ASK 2021 PRAYER DIARY Photo © Daniel Christiansz Welcome from the International Director
Dear praying friends and colleagues,
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought huge change to our world and the way we live our lives. While it has affected us, it has been devastating for the poor, and in particular, people and families who are living with leprosy. Like all disasters, be they natural or man-made, the poor are always impacted the most.
While Covid-19 has brought about unique times, they are not unprecedented. Since The Leprosy Mission was Clare’s founded in 1874, there have been two world wars, a great depression, a pandemic that killed tens of millions of people (the Spanish influenza of 1918-19), and famines that have killed millions. Throughout the last Story 150 years, be they good times or otherwise, we have remained a Mission committed to prayer, and our Lord and Master has always provided for the Mission and those we serve.
lare is from Papua New Guinea. She “The Leprosy Mission has helped us a lot. Despite all that is happening around us, my wonderful Cwants to be a primary school teacher They told us that Clare can’t miss treatment colleagues continue their work around the world, serving when she’s older because she has a heart and we did the nancial training they people, families and communities affected by leprosy. for it after seeing others teach. Leprosy has o ered. We learnt to manage our nances made it hard for Clare to achieve her goal. and they supported us as we set up a table While Covid-19 has required us to work and operate in market.” different ways, our vision of seeing ‘Leprosy Defeated, “Leprosy has impacted my education. Lives Transformed’ remains unchanged. Because of leprosy I have missed some of Clare is hoping that she can go to university my school classes. It takes me around 30 so that she can become a teacher. The ASK Prayer Diary highlights the work and ministry minutes to walk to school. I felt fatigued and “When I become a teacher, if I meet a student of The Leprosy Mission and the journey God has called tired because of leprosy so I didn’t always with leprosy I would try to encourage them want to go to school. I still tried my best to us to. On behalf of The Leprosy Mission’s Global through sharing my own story.” get there. Fellowship, it is my pleasure to present these to you and ask that you join us on this journey by praying for our “My parents wanted me to stay home and recover, but often I would walk to school work across the globe. Thank you for support, it is really regardless of what they said!” appreciated! Wishing you and yours God’s blessing and protection at this time. Her parents told us that The Leprosy Mission’s team in Papua New Guinea have made a big di erence,
Brent Morgan International Director 1 CONTENTS
International Director’s welcome 1 Bangladesh – Leprosy Control and Research 69 TLM’s vision and values 2 Belgium 55 What is leprosy 4 Canada 56 OUR VISION Where leprosy is found today – world map 6 Chad 36 Prayer Diary 8 Democratic Republic of Congo 30 Leprosy Defeated, How to get involved 80 Denmark 26 Lives Transformed Where TLM works – map 82 England and Wales 21, 70 How your care can live on 85 Ethiopia 46 Contact details 86 Finland 68 OUR MISSION Senior sta in India 88 France 38 Following Jesus Christ, The Leprosy Glossary 89 Germany 47 Mission seeks to bring about Hungary 59 transformation: breaking the chains of FEATURES India – Advocacy and Communication 74 leprosy, empowering people to attain Kajari’s story 22 India – Community-Based Rehabilitation 39 healing, dignity and life in all its fullness. Charles’ story 32 India – Countrywide 11 Habsou & Mariama’s story 37 India – Healthcare 54 OUR VALUES Alina’s story 53 India – Vocational Education 65 Because we follow Jesus Christ, we value Venancio’s story 66 Indonesia 57 • Compassion Pastor Elisha’s story 78 Ireland 56 • Justice V Ramb Babu’s story 84 Italy 64 • Integrity Mozambique 27 • Inclusion DEVOTIONS Myanmar 14 • Humility Seeing through God’s eyes 16 Nepal 31 The least we can do 28 Nepal - Anandaban Hospital 71 Born in prayer, cradled in prayer 50 Netherlands 49 There is no person a ected by leprosy who New Zealand 42 I urge you, first of all, to doesn’t matter to Jesus 60 Niger 24 pray for all people. Ask God Nigeria 44 PRAYER DIARY BY THEME Northern Ireland 15 to help them; intercede on Being Christ centered 76 Norway 64 their behalf, and give thanks Fundraising 43 PNG and Bougainville 41 Global Networks 63 Scotland 45 for them. Global Voice 75 Singapore 35 International Chairman ASK 2021 PRAYER DIARY 1 Timothy 2:1 (NLT) The Leprosy Mission International 25 South Africa 34 Colin Osborne Research 73 South Korea 35 Published by The Leprosy International Mission International TLM’s Global Fellowship 8 Spain 52 Vice-Chair Founded in 1874 Trusting in the knowledge that God TLM Churches 58 Sri Lanka 20 Anne Ratli hears and answers prayer, holding to Production Editor TLM Trading 13 Sudan 40 Treasurer Tim Burton the belief that our work is the Lord’s, Philip Putman The Leprosy Mission Shop Australia 62 Sweden 10 Design and realising that all our human World Leprosy Day 12 Switzerland 19 International Director Mark and Heather Knight e orts are in vain without God’s Brent Morgan Tanzania 52 blessing and power, we share this ASK © The Leprosy Mission International 2020 PRAYER DIARY BY COUNTRY Thailand 57 Prayer Diary to encourage believers Australia 72 Timor Leste 18 everywhere to pray for the extension Bangladesh – Community-Based Rehabilitation 48 USA 56 of God’s Kingdom through this work. Bangladesh – Countrywide 9
2 3 WHAT IS LEPROSY?
eprosy is often considered a disease up without realising the damage Lof the past. In fact, it continues to that is being done to the skin. These destroy lives all over the world as one injuries can lead to ulcers and even person every two minutes is diagnosed amputations in extreme cases. with the disease. The damage that leprosy does to nerves Leprosy is a mildly infectious disease around the elbows and knees, can also caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium lead to muscle paralysis resulting in leprae. It is most common in places clawed hands and drop foot. Paralysis of of poverty as overcrowding, poor the eye muscles can eventually lead to nutrition, and bad sanitation weaken blindness. people’s immune systems, so they are Acute episodes of in ammation less able to ght the disease. called ‘reactions’ happen in up to half the people diagnosed with leprosy. Leprosy is a disease Reactions cause swelling and pain in skin, nerves and eyes, and patients may that preys on the most need to be hospitalised for months.
vulnerable people on the SOCIALLY planet. The social consequences of leprosy can be as severe as the physical WHAT DOES LEPROSY MEAN FOR consequences. The stigma surrounding THOSE AFFECTED? leprosy in many communities means that people a ected by the disease face PHYSICALLY incredible levels of discrimination from their communities, friends, and family. KEY LEPROSY FACTS: The rst signs of leprosy are pale patches of skin. Leprosy is curable Children will nd they are turned away • Around 200,000 people are with a treatment known as Multi Drug from their schools and their families. diagnosed with leprosy every year Adults are turned away from jobs and Therapy (MDT), but if it goes untreated There are more than 100 laws that from housing. Far too many people • the consequences can be severe. explicitly discriminate against a ected by leprosy have no choice but people a ected by leprosy Mleprae also attacks the nerves of the to beg in order to get by. body, meaning people a ected by the We believe that, if we work In the coming pages you will see a • disease see changes in their bodies. together, there will be no new glimpse of how we are trying to turn cases of leprosy by 2035 These changes can mean people the tide on that discrimination across a ected by leprosy may lose feeling the world. • Leprosy is reported in 127 in their hands and feet, which is countries, with 79% of all new dangerous as a cut on the foot cases occurring in India, Brazil, and from walking on rough terrain goes Indonesia (2019 data) unnoticed, or a boiling pan is picked
4 5 WHERE LEPROSY IS FOUND TODAY For a map of the countries where TLM works see page 80
TLM is committed to providing long-term quality care and support in the name of Jesus Christ as long as there are people a ected by leprosy who need it.
