Lutheran Braille Workers

PO Box 5000 Yucaipa, CA 92399 • 800-925-6092 • www.LBWinc.org

Helping People Touch thePromises of Jesus

Illuminations

1ILLUMINATIONS Winter 2011

Winter 2011

WHAT’S INSIDE

Texas Work Centers 2Maureen Finds A Friend 2The Gift of Light 3LBW Plans 4Blessing From North Carolina 5Her Name Is Kelly 5A Great Visit 6Lord’s Work 7

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through

our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Corinthians 15:57 NIV

To Remember

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11 NIV

Is it Really Better to Give than to Receive?

A better question might be, “Can giving and receiving really just be one in the same thing?”

Christmas is the time of the year when many people desire to honor the memory of a loved one. One way to do just that is to give a gift “To the Glory of God” in their memory to Lutheran Braille Workers. In return, you will receive the satisfaction of knowing that you have helped to provide the message of salvation to People with Visual Disabilities (PVD).

Or, maybe you just can’t decide what to give someone on your list who doesn’t seem to need anything. Remember, there is one thing that everyone needs and that is LOVE. This year, why not give them a “Gift of Love” by honoring them with a donation, in their name, to Lutheran Braille Workers? It is sure to warm your heart.

If you like, LBW has “Memorial Cards” and “Joy Cards” for you to use when making your gifts. Please call Kathy at 1.800.925.6092 for your cards or with any questions about giving (and receiving).

2

A recent Braille Sunday held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waco, Texas, designated the door offering toward the purchase of the much needed Plate Embossing Device. In addition to sharing about the ministry of Lutheran Braille Workers, Texas representative Peggy Turnipseed had the opportunity to recognize a faithful LBW worker at the congregation, Hubert Noack. Hubert, who serves as the leader for Work Center #75, was presented his 20 year pin. In addition to being a Work Center leader, Hubert

has also served on the Board of Directors for LBW. We thank Hubert for his faithful service. Con-gratulations!

Zion Lutheran (Work Center #146) in Wal-burg/Georgetown, Tex-as, was issued a challenge to match a $250 grant given by an anonymous donor. The information on the need for a PED was presented to the volunteers along with the “challenge.”

Work center #146 responded to that challenge with inspiring faith, and not only matched the

$250 grant, but exceeded it by another $350 with gifts

totaling $600. To God be the glory!!

At a recent Pro-fessional Church Workers Confer-ence at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring, Texas, Work Center #93 leader, Jean Webber, brought one of her volunteers to the exhibit booth so that I could explain “PED Project” and the great need that Lutheran Braille Workers has for this special machine. A very, very generous donation was received. We continue to thank our workers for their generous financial support as well as their time and talents.

Last but not least, while visiting Work Center #136 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Livingston, Texas, our rep-resentative, Peggy Turnipseed, was able to present a 10 year pin to Norbert Schulze, leader of that Work Center. While visiting the Work Center, arrangements were made to have a Braille Sunday on December 11, 2011 with the door offering designated toward the purchase of the PED. ~ Peggy Turnipseed

Texas Work Centers Assist With Additional FundingFor The Plate Embossing Device (PED)

The Home Office received a call from Maureen who wanted to thank

Lutheran Braille Workers for providing Braille & Large Print Bibles to people who are blind or visually impaired. She knows from experience how important it is to have the word of God, especially for those who feel alone or isolated because they are disabled.

“At the age of sixteen in High School I was very lonely, I had no friends. I talked to one of my teachers telling her how I felt when she said to me, Jesus is your friend, talk to him. The following Sunday I was sitting in church when I asked Jesus: “Are you my friend, how can I get to know you?” He responded to me right then, “Read the Bible.”

“I didn’t have a Braille Bible so I didn’t know how to become friends with Jesus.” I knew there was a family

Bible in the house but no one read it to me, so when they weren’t looking I would sneak it into my bedroom lay on my bed with the pages open and wonder what Jesus was

saying. I did this until I became an adult.

“In the late 80’s I found out I could purchase a Braille Bible for $500.00. It took me a while but I saved my money until I was able to purchase one. I don’t know how I survived without it! I have since given that Bible to a friend and have a new one. I don’t know what I would do without my Bible. Thank you Lutheran Braille Workers for providing friends to those who are blind.”

