Soroti family of visually impaired members receive special bibles

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A 70-year-old evangelist and his family — nearly all with visual impairment — have received two audio bibles and Braille bibles from the Bible Society of Uganda.

Soroti-based Joseph Opolot from Gweri sub-county is an evangelist with Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG).

He has seven children and eight grandchildren, all born with visual impairment.

Mzee Joseph Opolot (left) poses for a picture with his children and wives of his sons. (Photo by Godfrey Ojore)

The Bible Society of Uganda said they made the bible donations to especially support Opolot's ministry work, which includes preaching at burials, in markets and in homes.

With the audio and Braille bibles, he said they will now quote the scripture and share the Word of God with others more effectively.

Full of gratitude, Opolot said: "As soldiers of Christ, we have [previously] not been armed with the vital tool of a bible, but with it now, we are a complete army of Christ."

The donation has brought joy to the entire family, who have faced significant challenges due to their visual impairment.

An employee of Bible society teaching one of Opolot's sons how to use an audio bible. (Photo by Godfrey Ojore)

The timely handout, thanks to the Bible Society of Uganda, highlights the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in sharing messages of faith.

And Opolot's story is testament to the power of perseverance and faith in the face of adversity.

Pastor Abraham Okurut is the chairperson of the Teso branch of the Bible Society of Uganda.

Pastor Abraham Okurut handing over an audio bible to Okurut and his family. (Photo by Godfrey Ojore)

A happy Jospeh Opolot speaking as he held an audio bible donated to him. (Photo by Godfrey Ojore)

He said that although they usually donate such special bibles to churches so as to benefit many believers, this time around they considered the unique situation of Opolot's family, which has more than 10 members with visual impairment.

Samuel Ejoku, one of Opolot's sons reading brail bible as pastor Okurut looks on. (Photo by Godfrey Ojore)

'Condition irreversible'

In a family of five children, Opolot was the only one born with visual impairment (first as low vision). His deceased parents, Erias Adengu and Vagilina Adeke, never had any form of disability.

In 1972, Opolot married Anna Ademun when he was totally unable to see. Ademun is neither visually impaired nor has any other form of disability.

“I was born with low vision and as a child, I started school, until Primary Two when I faced the challenge of sight,” said Opolot.

His father took him to Mbale Hospital in eastern Uganda for eye specialists from the US to handle his predicament but that did not yield any results.

“Doctors said that my condition was irreversible and that I would become totally blind when I turned 40 years old — and that is what eventually happened to me."

Opolot dropped out of school in Primary Two since his father could not afford to take him to a special needs school.