GREENLAND
GREENLAND
ICELAND
NORWAY
CANADA ICELAND SWEDEN FINLAND RUSSIA NORWAY ESTONIA CANADA SWEDEN FINLAND LATVIA NETHERLANDS RUSSIA DENMARK LITHUANIA IRELAND ESTONIA POLAND UK BELARUS BELGIUM LATVIA CZECHIA NETHERLANDS UKRAINE DENMARKLUXEMBOURG LITHUANIA GERMANY IRELAND FRANCE SLOVAKIA POLAND BELARUS MOLDOVA KAZAKHSTAN UK AUSTRIA MONGOLIA BELGIUM SWITZERLANDCZECHIA UKRAINE USA LUXEMBOURG GERMANY SLOVENIA GEORGIA SLOVAKIA ROMANIA UZBEKISTAN FRANCE CROATIA ITALY KAZAKHSTANBULGARIA AUSTRIA BOSNIA AND MOLDOVA KYRGYZSTAN SWITZERLAND ARMENIA TURKMENISTANMONGOLIA NORTH HERZEGOVINA SPAIN TURKEY KOREA USA SLOVENIA GEORGIA ROMANIA UZBEKISTAN CYPRUS AZERBAIJAN TAJIKISTAN CROATIA ITALY PORTUGALBULGARIA JAPAN HUNGARY BOSNIA AND ARMENIA ALBANIA SYRIA KYRGYZSTAN NORTH TUNISIATURKMENISTAN LEBANON HERZEGOVINA SPAIN TURKEY GREECE KOREA CHINA MOROCCO JORDAN TAJIKISTANIRAQ IRAN CYPRUS AZERBAIJAN NEPAL BHUTAN SOUTH MEXICO PORTUGAL JAPAN KOREA HUNGARY AFGHANISTAN CUBA HAITI SYRIA WESTERNTUNISIA SAHARAALBANIA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC GREECE LEBANON ALGERIA KUWAIT MOROCCO IRAQ IRANLIBYA EGYPT CHINAPAKISTAN MAURITANIA JORDAN NEPALQATAR BHUTAN SOUTH MEXICO BELIZE AFGHANISTAN KOREA CUBA HAITI UAE INDIA GUATEMALA JAMAICA PUERTO WESTERN SAHARA BURKINA FASO SAUDI ARABIA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC RICO ALGERIA KUWAIT LIBYA EGYPT PAKISTAN LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC HONDURAS PANAMA MAURITANIA SENEGAL QATAR ERITREA BELIZE TRINIDAD & TOBAGO MALI OMAN EL SALVADOR GAMBIA NIGER UAE PUERTO GUYANABURKINA FASO SUDAN INDIA THAILAND GUATEMALA JAMAICA SAUDI ARABIA CHAD YEMEN BANGLADESH NICARAGUARICO SURINAME HONDURAS PANAMA SENEGAL GUINEA-BISSAU ERITREA DJIBOUTI LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC CAMBODIA COSTA RICA TRINIDADVENEZUELA & TOBAGO FRENCH GUIANA MALI OMAN MYANMAR VIETNAM EL SALVADOR GAMBIA NIGER PHILIPPINES GUYANA GUINEACHAD SUDAN NIGERIA THAILAND MALAYSIA NICARAGUA COLOMBIA YEMEN SOUTH ETHIOPIABANGLADESH SRI LANKA SURINAME CAR SOMALIA BRUNEI GUINEA-BISSAU SIERRA-LEONE DJIBOUTI SUDAN CAMBODIA COSTA RICA VENEZUELA MYANMAR MALDIVESVIETNAM SINGAPORE ECUADORFRENCH GUIANA BORNEO GUINEA NIGERIA KENYA MALAYSIA PHILIPPINES COLOMBIA LIBERIA SOUTH EG PAPUA NEW ETHIOPIATOGO SRIUGANDA LANKA BRUNEI CAR SUDAN SOMALIA GUINEA SIERRA-LEONE COTE D’IVOIRE SINGAPORE ECUADOR BENIN DR CONGOMALDIVES RWANDA KENYA BURUNDI BORNEO LIBERIA EG GHANA SEYCHELLES PAPUA NEWINDONESIA PERU BRAZIL TOGO CAMEROONUGANDA TANZANIA GUINEA COTE D’IVOIRE GABONRWANDA BENIN DR CONGO TIMOR LESTE CONGOBURUNDI COMOROS PERU BRAZIL BOLIVIA GHANA SEYCHELLES INDONESIA CAMEROON ANGOLA MOZAMBIQUE SOLOMON ANNUAL NEW CASES GABON TANZANIA ZAMBIA ISLANDS MALAWI TIMOR LESTE SAMOA PITCAIRN ISLANDS PARAGUAY CONGO COMOROS BOLIVIA ANGOLA ZIMBABWE MOZAMBIQUE MAURITIUS SOLOMON FIJI OF LEPROSY ZAMBIA ISLANDS BOTSWANA MALAWI MADAGASCAR PITCAIRN ISLANDS NEW SAMOA PARAGUAY AUSTRALIA CHILE ZIMBABWE NAMIBIA MAURITIUS ESWATINI FIJI CALEDONIA BOTSWANA MADAGASCAR URUGUAY SOUTH LESOTHO NEW ARGENTINA AUSTRALIA 10,000+ CHILE NAMIBIA ESWAAFRITINICA CALEDONIA URUGUAY SOUTH LESOTHO ARGENTINA AFRICA 1,000–9,999 NEW ZEALAND 100–999 NEW ZEALAND 6
1–100
No new cases detected No data available
SOURCE: WHO 2019 10,000+ 1,000–9,999 100–999 1–99 No new cases detected No data available SOURCE: WHO 2016
6 10,000+ 1,000–9,999 100–999 1–99 No new cases detected No data available SOURCE: WHO 2016 77 THE LEPROSY MISSION’S GLOBAL FELLOWSHIP 1–3 JAN BANGLADESH – COUNTRYWIDE 4–10 JAN
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be PRAYER POINTS PRAYER POINTS full restoration, encourage one another, be of dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and FRI: As we celebrate 10 years of the Global and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous MON: Pray for God’s strength as Bangladesh peace be with you. Fellowship, thank God for all the blessings right hand.” and the TLM team in Bangladesh work to 2 Corinthians 13:11 He has poured out upon the Mission, our Isaiah 41:10 overcome the ongoing consequences of the people, and our programmes. Thank Him Covid-19 pandemic. for bringing us together behind this uni ed TUE: Maintaining steady economic growth purpose. in Bangladesh is a challenge that will have an SAT: On this 10th anniversary of the Global impact on low and middle-income groups. Fellowship, pray for the next 14 years as Pray for those people in Bangladesh who are we push toward our goal of ending the facing nancial instability, particularly those transmission of leprosy by 2035. Pray that, who are a ected by leprosy. with God’s strength, we will succeed in our WED: Pray that community-based task. organisations will be able to maintain and SUN: Thank God for all of our sta , manage their income generation activities and volunteers, and Board members across the loan giving after a lengthy interruption due to world. Each one of them brings something the pandemic. important to our work. Ask God to bless THU: Pray for the successful implementation them all as they work this year and thank Him he Leprosy Mission’s Global Fellowship he Leprosy Mission Bangladesh implements of TLM Bangladesh’s 2021-25 strategy. for the diversity of His people amongst our consists of 31 Members and A liates across 22 projects across 34 districts and employs T ranks. T FRI: TLM Bangladesh is working on being the world. Each has committed to work together 318 sta members. The country o ce is based registered as a local (rather than international) as one to defeat leprosy. in Dhaka, the capital. The o ce is responsible NGO with a Bangladesh-based Board. Pray for for overseeing and ensuring adequate support The Fellowship was formed 10 years ago (June the team as they work towards this goal. for projects, networking, and maintaining 2011) when the Member Countries signed the TLM relationships with partners and relevant SAT/SUN: Please pray for TLM Bangladesh’s Charter, which commits us to: stakeholders. partnerships with the Government, other Uphold our common purpose and identity • TLM Bangladesh’s projects include leprosy NGOs, and implementing partners as they Contribute to the shared life of the Mission • control, community-based rehabilitation, advocacy, work towards ending the transmission of Strengthen our global unity • research and a leprosy referral hospital (DBLM) leprosy and the associated disability and Be mutually accountable • located at Nilphamari. discrimination. Observe nancial stewardship • In alignment with the global focus on ending leprosy transmission, disability, and discrimination, Being a part of the Global Fellowship means that, TLM Bangladesh sees research into leprosy as a whether you are a sta member or volunteer major way to contribute to the global strategy. working in a busy capital city o ce or you are a TLM Bangladesh is trying to facilitate and enhance clinician working in a remote village, you are part the knowledge and skill of personnel who are of a larger family of more than 2,000 people who conducting medical and operational research and are working to defeat leprosy and transform lives. support international research projects. Christ is at the heart of the Global Fellowship TLM Bangladesh also provides services in some and we will always be de ned by diversity, unity, districts to reduce the prevalence of tuberculosis mutual support, and prayer. KEY STAFF in cooperation with the National Tuberculosis Programme. Mr. Salomon Sumon Halder – TLMIB Country Director Mr. Jiptha Boiragee – Programme Support Coordinator Mr. James Taposh Adhikary – Administration and Finance Coordinator Mr. Surendra Nath Singh – Programme Leader, Community Programme & Rural Health Programme Mr. John Arpon Samaddar – Programme Leader, Chattogram & Dhaka Programme Mr. Augustine Amal D’Rozario – Programme Leader, DBLM Hospital Top: Normally the TLM team gathers together each year Programme to learn together. In 2020 we were kept apart physically, Top: A wife helps her husband drink some water. Leprosy Mrs. Suma Reverio – Human Resources Manager but that didn’t stop us getting together. This is a has attacked the nerves around his elbow, meaning that Dr. Benedict Alo D’Rozario – Chairman of the Board screenshot of the Global Workshops in June 2020. he struggles to hold the glass. 8 9 SWEDEN 11–17 JAN INDIA – COUNTRYWIDE 18–24 JAN
Speak up for those who cannot speak for Then shall you call on me, and you shall go and PRAYER POINTS PRAYER POINTS themselves, for the rights of all who are pray to me, and I will listen to you. destitute. Speak up and judge fairly, defend the MON: Give thanks for the faithful support Jeremiah 29:12 MON: TLMTI has 14 hospitals and ve old rights of the poor and needy. of donors over many years. Pray for new age homes (Snehalayas) across 10 states Proverbs 31:8-9 individual donors and for the success of serving people a ected by leprosy, disability activities and campaigns that aim to reach out and other marginalised people. Thousands of to new supporters. sick and su ering patients receive treatment TUE: Thank God for the fruitful and good through its outpatient and inpatient care cooperation between TLM Sweden and the each year. We pray for God’s touch on the Swedish Government through the Swedish work, that healing may ow through and the Mission Council. Pray for continued and love of Christ be demonstrated though the increased project funding and support. committed sta who serve. WED: Pray for increased support from TUE: Through the six Vocational Training churches and organisations. Pray also for new Centres (VTCs) we provide skills training to churches to cooperate with TLM Sweden. children who are otherwise excluded from Thank God for the work of TLM ambassadors mainstream education. We pray that many all over the country and for the increased such students would seek education in group of presenters. Pray for new inspiration the VTCs, to support themselves and their and open doors. families. We especially commit our female students to prayer, that they would break THU: Pray for a developed and strong societal and cultural barriers. cooperation between the TLM organisations in the Nordic countries. WED: We thank God for the livelihood and empowerment projects that work among FRI: Thank God for the Board of TLM Sweden communities that have been isolated and he Leprosy Mission has been active in Sweden and for the members’ willingness to lead he Leprosy Mission was founded in 1874 since the mid-1970s. In 1985, TLM Sweden as ‘The Mission to Lepers’ by an Irishman marginalised. We praise Him for the leprosy- T their work. Pray for wisdom in leadership and T a ected champions who advocate for the was established as an organisation. Through courage for new steps and initiatives. named Wellesley Cosby Bailey, in Ambala, India. membership of The Swedish Mission Council, Subsequently, in 1973, The Leprosy Mission Trust cause of people denied basic human rights. SAT/SUN: Pray for the sta team of TLM money from the Swedish government is available India (TLMTI) was registered in India. TLMTI is Pray that these communities will overcome Sweden, for God’s guidance and wisdom to di erent projects. the largest leprosy-focused non-governmental their challenges and eliminate stigma and in the work. Pray for the right priorities Based in Kumla, The Leprosy Mission Sweden organisation in India and is headquartered in New exclusion. and openness to new initiatives. Pray for works to raise awareness of leprosy in the world Delhi. THU: We praise God for the numerous inspiration, teamwork, and energy. and to give support to leprosy work. Through The organisation works with people partnerships that TLMTI has developed over fundraising among individuals, organisations, a ected by leprosy, people with disabilities, the past years. We commit our local, national, churches and church groups, TLM Sweden works and marginalised communities, especially and global partners and the common to ful l its vision. A monthly newsletter with women. TLMTI has a diverse set of programmes passion we share to defeat leprosy and its challenges and reports from our projects is sent all – Healthcare, Sustainable Livelihood, Community consequences. over the country. A number of ambassadors and Empowerment, Advocacy and Communication, FRI: Our hearts are full of gratitude for the presenters keep contact with people and churches and Research and Training. TLMTI implements sta who are devoted to the vision and in their di erent areas. Information on leprosy is these programmes through 14 hospitals and mission of TLMTI. They are our frontline given to Christian groups, churches and schools. two clinics, six vocational training centres, ve warriors, serving sacri cially and prayerfully. TLM Sweden has contact with their neighbour residential care homes for elderly persons a ected We pray for His providence, peace and Nordic countries for cooperation in di erent ways. by leprosy, nine community empowerment protection on their families. TLM Sweden supports work in India, DR Congo, projects, and a research laboratory, spread across SAT/SUN: Pray for God’s guidance in our Nigeria and Bangladesh and keeps contact with 10 states of India. work. Pray also that through TLMTI’s work, Myanmar and Nepal, as well. KEY STAFF TLMTI’s vision is to see ‘people a ected by people a ected by leprosy will realise God’s leprosy living with dignity in a transformed, love and care. Johan Bäckrud – Country Leader Rune Cederholm – Programme Coordinator inclusive society that has overcome leprosy’. Shelley Lado – Administration and Finance Allan Ekstedt- Nordic Hub coordinator Top: Johan Bäckrud, the newly appointed Country Leader Georg Lado - Chaiman of the Board of TLM Sweden. Top: Dr Mary Verghese, Executive Director, TLMTI. For a full list of sta in India, turn to p88 10 11 WORLD LEPROSY DAY 25 JAN–31 JAN THE LEPROSY MISSION TRADING 1–7 FEB
Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don’t PRAYER POINTS PRAYER POINTS try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you MON: Far too many people believe that MON: TLM Trading publishes three main go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. leprosy is a thing of the past, that it doesn’t catalogues a year, our spring catalogue exist in the 21st Century. Pray that, by the end Proverbs 3:5-6 usually arrives by post around the start of of the week, more people will hear about February. Please pray that our customers will the presence of leprosy in the world and the love the new range and place plenty of orders urgent need to wipe the disease out. for cards, gifts and books. We pray that our TUE: In leprosy-a ected communities this Easter cards will sell especially well. week is an important opportunity to take TUE: Pray for the small sta team at TLM some of the stigma away from leprosy. Pray Trading. Jo-Anne Thomson, our CEO for nine that this week will lead to greater inclusion for years, has moved on to become Head of people a ected by leprosy. Fundraising for TLM International. We pray orld Leprosy Day takes place on the last WED: This week is celebrated by Leprosy that, by the time you read this, someone new Sunday of January each year. It is organised W Peoples’ Associations worldwide. These are will have been appointed to head up the work by organisations of people a ected by leprosy associations of people a ected by leprosy of TLM Trading. Pray that God will bring us the and leprosy-focused NGOs, including The Leprosy who want to support one another and work right person to grow our work and pray for Mission. It is an opportunity to lift up the voices of towards a society without discrimination Jo-Anne in her new role. people a ected by leprosy throughout the world. against persons a ected by leprosy. Pray WED: Give thanks that, during the Covid-19 The day is marked in both countries with and for the strengthening of these important nspired by the love of Jesus, TLM Trading strives lockdown last year, TLM Trading’s loyal without leprosy. In countries where leprosy is either organisations through this week. Ito show love and compassion towards people customers turned to our website to order non-existent or very rare, World Leprosy Day is a ected by leprosy, and to empower them to THU: A strong social media presence is cards and gifts, meaning that our 2020 marked by churches, NGOs, and leprosy champions attain life in all its fullness by providing resources a crucial part of the World Leprosy Day spring and summer campaigns far exceeded who aim to raise awareness of the fact that leprosy of money, awareness, new supporters and prayer activities. Pray that people will be engaged expectations. Praise the Lord. still exists and it is still ruining lives. for use by The Leprosy Mission. by what they see on social media this week THU: The artisans who create products for In countries where leprosy still exists, TLM Trading, the trading arm of The Leprosy so that the World Leprosy Day materials will the TLM catalogues had a tough year last year. communities and people a ected by leprosy come Mission, is a mail order company selling a wide spread quickly across social media. Many struggled during the lockdown, unable together to raise awareness and host events that range of gifts, greeting cards and books primarily are aimed at reducing leprosy stigma and raising FRI: Leprosy won’t be defeated if we don’t to buy food and necessities, let alone raw to the Christian community. They produce three materials for their crafts. Pray that we will be awareness of the disease. In many countries there have the funds to make that happen. World main catalogues per year, as well as operating a is also good engagement from governments, who Leprosy Day is an important fundraising day able to sell more artisan products this year to successful online shop which attracts thousands help our artisans to get back on their feet. mark the day through events and contributions from for The Leprosy Mission. Please pray that of customers each year. They also sell a range of ministers. people will be inspired to give this weekend Gifts for Life – ‘virtual’ gift cards which customers FRI: Pray for our Board of Directors, who meet You can play your part through social media, by and will continue that support into the future. can buy to give to friends or to mark some special quarterly to give direction and guidance searching for The Leprosy Mission and sharing the SAT: Pray for all of the churches that will mark occasion and which directly bene t someone to the team. Pray also for our team of four messages that our teams are putting out. World Leprosy Day tomorrow. Pray for God’s with leprosy. They include items such as school freelance sales agents who visit Christian blessings on those services and that the Holy equipment, eye surgery or even the ever-popular bookshops and other outlets to sell TLM Spirit will inspire church goers across the goat! branded books, cards and gifts. Pray that world to commit to nishing the work that shops will continue to support our work in Jesus started: ending leprosy. what is a di cult sales climate. SUN: Today is World Leprosy Day! Pray for SAT/SUN: Give thanks for the astonishing open eyes and ears, for more people to hear success of the Gifts for Life range which about leprosy, and for more people to join the raised an amazing £280,000 in 2020. Gifts of movement to end the disease for good. Then, chickens, goats, school uniforms, water wells, when you’re done praying, get sharing on sandals and more can be bought to give as social media! a virtual gift to a friend while also blessing someone a ected by leprosy. Pray for the team to nd new ways to keep the range fresh and appealing. Top: The UMOJA project in Mozambique, which is KEY STAFF supported by ALEMO, one of the many leprosy peoples’ associations for whom World Leprosy Day is Chris Wickenden - Chair Top: Leprosy-a ected and disabled artisans, delighted to an uniquely important day. see their items in the TLM catalogue. 12 13 FEATURE MYANMAR 8–14 FEB NORTHERN IRELAND 15–21 FEB
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of PRAYER POINTS PRAYER POINTS your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. MON: Pray for our seven Board members as Psalm 89:14 MON: Give thanks for the generosity of they continue to serve and govern TLMM. Pray supporters in Northern Ireland, particularly for them, as they are a new Board who took during di cult circumstances last year. on a local governance role in 2020 (TLMM had Pray that God would bless them for their been governed by TLM’s Global Board until faithfulness and love towards people 2020). a ected by leprosy. Pray that new supporters TUE: Pray for TLMM’s prosthesis, orthotics and would connect and engage with TLM. orthopaedic shoes team as they work to sustain TUE: Give thanks for churches who faithfully production and services that are vital for support TLMNI. Pray that these relationships LM Myanmar (TLMM) works to achieve persons with disability. Their mobile workshop would strengthen and pray for God’s Tzero leprosy transmission and ensure that enables services to reach a large number guidance in seeking new opportunities to people with disability and/or leprosy are able to of inaccessible communities. Pray that the develop new church partnerships. in uence Myanmar’s society. Work takes place in construction of the workshop building, which WED: Pray for the volunteer speaker Yangon, Taungoo, Mandalay, and Pakokku and is supported by World Servants, is successfully includes leprosy activities and having stronger team as they raise awareness and funds in completed so that there will be no need to rent churches. Pray God would provide more partnerships with the National Leprosy Control a venue. Programme and basic health infrastructures. The individuals to join this team to facilitate more work aims to achieve the following: WED: February to April will see the transition engagements. Also, pray for TLMNI’s Church of Myanmar’s 2nd parliament to the 3rd. Pray Representatives as they keep their church • Improve leprosy knowledge, capacity, and early for elected o cials and representatives as LM Northern Ireland have a sta team of four, informed and raise funds for TLM. Pray that, case detection they assume their respective o ces, serving Talongside a dedicated and passionate team of as individuals step down, God would provide • Provide inclusion training to organisations, so the nation for ve years. Pray for a peaceful over 200 volunteers. Together, sta and volunteers replacements to help continue strong people a ected by leprosy can be better included transition. raise TLM’s pro le, and work to increase prayer and relationships with churches. • Empower people to advocate for themselves and THU: Due to Covid-19, 2020 saw TLMM move nancial support. THU: Pray for Joanne Briggs, TLMNI reduce barriers to their inclusion in society to using virtual platforms to reach more people Interaction with supporters takes various forms: Director and the sta team as they work speaking engagements in churches and community • Provide special devices that are di cult to a ected by leprosy and with disability to and think creatively of new ways to raise maintain services for them. As we continue to organisations, the INTouch supporter magazine, awareness and funds and to engage with nd within the local healthcare system (such as fundraising appeals, as well as a growing online prosthesis, shoes, braces, wheelchairs) make use of these tools, pray for more cost- new supporters. Pray for the delivery of e ective solutions and for tools to be user- presence. the new strategy (2021-2025) and that the • Improve referral mechanisms to specialist friendly and e ective for all users. The core of TLMNI’s support is generated right resources would be in place to enable hospitals from the Christian community. Partnerships with FRI: Since 2019, TLMM has been working growth and the greatest impact for leprosy- TLM Myanmar partners with the Mawlamyine churches and prayer is vital to all that we do. This with 15 new churches, facilitating volunteers a ected people. Christian Leprosy Hospital to deliver quality year will see the commencement of the delivery of and congregation members to reach out FRI: Give thanks for the faithful service and medical care and rehabilitation services, and with our new strategy, which seeks to signi cantly grow to local communities, providing support Godly leadership of the Board of Trustees Christian Leprosy Mission Eastern Shan to reach our supporter base and extend our reach across and services for persons a ected by leprosy who govern TLMNI. Pray particularly for the remote and hilly regions. The team also works Northern Ireland, for both individual supporters and persons with disability. Please pray for recruitment of a new Board Chairperson, as through churches so they can reach more people and churches, whilst also strengthening existing these churches to be more serious about the Fiona Davidson steps down this year. a ected by leprosy. relationships. During the year, there will be an e ort inclusion of leprosy and disability in their to attract new donors through an increased digital SAT/SUN: Give thanks for the opportunity to worship programmes and increase their ability presence, establish partnerships and secure new receive funding from Irish Aid. Pray this will to provide support and services over the long funding from grant making bodies. continue to strengthen relationships to aid term. leprosy-a ected people in Bangladesh. Pray SAT/SUN: Pray for our partners at Mawlamyine that what we have learnt from this process KEY STAFF Christian Leprosy Hospital and Christian will lead to increased institutional funding Leprosy Mission Eastern Shan. Their work is KEY STAFF opportunities for TLMNI. Dr Zaw Moe Aung – TLM Country Leader invaluable. Praise God for those teams and ask Dr Aung Htet – Head of Operations and Monitoring Joanne Briggs – TLM Country Leader God to bless them and their work. Dr Myat Wint Than – Head of Programmes Management Rebecca Parnell – Church Partnerships O cer Ms Kalayar Tun – Finance Manager Hazel Coulter – Database Administrator Ms Naw Say Say Phaw – Human Resource Manager Joy Jamieson – O ce & Finance Manager Dr Hla Hla Aye – TLM Myanmar Board Chair Top: The TLM Myanmar team praying with and for their Fiona Davidson - Board Chairperson Top: The TLMNI team at their annual Christmas fair and new Board members. co ee morning. 14 15 DEVOTION Seeing through God’s eyes
