(Next Gathering: 1/2 Day Retreat – Saturday, September 30, 9:30-2:00 at the home of Jim and Rita Bay.)

I love that so many are engaged in the workf of advancing God’s Kingdom.  Ann and Sam Thompson at Clearer Vision Ministries  work from a strategic location a short walk from the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind (FSDB) in St. Augustine.  Their work embodies so much of what it means to live missionally as they partner with others (such as Young Life) to build relationships and extend the love and mercy of Jesus to kids and adults in creative and practical ways.   Part of their ministry is a coffee shop called DOTZ at 251 E San Marco.  In addition to providing good coffee, a fun atmosphere, and a good space for conversation, they help kids from FSDB earn a little money and learn skills to get work.  That may seem natural to you, but it’s a very important part of their ministry.  On the statistical snapshot page at the American Foundation for the Blind web-stie, the unemployment rate among “legally blind” Americans is 70%.  That’s 7 out of 10 unemployed in a particular . Wow!  For “visually impaired, it’s 55%.  Providing employment experience, teaching kids to work, is important for any community.  How much more so for the visually impaired.  So next time you are in St. Augustine, check out DOTZ for a good cup of coffee and take advantage of the opportunity to be a part of what God is doing there.

Ann and Sam sent us a note recently to say thanks.  In it, they mention Emely, a young woman from FSDB who worked for them at DOTZ and recently graduated and began her college studies at Toccoa.  We celebrate with them.

Here’s the content of note they sent us.

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We are so grateful for your generous support of our work here in St. Augustine.  We know it comes with prayer from servant’s hearts.

God protected our office and Dotz during Irma, and we rejoice in His blessings.  We “fled” to Toccoa and spent the week assisting Emely with some School work and some technology issues.  That, too, was blessed, and we are grateful.  Now we are back at it trying to catch up on emails and work left behind.

We do hope you will visit us at Dotz soon.  And may God continue to bless and prosper you and your work.

In Him, Sam and Ann Thompson

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And thank you, Sam and Ann for encouraging us!