News Update February  2024

Befriending

Since our last news update in October, much effort has gone into preparing to launch our new Befriending Service for people with sight loss. It included going through a recruitment process with a small number of interested volunteers, doing further work on our policies and carrying out training in January. We are at the end of this process and would appreciate prayer as we are on the verge of launching the service. We hope to offer befriending in person for those in Northern Ireland living in the Southern and Northern Trusts. Telephone befriending will be available for those living elsewhere in the UK. Through the service, we seek to draw alongside people with sight loss and offer a listening ear, support and encouragement. In due course, we hope to be able to recruit more befrienders and expand the service. 

Zoom Event

We held an outreach event on Zoom on 26th January. We were joined by speakers from Torch Trust. Sarah Dawkins, the new CEO introduced herself and promoted the Pathway audio Bible. Becky Davies shared about the holidays that they offer for blind and partially sighted people. We had a video presentation from RealSam featuring the RealSam Hub, which can provide access to stream over 27,000 audiobooks through Amazon Echo devices. Pastor Kevin Vickers from All Nations Revival Church shared a short Christian epilogue challenging us to build our lives on the solid foundation that is Christ. Kevin has a close connection with Torch holidays, having been the speaker for many years on their activity holidays. Many of those who attended these holidays in the past were present on the call. There was also time to chat at the beginning and end, and people seemed to enjoy the presentations.

AGM

Our AGM took place on 5th February. It involved writing another directors’ report and presenting our accounts for the last financial year. We are grateful to God for how the charity has developed over the past year. Our events were well supported and we received encouraging feedback, especially about the public benefit aspect. As we met together, people were encouraged spiritually and emotionally. They also experienced a deeper sense of community. As we reflect on the past year, we can see God’s financial provision as He put it on people’s hearts to give. We give thanks for the grants that have been received and for those who support us through regular or one-off donations.

Future Plans

Our next event is at the Belmont Hotel, Banbridge on 9th March. Don Howe will share about his journey through cancer. For those who would like to discover more details about this event, including how to book, you can find further information on our website at the following link https://www.sightlossministries.org/events.

We hope to have another day trip out during the summer, although the date and activity have yet to be confirmed. As we organise events, we understand the need for sighted helpers to assist with driving and guiding. It has included help from friends, family members and carers of blind and partially sighted people. However, we would like to expand the assistance we can offer people by recruiting Volunteer Event Helpers. They will be primarily helping with driving and guiding people with sight loss, but will also have input into our events. In the coming weeks, information regarding these roles and how to apply, will be added to the website.

As we reflect on our plans and commit them to God, we can draw encouragement from Galatians 6:9 "So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time." All ministry has its challenges. Things do not always go how we expect, but God is faithful. Just as physical blindness can obscure one's vision, spiritual weariness can cloud our perspective. However, this passage encourages us to persevere, even when faced with challenges or discouragement. Our work is not in vain, and God will bring a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.

Prayer Points

1. We thank God for the blessings we are already beginning to see as God meets our needs.

2. Pray for our befriending service as we prepare to launch it shortly.

3. Pray for God to raise more volunteers to serve with the ministry, particularly as Event Helpers.