A New
Ministry: Not Alone Ð
Internet Ministry to the Blind (NAIMB)
The logo and these words
have many levels of meaning for this new ministry. Here is the full verse:
ÒAnd I will lead the
blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will
guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places
into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.Ó Isaiah 42:16 ESV
My name
is Pastor Dave Andrus
and these words of God are very personal and describe my life; ÒAnd I will lead the blind - in a way that
they do not know.Ó
I lost my sight
at age 11. Some might think, ÒHow tragic to lose oneÕs sight before they are an
adult; before they finish education; before they get a job, a family.Ó It
wasnÕt easy but because I was led and guided by God all this happened and more.
Many of you know
I graduated from Concordia University in St. Paul, MN, married my college
sweetheart, graduated from Concordia Seminary and became a parish pastor for 13
years. From there, God guided my
steps to do mission work to people who are blind through Lutheran blind Mission.
Besides overseeing production of Braille, large type and cassette materials, an
Outreach Center ministry was formed establishing 66 Outreach Centers for the
blind around the country. As the word of God says, ÒThe rough places were made into level ground.Ó for thousands of
people who are blind.
After
15 months of helping Lutheran Blind Mission and Lutheran Braille Workers unify
into one ministry, I was released due to financial reasons. Was this a setback?
No! As one of my missionary friends put it, ÒGod was re-positioning his
workerÉ.in a way that they do not knowÉ. in paths they have not known.Ó
Today, while taking
care of my familyÕs household chores I also spend a fair amount of time in
support of my younger daughter who has a disability. I also now serve part time
at St. PaulÕs Lutheran Church, a
small inner city parish in St. Louis to help them rebuild and reach out into
the community. Great steps have been accomplished. St. PaulÕs has in turn,
encouraged me to once again serve people who are blind and therefore hosts this
new ministry called ÒNot Alone Ð Internet Ministry to the Blind.Ó
Being aware
of other ministries providing materials in Braille and large type, I now reach
out with Òaudio podcast
files via the internet.Ó Nothing is being done in this area to reach people who
are blind with a meaningful message of the Gospel. There are secular world
podcasts for this and that, but a podcast focused on the life of a blind
personÕs life is a niche that is not being served. People who are blind are
using computers and IPhones that are equipped with audio output. Through this
technology they can receive and listen to podcasts -- and they crave them!
I have been sending out a
weekly Biblical podcast for over one year. It reflects on a
Bible reading of the week; how it relates specifically to a person who is blind
and aimed to reach people who can't get to church because of their blindness. The feedback via email and phone calls
has been positive and strong! ÒI will turn the darkness before them into
lightÉ the rough places into level groundÉ these are the things I do.Ó says
the Lord.
Audrey a Blind Outreach
Leader wrote:
ÒThanks Pastor Dave for your reflections of the week and the Word and
for refueling my spiritual tank. Daily I ask God to place me where He wants me
and use me where He puts me and He does and I love it! IÕm sure you know
how rewarding doing His work can feel, especially to those of us who do not
see. Your podcast has provided the key with which to refuel my spiritual
tank! Having heard your thoughts has brought me a new-found peace and
comfort that I havenÕt gotten from any church service in many years. Many Blessings!Ó
Adrienne
from Portland wrote:
ÒPastor Dave, thank you for including me in this
[podcast] list. I really enjoyed your first podcast. You have so much wisdom to
share and many people, including me, have a lot to learn from you. I didn't
think it was too long, 15 to 30 minutes is usually a good length for a podcast.Ó
Lupita
wrote:
ÒI can't tell you how good it is to hear from
you. I saw the sample of your podcast and really liked it. Thank you for sending it. I am working at an agency teaching
braille and daily living skills.
I'm really enjoying it. Thank you again for sending this and be in
touch.Ó
Chris in a
phone call said:
ÒThe podcast is too short. I love how you speak
because itÕs like you are in my living room just talking with me. I feel so
comfortable. There is no barrier between us.Ó
Still more doors are
openingÉ Òand I do not forsake
them.Ó
á Bible Studies--Many who
receive the weekly podcast are also asking for a weekly Bible study podcast.
Recording has begun. More about this in the next newsletter.
á
Outreach
Centers--The majority of the 66 outreach centers for the blind are still up and
running. Praise God! By keeping in
contact with outreach center pastors and blind leaders, they have noted that
they really do not need to be under the jurisdiction of a national
organization. They want, however, to be networked, trained and encouraged. I am
being encouraged to consider facilitating such a network as part of my
ministry. This too is underway and will be highlighted in upcoming newsletters.
Please consider
partnering with this audio podcast and outreach center networking ministry to
provide hope and restore comfort to those who are blind. If you would like to
support this ministry, please donate via PayPal at the website link below or
send a check to:
Blind
Ministry
St. Paul's Lutheran Church
2137 E. John Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63107