t is very recently that I have come to know We need to consider the following: that I have a sight problem. I don’t know how I • There are wonderful things in the word Open my eyes that I may it is has been overlooked by doctors over so of God and when we really see them, it many years. I do not even know how I handled changes us deeply and empowers us to see wonderful things in it, especially at night, identifying gures from bring love and holiness into our lives and distance. your law. ministries. Now I have a pair of glasses, and oh things Psalm 119:18 • It is impossible to see great things without are di erent! Now I can see birds in the sky God’s help. When we read the Holy Bible from the o ce window, I can read telephone without the help of the Holy Spirit, it is like numbers of some shops through the o ce reading other self-development books; we window, I now know that I could have enjoyed need to pray for God to help us to see and many scenes over the years. understand His word. We often sing “open the eyes of my heart Serving the voiceless needs more guidance Lord…I want to see you”. Many questions and leading from God so that we can best come to my mind when I sing, often related ght leprosy and practice our Mission’s values. to my experience of spiritual blindness. What are things that I see now and enjoy? Why did I want you to join me in Pauls prayer in it take me so long to realise that I could not Ephesians 1:18, “I pray that the eyes of your properly see? What e ort should I make to see heart may be enlightened so that you will further? know what is the hope of His calling . . . .” AMEN In Numbers 22:32 we read Balaam was riding a donkey. God had tried to get Balaam’s Beletshachew Tadesse attention but he would not listen. So, God Country Leader of TLM Ethiopia allowed the donkey to see spiritual things. Even when the donkey ran him into the wall, he just got angry at the donkey. But, when the donkey spoke to him, God opened his eyes spiritually. God got his attention; he saw the things that he was supposed to see, to listen to, to act upon…
16 17 FEATURE TIMOR LESTE 22–28 FEB SWITZERLAND 1–7 MAR
Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and PRAYER POINTS Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. MON: One of our roles is to be a “bridge” 2 Peter 3.18 between the Swiss population and people a ected by leprosy. We pray that the Lord will give us the wisdom to launch and run the “Zeroleprosy campaign” to raise awareness. TUE: In accordance with our vision, we are grateful to God for all the lives transformed. Stories of people a ected by leprosy are the base of our appeals. We are thankful to our colleagues in implementing countries who collect these stories and those in supporting countries who share fundraising supplies. Thank God for these great stories. WED: Our team develops relationships with donors, churches, institutional funders, LM Timor Leste’s vision is to see an t TLM Switzerland, a team of seven operates PRAYER POINTS people working at our International O ce, Timprovement in the quality of life of people Afrom two o ces, one in the German- and teams in our strategic countries, and people a ected by leprosy or disabilities and their one in the French-speaking part of the country. A a ected by leprosy. Let’s pray that we will families. MON: Pray for the inauguration of The dedicated Board, partner churches, and institutions, Leprosy Mission Timor Leste (TLM-TL) as a continue to communicate clearly and to work Timor Leste reached leprosy elimination (less as well as many loyal donors are committed to all together to reach our vision. than one case per 10,000 population) in 2011, local organisation. May God bless the process. the vision of the Mission: leprosy defeated, lives THU: In 2020, we applied to a foundation however, over the past few years the new cases TUE: Pray for God’s guidance and wisdom for transformed. to receive funds to support people a ected have been increasing. We continue to advocate TLM-TL’s Board and sta as they implement TLM Switzerland works in partnership with other by leprosy in Niger over three years. We to the Ministry of Health, saying that ‘elimination’ their ambitious country strategy for 2021- Global Fellowship Members to implement projects haven’t received the full expected amount does not mean there is no leprosy in Timor Leste. 2025. in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Democratic Republic so we have to nd other ways of funding We work to nd new cases for early treatment of Congo and Niger. Within Switzerland, the team WED: Pray for TLM-TL to be able to in uence the work. We thank God for the support we as every person a ected by leprosy has value; raises awareness about leprosy and themes related and support the Timor Leste Government’s received and ask for his guidance to nd new each one of us is God’s special work of art. to it, such as poverty, exclusion and development. It National Leprosy Programme strategy 2021- opportunities. Our projects diagnose and treat leprosy, 2025. o ers the opportunity to be involved in praying for improve the socio-economic development of and supporting people a ected by leprosy and/or FRI: Our donors received a calendar looking THU: Pray that TLM-TL’s partnership with the people a ected by leprosy, and promote the disabilities and their families. at DR Congo. With the calendar’s pictures church in Timor Leste will provide services inclusion of persons with disability in Timor Leste. The Leprosy Mission Switzerland is grateful to and information, people may discover and help in several parishes where there are the dedicated people who have supported people something about the realities in which the people a ected by leprosy and disabilities. a ected by leprosy for decades. team of TLM Congo works day after day. Each FRI: Pray for our community-based month there is a Bible verse, so let’s pray that rehabilitation project, which supports 24 Self God’s word will speak to their heart. Help Groups (SHGs) in six Municipalities. The SAT/SUN: Some donors sponsor sta at project has been extended for two years to our Anandaban Hospital in Nepal (we call allow the groups to run independently by the them transformation actors). It’s a good time we withdraw support. opportunity for these supporters to be part SAT/SUN: Pray for the CBR Network – Timor of the chain of transformation of people SENIOR STAFF Leste, our implementing partner, may God a ected by leprosy’s lives. We thank God for A iana Lisnahan (Nona) – Country Leader guide them as they support the 24 SHGs to KEY STAFF their faithfulness and ask him to inspire other Francisco da Costa – Project Manager (ILS) reach their goals. Pray for Steering donors to sign up for sponsorship. Nelson da Silva – Project Coordinator (CBR) Committee as they oversee the Markus Freudiger - Country Leader Joel Costa – Project Supervisor (RPD) implementation of the Disability National Anne-Claude Jonah - Leader in the French part Joaozina da Conceicao – Finance Manager Nadja Klarer - Fundraising and Communication Action Plan 2020-2024. Pray for the successful Thalia Araujo – HR Manager Esther Kuny - Finance launch of the National Council for People with Christine Schneeberger - Administration Top: Markus Freudiger with Placide Yengo and Didier Disability. Jan Kuny – Chairman Muhima, Project Managers in Kongo Central and South Top: TLM-TL Sta Retreat 2020. Kivu, respectively. 18 19 SRI LANKA 8–14 MAR ENGLAND AND WALES 15–21 MAR
... because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” Do not be anxious about anything, but in PRAYER POINTS PRAYER POINTS 1 Peter 1:16 every situation, by prayer and petition, with MON: Pray for all the national initiatives thanksgiving, present your requests to God. MON: We praise God that the work of The planned by the Government Anti-Leprosy Philippians 4:6 Leprosy Mission continues to be blessed with Campaign (ALC) and ADT. Pray that God will generous income from legacies. Give thanks guide those who are involved in the work, for faithful supporters who choose to leave to give them vision and strategy to defeat a gift in their Will. Their love lives on in the leprosy in Sri Lanka. name of Jesus. TUE: Pray for the research work in partnership TUE: We pray for new ways to fund our work between ALC, the University of Kelaniya, and to help people a ected by leprosy, and give ADT. Pray that God will bring the right people thanks for new funding from Comic Relief to in to take this partnership forward and to see rebuild young people’s self-worth and mental the right research papers coming out. health in Nigeria. Please pray that the lives of WED: Pray for success in repealing the many young people struggling with rejection outdated leprosy ordinance that places and stigma will be transformed. discriminatory restrictions on people a ected WED: We are humbled by how supporters by leprosy. Pray that God will bring what was continue to give, often sacri cially. We praise started to completion. God for every one of them and for their valued LM works through three partners in Sri Lanka: he Leprosy Mission England & Wales is one THU: Please pray for the People’s Forum for prayers and nancial support and pray for a Alliance Development Trust (ADT), Kaveri Kala of TLM’s largest fundraising o ces. Our work T Change. The livelihoods of people a ected by T blessing over them and their families. Manram (KKM), who are based in the north and sees us raise money and support implementing leprosy were badly a ected by the economic THU: Income from Trusts, Corporates and east of the country, and the People’s Forum for partners with their work in the eld. impact of Covid-19. Pray that their small governments is essential for projects that help Change, which is an association of people a ected Spring 2020 saw Covid-19 reach a critical point businesses would recover and that God would people with leprosy. The Covid-19 pandemic by leprosy. in the UK, requiring everyone associated with The bless them with pro tability. has brought challenges to these sources They work to raise awareness about leprosy Leprosy Mission England and Wales to nd new of vital income. Please pray favour over through mobilising religious leaders and inspiring FRI: KKM has started exporting powder made ways of working e ectively and safely. With so ongoing applications and for new funding churches with a passion to serve people a ected from green leaves - like moringa - that is used much uncertainty and new challenges each day, opportunities this year. by leprosy. They work to repeal discriminatory as a nutritional supplement and is grown Peter Waddup, the National Director, felt it was laws, provide counselling for people a ected by people a ected by leprosy. Pray for the important to dedicate a day to prayer in April, to FRI: In June 2020, we heard we had been by leprosy, and support the Government in success of the marketing of these products seek God’s guidance in these unsettled times. allocated a BBC Radio 4 appeal in April 2021. identifying new cases of leprosy. On top of this, by Mr Babu and his team, so that they can Sta members, trustees and supporters joined At our prayer day, a verse from Genesis they develop agricultural livelihoods, provide support many needy families. together virtually for a day of praise, worship and spoke of reaping a hundredfold return at a safe water supplies, promote nutritious diets, SAT: Please pray for Hope Farm, which was prayer, interwoven with individual quiet time to time of famine. Praise God for this amazing train leprosy champions, and provide self-care started to raise income to provide long-term listen to God. There was a tangible con rmation of opportunity. Let’s pray with con dence that training to prevent disability in leprosy-a ected funds to support KKM’s leprosy programmes. how much God loves people a ected by leprosy. this will engage new supporters who will communities. Pray for the success of its piggery, sh farm, We were reminded of how God had provided share our vision to see the end of leprosy. poultry, tree nursery and goat rearing. for the work of TLM through two world wars and SAT/SUN: Church partnerships are at the SUN: Pray for the e orts of our partners, the Spanish in uenza outbreak of 1918. Through heart of our work and we are so thankful for interfaith leaders and the Government Anti- images and scripture, we were encouraged both prayer and nancial support. We give KEY STAFF Leprosy Campaign as they collaborate to to trust that God would continue to heal and thanks for technology and opportunities to ADT search for and treat new cases of leprosy in Sri comfort people a ected by leprosy thanks to the engage with churches online and pray that Godfrey Yogarajah – CEO Lanka. Pray especially that they may nd the faithfulness of our supporters. relationships remain strong. We pray too for Praveen Gomez – Head of Programmes, Health many child cases and see them treated before opportunities to engage with new churches in John Anthony Williams – Programme Executive they develop long-term disability. the years ahead. KKM Rev Joshua Sivagnanam – Director KEY STAFF Dr Preman Jeyaratnam – Chairman Miss Debora Jeeva Malar – Assistant Director Peter Waddup - Country Leader People’s Forum for Change Sian Arulanantham - Head of Programmes and Policy Mr Amarasinga –President Arminda O’Reilly - HR Manager Shahana Thiyagalingam - Director Louise Timmins - Head of Fundraising Mrs Felshiya – Secretary Top: A person with disability that has been caused by Andy Lancaster - Chair of Trustees Top: Pastor Reuben, Peter Waddup, and Reverend Joshua in leprosy receives physiotherapy care. Sri Lanka. (© Ruth Towell) 20 21 Kajari’s story
