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Blind Outreach

(NEW SITE)

"22They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" 24He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around." 25Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26Jesus sent him home, saying, "Don't go into the village.[1] "-Mark 8:22-26

Today is Sunday, October 05, 2003-a beautiful sunny warm fall Minnesota afternoon. A another day to be thankful to God on how much blessed we are all in different ways to “see” (VISION) His creation-Amen? If you don’t agree after reading the link I (Sal) made on reminders of how bless we are, maybe this website will convince you! I’ve been meaning to do this webpage for along time, but after a special service I attended with two buddies of mine last night-I was encouraged to do this right away!

Before I share with you what happened last night, I would like to share with you how much you have and that you don’t know it at times or at all. As you read this, you have been blessed with being able to see and read this webpage. I’m writing about the ability to “see”, which around millions (stats?) of people in this world are not able to do. I’ve met “blind” people before and I personally know people who are blind in one eye or people who just have a very below average eyesight.

There is one guy who I know, whom I will call “John”, that has only one good eye. People that see him will not notice right away (his other eye is a glass eye shape material). A good friend from college too has this, his other eye was accidentally taken out when a friend accidentally (playing) shot him-just missed a valuable part of his brain that would’ve cost his life! A public figure that many of you may know (especially if you were a Minnesota Twins Baseball fan back in 1987 and 1991) that his professional career ended due to eye problems was Kirby Puckett. He had glucoma, which was detected unexpectantly after severely getting injured in his eye when he got hit by a pitch. I thank God for being able to see with both eyes, which I do my best to take care of (see health tips to have “good” eyes) and not take for granted with this ability

When one’s 5 senses are taken out, it seem the other senses are elevated higher-more above average than the other person. “John’s” heart is bigger than many other people I know. Despite his “one good eye”, his heart for people sticks out and is more noticeable to people that don’t know him. One time, he went to my church and started pointing with a smile to this lady sitting behind him. Like many people he points, they smile-an obvious observations of someone’s heart being touched! That friend who I wrote about-he went back to his home country after studying at UMM and currently in the nation’s job market making a living like any “average” person. He spoke at IVCF in front of his peers one-time about this “disability”, which really touched many of his peers’ hearts. Kirby Puckett, who I looked up to since I was a kid growing up as a Minnesota Twins Fan, is currently working for the organization despite his “disability”. Another example of a person who has overcome their “disability” to not see in a more of a local level is-State Representative, Torry Westrom. I have had the privilege to meet Mr. Westrom several times in-person at many local public functions: parades, church events, etc….as I’ve resided in Motown since graduating in 1999.

What happened last night? I and two buddies of mine went to Joy Christian Center in St. Cloud, MN for a beneffit concert for Christo Vive International. They had a couple international flavor peformances: Hispanic Band and Kenyan interactive worship with the audience performance. After, the husband-wife team that founded Christo Vive shared their heart of mission. They are an international non-profit ministry organization helping disabled youth for Christ.locally and globally. We were very encouraged what we witnessed last night….a blind man playing as many musical instruments he did-Roy Hoffman, from South Dakotah! He not only entertained us, but he also ministered to us in different ways. The verse from the Bible that came up to me was “With God all things are possible”. This was just an example of God’s power and love, which is shown through people like Mr. Hoffman-that are somewhat look down upon in the world. Another verse was, “God chooses the foolish to shame the wise”. The MC (from Heart of the City Ministries )of this event shared how they got Roy to come sing here, which was through another concert this MC witnessed at a “Gathier Concert” in City Celebration (Lowell Lundstrom, pastor and former famous southern gospel singer from South Dakotah also!) in Burnsville, MN during Christmas last year.

Despite your disability (everyone has one with different extremes), you can do all things with God if you put your mind and heart to it-with God of course! Instead of focussing on your weakness, we need to look at our strengths. What has God blessed us with? Instead of comparing and envying what others have, we should seek our Creator on how we could be use effectively for His glory!