Wouldn’t you like to help find a friend for all the “Maureen’s” who are lonely by providing them a Braille Bible? ~ Rose Jaimes

Maureen Finds a Friend in the Bible…

Hubert Noack receiving his 20 year pin from Peggy Turnipseed

Norbert and Helen Schulze of Work Center #136

2ILLUMINATIONS Winter 2011

3ILLUMINATIONS Winter 2011

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; and those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:2).

These words of Isaiah chapter 9 are often read at Christmas

time because the Prophet w a s

given the great honor of fore-telling some of the events surrounding the coming of the Messiah. The “people walking in darkness” includes every person in the world. The “great light” is Jesus the Messiah. Jesus places everything into the “right light,” providing people with His Divine Light that allows us to see truth.

People with visual disability live in every country of the world. Eye disease and genetic malfunctions occur in people of every race, nation and language. Every day hundreds of people in the United States are being told they will lose their sight due to accidents, toxins, glaucoma, diabetes, or other diseases. Most everyone will ask the same questions: “Why?” “What did I do to deserve this?” “Is God angry with me that He would allow this?” And only Jesus, the “Great Light” can ultimately answer those tough questions.

People want and need to read for themselves the promises of Jesus: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14:27). “Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you” (Psalm 50:15).

People with visual disability, however, are frequently denied the opportunity to know Jesus. God’s Word must be available, and, for people who are blind, God’s Word must be available in Braille. Because of the partnership of more than 5,000 faithful volunteers and thousands of “support missionaries”

(who finance this Great Commission Mission), Lutheran Braille Workers distributes more than

150,000 volumes of God’s Word in Braille each year. (See Jesus, Page 8)

Jesus, The Gift of Light

Dr. Phil Pledger & Reverend Dennis Stueve while visiting the

Baltic States

Dr. Phil Pledger and Artis Purins, Manager of Lutheran Hour Ministries, Latvia

“By leading us to the Baltic

States, God opened many doors

through which He is compelling

us to enter.”

Our church...is blessed to have a large group of active adult members who have special needs. We recently gave Bibles to everyone in this large group, including the Braille Bible we received (and are still receiving) from LBW. We have two members that are blind and one of them got to read the Bible for the first time in his life this past Sunday. I wish you could have been here! Those of us who were priviledged to be a part of this first time experience, will never forget it! If the Bible was food, it would have been devoured by this young man. He was so excited to have the Bible in Braille, that he poured over the pages with zeal and affection. He would not stop to listen to the lesson nor would not stop to talk with anyone, he just read and read. Our hearts are full of joy to be a part of God’s Word coming alive in their hearts. Of course, without LBW, we would not have this precious gift to give. Our ministry thanks you from the bottom of our hearts for all the volunteer hours that are spent to make the Bible available to those with visual impairments. May God continue to bless all that you are and all that you do.” ~ Susan G.

LUTHERAN BRAILLE WORKERS ELECTRONIC GIVING AUTHORIZATION FORM 502738851

Name ______________________________________________________________ Address_____________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

Date of first contribution: ______/______/______

Frequency of contribution (check one): Monthly on the 1st Monthly on the 15th One Time

Amount per donation: $

Work Center Number (optional)

CHECKING / SAVINGS Complete only if using checking or savings account. CREDIT / DEBIT CARD Complete only if using your credit or debit card.

Please debit my donation from my (check one): Please charge my (check one): Visa MasterCard Discover American Express Checking Account (attach voided check) Savings account Credit Card Number: Expiration Date:

Routing #: Account #:

Name on Card:

I authorize Lutheran Braille Workers, Inc. and Vanco Services, LLC to process debit entries to my account. I understand that this authority will remain in effect until I provide reasonable notification to terminate the authorization. Signature on bank account:___________________________________ Date:_______________

Billing Address:

I authorize Lutheran Braille Workers, Inc. and Vanco Services, LLC to charge my card for the above dollar amount. Signature (as seen on the card): ___________________________________________________ Date:_______________

4ILLUMINATIONS Winter 2011

President Rev. Dr. Phil Pledger is redesigning the gift de-velopment and gift planning efforts of Lutheran Braille Workers (LBW) and is partnering with the LCMS Founda-tion. Philip Meinzen has been engaged to work with LBW to clearly communicate our “world-impact” mission plan. Part of this plan necessitates a comprehensive plan for funding that will strengthen LBW’s ability to place God’s Word into the hands of people who are visually impaired around the world. “We want to be the world’s leader in putting God’s Word in their own language, using the tech-nologies that allow people to touch and be touched by the Word of God” noted Dr. Pledger.