ajari has had leprosy since she was 10. together. Kajari often makes mock grumpy KShe lives in Bangladesh and leprosy has comments which make the other two caused her a lot of problems. laugh hysterically. Kajari then cackles with laughter herself. She has very short stubs instead of fingers and severe absorption on her feet, too. She Just being around the three of them would has an ulcer on her foot and has received make you smile, even if you didn’t know support from TLM’s DBLM hospital in what they were saying. Bangladesh, to help her with self-care for her wound. Despite having had leprosy from the age of 10, her symptoms weren’t recognised for 30 years. At the age of 40 she was finally referred to DBLM hospital for treatment. Although she’s not had fingers on her hands for 20 years, she works as a cleaner in a school about a kilometre away from where she lives. It takes her around 45 minutes to walk there and she sweeps there every morning. Because of the damage to her feet, she takes small steps and walks very carefully. She can Photos © Tom Bradley often feel very despondent about her life, “Sometimes I feel it’s better to go away. If God takes me away, that is good… I did want a family. And a better job. But I lost hope of that ever happening when I lost my fingers.” Despite this, Kajari laughs a lot and is very cheeky, too. She has made friends with Asma and Anwara, whom she met at DBLM. They live near each other and often spend time
2222 23 NIGER 22–28 MAR THE LEPROSY MISSION INTERNATIONAL 29 MAR–4 APR
I lift up my eyes to the mountains- where does my Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: PRAYER POINTS PRAYER POINTS help come from? My help comes from the Lord, Rejoice! the Maker of heavens and earth. MON: There have been reductions in funding Philippians 4:4 MON: Last year was a challenging one for Psalm 121:1-2 for project activities due to the impact of the International O ce, with changes in our Covid-19. Pray that the Lord will help us to Senior Leadership Team immediately before continue to reach out to meet the needs the Covid-19 pandemic. Thank God for the of people a ected by leprosy and their people, technology and funds He provided communities in spite of the limited funds. so we could continue our work (albeit in a TUE: Praise God for the progress made di erent way) through a tumultuous year. by TLM Niger to self-governance, pray for Praise Him for the new skills and ways of wisdom and unity and grace for all the Board working we have learnt as a result. members, that they may continue to commit TUE: The International O ce is taking more their time to support the work of the Mission steps to care for our environment. We have in Niger. looked at o setting our carbon footprint WED: Pray for the TLM Niger team (Yohanna whilst also cutting down on everything from Abdou, Saratou Barage, Sani Hassane, the big ( ights) to the small (printing). Pray Daouda Maoune, Ichaya Garba, and Bunmi he Leprosy Mission International brings that through this work we will continue to LM Niger implements projects in six regions. Oluloto). Pray for grace to cope with the Ttogether the Global Fellowship (see p8) by become better caretakers of God’s creation. TActivities include: high demands of work and responsibilities, leading, inspiring, facilitating, and enabling our WED: In 2020, we welcomed two new Members and A liates to defeat leprosy and Leprosy services: which includes leprosy for wisdom to relate to other implementing people to our Senior Leadership Team: Clara transform lives. awareness raising in communities and the training partners and our bene ciaries, for God’s Volpi (Head of Operations Support) and and supervision of health workers in collaboration protection during eld trips, and for good International Office: A team of about 20 people, Jo-Anne Thomson (Head of Fundraising with National and Regional Ministries of Health. health. based in Brentford, West London, with some Development). Join us in thanking God for sta working remotely from home. Headed by these wonderful team members and pray Community Development: this includes grants/ THU: In Niger security is a challenge; the Brent Morgan, the International Director, we that He will guide them through their roles. loans for income-generating activities such country borders are very risky, many soldiers support TLM o ces and programmes around as agriculture and business, the provision of have been killed in the past by terrorists. Pray THU: Our team is required to do a lot of the world in a wide variety of work including drinkable water, the building of ventilated latrines, for lasting peace and pray for wisdom for the travelling to support the work of the Global strategic planning, organisational development, and promoting hygiene in communities to Government of Niger so they can nd a Fellowship. Pray that our sta will be kept safeguarding, nance, HR, programmes, research, prevent water borne diseases, as well as a housing long-term solution to the problem of safe when they are on their travels and that advocacy, communications, fundraising, and project for homeless people a ected by leprosy. insecurity. the work they do while they are away from monitoring and evaluation. home will be fruitful. Support for Danja Leprosy Referral Hospital: FRI: Danja hospital is in need of a leader who International Board: Our Board consists of this hospital o ers medical and surgical care, can bring about positive change and develop FRI: Please pray for Brent and the twelve people from across the Global Fellowship. physiotherapy, and self-care training for people a strategy that will help sustain the centre. International Board as they provide Guided by our values of compassion, justice, with leprosy complications such as wounds, Pray that God will provide the right person. leadership to both the International O ce integrity, inclusion and humility, the Board and reactions and eye problems. There is also a socio- SAT/SUN: Pray for Bunmi Oluloto, the and the Global Fellowship. Ask God to guide International O ce exists so that the Members of economic rehabilitation department that o ers Country Leader of TLM Niger, and his family them to make wise decisions that will lead the Global Fellowship THRIVE (feel Trusted, Heard, livelihood support as well as welfare for those (Loveth, Goodness, Favour, and Blessing) that us towards our goal of leprosy defeated and Respected Included, Valued and Energised). who need it. the Lord will continue to grant them grace to lives transformed. As a Christ-centred team, we pray together cope with the work and challenges of living SAT/SUN: The International O ce gathers Support for IDEA, an association of people each day and the verse above, from Philippians, in Niger (they are originally from Nigeria). together to pray every day. We know that affected by leprosy: we support them through certainly resonates with this team. training in advocacy, empowerment, and creating this time is a blessing, so join us in thanking community awareness. God for this opportunity and pray that He will continue to encourage and sustain us Partnership work: we develop and build through this time. partnerships with local church leaders, disability KEY STAFF SENIOR STAFF NGOs and government institutions. Iro Sani - TLM Niger Chairman Brent Morgan – International Director Bunmi Oluloto – TLM Country Leader Clara Volpi – Head of Operations Support Ichaya Garba – TLM Niger O ce Administrator Jannine Ebenso – Head of Quality Assurance Abdul Yohanna – TLM Niger Programme Manager Jo-Anne Thomson – Head of Fundraising Development Saratou Barage – TLM Niger Technical Advisor Damaris Villanueva – Head of People Sani Hassan – TLM Project O cer Gladstone Worthington – Head of Finance Top: Like teams across the world, our o ce spent much of Top: The TLM Niger team. 2020 meeting online, just like this. 24 25 DENMARK 5–11 APR MOZAMBIQUE 12–18 APR
Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of PRAYER POINTS PRAYER POINTS distress. MON: Pray that leprosy is not forgotten MON: Leprosy management committees, Isaiah 33: 2 in a world where there is so much made up of local people, are increasingly communication on so many topics. taking the initiative to nd new cases in their TUE: Pray that we can be a tool to empower area and to coordinate leprosy services. We leprosy-a ected people in their lives so that pray that God would bless them with unity they can sustain themselves. and joy as they work towards zero leprosy. WED: Pray that leprosy a ected people TUE: We will be implementing a new PEP will see a better future through fellowship initiative in the Chiure district during 2021. with each other in a community that works We pray for good cooperation between all together to lift each other up. partners and that all people who are at risk of he Leprosy Mission in Mozambique works in catching leprosy following prolonged contact THU: Pray that funds can be maintained Tclose cooperation with the Health Department with an infectious person can be identi ed so that we can continue to support leprosy in support of the Leprosy Control project in and screened. projects and work for people in vulnerable the province of Cabo Delgado. There are also WED: In an e ort to improve health education positions. strong links with community partners including and to stimulate local learning, community FRI: community volunteers, ALEMO (a leprosy peoples’ Pray that we can sustain a fellowship in media centres are being set up in some pilot organisation), and self-care groups. Scandinavia that focuses on the eradication villages. We pray that the community would A network of local churches undergoing of leprosy and on supporting the vulnerable nd bene t in these and that messages reach integral mission training is slowly growing and is in the world, also so that funds can continue those in need. to be available for the work. increasingly contributing to advocacy initiatives THU: We are thankful for God’s provision for SAT/SUN: Pray for the volunteers at TLM and greater awareness of leprosy. We have strong engagement at the community level, which us over the years of the nancial resources Denmark and for their families. Thank God that we need to keep the work going. We for those in Denmark who give their time gives us good local knowledge and traction, but requires many days away from families for the continue to pray for His guidance, gracious and money to support people a ected by provision and rich blessing so that we can LM Denmark focuses on supporting work leprosy. team. During 2021 we need to consolidate our core reach further and deeper into communities Tfor leprosy-a ected people in Bangladesh. a ected by leprosy. The work is, for the most part, directed towards strategies and interventions while developing our rehabilitation and empowerment to reintegrate funding framework and investing in some more FRI: A violent insurgency has displaced leprosy patients and persons with disability research and development for future innovations. hundreds of thousands, including many into their local societies. We hope to be able to In collaboration with the Health Department people a ected by leprosy. We pray that God continue and extend this approach to more areas partners we hope to implement a Post-Exposure would bring about peace and transformation in Bangladesh. Prophylaxis (PEP) programme. Once a new and that the local church would rise up and patient has been diagnosed, we actively screen shine as they reach out to refugees and TLM Denmark has a long lasting commitment household members and neighbours of the people in need. to the comprehensive leprosy work that is centred patient and examine them. Symptomatic persons at the Danish Bangladesh Leprosy Mission SAT/SUN: The UMOJA church mobilisation are promptly referred for multi-drug therapy initiative is mobilising churches to reach out to Hospital in Nilphamari and hope still to be able to (MDT) and asymptomatic contact persons are support the work there. communities a ected by leprosy in prayer and o ered a post-exposure prophylaxis (single dose practical ways. We pray for greater growth of rifampicin), to reduce their risk of developing vision and practical love for people a ected leprosy by 50-60 percent. by leprosy.
