India may
have one of the fastest growing economies in the world, but 130,000 Indians are
diagnosed with leprosy every year – India has over 65% of the world’s
leprosy affected population. Hundreds of thousands of Indians suffer from
leprosy and its debilitating after-effects.
Many also face lifelong rejection and discrimination. Susilla
contracted leprosy when she was only 16 yrs old. Because of the disease she never
married, and after 61 yrs continues to struggle to provide for herself. Many
lepers live lives of quiet desperation and loneliness, sometimes not even
having the touch of another human being.
Leprosy attacks nerve endings and skin, destroying the
ability to feel pain and injury, which makes patients susceptible to ulcers and
infections. Over time, these infections can lead to the loss of fingers, hands,
toes and feet if they are not treated properly. It can also cause blindness,
facial disfigurement, and the 'clawing' of hands and feet.
There's widespread fear that the disease is highly
contagious. In reality, 95% of humans are naturally immune, which is why
campaigners call it the world's "least contagious communicable
disease".
Even those who have been cured and are no longer contagious
are shunned by society and forced to live as outcasts. India has an estimated 1,000
leprosy colonies that are home to hundreds of thousands of people living their
lives in the disease's long, dark shadow.
A leaked copy of a recent unpublished government study of
the number of new leprosy cases in India suggests that the official
figures don't show the true scale, and it may be much higher. This was the
first time in six years health workers have carried out extensive surveys. In
one Indian state, health workers found the number of people infected was five
times the official estimate.
Because the disease has been officially 'eliminated', many hospitals
are struggling for funding. It's very difficult to convince a donor that the
funds are actually for leprosy because they don't think leprosy is a problem.
Through the Lepers Fund, Asia International Mission is
partnering with respected Indian pastors to give these brothers and sisters in
Christ some comfort in their trials by providing food, clothing, sandals, fresh
water wells, and most importantly, the good news of a loving Savior.
Please prayerfully consider helping these outcasts of
society by providing them with God’s Word and some of the basic necessities of
life by going here to Donate Now. If you would prefer to mail a check please send to:
AIM
Po Box 1597
Stillwater, OK 74076
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"God's work done in
God's way will never lack God's supply" -- Hudson Taylor
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Prayer Requests
Please pray for Pastor Sreekantt. Hindu
extremists forcibly stopped a
Sunday worship service, alleging that the church was illegally built and
accusing the pastor of forceful conversions.
Pray for our short-term program: that more people would be
led to come, and to become future co-workers through praying, giving or going.
Pray for the Unreached Balti of India
Population: 5,600
World Popl: 7,000
Main Language: Balti
Main Religion: Islam
Bible: Portions
Status: Least-Reached
Christ-Followers: Few, less than 2%
World Popl: 7,000
Main Language: Balti
Main Religion: Islam
Bible: Portions
Status: Least-Reached
Christ-Followers: Few, less than 2%
Asia International Mission is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) non-profit ministry.
All gifts are tax-deductible and 100% of donations are used as designated
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