Charles Brammall
My lovely Filipino mother-in-law Amy Lily Torrente, is Executive Director of Resources for the Blind, Inc. (RBI) Philippines.
RBI differs from other missions to the sight-compromised, in that it is not merely a development organisation focused on disability-inclusive development. Nor does it only work to improve the earthly lives of people with disabilities in the world’s poorest places. It’s DNA, raison d’être and genome is to translate, print, and distribute Bibles, and parts thereof- to sight compromised Filipinos.
RBI is not just rooted in Christian VALUES, like social justice, human rights, and compassion. It is a Gospel preaching, Bible-loving mission, trusting utterly in the salvific power of God’s Word, Living and enscripturated. It loves, depends and relies on the Scriptures. Obeys, sows, and cultivates them. Waters, harvests, and distributes them.
Its aim is not merely to integrate people with disabilities into all aspects of community life. But to introduce them to Jesus, and see them rescued, bought out of slavery to sin, and acquitted. It is an immensely exciting, cutting edge, front line mission.
RBI aims to lead and accompany Filipinos without sight into glory. Tear down the curtain, the wall dividing God and us, us and us, and us and them, and usher them into Father Messiah’s Oval Office. Like the classic photo of JFK Junior playing under his dad’s desk. A spot where NOONE else on earth is allowed.
RBI enables people to LISTEN to, the SPEAKING God. God baring His soul to us in Braille. In dots.
This week I had the pleasure of interviewing the ED Lily about her service in the ministry:
Charles: Hi Mama. Welcome to “The Other Cheek”. I wonder, What do you enjoy most about RBI?
Lily: It is very heartening to witness God transforming the lives of our clients, and to see the joy of visually impaired persons (VIPs), when they receive our various services, in these 4 program areas:
Education and Skills Training, that is
• Reading and writing in braille; -Maths in abacus;
• Speaking and writing in English; -Using the computer;
• accessing the internet and learning AI applications; and,
• other software skills.
Vision screening and Eye Care:
• providing glasses and other assisting devices like white canes, magnifying glasses, talking calculators and watches etc.;
• referral to partner ophthalmologists for medical intervention or surgery.
Employment:
• connecting our graduates in Computer Eyes and Soft Skills to industry (Business Process Outsourcing, technology companies and other service providers), and government (public schools and agencies)
Scholarship grants:
• primary school,
• Uni,
• Bible school, and,
• summer camps
Charles: Wow Lily, That’s exciting. What do you find the most difficult about your ministry in RBI?
Lily: Yeah,
• Continually raising financial support for our programs and projects.
• looking for consistent advocacy by our influential partners.
• Getting the commitment of young people to continue assisting the blind and VIPs to reach their highest potential in life.
Charles: Yeah, I know from experience in our entertainment mission/Chaplaincy that that can be tricky. Are there any encouraging stories of people surrendering to Jesus through RBI?
Lily: Yes! MANY people who come to Summer Camp have given their lives to Jesus, and have asked for Braille Bibles.
Some of them have volunteered to help in Summer camp events, leading the singing up front, and counselling.
Four blind campers even enrolled at our Wesleyan Bible School to get their pastoral degree: Pastors Jayrick, Rey, and Joel are now working with RBI.
They are handling the Sunday radio program over DZAS.
702 DZAS is a radio station broadcasting Christian Education, News, and Entertainment, in Manila.
They have also been leading Bible studies in public schools.
And Pastora Joyce is helping raise funds for RBI in the US.
Charles: Wow! Praise God. Are there any stories of people growing in their obedience and love for God through RBI?
Lily: Yes, many of our blind clients have started going to church and are giving testimonies of their assurance of salvation, and how God is changing them.
Charles: Super! Lily how WE can support RBI’s ministry?
Lily: Thanks Charles! MOST importantly, people can Pray for, and encourage us.
They can financially support any of our particular programs: Education, Eye care, Social inclusion, and Spiritual growth/Values formation.
They can VOLUNTEER in implementing our programs. Or Connect us to potential donors and sponsors. Or Provide supplies and materials for our clients: things like glasses, canes, medication, toiletries, clothes, reading materials, gadgets, etc.
Charles: Ok. Sounds easy. Mama, have you yourself grown as a Christian through your RBI involvement?
Lily: Great question!
Yes, I am encouraged and challenged to practice servant leadership as I witness the dedication of RBI staff in serving visually impaired people. Despite their low salaries and sometimes very challenging work environment, they always go the extra mile in assisting our clients, and usually work long hours.
