Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Video Interview with Mike Calvo, CEO Serotek

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15dhiDZzmBU

While at NFB 2010 in Dallas, we got to do something we've wanted to do for a very long time. We got to meet with Mike Calvo, founder and CEO of Serotek Corp. The part that makes it even better? We recorded it just for you!Some of you may recall a story we did about Mike back in July of 2009. Just in-case you missed it, here it is: http://audiobiblestories.blogspot.com/2009/06/june-2009-mike.html We hope you enjoy

Friday, June 4, 2010

Susan - June 2010

“I’m truly sorry. I have not the means to give you anything in return for this wonderful gift.”

When I read those words from Susan, an elderly woman who recently received an Audio Bible, a lump caught in the back of my throat. This is what our ministry at Audio Bibles For The Blind is all about: giving the wonderful gift of God’s Spoken Word with no expectation of anything in return.
That’s why I’m writing to you today. When you support Audio Bibles For The Blind, you give a wonderful gift that lifts up spirits and offers encouragement to some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.

When an elderly woman like Susan loses her eyesight, it’s easy for her to start to feel lonely, isolated, and forgotten. But because you make it possible to give her an Audio Bible, Susan knows that she is not alone. She knows that people like you care about her, and she has God’s Spoken Word as proof that she is far from forgotten.

Every single day, we receive dozens of requests for Audio Bibles to go to people like Susan who lose their eyesight as they age. Others have been blinded in an accident, while still others bear the effects of degenerative diseases that claim their vision.

Until now, we have been able to fill immediately each request as it comes in to us. But for the first time in the history of this ministry, we are exceeding our capacity. Soon, we will have to start turning people away. There simply aren’t enough funds to cover the growing number of requests that flood our mail.

I can’t bear to think of the day that I have to turn to a woman like Susan and say, “I’m sorry, we can’t help you.” I don’t want that day to ever come. And I believe that you don’t either.

A gift from you would help ensure that we don’t ever have to turn away someone seeking encouragement and support from God’s Spoken Word. Please, give today.

Tell the Susans of our ministry that they are not alone, that they are far from forgotten. Lift up their spirits with the encouraging words of an Audio Bible.

“We need so much to hear God’s Word during these troubled days––all over the world. This will surely help to lift up my spirits,” Susan wrote in her letter.

Our days are troubled, and the promises of God’s Word give the encouragement we need to face the challenges of each new day and to find hope in the midst of all trials. That’s why it’s so important that we continue to give away Audio Bibles to those who are blind and print handicapped. They can’t read the promises of scripture for themselves, but they can surely listen and store the hopeful words in their hearts!

Susan knows this. And you know it, too.

Susan would never be able to afford to buy her own Audio Bible. Neither would the many others who receive this special gift from Audio Bibles For The Blind. Though the Audio Bibles are given freely, they don’t come free to us. Your support is what keeps this ministry alive.

Thank you, for your faithful generosity. Without friends like you, this ministry would be little more than “a nice idea.” Your support is what turns the idea of our ministry into tangible action that brings hope, encouragement, and reassurance to thousands of Susans across the country and around the world.
Serving Him,
Joseph Aleppo
Executive Director

p.s. Though my name appears at the top of Susan’s thank you note the true recipient is you. For without friends like you, Susan would have no Audio Bible of her own. I was simply the messenger. Thank you again for all you do!

p.p.s. To put your support to use immediately, you can give online at www.audiobiblesfortheblind.org/donate. Remember, 100% of your gift goes directly to providing Audio Bibles to the blind and print handicapped.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Remembering "The Troops" this Memorial Day

Back in 2007, we shared a very touching story about our Troops. The story inspired hundreds of our friends to send us thank you notes to send to our "wounded warriors" along with Audio Bibles.

Since we have added thousands of new friends since we shared that story, I wanted to share it with you once again as we honor our Troops this Memorial Day.

FOR THE TROOPS - October 2007

I recently heard from a recipient of one of our Audio Bibles.

This brave soul has vision in only one eye. He has no legs and only one hand. My first conclusion was that he was living in a remote area in a Third World country where quality medical care is scarce at best.

But he was an American. A severely wounded member of our armed forces. And he could not have been more grateful for an Audio Bible.

You see, our American servicemen and women sacrifice everything to defend the freedoms we hold so dear . . . including our freedom to worship freely without fear of persecution or imprisonment.

For a long, painful season in their lives, they give up their families, their jobs, their hopes and dreams . . . and sometimes their very lives . . . all for you and me. Many permanently sacrifice their physical health, like the brave soul I just described.

This war in particular has introduced a new term into our vocabulary: POLYTRAUMATIC INJURY.

One of our partners explains: “What we’re seeing in Iraq, increasingly, is unlike much of what we’ve seen in the past. Soldiers used to return to us with severe damage to one hand or one foot — maybe an entire arm or leg. But this war — and these wounds — are different; more and more soldiers are arriving to us with horrible, polytraumatic injuries . . . the loss of both legs, an arm, and vision in one eye — or both hands and complete vision loss — and so on.”

