Often, poor health makes it difficult for people to be concerned with their spiritual development. That’s why TWR-Switzerland is reaching out to the disabled.
When catastrophes strike, disabled people are often limited in what they can do to help themselves after natural disasters, creating even more feelings of vulnerability. Such was the case in August when Switzerland experienced very heavy rains, flooding some parts of the country. “The pictures shown on TV [in Switzerland] were terrible,” said Ruth Bai-Pfeifer, who along with her husband, Ernst, a counselor, produce radio and TV programs in German for disabled persons. “Some of our disabled friends who were with us at the retreat [this year] have lost their homes or cannot go back because everything is still full of mud.”
Ruth is director of Glaube und Behinderung (Faith and Disability), which produces radio and TV programs for the disabled in the studios of TWR's partner in Switzerland ERF Schweiz (Evangelium in Radio und Fernsehen). In October, the broadcasts also began airing on the 24-hour station “Life Channel,” allowing the ministry to reach even more listeners.
In addition to utilizing media, the Bai-Pfeifers provide counseling and host retreats for the disabled, which includes those confined to wheelchairs and people suffering from polio, muscular diseases, multiple sclerosis and other ailments. At September’s annual meeting, more than 100 handicapped people and their helpers participated, receiving encouragement and challenging Bible studies.
Other on-the-ground initiatives include the ministry’s Rehabilitation Center Project for disabled children in Tirana, Albania. This year, they helped build a refrigerator room, ensuring the staff can buy quality food and keep it refrigerated during hot summer days. “Many of the children are undernourished, and this is not good considering the disabilities they have to cope with daily,” said Ruth. “I am very thankful for our motivated team. Without them, I could not do all the work necessary to reach the disabled for Christ.”
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Glaube und Behinderung (in German)
ERF-Schweiz (in German)