[Faith-talk] BCL Urgent Request

[Peret, Maurice S.]

D ave,

Would you kindly distribute the following to the NFB FaithTalk list 
if it is still active?

Thanks,

  July 15, 2009
Dear Friends of the Braille Circulating Library,
The Braille Circulating Library for the Blind, Inc. was honored with 
an Official Recognition by the Richmond City Council at City Hall on 
Monday, July 13, 2009. "Richmond City Council does hereby recognize 
the Braille Circulating Library for its many years of service spent 
translating, producing and providing Christian education literature 
in an accessible format for people who are blind or vision impaired." 
This Official Recognition is a tremendous blessing and an 
encouragement as we continue to seek to serve the blind community. 
Just today, I received a call from a blind veteran living in Texas 
requesting our Bible study tapes. He was so grateful when I told him 
of the materials we had available for him. Yesterday I spoke to a 
grandmother from Oklahoma who ordered the Our Daily Bread Tapes for 
her blind granddaughter. Last week I spoke to two new blind patrons 
to the Braille Circulating Library from Michigan and Arkansas, and to 
a pastor in Ireland who requested fifty copies of James McConkey's 
book "The Threefold Secret of the Holy Spirit" to use in his ministry.
The ministry of the Braille Circulating Library continues to be a 
blessing to people around the world, however, I must bring a very 
serious request to you. The downturn and uncertainty in the economy 
is affecting the operating funding of this ministry. Foundations we 
request grants from have deferred their decisions du e to the economy 
and individual giving is down. The operating funds are extremely low 
and the future of the Braille Circulating Library is uncertain. We 
need your help. The Braille Circulating Library has always believed 
in the use of prayer as a means of bringing forth God's power to 
sustain this ministry. We need your prayers, and we also need your 
actions. A financial gift of any size will be helpful and greatly 
appreciated to help with our operating needs. Will you please join me 
and every member of the Board of Directors of the Braille Circulating 
Library and give a special gift to help to continue to sustain this ministry?
The Braille Circulating Library is a faith ministry. Faith is 
believing in and obeying God, which requires relying on what we 
cannot see - God's promises. An inner attitude alone does not define 
faith. For faith to be present, action is required. "Thus also faith 
by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 
You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith without you 
works, and I will show you my faith by my works (James 2:17-18)."
Thank you for your special gift at this most critical time. I pray 
that God will pour out His blessings upon you as you act upon your 
faith in helping to sustain this ministry as we continue to seek to 
serve the blind. Thank you again for your prayers and your financial support.
Serving Him,
Rev. Brian J. Baron, Sr.
Executive Director

Please send your Special Gift to:
The Braille Circulating Library for the Blind, Inc.
2700 Stuart Ave
Richmond, VA 23220

Thank you