‘...And what do you think of the Bible?’ Comments from blind delegates at the Lomé seminar

• “There are particular passages in the Bible that give me strength because they stress God’s love and his concern for the disabled. I don’t find any parts of the Bible offensive; even those which people may think could cause offence to the disabled are valuable for guiding those who love God. It is vital that all blind and visually-impaired people have access to the Bible in Braille and that they are enabled to meet regularly with others to discuss the Bible.”
  — Emerson Hekeabeka, Republic of Congo
  
  
• “Bible passages which mention blind people support me and strengthen my faith in particular, but I feel that the whole Bible is of great value to those who love God. I am lucky to be able to read Braille in French, but it would bring me great joy if fellow blind people who can read Braille only in Mòoré, our local language, could also have access to the Bible. Another important issue is for Bible Societies to go beyond the spiritual needs of the blind and visually impaired and become involved in micro-projects in areas such as agriculture and local industries.”
  — Lucien Nare, Burkina Faso
  
  
• “The Bible tells blind people that they have a part to play in the mission of Jesus Christ. It contains nothing that shocks or offends me. On the contrary: it is a source of great support. Bible Societies must continue to work to make the Bible available in Braille, and should seek to integrate the blind and visually impaired, both spiritually and socially.”
  — Jean Mola Bolopenda, Democratic Republic of Congo

Adapted from an article by Ingrid Felber-Bischof, United Bible Societies Coordinator for the Production of Scriptures for the Visually Impaired. (WR 378/1 - 7/8.03)