January 25 - Today is World #Leprosy Day. ~ Becoming Her

What is Leprosy? Leprosy is a disease that has been known since biblical times. It causes skin sores, nerve damage, and muscle weakness that gets worse over time.

Causes: Leprosy is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. It is not very contagious and it has a long incubation period (time before symptoms appear), which makes it hard to know where or when someone caught the disease. Children are more likely than adults to get the disease.

Leprosy has two common forms: tuberculoid and lepromatous. Both forms produce sores on the skin. However, the lepromatous form is most severe. It causes large lumps and bumps (nodules).

Leprosy is common in many countries worldwide, and in temperate, tropical, and subtropical climates. About 100 cases per year are diagnosed in the United States. Most cases are in the South, California, Hawaii, and U.S. islands.

Effective medications exist. Isolating people with this disease in "leper colonies" is not needed.

Drug-resistant Mycobacterium leprae and an increased numbers of cases worldwide have led to global concern about this disease.

What is Gospel for Asia doing to help?

Today, GFA-supported national missionaries and students are involved in sharing the love of Christ and Sunday school ministry among leprosy patients. They also do social and relief work such as food distribution, medical aid, health and hygiene awareness programs, adult education and tutoring centers for children.

We provide our leprosy patients with:

Nourishing meal each day
Medical treatments so their wounds can heal faster
Custom shoes for their disfigured and hurting feet
Hygiene supplies

“It is because of God’s grace that we have the strength, courage and motivation to work among these people, to share with them, to hug them, to love them and to care for them,” Pastor Jiva says.

(Quote from Compelled by Love for Those with Leprosy).

Pray for Gospel for Asia's Leprosy Ministry: bring love and life to people suffering with leprosy

Pray for Healing: Please pray God will, in His great love, heal the many leprosy patients calling upon His name. Also ask that our medical personnel will make strides in eradicating leprosy in Asia.
Pray for Leprosy Patients: Please pray many lepers will come to know our God's deep love for them.
Pray for the Missionaries: Please lift our leprosy ministry missionaries up in prayer. Pray for spiritual, physical and emotional strength as they minister day after day to the least of these.
Pray for many more Medical Personnel: Please ask the Lord to provide workers who will not only meet the patients' physical needs, but who will also minister to them spiritually.
Pray for the Children: Pray for the children at the Bridge of Hope centers established in leprosy colonies, that they would abound with Christ's love and grace. Pray for God's protection upon the children against contracting leprosy.