KEY STAFF Dr Arie de Kruij – TLM Country Leader Sr Belarmino Reich – ALEMO and Iphiro Yohoolo Project Manager Sr Armindo Jorge – Prevention of Disabilities/Leprosy Control Project Top: Elisa saw the absence of a health post in her village KEY STAFF Manager and saw how this situation was di cult for the community, Sr Culaire Luis – Human Resources Manager particularly women in labour. She encouraged her Jørgen Andersen, Chairman Sr. João Américo - IT community to build a health post for the community Jens Møller Pedersen, Vice Chairman and cashier Sr. Vasco Fernando Maruquire – Driver to use. Now her community has access to basic health Top: TLM Denmark’s Chairman, Jørgen Andersen. services. 26 27 DEVOTION The least we can do…
One of the most humbling privileges we have “You shall pay them their wages daily before is to serve one another. In TLM Trading we sunset, because they are poor and their Now to the one who works, are honoured to serve people a ected by livelihood depends on them.” Deuteronomy leprosy by helping to provide a livelihood for 24:15 his wages are not counted leprosy-a ected artisans who make wonderful The verse from Deuteronomy almost handmade products for our shops. as a gift but as his due. foreshadows the words of The Lord’s Prayer. Often these artisans live from day to day; By explaining that the people being referred Romans 4:4 whatever they earn that day feeds their to are ‘poor’, reminds us that there are many families that day. They exemplify the well- ‘rich’ people who do not have to live from day known line of The Lord’s Prayer “Give us to day. ‘Rich’ here does not only refer to the this day our daily bread”. So why is it, in the mega-wealthy, but to people like most of us, 21st Century, that so many workers can who do not live from hand to mouth. be vulnerable to exploitation: being over- So, that means most of the world, including worked and underpaid? Why is it, in the 21st us, would be counted amongst the ‘rich’. Century, that there is a need for ‘Fair Trade It therefore shines a spotlight on all of us, Organisations’? calling us to examine our hearts, examine our As Christians, the Bible shows us that ‘Fair purchases, and choose to be more Christ- Trade’ is the least we can do. like. We could choose to give more than the worker has earned, although we could never “Now to the one who works, his wages are not be as bountiful and generous as God is to counted as a gift but as his due.” Romans 4:4 us. However, the least we can do is ensure This verse from Romans makes it clear that the that ‘Fair Trade’ becomes the norm, not the worker has worked and therefore earned their exception. Why? Because as Christians we are wages; it’s not for us to make it seem like a gift; called to do so. a gift would be giving the worker MORE than This video shows why serving our they had earned. Yet, many people today are artisans is such a privilege: youtube.com/ underpaid and exploited. watch?v=w7jel2irLHY This same verse is set in the context of God’s Jo-Anne Thomson amazing grace for us, which is a gift that we Head of Fundraising Development at TLM’s International could never earn or deserve. Office and former CEO of The Leprosy Mission Trading.
28 29 DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO 19–25 APR NEPAL 26 APR–2 MAY
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; Each of you should use whatever gift you have PRAYER POINTS PRAYER POINTS meditate on it day and night, so that you may be received to serve others, as faithful stewards of careful to do everything written in it. Then you MON: Give thanks to God because TLM God’s grace in its various forms. MON: Let us pray that TLM Nepal will will be prosperous and successful. Congo has developed a new ve year 1 Peter 4:10 succeed in implementing the new Joshua 1:8 country strategy (2021 – 2025). Pray for its Country Strategy and climb the ladders of implementation and success. sustainability in this strategic period. TUE: TLM Congo is working to empower TUE: TLM Nepal is a registered NGO, people a ected by leprosy in DRC, helping governed by its own Board since 2005, them to clearly express their voices through working alongside TLM’s Global Fellowship a strong national organisation that will and other partners. Please pray for the Board advocate and shape health service policies Members, led by Mr Ashok Adhikari, along toward leprosy and disabilities. with eight other members from di erent WED: Pray speci cally for God’s wisdom for walks of life. our politicians and for more honesty from WED: Please pray for the successful renewal Multinationals that exploit the country’s of our project funding and implementation minerals. Pray also for an end to the endless agreements. con icts in the eastern part of the country. he Leprosy Mission Nepal (TLMN) started in THU: Our HEAL Nepal Project targets the THU: Pray for the Government Leprosy T1957 with the establishment of Anandaban successful integration of Lymphatic Filariasis Programme sta as they face various Hospital, on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Since and leprosy services. Pray for continued challenges throughout the country. Pray for then, TLMN, now a local NGO with its own success for HEAL Nepal. Also pray for the provincial and health district managers, that successful training of health workers, medical ur team in DR Congo is committed to ending Board, has been working in partnership with the they will stay innovative and will be able to o cers, and female community health leprosy in this large and diverse country. Government of Nepal to provide specialist tertiary O learn useful lessons from the challenges they volunteers; as well as the skin camps in HEAL In order to achieve a signi cant decrease in the care and technical support for leprosy control face. Nepal districts. transmission of leprosy, TLM Congo is improving programmes. the capacity of several actors and partners in the FRI: The work of TLM in the eld depends on Our development interventions focus on the FRI: Please pray for the Government leaders eld. Their hope is that no one will be left behind the presence of our agents on site. Pray for areas of health, capacity building, education, and civil servants, so that they will develop in our ght against leprosy. them as they face signi cant challenges with community development and rehabilitation, proper systems and that good working The team in DR Congo work on various health corruption, poverty and transportation on a advocacy, and research, as well as working environments will be created. projects and community-based rehabilitation daily basis. towards the inclusion of people a ected by SAT/SUN: FOUND Project: Pray for the projects, as well as working with Disabled SAT/SUN: We praise God for the availability leprosy, disability and other neglected tropical successful implementation of FOUND Peoples’ Organisations and OPALCO, the and willingness of the Churches of Christ diseases. activities and empowerment of people with Association of People A ected by Leprosy. They in Congo and the pastors who support Our FOUND (Fueling Opportunities to end disabilities in di erent districts of Nepal. Pray have also recently expanded and strengthened the work of TLM in Congo. Pray for good Unemployment for Nepalis with Disability) Project for its leadership and for the entire team. their research work. coordination of energies and good wills. aims to support 2,500 unemployed skilled people The team is working alongside churches and with disabilities from ve economic hub districts local associations of people a ected by leprosy of Nepal to nd and thrive in formal or self- to encourage decision makers to make health employment. services available to all.
KEY STAFF KEY STAFF Mr Louis Paluku Sabuni – Country Leader, Mr Christian Bulambo Bisimwa – Head of Finance and IT Mr Shovakhar Kandel - Country Director Mrs Doris Mukelengu Ndombe – Admin O cer and Safeguarding Dr Jemish Acharya - Programme Manager Dr Jacob Kadima Kabamba – Medical Advisor Mr Bharat Raj Pande - Financial Controller & Analyst Mr Raphael Mulamba Mbuyamba – Project Development O cer Mr Chiranjivi Sharma - Director (FOUND Project) Top: Our team working with one of the many remote Mr Didier Muhima – Project Manager for South Kivu and Maniema and Top: The ongoing construction of TLM Nepal’s state of the Dr Gajananda Bhandari - Director (HEAL Nepal Project) communities in this large country. Their aim is to ensure all HR advisor art Trauma Centre. Construction is due to be completed by Mr Ashok Adhikari - Chairman of TLM Nepal Board new leprosy cases get the medical support they need. August 2021. 30 31 Charles’ story
harles lives on an island on Lake Kivu, Cin the Democratic Republic of Congo. “Today I still cannot walk, He married his wife, Mariam, when he was 19. More than 50 years later, they are still but thanks to this team, I together. But, 37 years into the marriage, Charles developed health problems that were feel useful again.” eventually diagnosed as leprosy. Up until this point he had been a strong young man. He cared and provided for his Charles had surgery to treat his wounds and family of 11 children. When he became sick he received tools to help him in his everyday with leprosy he was very unwell, but still life. He received sandals for his hands, which had to walk for nine hours to access his local had been damaged through dragging him hospital at the end of each month to get the around on his bottom. He also received a medication he needed. hat and a water basin so that he can clean his wounds. They also taught Charles and Although Charles did what he could to tackle Mariam how they can care for his wounds so his leprosy diagnosis, he unfortunately still they would heal and not become infected. encountered problems, “Today I still cannot walk, but thanks to this “Certain parts of my body swelled, I lost my team, I feel useful again… There is a man fingers and toes. My whole body started to from The Leprosy Mission who visits my undergo changes. Having lost the use of my house regularly. I told him that the stones at feet, the only way for me to move about was the entrance of my house were the cause of dragging myself around on my bottom. Ulcers my sores on my bottom and he had a ramp started to appear on my bottom because of built. Since then, the sores on my bottom the stones on my plot. have disappeared. “As soon as these problems appeared, many “I am old, but my wish is that my wife and I people, even some of my relatives, started will prosper thanks to the three turkeys we to avoid me. One of my daughters was even have been given by The Leprosy Mission. rejected by her husband, who claimed that This will allow me to eat better, buy clothes, she might contaminate him. I felt useless and get treatment if I get sick.” because I lost all hope.” Not long after this, our team in DR Congo arrived to work on a project. Thanks to them,
32 33 SOUTH AFRICA 3–9 MAY SINGAPORE & SOUTH KOREA 10–16 MAY
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man PRAYER POINTS availeth much. PRAYER POINTS James 5:16 MON: The Leprosy Mission runs monthly Singapore leprosy clinics at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial MON: Thank God for the dedication of the Hospital, Durban; and Edendale Hospital, Singapore Leprosy Mission Board. Pray that Pietermaritzburg in the province of kwaZulu the directors will have wisdom, strength and Natal. The clinics are supervised by Elena van God’s guidance as they promote the work of den Berg. Pray for wisdom for Elena as she the Mission. responds to the many needs of the patients at TUE: TSLM’s chairman, Dr George Seow, these busy clinics. sends out a regular ‘Word from the Chairman’ TUE: Gundula Koethnig supervises the newsletter to inform donors and ask for funds. care of leprosy patients in the province of Pray that God will use the newsletter to speak Mpumalanga. Give thanks for Gundula’s to people’s hearts and they would be inspired loving care for these patients and pray for Singapore to give. her as she inspires clinic personnel with her he Singapore Leprosy Mission (TSLM) is a WED: May is a month of celebration in passion for people a ected by leprosy. Tsupport group (established in 2004) that raises nancial support for TLM, encourages people to Singapore, where various religious festivals WED: Goodman Qhosholo, based in Mthatha pray for the work and raises awareness in Singapore are celebrated. Singapore is a melting pot of in the Eastern Cape, travels extensively on he Leprosy Mission South Africa raises funds of leprosy and The Leprosy Mission. Their vision di erent cultures and religions. It’s a nation poor roads to visit isolated leprosy patients Tto run leprosy programmes, providing free is ‘A world without leprosy’ and their mission that lives harmoniously, but prayer is always and to teach clinic personnel how to recognise treatment for leprosy patients who experience statement is ‘Restoring Health, Rehabilitating Life, needed for grace and acceptance of each and treat leprosy. Pray for his safety on these leprosy-related complications, and training health Restructuring Employability, Resourcing Support’. other’s di erences so that we can live as one long journeys and give thanks for his tireless personnel to recognise leprosy in its early stages. We In recent years they have been raising support for nation. commitment to the welfare of his patients. also run RampUp, which promotes the inclusion of Anandaban Hospital, Nepal, where major repairs South Korea people with disabilities in the church. THU: RampUp is a project of The Leprosy are needed following the 2015 earthquakes in THU: Give thanks to God for the Chairman Mr Mission, promoting the inclusion of people addition to the ongoing leprosy work. They are Allun Cho and all TLM Korea’s board members with disabilities in churches. Pray for churches now raising funds for Myanmar. and sta . Pray for wisdom and health as they to be energised by the vision to reach out to undertake leprosy work in Jesus Hospital and people in their communities who are “shut in” South Korea nursing home for the elderly. due to disabilities. lthough there are very few new cases of leprosy FRI: Pray for the stabilisation of the social and FRI: Give thanks for our wonderfully generous detected each year in the Republic of Korea A psychological situation in South Korea, which supporters, who faithfully stood by The (South Korea), there are still elderly people living is exacerbated by many tensions with their Leprosy Mission during the pandemic of 2020. with leprosy-related disabilities. As Korea rapidly neighbours in North Korea and economic Pray that our ranks of supporters will grow changes into an aging society, the number of tensions with Japan. during 2021 as people respond to the needs of elderly people who are not protected economically leprosy su erers. and emotionally is increasing. TLM Korea is SAT/SUN: Give thanks for all the work of committed to protecting and treating elderly TLM Korea, both with people a ected by SAT/SUN: Give thanks for the many churches people a ected by leprosy or disability through leprosy and with other disabled or otherwise who so generously and faithfully support the the Jesus Hospital in Daegu, which specialises in disadvantaged elderly people. Pray it will work of The Leprosy Mission. Pray that more dermatology services and any cases of leprosy. continue to run smoothly and that all those congregations will partner with The Leprosy An adjacent nursing home protects and cares for using their services would be blessed and live Mission during 2021 to help us expand our elderly people a ected by leprosy, and other low- in peace and security. work to un-reached communities. income elderly and disabled people.
