Leprosy Mission Supporters meet in Ipswich

 

Colin Osborne, Chair of Trustees, said that the Leprosy Mission works in over 30 countries to help people afflicted by leprosy. Initially, their work was mainly medical, but these days the mission is concerned to address all the needs of patients, physical, social, economic and spiritual.

 

It is now possible to treat the disease effectively, but once damage has been done and feeling has been lost in feet or hands, then sufferers are likely to repeatedly injure themselves and develop non-healing sores, which need ongoing treatment. There are currently some 3m people in the world who suffer from leprosy and will need lifelong care.

 

Leprosy patients also experience problems of social exclusion, lack of suitable employment and inadequate schooling for their children. The Leprosy Mission tries to meet all these needs by providing training, schooling and improved living conditions – in addition to providing medical treatment in specialist hospitals.

 

A delegate at the meeting, who had worked for TLM as a physiotherapist in India, said “We are now successfully treating people, and they can be cured, but, contrary to some reports from the WHO, numbers of new cases are increasing”.

 

Regional organiser, Revd Mike Griffin, emphasised the importance of prayer in the work. “It is amazing to think that we can make a difference right across the world, simply through our faithful praying” he said. “It is important that leprosy patients realise that they are not just being cared for by competent doctors or caring nurses (which they are), but that the mission is concerned for their total well being, both physical and spiritual”. The mission has seen many people come to trust in Christ as they have seen his love reflected in the work.

 

The event was organised by Marina Swift from the national office in Peterborough, together with local helpers.

 

 

Telephone: 01842 750631
Email: mikeg@tlmew.org.uk