Philip Meinzen was born to LCMS missionary parents in India. He now lives with his wife of 31 years (Melede Strehlow), in West Bend, Wisconsin. With 35 years of experience as an educator, counselor and as a gift develop-ment gift-planner, Meinzen serves as Director of Training, Consulting and Mentoring with the LCMS Foundation. He has extensive experience in development as well as with sustaining various dimensions of gift development and gift planning.

Philip, after graduating from Concordia University, Ne-braska in 1977, taught in LCMS Schools and earned a Masters degree in Counseling from the University of Wis-consin in 1984. He is also a graduate of the College for Financial Planning, is a Certified Fundraising Executive, a Christian Development Executive and a Christian Gift

Planner. Phil encourages the application of the gift of generosity and equips Christians to apply God’s monetary wisdom for service and witness.

As LBW provides the message of salvation through faith in Jesus to people who are visually impaired, it is impor-tant to inform our partners and ask our donors to support us. LBW provides more opportunity to Christians to share the Good News of salvation among people with visual im-pairment than any other ministry. Just think of it, recalled Meinzen, “Nowhere else can we enter into this mission field that Jesus loved, to reach more than 161 million peo-ple (37 to 45 million who are Blind) with the light of love and salvation in Jesus.”

We want everyone to know that through LBW anyone can be an important part of the Great Commission mission, to serve as an ambassador to millions of people about whom Jesus cared.• LBW provides more opportunity to get involved personally in mission work among people Jesus loves. • It’s critical to remember that no one else does what we do. LBW produces and distributes FREE Braille and Large Print Bibles to people with visual disabilities.• LBW allows you to be involved in sharing the Good News of Jesus - LBW is not just about producing a product. We are fulfilling the Great Commission!• Jesus valued people with a visual impairment highly. Why would we not do that as well? (See Impetus to See, page 7)

LBW plans: “Impetus to See Life”

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dr. George Locke - Chair Dr. Werner EssigMr. Kenneth Loeber - Vice Chair Mrs. Julia NeimesRev. Norman Finke - Secretary Mrs. Carol M. ZemkeMr. J. Kelly Tripp - TreasurerRev. Dennis Stueve - Chaplain

Tax ID: 95-6048152

NEWSLETTER STAFF

Rev. Dr. Phillip M. Pledger - PresidentJan Fisher - VP of Ministry OperationsRose Jaimes - Braille AdministratorRoy Fisher - Large Print AdministratorKathy Buss - Donor RelationsDavid Crespo - IT Specialist

Blessings From North CarolinaThank you to all those who give their time and energy to Lutheran Braille Workers. Our feedback has been incredible! Here is a recent comment from one of our Large Print readers in North Carolina.

“Dear Friends, Thank you so much for my Bible. I adore it. It makes

reading so much easier for me.

May God Bless You. Thank you so much.

Your Friend in Christ,

Beverly B.”

Please prayerfully consider Lutheran Braille Workersin your Estate Planning.

5ILLUMINATIONS Winter 2011

“Dining in the dark was indeed an unusual and different experience. It makes one slow down and think about what you are doing in the process of eating. The experience gave me an appreciation for some of the difficulties experienced by a blind person.” ~ Dr. Werner Essig

Her Name Is “Kelly”She has played the organ at her large church for many years and now because of macular degeneration she can no longer see the notes, so she has had to give up playing the organ in her church. But she hasn’t given up playing beautiful music on her own organ in her apartment. She is learning to play by ear, which she could never do before. She listens to the Bible on tape; she can still read some large print religious articles from Lutheran Braille Workers and other places.

I visited Kelly to ask her to be part of Lutheran Braille Workers (LBW) through a financial gift to help others who cannot see at all. She was delighted to help and did so in a very generous way. She had coffee and a treat for me all set on her coffee table in the living room. She works out at a gym 4 or 5 mornings a week as she can walk just a short way from her home. One thing she said she has trouble with is getting to the grocery store since she can no longer drive. I suggested she call me any time she needed a trip to the super market.

To my delight Kelly called me a few weeks later and asked if I had time that week to take her to the store. I was excited to take her. I learned so much from her, a woman with so much patience. She had to have help reading the labels as they are usually very small. She put together meal plans, cost factors and healthy foods vs. non healthy foods.