KEY TEAM
Top: Agostino developed leprosy as a young man and was Singapore perilously close to losing his sight due to leprosy. Now he is Rev Dr George Seow – Chairman cured and, each morning before work, Agostino tends his Ms Lam Yan Yan – Recording Secretary KEY STAFF vegetables, which he sells to the local community. Leprosy Rev Milton Lazarus – Committee Member has impaired the sensation in his hands, but hasn’t robbed Peter Laubscher – Executive Director South Korea him of his green ngers! He attends a local church and is Theo de Villiers – Deputy Director Mr Jaewoong Choi – Programme Coordinator lled with a Godly passion for the welfare of other people Gerhard Fourie – Chair Top: A spring season outing with TLM Korea’s nursing Mr Allun Cho – Chairman a ected by leprosy in his area. home residents. 34 35 CHAD 17–23 MAY
And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my PRAYER POINTS name welcomes me. Matthew 18 : 5 MON: Please pray for TLM Chad’s new project in the Salamat. Pray that its population may understand TLM’s vision and work together with the team towards the reduction of leprosy and disability. Pray for wisdom for Geeske Zijp as she leads the new work in Salamat while continuing to oversee the activities in the Guéra. TUE: Pray for the leprosy supervisors in the Habsou and Guéra, that they may continue to do their work with enthusiasm under direct supervision of the provincial supervisor and the medical o cers. WED: Let’s thank God for Ahmat Abderaman, Mariama’s our TLM resource person in the Guéra, equally LM Chad works towards the reduction of the responsible for TLM Chad’s community-based Ttransmission of leprosy and leprosy-related rehabilitation work with disabled children and disability, as well as working against discrimination adolescents. May God help him to develop story against persons a ected by leprosy and other in his new role and equip him with all the disabled and excluded persons. TLM Chad works necessary skills for his responsibilities. on di erent projects and programmes in close THU: Please pray for the brand new collaboration with the Ministries of Health and physiotherapy service that TLM initiated in Am Social Welfare and the National Leprosy Control Timan hospital. Pray that it may be of bene t Programme. to the people of the Salamat and that hidden absou and Mariama are a mother and also lost her sight, so now she is unable to do TLM Chad works in two provinces – the Guéra children with disabilities may be brought Hdaughter from Niger Republic. Habsou anything unaided. and Salamat. TLM Chad’s programme activities are forwards by their parents for appropriate care is from a poor nomadic family who moved Habsou’s daughter, Mariama, is married to a focussed on: and attention. around to nd food. She’s now 57 and 1. Capacity building: (on the job) training of leprosy-a ected man. She didn’t go to school, FRI: Pray for the newly trained physiotherapist contracted leprosy aged 5. Although she health sta in leprosy and disability prevention, that will open the physiotherapy room in but when she was older she attended a TLM- supervision of health sta , training of Disabled was recommended to go to Danja hospital, Am Timan. Pray that he may develop good funded adult literacy class where she learnt to Peoples’ Organisations (DPO) on the road to her family told her not to go because of the professional skills and nd a merited place read and write. good governance and empowerment stigma surrounding leprosy. amongst the hospital sta . 2. Awareness raising: developing community She also attended a TLM-funded sewing class She was hidden away in a hut for four years awareness of the signs and symptoms of leprosy SAT/SUN: The DPO work in the Guéra is and is now a skilled seamstress who makes growing while the DPO work in the Salamat so that she didn’t contaminate other children so as to achieve early case detection and clothes that she sells. She’s working hard to needs to be started from grassroots level. and wouldn’t be mocked by them. awareness about the rights of persons living ensure her own daughter, Saoude, nishes with disability. Pray for Zakaria Mahamat, TLM’s DPO trainer, especially when he travels long distances to “Leprosy took away my dignity and I self- school and ful ls her dream of becoming a train and accompany them on the road to good harmed before nally coming to Danja nurse. governance. hospital for treatment.” The Leprosy Mission has also provided She was 13 when she nally arrived at Danja. Mariama and her family with a toilet and some SENIOR STAFF After receiving treatment for several years she livestock to enable them to be self-sustaining. Bunmi Oluloto – Country Leader said she was afraid to go home and face more By supporting and praying for The Leprosy Geeske Zijp – Programme Manager rejection. She refused to leave Danja so The Marc Djibrine Victor – Administrator Mission, you’ve helped us to provide this Leprosy Mission paid for a basic house so she Zakaria Mahamat – DPO Trainer family in Niger with dignity and hope for the Ahmat Abderaman – TLM Resource Person for the Guéra Top: Idriss has been receiving physiotherapy through TLM, could remain. Leprosy has disabled Habsou; future. Abdel Djelil Hassane – Driver/O ce Assistant as well as crutches and school support. His mother, Annoki, she has lost her ngers and toes and has only Hissein Dagache – Chairman TLM Support Group received micro-credit support after her husband sent her away. been able to survive by begging. In 2017 she 36 37 FRANCE 24–30 MAY INDIA – COMMUNITY-BASED REHABILITATION 31 MAY–6 JUN
…and even though my illness was a trial to you, you PRAYER POINTS PRAYER POINTS did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I MON: France has experienced, in recent MON: TLMTI is working with more than 700 were Christ Jesus himself. months, some very important social champions a ected by leprosy and continues Galatians 4:14 movements, which a ects the life of the to identify and build more champions. country and divides the citizens. Let us pray They take the lead in driving social change that serenity will return to hearts. through awareness raising and advocating TUE: Covid-19 profoundly changed the for the rights of people a ected by leprosy. lifestyle of the French. Churches risk being Pray for God’s strength for the champions so demotivated. Pray that Christians will continue that they can continue working in the face of to give for those a ected by leprosy. the many challenges they face daily. WED: Pray that we will nd young donors TUE: TLMTI has developed and trained who are glad to contribute to the work of many groups of people a ected by leprosy. The Leprosy Mission as faithfully as our older They support each other and advocate for donors have done for many years. the rights of people a ected by leprosy. Pray that they stand united in identifying, THU: he age-old stigma associated with leprosy Pray for a renewed interest in The highlighting, and addressing all types of leads to the social exclusion of people Leprosy Mission’s work within the evangelical T discrimination in their communities. world in France. a ected by the disease. They are ostracised and WED: Children a ected by leprosy face FRI: often excluded from community gatherings and Pray that sta , Board members, and discrimination because of stigma and lose volunteers of TLM France can visit churches to prevented from accessing community resources. This results in people a ected by leprosy not the motivation to study and end up dropping present the work of the Mission. Pray that these out of school or show less interest in studies. visits will be successful and bring new support being able to participate in the economic, social and political life of the society in which they live. TLMTI provides educational support to these for TLM. children and mentors them to continue To remedy this situation, The Leprosy Mission SAT/SUN: Pray with us for a rising up of young their education. Pray that they develop their Trust India (TLMTI) adopts a broad-spectrum people who want to see an end to leprosy in potential and become responsible citizens. their lifetimes. approach, ranging from local interventions to strategies for policy reform. Self-help and other THU: TLMTI has formed and strengthened groups facilitate community empowerment and many grassroots level groups, primarily help many households to earn additional income of people a ected by leprosy. They play a he Leprosy Mission France (Mission Lepre) through livelihood opportunities and thus have key role in empowering the communities Tmoved into a more online way of working an improved quality of life. TLMTI works with. Pray for the growth and during the Covid-19 pandemic. We will further sustainability of these groups. TLMTI also provides educational scholarships develop our digital media work, as well as for schooling, graduate, postgraduate and FRI: Pray for the strengthening of TLM’s continuing our “In Action” magazine. professional studies to children who have a partnerships with government and local TLM France participates each year in meetings background of leprosy. Their adult literacy organisations. Pray that they join hands with with the Federation of Francophone Evangelical programme helps people a ected by leprosy and TLMTI in ghting leprosy-related stigma and Missions (FMEF) and the Association in the Service those with disabilities gain functional literacy. discrimination. of Humanitarian Action (ASAH), two associations This helps in reducing barriers and increasing which bring together Christian missionary SAT/SUN: Our sta work tirelessly to their participation in community-level decision- organisations. This is a great opportunity for implement these programmes. Pray for making. spiritual encouragement for all involved and a God’s guidance, wisdom, and protection for good way to stay in touch with other Christian all community empowerment project sta . associations and re ect on the challenges of Pray for the advocacy initiatives undertaken fundraising. to ensure that the health sector does not discriminate on the basis of leprosy and that healthcare will be local and a ordable.
