Comprising visually impaired members, Eden Foundation's Joy Choir marks its 40th anniversary since its founding in 1985. To celebrate, Eden hosted the Joy 40 Concert on August 1st, themed around founder Ms. Liu Hsia's words: “I have nothing but love.” The concert opened with the Joy Choir and the Taiwan Aboriginal Art Group performing “The Celebration Song of Tsou Tribe.” This powerful lineup featured 15 visually impaired musicians, 2 wheelchair dancers, and two piano instructors who have long accompanied the choir. Joined by a saxophone ensemble, the Grace Choir, and the Praise Choir, they presented a total of 19 songs. Their voices, at times tender and at others stirring and uplifting, captivated the audience of over 800 attendees, who responded with thunderous applause.
The Joy 40 Concert conveyed a message of strength through the spirit of “I have nothing but love”.
Founded 40 years ago by Ms. Liu Hsia, Joy Choir is Taiwan's first choir for the visually impaired. At the time, she observed that employment opportunities for blind and visually impaired were limited, often confined to massage therapy for livelihood. Recognizing the innate talents within every person with disabilities, she began recruiting members, centering the group on music and singing. She invited Dr. Chang-Hsiung Tsai, former professor, Church Music Program, Graduate School of Christianity and Culture at Taiwan Theological College and Seminary (TTCS), to guide their vocal techniques and style, while literary masters such as Ms. Pu Yue and Mr. Tuo-Wu Chang were enlisted to lay the foundation in literature. Through professional empowerment, Eden enabled them to leave behind the demanding, night-oriented work of massage therapy and instead let their lives shine through music.
For 40 years, the Joy Choir has soothed hearts with song, helping the disheartened rediscover hope.
Ms. Liu Hsia once stated: “The Joy Choir uses song, artistry, talent, and laughter to tell the world that even in darkness, light, love, and song endure—for we kindle a lamp of life within our hearts.” Guided by this spirit, Joy Choir began with small-scale tours in churches and schools, expanding to overseas performances to express faith in God and convey a passion for life. Over 40 years, they have released 10 albums, held over 7,000 concerts, and reached nearly 3 million listeners. Over the years, the choir's musical performances have reached countries across Europe, Africa, South America, North America, Oceania, and Asia. Post-pandemic, they were invited to Japan and Malaysia to support disaster victims and persons with disabilities, gaining international reputation and shattering the stereotype of blind and visually impaired as a tragedy.
Eden provides professional training and a stage for blind and visually impaired, shattering society's tragic stereotypes about them.
Mr. Peter Lee, one of the founding members and now Director of Eden's Joy Communication Center, shared that back then he performed at a folk song Western-style restaurant, while another member, Mr. Hsiu-Chu Hsu, worked as a massage therapist. Though their incomes were decent, their lives were highly unstable. He expressed gratitude to Ms. Liu Hsia for inviting them to join Eden, which opened the path to music ministry and enriched their lives with remarkable experiences. He noted that while society often perceives blind and visually impaired as needing care, at Eden they embark on a journey of “being loved and then loving others.” Beyond providing welfare and services, under the guidance of gospel care and faith, their inner lives grow richer and more vibrant each day.
Eden Foundation's board members appeared to show support and applaud the visually impaired musicians.
Ms. May Liao, Director General, Division of services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, stated that the Joy Choir has had a profound impact over its forty years of missionary work. The two founding members, Mr. Ming-Hui Chen and Mr. De-Chang Lin, have since become full-time pastors. Mr. Peter Lee continues to persevere in Eden's music evangelism, guiding more blind and visually impaired into the realm of music. Mr. Hsin-Hseng Cheng, who served with Joy for many years before founding the Grace Choir as group leader, has since journeyed into indigenous communities in Hualien and Taitung, continuing to embrace children in remote areas with God's love.
The voices of the visually impaired moved the audience, leaving them wanting more.
Director General Ms. May Liao added, “Though ‘darkness’ and ‘joy’ seem opposites, these visually impaired musicians perfectly embody both. With humorous banter and heart-stirring songs, they instantly transformed the burdens of listeners into laughter.” Though the Joy 40 Concert has concluded, the faith-filled praise and life-affirming power conveyed through music will resonate deeply within each person's heart. Looking ahead, in response to Taiwan's aging population and declining birth rates, Eden will continue addressing issues such as senior living alone and double-aging families among the visually impaired. We will organize age-appropriate sessions and courses while also providing marriage and family planning services through New Taipei City's “Stork Shool for Visually Impaired Parents.” Our vision is to create a blueprint for building a happy home for blind and visually impaired.