She bought some treats to share with her friends when they stop by her home to work with her on various projects.

Kelly is delighted to help LBW because she knows what it is like to lose her eyesight. Having been an active, healthy, musically creative woman throughout her life, it has been humbling to know there are now limitations as to what she can do.

If you would like to help people like Kelly, please send a donation to Lutheran Braille Workers in the envelope provided. Earnestly pray for the people whom we serve that they will “see” Jesus this Christmas Season and throughout their lives. ~ Carol M. Zemke

6ILLUMINATIONS Winter 2011

PROMISE MAKERS

Honored people who have contributed time, talent and treasure to enhance and advance the ministry of Lutheran Braille

Workers.

Norman & Sally Loeber Roberta Werth LeRoy & Marjorie Delafosse Mel Stueve Richard & Nancy Challis Ida Mall Rev. Sidney Frazen Paul Eide Mary Helen Kelly Jean Peterson Ane Ertzner

We Thank You It has been a very challenging financial year for everyone, especially non-profit organizations, so I would like to personally thank all Thrivent members that have contributed their “choice dollars” to Lutheran Braille Workers and help continue our Mission to bring the word of God to people with visual disabilities. I would also like to thank those who voted for Lutheran Braille Workers in the National Voting Event. This event will take place again in the near future. If you need information regarding either program please contact Thrivent at: 800-THRIVENT (800-847-4836).

On behalf of our readers I would like to thank all of you for your continued support. ~ Lori Alonzo

But the Angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy

that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.”

~ Luke 2:10-11

The Work Cen-ter Leaders and Volunteers of Michigan met together for the first time at an Appreciat ion Luncheon on Saturday, Oc-tober 29, 2011. An event coor-

dinated by Mis-sion Associate, Barbara Hoff-

meier that included Rev. Dr. Phil Pledger, President of LBW (from Califor-nia), Dr. George Locke, Chairman of the Board of Direc-tors of LBW, and his wife Elise (from Michigan). Thirty-five people attended, representing the four Work Centers throughout lower Michigan. There was a meal and fel-lowship, a program of photos with comments from each Leader describing their Work Center, and presentations from both LBW Leaders. It was a great opportunity to see a bigger picture of our ministry and learn about the

work being done through many volunteers.

Volunteers of diversity gathered together for the Appre-ciation Luncheon in Michigan. Shown here are three high school students that Volunteer at WC #203: Bethany Meeks, from Monroe, MI, and two foreign exchange stu-dents: Johanna from Germany and Cindy from China. Cindy Akerman (in front) is a blind person and works in every capacity with Large Print booklets at the LBW Work Center #8 in Detroit. ~ Barbara Hoffmeier

Work Center Leaders from Michigan: Pictured L to

R: Deaconess Jean McCain, Kevin Weilnau, Dorothy

Sproul, & Frances (Tomy) Mursch. Centered: Barbara

Hoffmeier, LBW Mission Associate

Left to Right: Bethany Meeks, Johanna, Cindy, & Cindy Akerman (in front)

A Great Visit

7ILLUMINATIONS Winter 2011

Impetus to See (continue from page 4)

• LBW is a global ministry that you can be involved in from your local church. Partnering with LBW allows youto reach the other side of the world from your neighborhood.

Dr. Pledger and Mr. Meinzen have discussed three financial realities that challenge LBW. They are:

1. LBW Work Centers are a key to annual operations; LBW volunteers bless millions of people through their labor, financial support, and prayers. 2. Annual gifts from individuals are essential; we need to invite additional mission partners in order to strengthen the impact of our volunteers. 3. Matured bequests must provide endowment reserves dedicated to create a margin for fiscal strength.

The development plan that President Pledger and Consultant Meinzen are focused on will develop three key initiatives to address these challenges. They are:

A. To strengthen and support our Work Center volunteers and allow them to be “Ambassadors of Light” to the world. B. To redesign our mission communications so people can know the phenomenal impact their contrib- tions make in the lives of people throughout the world. C. To establish an “easy to understand” method of making “legacy gifts” that enable people to support this Great Commission Mission until Christ returns for His Church.

LBW is part of the Great Commission focused on 161 million often-forgotten people. The people we serve are typically offered few Christian resources, and even fewer Law-Gospel resources that clearly point to Jesus as Lord, Savior, and Divine Friend. With your help, LBW blesses many thousands of lives each year by providing the Word of God to people in 30 languages.