Our Monday Devotions where all the staff get the chance to lead in singing and prayer, and prepare the short sermon for the week have kept me focused on the holistic mission of RBI. That our ultimate purpose is to share the Gospel of Jesus’ death with our clients.
Charles: Great! I wonder, am I right in thinking there’s a higher proportion of blind people in the 3rd world/developing countries? If so, why is that?
Lily: Yes, there are more visually impaired persons in these countries because of poverty (poor nutrition, sanitation), access to medical treatment, and lack of education.
Charles: So Mama, What’s one thing you’d like to change about RBI if you could?
Lily: Interesting! I’d Upgrade the salary structure of our staff, and provide more incentive packages, so they will stay with the organisation until they retire.
Charles: I see, yes. How much does it cost to print a Braille Bible? And Where does that happen?
Lily: It’s expensive! Almost AUD $3,300 for a single Bible. And praise God, we do have the capability and capacity to do braille production of Bibles, textbooks and other reading materials.
Charles: That’s wonderful! And I get cranky with Koorong’s prices!
So if it costs that much to print one, how much do they cost to buy? And Do blind people have to pay for them themselves? I am imagine that would be almost impossible?
Lily: They cost the same as to print them- almost $3,300. But We give them to blind people for free, thanks to Philippine Bible Society’s sponsorship.
Charles: And how THICK is a full braille Bible?
Lily: Each one is 75 sheets per volume. And there are 51 volumes.
Charles: Holy mackerel! They’re like skyscrapers. So the entire Bible would be almost 114km high!? So obviously you don’t give an entire Bible to each person.
Lily how did God first bring you to RBI? Your background’s in international consulting right?
Lily: Yes. I was invited to join the Board of Trustees in 2012, and served as head of the HR Committee, and as a member of the Nominations Committee.
In 2019 We received a big grant (by RBI standards, and historically) from USAID (US Agency for International Development). It was to implement the Gabay Project, an inclusive education project for deaf, blind and deafblind children in yrs 1-4. At that time I was asked to serve as RBI’s Executive Director. I started in 2020 after finishing my last consulting project with the WHO in PNG.
Charles: I see. Ok, Thanks Mama. Lovely chatting with you. It’s an enormously encouraging mission, and we are certainly praying for it, and for you.
Lily: Thanks Charles. I appreciate it.
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I gleaned from this interview That RBI is all about WORDS. GOD’s Words.
Why? Because words are important. Because YHWH speaks. In words. In particular, time bound, real life languages. Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine (C1) Greek. God the Son Himself, spoke the SAME language, Aramaic, as that spoken in Mel’s wonderfully awful film “The Passion of the Christ”.
Arguably, God could have just as easily sent Adam & Eve, the Patriarchs, Jesus, His Spirit and the Apostles, to a different period in history, and a different geographical region. To Gabon, or Slovenia, or Uzbekistan. It’s possible to mount an argument that Jesus could have just as easily spoken, and the Scriptures written in, Auslan, Gaelic, or Klingon. Esperanto, Hieroglyphics, or Swedish. Or Inca rope-and-knots language.
And the Father HIMSELF, would have spoken, and revealed Himself in, THIS language.
Because it’s not WHICH language that’s important, but that it IS language, that Father and Son reveal themselves in.
There’s nothing PARTICULARLY important about the Saviour living in in C1 Palestine, and speaking Aramaic.
What’s critical, crucial, essential, is that He SPOKE. As did the Father. As did His Spirit.
And THESE are Words that RBI loves giving to blind people, restoring their sight:
“immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;”
“the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped;”
“Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.”
Praise God for RBI, and please ask Him to supply their every need:
Our gracious God and loving Heavenly Father,
Please work Your mighty power through RBI’s “Luke14 training”,
which offers training resources to help churches and communities better welcome and include people with disabilities.
For the sake of Jesus’ all-seeing Name,
Amen
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for RBI’s focus on “underserving” communities, and that they prioritise working with the most marginalised and excluded people with disabilities.
That everyone might clearly see with their hearts Jesus’ just, righteous and merciful name.
Amen
Dear Lord who gives sight,
You raise from the dead, and gives hearing. You softens hearts to see Your empathy, mercy and grace.
Praise You that RBI is not for profit, and that last year they successfully launched the “Comprehensive Low Vision Care and Vision Rehabilitation Manual”. Thank you that it provides ophthalmologists and optometrists with comprehensive guidance for managing patients with low vision, and promoting vision rehabilitation practices.
In the power of Jesus’ almighty Name,
Amen