While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. (Luke 5:12-13)
The Leprosy Mission works in Africa and Asia to diagnose, treat, care for, and advocate for people affected by leprosy.
Have you ever heard of Alice and Wellesley Bailey? Probably not, but 150 years ago this year they founded a society which has helped millions of people, most of whom live in extreme poverty. For most of the existence of the Leprosy Mission, there was no cure for the condition. Medically there was very little that could be done for sufferers who were often ostracised from their families and their villages. The mission could only offer love, care and acceptance.
Leprosy is a bacterial disease spread by droplets from the nose or mouth and not by touch. It is rampant in 120 countries with about 200, 000 new cases a year.
Praise God a cure was discovered 40 years ago, but sufferers have to be found in the early stages of the disease before damage has been done and those who live in remote villages are often missed. When diagnosed, they have to walk for miles to make their way to the leprosy hospital. We should count ourselves very lucky that we do not have leprosy, and should pray that it never becomes widespread here.
The last indigenous case of leprosy in the UK died in 1798. Since 2015 there have been an average of 5 new cases each year among people entering the UK from countries in which it is prevalent. Even in the USA, there are 100 cases each year. Try this experiment: fold your hands into fists. Now try to pick something up, try to eat, or brush your teeth. It can’t be done. This is what leprosy does to hands and feet because the nerves are damaged. Because there is a lack of sensation, injuries such as cuts can often go unnoticed. Infection will enter and damage the limb and amputation may be required. You will probably face reconstructive surgery for your fingers and hands.
That was not a good prospect for Rajisha in India, a very bright girl just finishing school exams. She had to walk about 60 miles alone because her mother was unwell and her father had to keep working in order to feed the family. Once at the Leprosy Mission, Rajisha had reconstructive surgery on her hands with drugs paid for by the World Health Organisation. She awaits surgery on her other hand. She wants to be a nurse.
Why not pray for her and all the other sufferers and pray that leprosy never spreads in this country.
Cicely Murfitt, Ministry Team, Shingay Group of Churches