In future issues we will share more opportunities to work with this Gospel outreach of helping people touch the promises of Jesus. ~ Phil Meinzen

The Lord’s WorkWork Center #164 at St. John Lutheran Church in Effingham, Illinois had a potluck on Tuesday night, October18, 2011 for the 100 volunteers from 13 area churches. The women came in black and white attire to a room set with black & white decorations. Shirley Wittenberg hosted Barbara Hoffmeier and her husband, Will, from Michigan. She had a pre-sentation on LBW and featured Work Centers Volunteers who are so important to the production of Braille and Large Print materials. The program closed with a candlelight devotion pointing to Jesus Christ as our light in a world of spiri-tual darkness. ~ Barbara Hoffmeier

Mission Associate Barbara

Hoffmeier with Leaders Carolyn

Braasch, Liz Brown and Marilyn

Schaefer in Effingham, Illinois.

Participants paired up to coach each other as they ate their meal blindfolded.

The Work Center opened for

demonstrations at the end of the

evening to recruit new volunteers.

St. John’s has workers four and five mornings a week producing English Braille.

Jesus (Continue from page 3)

Rev. Dennis Stueve (Board member and chaplain of Lutheran Braille Workers) and I just returned from a mission trip to the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. It is obvious to even the casual visitor of these countries that many who live there are “people walking in darkness.” The beautiful churches, built to honor God and give witness to His glory and majesty are mere tourist attractions of “what once was.” Lutheran Cathedrals that are built to worship a thousand or more are all but empty. The “members” of many of these congregations are buried outside in the cemetery surrounding the church, and only a handful of “living saints” worship inside.

People with visual disability in these countries and around the world are asking the tough questions. People who physically “walk in darkness” have seen Jesus, the great light, and are asking for more of God’s Word. Through Braille pages, God’s Word is being read, marked, learned, and internalized. But the mission has just begun.

By leading us to the Baltic States, God opened many doors through which He is compelling us to enter. LBW, being the largest manufacturer and distributor of free Braille and Large Print Christian books in the world, is invited to be the premier provider of Braille Bibles to the world’s 147 Bible Societies. No other organization has the needed combination of capability, volunteer dedication, and world-impact-vision to accomplish this vital mission. But with your continued prayers, labor, and financial support, LBW will accomplish the goal of placing God’s Word into the hands and hearts of all who seek to know Jesus. Imagine: God’s Word, available to everyone in their own

“heart language” and in a technology that allows God’s Word to be placed not only in one’s hands, but also into their hearts.

There are other ministries that serve people with visual disability and share our Christ-centered mission. Rev. Stueve and I visited Bible Societies and a number of other ministries in Europe including Compass Braille and Torch Trust. Torch Trust produces about seven thousand volumes of Christian material each year, and Compass Braille manufactures about nine thousands volumes of Bibles and other Christian literature, most of which goes to African countries. These two

ministries are important mission allies in the quest to serve people with visual impairment throughout the world.

The most exciting dynamic of this mission trip is seeing God’s hand at work in our own hearts and work. God has made it abundantly clear that LBW’s mission is just

starting, that as we closely follow His plan, untold numbers of people from “every nation, tribe, people, and language” (Rev. 7:9) will become followers of Jesus. And for many of these people, the first thing they will EVER see is the shining face of Jesus in heaven.

Please keep Lutheran Braille Workers in your prayers. Please prayerfully consider a generous contribution because the need for God’s Word in Braille and Large Print is greater

now than ever! We have God’s blessing and Call; You are cordially invited to partner with LBW’s Call to bring the Gospel of Jesus to more than 161

million people for whom Christ died. Together we will fill heaven and bless the nations, helping people touch the promises of Jesus.

For more information about Lutheran Braille Workers and about the mission trip of Dr. Pledger and Rev. Stueve, go to: www.LBWinc.org/Baltic.pdf

Left to Right: Reverend Dennis Stueve, Dr. Phil Pledger, and Dr. Gordon Temple, Chief Executive for Torch Trust

Meeting with the United Bible Society, L to R: Ms. Csilla

Molnar, Assistant, Programs for PVD, Dr. Phil Pledger,

Ingrid Felber-Bischof, Coordinator, Programs for PVD,

and Rev. Dennis Stueve

8ILLUMINATIONS Winter 2011