Even though Lutheran Blind Mission has moved into its own storefront location, about five miles from its former site at the Synod’s International Center in St. Louis, the ministry continues to offer free resources and other services for blind and visually impaired people nationwide.
As part of LCMS World Mission’s reorganization, Lutheran Blind Mission is now located in Shrewsbury, a St. Louis suburb. Although it continues to receive funding from LCMS World Mission, the ministry expects to be totally self-supporting within the next year or two, according to its director, Rev. Dave Andrus.
“We’re looking to be independent, yet connected to The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod,” Andrus said. That independence — and alternative funding sources — will enable Lutheran Blind Mission to “respond to the needs quicker than waiting for funds to become available from LCMS World Mission,” he said.
Lutheran Blind Mission continues to offer, through its Library for the Blind, thousands of braille and large-type materials that are available free on loan.
Andrus and other blind-mission staff also are available to help congregations reach out to the blind and visually-impaired people in their communities, and provide resources designed to include blind people in the life of the congregation and help sighted members relate to the struggles of blind people.
One new resource explains how a congregation can host a “Dinner in the Dark” for its members, a dining experience that uses blindfolds to help sighted people understand the difficulties of those with limited vision.
For more information about Lutheran Blind Mission, contact Andrus at (800) 433-3954, Ext. 1323, or dave.andrus@lcms.org. Or visit the ministry’s Web site at www.blindmission.org.
Contributions to help support Lutheran Blind Mission may be sent to its new location at 7550 Watson Road, St. Louis, MO 63119.
Posted Feb. 2, 2004
