Dreaded leprosy!
When afflicted with dreaded leprosy, people in Asia find out what it means to be utterly rejected, abandoned, and feared. Hundreds of leprosy colonies are scattered across Asia—homes to some of the world’s most needy and vulnerable people. Recently an Asian worker said, “It is a sad reality that the whole of society neglects these dear ones’ suffering.”
Weak fingers and loss of sensation are some of the early stages of leprosy. If left untreated, light-colored patches will appear on the skin. Nerve damage can cause blindness, crippling of hands and feet, and serious disfigurement. Because of their inability to feel pain, some victims will lose much of their feet and hands through festering wounds that don’t get treated properly. With medical treatment and proper hygiene, leprosy can be cured if caught in the early stages. However, many hide the fact that they have the dreaded disease since they know the rejection they will face. Even if they make it known and seek treatment, they often have physical disfigurement for life.
How is CAM helping?
With funds from CAM, believers in Asia provide food, clothing, blankets, housing, latrines, and medical care for people with leprosy. They make custom shoes to fit the deformed feet of the lepers. Sisters from the church bandage wounds, bathe those who can’t bathe themselves, prepare food, pray for them, and show love and kindness to them in countless ways.
The Christians who work among lepers love them as family and affectionately refer to them as “our leprosy friends.” Because of their work, numerous colonies are now considered free of leprosy; the disfigurement and abandonment remain, but the bacterial disease no longer plagues the people there. Praise God!
Bringing lasting hope
Supporters’ funds provide much more than aid to victims of leprosy. The practical and much-needed aid opens the door to teach the Gospel and share God’s love and compassion to this rejected and abandoned group of people. “Ministry to lepers we have found has been a tremendously fruitful work in seeing people turn to the Lord. Part of this has to do with the fact that while the whole of society [including their own families] shuns them, it is the Christians who step forward and offer love and care that make a deep impact,” a worker said. “In fact, the effect is often so swift, that it is not uncommon for lepers to turn to the Lord right away and discard their years of devotion to [traditional deities] instantly. Such is the power of the love of Christ.”
Erina, * one leprosy victim who is now a Christian, leaves a powerful testimony. A man from a false religion offered her money if she would say a phrase to hail a false god. This courageous sister in Christ responded, “I am prepared to die. I will NEVER say this slogan that will denounce my faith! I am born again and a child of God. I can never do what you are bribing me to say.”
“And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed” (Matthew 8:2-3).
If you wish to support this work to care for lepers, your contribution will be greatly appreciated! Our 2024 budget for this program is $300,000, and we currently have a funding deficit for this work.
To help with food, clothing, blankets, housing, latrines, and medical care for people with leprosy, click the donate button to give a gift.
