A Blind Community’s Path to Belonging

In South Central Asia, there is an entire community who have been blind from birth and are hungry for the Gospel. For them, daily life requires caution and perseverance as they navigate their city with complete reliance on what their fingertips touch and what noises they hear.

Over 27 years ago, a Christian man named Timur had a strong conviction to reach others who were visually impaired like himself. He shared the Good News with the blind community and many began accepting Jesus into their hearts, reorienting their lives to follow Him.

As a blind community, however, they faced challenges when attending churches created for sighted individuals. Without the proper accommodations, they felt like outsiders: disconnected from worship, teaching, and relationships with others. Desiring to seek the Lord together in a more suitable environment, they gathered at Timur’s home, who served as their pastor. With some of these barriers removed, their walks with the Lord grew stronger as they met together on Sundays and in small groups.

Even though their faith was increasing by God’s Spirit and fellowship with other believers, they still could not directly engage with scripture — until now. An ICM ministry partner recently became connected with the blind community and provided them with audio players. As they held this new resource and listened intently, they heard the Word of God for the first time in their language. Their gratitude for having Bible technology uniquely made for them immediately moved them to worship. They felt seen and equipped in a completely new way.

During that same visit, ICM’s partner also observed that Timur’s small tattered home was nearly collapsing after many years of packed church gatherings. Weeks later, it had to be demolished. In response, ICM shared about this faithful community, and how they longed for a church building designed to meet their specific needs. By God’s sovereignty and in His perfect timing, a generous ICM donor had specifically been looking for a way to help the blind, and funded the project.

In June 2024, their new church building, which included living quarters for Timur, was completed. Each member of the community joyfully received their own audio player and Braille Bible. With scripture as their guide, the congregation now worships in a space that is entirely accessible to them — just like the God who is completely accessible and available to meet their every need.