As you can imagine, these wounded warriors often spiral into a pit of depression and despair. And for some, the greatest pain is not even physical. You see, at their time of deepest need, they are unable to read a traditional Bible, whether because of blindness or because they are literally unable to hold God’s Word and turn its pages.

It must be like drowning with a safety line dangling in front of your face . . . BUT YOU'RE UNABLE TO GRASP IT.

I’m writing you today because God is calling this ministry to be the safety line for these brave Americans who have sacrificed so much.

Right now, using our network of friends and partners, we have an opportunity to distribute Audio Bibles to our wounded American warriors.

But we must act today. So many are depending on us. Frankly, we never know how much time we have before it’s too late. One caregiver explains, “We’re giving soldiers your Audio Bibles — and they’re all requesting them. At such a serious and painful time in their lives, many of them are reaching out to God in search of meaning . . . answers . . . they want to reconnect with God.”

Another says: “Your Audio Bibles provide one of the brightest beams of light for these soldiers who arrive to us for long rehab stays and who have lost their vision and, sometimes, two or three limbs.”

But so many more are waiting and praying for God’s Word. We can let these brave, struggling men and women know they are not alone. We can throw them the only lifeline they will ever need: the Bible in a format they can easily use and understand.




Tuesday, April 6, 2010

"Bundles of Hope" for Haiti


When the devastating 7.0 earthquake and countless aftershocks crumbled the already impoverished island nation of Haiti, hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children lost everything—loved ones, homes, livelihoods, even their own limbs.

Haiti has thousands of critical head injuries and new amputees from the earthquake, and their rehabilitation will require a massive effort from around the world. And yet, in all of this, do you know what the Haitian people are saying to God? Mesi. Thank you.

The faith of our Christian brothers and sisters is deeper than ever in the face of unimaginable trauma. Each and every day, new men, women, and children are dedicating their lives to Christ, praying “If you saved me, then I am here for a purpose.”

That’s why I’m writing to you. Today, I’m asking you to join us and serve as the hands and feet of Jesus to those who have lost their arms and legs, their homes, or their loved ones. I’m asking you to provide HOPE to survivors by sharing the promises found in God’s Word.

As the basic needs of healthcare, food, clothing and shelter are being met, we are entering Phase Two of the relief response, where we must address emotional trauma and spiritual distress. This is where you can help. As part of the next phase of response to Haiti’s earthquake, you can help us provide people with the Spoken Word of God. You can help us bring HOPE to those who are weary and broken.

We have special Audio Bibles in Haitian Creole, recorded in our own studios by a Haitian man now living in Port-au-Prince. They even come with players and miniature hand-crank generators to power them since few families have access to electricity or batteries. We’re calling this special set a Bundle of Hope, and we’re working to send 2,000 of these bundles to the earthquake survivors.

Now, more than ever, our neighbors in Haiti need the Word of God. Many can’t hold a Bible or see its words, and with an illiteracy rate of nearly 40%, tens of thousands more can’t even read. But they are hungry for the Good News of Jesus Christ and God’s faithful provision. The earthquake survivors are asking for God’s Word, and I need your help to give it to them.

Immediately following the earthquake, search and rescue became an international priority with dozens of countries joining the fight to save lives. But the sad truth is that public interest in Haiti will soon wane. The reporters and their TV cameras will be gone. Relief agencies will have done a good work, and many of them will soon leave. Every Bundle of Hope you help send to Haiti will remain, bringing courage and light to the people. When the voices of the various agencies are no longer heard, the voice of God’s Word coming from the Audio Bible will continue to minister to the people.

Now is the time we must reach out and care for the hearts and souls of the earthquake survivors. Now is the time we must reach out with the hope of the Gospel and the prayers of the Psalms.

Imagine a family in one of the dozens of tent cities. Now, picture their joy as they huddle around their Audio Bible, listening to the Word of God, finding Hope in the passages spoken to them while distant hymns from neighbors carry over the mountains. What a testament to the Love of Christ! These testimonies are alive and real, and I’m inviting you to be a part of them.

Just days after his friends and family had suffered more deeply than he could ever imagine, a Haitian pastor stood in front of his church, opened his Bible and read,

Through the Lords mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘Therefore I hope in Him!’ (Lamentations 3:22-24, NKJV)

With a Bundle of Hope, Haiti’s earthquake survivors can hear this beautiful promise spoken directly to them. We need your help today to share this message of hope throughout the country of Haiti, to mend broken lives and give strength to the weak.

Thank you for your most generous gift to provide Bundles of Hope for Haiti. Thank you for joining us in spreading a message of hope, in bringing Good News to our injured brothers and sisters.

http://AudioBiblesForTheBlind.org/Haiti

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Aurora Ministries
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