During Lent I have been following the devotions each week from the Leprosy Mission and I felt that they have all been very poignant. The following is only one of them and I have put the following one into my own words.
When one of the Leprosy Mission workers visited the Leprosy Mission’s Anandaban Hospital she was taken aback by the outpouring of God’s love and the hope of Jesus. She felt overwhelmed by the desperation and need of these people and wondered about what their future was, what was next, and how hard it was to know that there was nothing quick to help them. Despite the suffering the staff showed kindness, love and support to every patient and gave them hope.
She met Suman at a rural clinic which is a place of hope for many. He had noticed a patch on his back and was losing feeling in his hands and feet. As a Hindu he went to a local healer, but the patches did not go away. A relative advised him to go to a local clinic where he was diagnosed with leprosy, but to his amazement the doctor said it was curable. He started taking multidrug therapy and was soon cured but was left with disabled hands and feet. As a manual worker he still has to provide for his family, but he was excited about his future. Through the Leprosy Mission he has been provided with five goats and has already sold some and made a profit. He will rear the others and sell their milk. His despair has gone and he has tremendous hope for the future.
When I read this it meant a great deal, as I had given A Gift for Life to the Leprosy Mission at Christmas of five goats. It was wonderful to read how this simple gift has transformed Suman and his family and given them hope.
Writing this has made me think of a hymn, in fact I cannot get it out of my head, it is from Singing the Faith number 455:
All my hope on God is founded;
He doth still my trust renew.
Me through change and chance he guideth,
Only good and only true.
God unknown,
He alone,
Calls my heart to be his own.
God bless you all and give you hope. Amen