Eager to collaborate, Mike and Matt continued their discussions and planned a mission trip to Liberia with the Psalm 82:3 team in January 2022. During this inaugural visit, Mike engaged directly with the blind village and school, seeking to understand their needs and share God’s love. He brought 100 Megavoice Audio Players, solar-powered devices equipped with raised buttons for easy navigation, preloaded with the Bible and devotionals. Mike distributed these players, teaching the community how to use them while fostering meaningful conversations. Additionally, he led a three-day revival at the village’s church, strengthening their spiritual connection.

ABOVE: The community living space for the village for the blind in Liberia, Africa.

As Mike prepared to leave, the village leaders warmly expressed their gratitude, saying, “You always have a home church here and are welcome anytime.” Inspired by the experience, Mike returned home with valuable feedback, renewed encouragement, and fresh ideas for future outreach. He immediately began planning his next mission trip to Liberia, scheduled for January 2023, to continue building on this meaningful partnership and further support the blind community’s spiritual and practical needs.

AT RIGHT: Gertrude Bouh, ICBM Liaison in Liberia Africa, assisting a blind woman how to navigate down the stairs using her new white cane.

In preparation for the January 2023 mission trip to Liberia, Mike focused on assembling a skilled team to support the blind community in Grand Bassa County. He reached out to individuals he knew, engaging them in conversations about the mission’s goals, and successfully recruited an exceptional group: Devin Otte, Cherie Cauley, Steve Hoyt, Mindy Shipman, and Missy Nettles. Each team member brought unique expertise to address the community’s needs. Devin, a professional Braille transcriber, supported literacy efforts; Cherie served as Mike’s sighted guide and photographed the trip to document the outreach; Steve, an Orientation and Mobility instructor from Pilot Dogs, taught navigation skills; Mindy, a teacher of the visually impaired, provided educational support; and Missy, a retired police officer, assessed safety and security.

Alongside team recruitment, Mike organized essential supplies, including Perkins Braillers, Braille books for children and adults, white canes, donated clothing, toothbrushes, and other necessities. During the mission, the team actively engaged with the community, distributing supplies and providing hands-on training. Steve distributed white canes and offered concise lessons on their use, empowering individuals to navigate their surroundings confidently. Devin and Mindy worked with the school and village, teaching Braille using the Perkins Braillers and assessing students’ progress, delighted to find some excelling in their Braille skills. Cherie connected with the community, fostering relationships and capturing the trip’s impact through photography. Missy evaluated the safety of the village and school, addressing any security concerns with the team. Mike led a three-day revival at the village’s church, uplifting the community with God’s Word and love, which lies at the heart of these missions.

ABOVE: Students and teachers or care takers standing in front of the school for the blind in Liberia, Africa.

The team’s overarching goal was to equip the blind community with tools like Braille and audio resources to independently access scripture, deepening their relationship with God and Jesus Christ. Returning to the U.S., the team was filled with enthusiasm for the trip’s success and excitement for future mission opportunities in Liberia, inspired by the connections made and the potential for ongoing impact.

AT RIGHT: A little boy practicing walking along the path with his new white cane.

In preparation for the January 2025 mission trip to Liberia, Mike, Devin, Steve, and Missy built on the previous year’s outreach efforts to continue supporting the blind community in Grand Bassa County. Devin expanded his Braille instruction, enhancing literacy programs, while Steve further developed his Orientation and Mobility training, teaching navigation skills to empower the community. For the third consecutive year, the team collaborated with Gertrude Bouh, a trusted local partner. Recognizing her deep connection to the community and culture, they formalized her role as ICBM’s liaison in Liberia. Gertrude provides ongoing support, distributing food and addressing needs throughout the year, and ICBM supports her with a salary and a phone for communication with the U.S. team.

During the trip, Mike preached a three-day revival at the blind village’s church, culminating in a powerful moment when he extended an invitation to accept Christ as Lord and Savior. Nineteen blind individuals responded, seeking baptism. To facilitate the baptisms with clean water, the team arranged to use a nearby hotel’s pool, paying a modest fee of $5 per person, which they gladly covered to witness these 19 individuals publicly commit to Jesus. The team’s efforts, strengthened by Gertrude’s partnership, deepened their impact, fostering spiritual growth and community connection, with plans to continue this meaningful work in the future.

[donate-rightsmall]The International Christian Braille Mission (ICBM) invites you to join our transformative work in Liberia, Africa, where we empower the blind community in Grand Bassa County with spiritual and practical resources. Your support can make a profound difference! We welcome monetary donations to fund mission trips, provide salaries for local liaisons like Gertrude Bouh, and sustain our audio and Braille programs. Specific supplies, such as Perkins Braillers, Braille books for children and adults, white canes, and hygiene essentials like toothbrushes, are urgently needed to equip this community.

Above all, we covet your prayers for the safety, impact, and spiritual growth of our team and the individuals we serve. Together, we can help the blind in Liberia access God’s Word and build a brighter future. To contribute, donate or contact us to coordinate supply donations. Thank you for partnering with ICBM to share Christ’s love!