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World Leprosy Day 2008
I have come that they may have life and have it to the full
John 10: 10
World Leprosy Day is remembered in churches around the world on the last Sunday of January. Today, one of the biggest challenges for organisations like The Leprosy Mission is lack of awareness about leprosy, with many in the west
still thinking of it as an ancient biblical disease. In addition, some governments either do not provide sufficient resources for leprosy sufferers or even try to ignore the problem. In spite of this, TLM believes that people affected by leprosy are very high on God's agenda. The reality is leprosy still affects hundreds of thousands of people around the world, often the most poor, resulting in social exclusion, inability to work and further poverty. There is still huge stigma surrounding the disease, and the myth still exists that it can be passed by touch, making many outcasts of their own communities. Both the Old and New Testament tell us that God makes a point of defending the rights of the poor and the marginalised. All people are made in the image of God, which is why it is so important to value each individual.
World Leprosy Day is a fantastic opportunity to focus on those affected by leprosy and to join with people around the world in praying for them and those working to eradicate the causes and consequences of the disease.
Our Prayer Partners at TLM Salur continue to express their appreciation of our prayer support and tell us that they have already experienced answer to prayer. They send best wishes and God's blessing on all at Knowle Parish Church and write `kindly thank the children for their Christmas wishes. God bless them especially'.
Barbara Gentle TLM Representative
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TLM Sunday is on 15 June 2008
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