Tuesday, November 26, 2019

WHAT IS THE ORALITY MOVEMENT? BRINGING THE SPOKEN WORD TO THE WORLD

International Orality Network Conference Update

So is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
—Isaiah 55:11
More and more, our eyes are being opened.
Imagine your most beloved Christian storybook, and then imagine learning that recordings of it are being made in hundreds of languages across dozens of countries.
Through God’s family, this dream is becoming a reality.

The past few years have been a time of hard soul searching for us at Talking Book Library. With our hearts and hands open, God has brought into our path godly people who have helped us learn how the Good News of hope is being brought to our world.
It’s been amazing to discover that TBL has an important place in a movement to bring the spoken Word to all nations, including those who are marginalized because of disability. This includes a very small number of charities like us that record Christian audio books for people with visual and print challenges, and other organizations that record audio Bibles, produce playback devices, and promote biblical storytelling.
It’s called the “orality” movement — and TBL is an absolutely irreplaceable part of it.
This October we had the privilege of speaking at the International Orality Network conference in Toronto. There we learned about the amazing things God is doing. Here’s just a sample:

• New DAISY playback devices are being introduced at $20 to $30 by a Christian organization, less than a tenth of the cost of regular accessible devices that have been out of reach for much of the developing world.
• Christian organizations producing unpublished Bible stories in various languages—what if they could be made available to those with visual impairment through our ministry?
• Ministries working with the blind children without access to the abundance of materials that we and others provide. What an opportunity to bless them with Words of Life!
Could TBL’s books also change lives around the world?
Recently, because of an international agreement called the Marrakesh Treaty, our distribution partner called the Centre for Equitable Library Access signed on to a new system run by the Accessible Books Consortium that now gives people around the world access to parts of their collection.
How can you help? First, we ask you to join with us in praying for ways to allow unhindered global access to our books!
Second, help us become sustainable so that our tremendous impact can be felt years into the future. Consider giving a one-time gift of $300, or a monthly gift of $30, to help us produce books that are now more affordable to complete.
This time in our history of one of great potential. Please get in touch with us today.
Humbly yours,
Peter Van Velzen
Chair, Board of Directors
P.S. Thank you for supporting our move to Light on the Hill Community Church. We are still far from our renovation target of $35,000—please don’t forget to give so more funds can be used to produce books!

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P.O. Box 700, STN Main, Stouffville, ON L4A 7Z9905-640-8825

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