Gospel for Asia-supported Workers Touch Leprosy Patients Longing for Love

SOUTH ASIA — World Leprosy Day was observed on 27 January to raise awareness of the truth about what may be the most misunderstood disease on the planet. Having the disease is compounded by the indignities the infected must suffer. People with leprosy who have obvious deformities are relegated to isolated colonies where they are often abandoned as social outcasts by family and friends.

Gospel for Asia-supported workers serving in 14 Asian countries have long recognized the pitiful plight of these people. Pastors and Sisters of Compassion regularly visit leprosy patients and colonies, offering food, supplies and medical care in the name of Jesus who loves them just as He loves those who have not contracted leprosy.


The ostracization of people with leprosy is doubly compounded by draconian laws in some regions that prohibit leprosy patients from holding jobs, having a driver’s license or riding in public vehicles. In addition, global agency standards declare regions as “leprosy-free” once the percentage of cases reaches less than one person in 10,000. Applied on a global basis, the entire world could be declared leprosy-free and still have 7,200,000 people affected with leprosy remaining.

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