Below are some encouraging verses I told him and others to read (5.25.04), I e-mailed a brother in Christ of mine before his eye surgery from biblesearch.com=>

Psalm 119:18
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. (Whole Chapter: Psalm 119 In context: Psalm 119:17-19)

Psalm 119:148
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. (Whole Chapter: Psalm 119 In context: Psalm 119:147-149)

Recent Eye-Exams


I've had a lazy eye since growin up, which my recent eye doctor told me that it could've been corrected if I wore a patach in my eye.

  • Lazy Eye, Amblyopia

    • "is the eye condition noted by reduced vision not correctable by glasses or contact lenses and is not due to any eye disease. The brain, for some reason, does not fully acknowledge the images seen by the amblyopic eye. This almost always affects only one eye but may manifest with reduction of vision in both eyes. It is estimated that three percent of children under six have some form of amblyopia."

    Date: 6.30.06
    Where: Vision World (City Centre East; 1785 Radio Dr, #B; Woodbury, MN 55125; 651.501.0920; Fax # 651.501.0921
    Distance:
    Right -0.00 (sphere) -1.00 (cylinder) 005 (Axis)
    Left +4.00 (sphere)-1.25 (cylinder) 180 (Axis)
    Add: Distance-Reading
    PD: 32.5 for both eyes or 65 (called in today-Thursday, Aug 30th of 2007
    Dr. Chepuus


    Reccomended Resources

    STATE

  • Minnesota Vision Therapy Center, getting your vision problems corrected to improve self-esteem, academic, atheletic and job performance.
    • *referred by my eye doctor at Lens Crafters in St. Paul

    NATION

    Articles

  • Eye Q -- Keeping Your Eyes Healthy Posted by Nicholas DiNubile, M.D. on Tue, Jul 17, 2007, 1:32 pm PDT (yahoo.news)

    • "In my last blog entry I talked about your eyes as they relate to sports performance and shared some ideas in terms of improving your "sports vision" capabilities. But before you hit the ballfield, court, or links, there are some even more basic considerations for overall eye health.
    Your eyes may be the window to your soul, but they're also your main doorway to the world around you. Something most of us take for granted unless something goes wrong. Our eyes are truly amazing, functioning like a high-tech video camera attached to a supercomputer. Science has not even come close in replicating them.
    To keep your eyes healthy and functioning optimally, especially with age, you must get regular eye checkups. Problems like glaucoma, cataracts, and even diabetes (or diabetes-related eye problems) can be picked up early and managed, preventing bigger problems down the line.
    In terms of everyday activities, take frequent breaks from computer screens to avoid eye strain. Don't forget your sunglasses outdoors, which help protect your eyes from UV damage. When sports call for eye protection, wear the appropriate gear, glasses, or goggles.
    And remember, what you put in your mouth affects your eyes. Strive to eat foods rich in vitamin A and beta carotene, such as cooked carrots, tomatoes, and green leafy vegetables. Include fish in your diet and seek out other good sources of omega-3s. An orange a day keeps the eye doctor away.
    If your eye is ever injured, seek immediate care and you'll often prevent a long-term problem. As one of the team docs for the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team, I can tell you that having an eye doctor present at every game has been extremely valuable for our players (whose eyes are all too often whacked, poked, and/or elbowed) over the years. Your eyes are just as important -- keep them healthy!"

    Goggles

    -Sports

  • Protective Sports Goggles, from allaboutvision.com
  • Sports Eyes

    • People

  • Hellen Keller, bio

    • An Encounter with Helen Keller

    "Interview with a Christian World War II Veteran who had a chance encounter with Helen Keller that changed his life forever."

    Performing Arts

    -Drama

  • One Time Blind, drama ministry

    • -Music
  • Blind AG

    • Blind People in the Bible

    Samson

    "Put me where I can feel the pillars that support the temple, so that I may lean against them." 27 Now the temple was crowded with men and women; all the rulers of the Philistines were there, and on the roof were about three thousand men and women watching Samson perform. 28 Then Samson prayed to the LORD , "O Sovereign LORD , remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes." 29 Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, 30 Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines!" Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.

    Good News UMM Physically Challenged Outreach Homepage

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