied. Janet and Keith both made comments that night. It was interesting hearing first hand about experiences with the blind at the convention.

 

 I learned a few things from this family. Janet's husband told me that Janet's vision has gotten worse over the years. Janet's vision was normal when she was younger. When Keith and Janet married, letters had to be 1/4 inch for her to read. Now she can only read if the letters are 1 inch tall. Janet says that the blind are very receptive to the truth since they have not gotten an opportunity to learn about these things before.

 

Blind people have a lot of things holding them back from learning the truth. They feel vulnerable and will not answer the door if they do not know the person knocking. If you hear someone inside and they do not answer, it might be because they are blind. Other religions do not have braille publications because there is no profit in it. Our organization is not concerned about the money but is concerned about helping people, so they publish material for the blind. This is a case where  the harvest is great but the workers are few.

 

Keith and Janet travel to handicapped conventions around the country and meet many blind people. Bible studies are conducted over the computer with blind people around the country.  Sometimes the studies are conducted at odd hours because of the time differential.

 

Janet says that you have to ask lots of questions since people who are totally blind suffer from non-24. Their bodies do not know when to produce melatonin and they might get sleepy anytime. You have to continually ask questions or they might fall asleep during the study. Keith and Janet call theirs a blind ministry.

 

Before Janet realized the needs of the blind, Keith and Janet had what they referred to as an airport ministry. They are now so busy with the blind ministry that they had to pass the airport ministry off to someone else.

My husband is virtually blind with macular degeneration, and seems not to have a day or nightime, sleeping and awake at all hours. I didn't think about the influence of melatonin but it could very well be a large factor.

Thank you for mentioning that..

Edited January 24, 2019 by rocket

[Qapla]

We have a Sister in our area that can "see light" - she sees people and objects as shapes. She can see to walk without tripping over things or running into furniture - however, she cannot recognize you until you speak since she cannot discern the faces.

 

She has a device at home that will magnify printed material while giving it a bright background. She needs the letters to appear about 2" - 3" high for her to read them. She is very well studied and can comment quite well.

 

She does not drive and is in her 80's - but, she stays active and even goes door-to-door.