KEY STAFF Pascal Machefer - Country leader Carien Fotso - Finance Top: Members of a self-help group in Chhattisgarh Top: Pascal Machefer, Country Leader of TLM France. showcasing their income generating activities. For a full list of sta in India, turn to p88 38 39 SUDAN 7–13 JUN PAPUA NEW GUINEA AND BOUGAINVILLE 14–20 JUN
The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the PRAYER POINTS PRAYER POINTS righteous run to it and are safe. MON: Pray for the safety of our sta , John Proverbs 18:10 Bougainville and Seela, and their families in Sudan. Pray MON: Please pray for the continued safety for them as they run the Aburo clinic and of all sta members and village health care for patients. Pray for their internet volunteers. They often travel long distances connections and for their ability to access to remote communities in bad weather and digital platforms like Skype so that they can rough terrain. Praise God for their devotion coordinate with their partners nationally and and heart for leprosy-a ected individuals internationally. and families. TUE: Pray for the recruitment of a new TUE: Pray that the partnership between coordinator for our work in Sudan. It can BHCP and the Government’s Department of sometimes be di cult to nd the right hands Health will be strengthened. to take on this work and we continue to Papua New Guinea search for the right person in faith. WED: Praise God for the Western Province WED: Pray for our partner, the Episcopal Project, funded by TLM Australia. It is now Church of Sudan. They own the Aburo Clinic Papua New Guinea in its third and nal year. Even though it and work closely with us to care for people he Leprosy Mission Papua New Guinea’s (TLM- has been challenging to implement this in a ected by leprosy in Sudan. Thank God for PNG) role is to support the Government’s T a Covid-risk border province, the increased their commitment to this work and pray for National Leprosy Elimination Programme to ensure numbers of new leprosy cases found in the its continued success. people a ected by leprosy are detected and treated with available and accessible leprosy treatment. province indicates success with the health THU: Pray for the patients at the Aburo worker training. he Leprosy Mission Sudan works closely with Clinic. They often have to travel long There were 577 new cases of leprosy found in 2019. THU: Pray for TLM-PNG’s Country O ce sta the Federal Ministry of Health and Khartoum distances to seek diagnosis and treatment. TLM-PNG has 3 projects - in livelihoods, health and T as they coordinate the projects and pursue State Ministry of Health to defeat leprosy and Pray that their treatment will be successful. leprosy detection. new funding opportunities. other NTDs, as well as bringing greater awareness FRI: Following a coup d’état in 2019, Sudan is Bougainville FRI: Praise God for the successful start of leprosy and its consequences. undergoing a transition to democracy. Please LM New Zealand works in partnership with the of our second New Zealand Aid funded TLM Sudan also partners with the Episcopal pray for the country during these fragile Autonomous Bougainville Government and the Strengthening Health in the Communities Church of Sudan and the Aburo Clinic to provide times. Pray for a peaceful transition and for T NZ Aid Programme to implement the Bougainville project. Pray for the 25 communities involved leprosy control, wound care, protective footwear, the safety of Sudanese citizens, particularly Healthy Communities Programme (BHCP). in the project as they learn how to manage and eye care. The Aburo Clinic is Sudan’s only those a ected by leprosy who are so often specialist leprosy centre and people travel from Covering 95 percent of Bougainville’s population, health better within their own communities. among the most vulnerable in society. this exemplar preventative health model improves across Sudan for treatment. SAT/SUN: This is the fth year of the SAT/SUN: Pray for our ongoing work with health, hygiene and governance practices in a The team is working towards zero leprosy New Zealand Aid funded Sustainable the Sudanese Ministry of Health and the community-based and owned programme. The transmission within Sudan and is looking Livelihood Development project. Pray for Ministry of Humanitarian A airs. Please pray Leprosy Coordinator ensures a continued focus on to partner with more persons a ected by the project participants a ected by leprosy for God’s blessing on these partnerships, detecting, diagnosing and treating leprosy, despite leprosy and NTDs as they also work to tackle and disability, that they will continue to especially through these delicate years challenging terrain and limited health infrastructure, discrimination and disability. implement their livelihoods and nd ways in Sudan as they undergo a transition to through the project’s Community Facilitators and to sustain their businesses even during democracy. Village Health Volunteers. challenging times, and beyond the end of the project. KEY STAFF Papua New Guinea Natalie Smith – Country Leader Merilyn Gairo – SLD Project Manager Malinda Marvin - SHLK Project Coordinator Mega Menuwo – Finance Manager KEY STAFF Bougainville Neil Toura - HR and Administration Manager Ms Seela Kajo Shalluka – Aburo Clinic Manager John Kopi - Monitoring and Training Manager Top: Village Health Volunteers travel through di cult Top: Seela cleans a leprosy ulcer at the Aburo Clinic in Mr John Kuku – Khartoum State Leprosy Supervisor Jasleen Kler - TLM NZ Programme Manager terrain to make sure no one is missing out on the cure for Khartoum. leprosy. 40 41 NEW ZEALAND 21–27 JUN FUNDRAISING 28 JUN–4 JUL
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in PRAYER POINTS Each of you should give what you have decided PRAYER POINTS all things at all times, having all that you need, you in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under will abound in every good work. MON: Banks in New Zealand are stopping compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. MON: We give God thanks for the many 2 Corinthians 9:8 the issuing and processing of cheques in 2 Corinthians 9:7 thousands of faithful donors who have given, 2021. Around 30 percent of New Zealand’s often sacri cially, to care for people a ected by donations income come through loyal leprosy. Pray blessing upon them. supporters giving donations by cheque. We TUE: Today we pray for all those TLM give thanks for their continued support and countries who have strategies to increase their pray that they are encouraged to continue fundraising activity. Pray they will seek the their giving using other methods. Lord and that He will guide them ‘where to sh’ TUE: Give thanks for the many churches (John 21:6). who faithfully support TLM New Zealand. WED: There has been greater sharing of Pray for open doors so we can reach out to fundraising materials across the TLM Global new churches and that they will be moved Fellowship in recent years. Pray this will to support the Mission’s work in defeating continue and indeed increase. leprosy and transforming lives. THU: Pray for Jo-Anne Thomson in the WED: Many New Zealand supporters International O ce, who is involved in are elderly and have been a ected discussions with ‘new’ countries who could LM New Zealand is humbled and thankful disproportionally by the Covid-19 pandemic. raise funds for people a ect by leprosy. for the love and compassion of their loyal During the lockdowns in New Zealand they T FRI: As plans are formed for a global fundraising supporters. These supporters uphold the Mission’s prayed for and gave sacri cially for people campaign, pray for wisdom on the theme/topic. work nancially and prayerfully, and give their a ected by leprosy. Pray for blessings of Also pray for the campaign, that the Lord will time so freely to volunteer at the o ce, and to health and wellbeing for those that think of ‘open the oodgates of heaven’ and we will see speak at churches and community groups. More others even when they are facing di cult a great success. than 12,000 New Zealanders actively support the times themselves. work of the Mission and we aim to engage more THU: Over the course of the year, TLM NZ SAT/SUN: We rejoice and give thanks to he vitally important projects of curing and New Zealanders to realise our global goal of Zero sta are conducting a range of fundraising the Lord for His goodness and blessing on caring for people a ected by leprosy require Leprosy Transmission by 2035. Their commitment activities to cure, care for and restore people T fundraising campaigns in the past. Please pray nancial resources in order to function. Some enables lives to be transformed, giving hope to a ected by leprosy around the world. Pray for His continuing and increasing favour, that 11 TLM countries are focused on this crucial countless leprosy-a ected families in Bangladesh, that these initiatives will be fruitful and He will ‘Establish the work of our hands’ (Psalm fundraising activity. PNG and Bougainville, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, inspire new committed supporters on the 90:17). and Nepal. nal journey towards ending leprosy. With integrity, we share the need with TLM New Zealand also partners with The New supporters, inviting them to demonstrate their FRI: Give thanks for the many valued Zealand Aid Programme (Ministry of Foreign care and concern for people a ected by leprosy volunteers who give so freely of their time, A airs and Trade), the Autonomous Bougainville through their prayers and nancial gifts. Funds talents and resources to assist with o ce Government, NLR and other grassroots are raised from individuals, churches, civic groups, administration tasks, and who speak at local organisations in the implementing countries. trusts/foundations and Government bodies. This churches and community groups to raise Together, they help to cure, care for and restore mix of fundraising streams is very important so funds and awareness of leprosy. people a ected by leprosy to fullness of life. that we are not dependent on any single source. SAT/SUN: Praise God for TLM NZ’s positive partnership with the NZ Government, implementing countries and partner organisations. Pray these relationships strengthen and continue to bring hope and lasting impact to people a ected by leprosy KEY STAFF around the world.
Gillian Whitley – TLM Country Leader Top: Kila runs a sh business in Papua New Guinea. When Martin Malkaney – Finance Manager The Leprosy Mission started visiting her village, the sta KEY STAFF Sarita Divis – Fundraising Manager helped her further develop her skills. Now she is sharing Jasleen Kler – Programme Manager her knowledge by mentoring people a ected by leprosy Jo-Anne Thomson – Head of Fundraising Development Odele Habets – Chair of the Board Top: 2020 Youth Advocates from New Zealand visiting our and disability. The money given by our donors will impact Samuel Davies – Global Institutional Fundraising Coordinator work in Nepal. whole lifetimes across the world. (© Daniel Christiansz) 42 43 NIGERIA 5–11 JUL SCOTLAND 12–18 JUL
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will There is therefore now no condemnation to those PRAYER POINTS PRAYER POINTS who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law MON: Pray for the TLMN team as they MON: Give thanks for the many donors who of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free commence the implementation of the new to the Father.” give generously to help people a ected by from the law of sin and death. Country Strategy 2021 – 2025, that God will John 14:12 leprosy through the various projects that TLM Romans 8: 1-2 grant them grace, wisdom and strength to Scotland support. Pray that God will bless them implement interventions that will create greater for their love for people in need because of impact. leprosy. TUE: The 2021 World Leprosy Day celebration TUE: Give thanks for volunteer Board members, included a series of events such as a ministerial speakers, church representatives, community press brie ng, advocacy visits, and visits to fundraisers and o ce admin helpers in communities of persons a ected by leprosy. Scotland. Pray that God will bless them for Please pray that the Government and other all that they do. Pray too for new volunteers organisations will increase commitment in the to step forward in key areas, especially for ght against leprosy following these e orts. new Board members with the right skills and WED: The TLMN sta conference took place experience to ll important gaps. in May 2021. Please pray that God will deposit WED: Give thanks for everyone who has in the heart of all participants His Word for included a gift in their Will to help people the season following the conference, and that a ected by leprosy. Pray that God will bless participants will develop renewed commitment them for their generosity and foresight. Pray towards impacting the lives of persons and that more people would choose to give a gift to communities a ected by leprosy for God. help make leprosy a thing of the past after they THU: Pray for TLMN’s Board Meetings. Pray for have gone. wisdom, grace and foresight for all members THU: Give thanks for the launch of “Cook Up A as decisions concerning the Mission in Nigeria Curry” last year. Pray that people will hold lots of curry-themed fundraisers in their homes and LM Nigeria (TLMN) works in collaboration with are made. churches this year to make leprosy a thing of the Government of Nigeria to support the FRI: Nigeria has continued to experience he Leprosy Mission Scotland is a fundraising T the past in India. control of leprosy and other neglected tropical security challenges as a result of terrorists, Tteam. We raise funds from people and churches diseases (NTDs) and their consequences on cattle rustlers, and bandits across Nigeria. across Scotland to help people a ected by leprosy FRI: Give thanks for those churches that support a ected populations in Nigeria. TLMN ministers Please pray that peace will be restored to the in our partner countries across Asia and Africa. people a ected by leprosy, and TLM, with to over 33,850 persons a ected by leprosy in troubled States, and that persons a ected Our key message is that our supporters will “make their gifts and prayers. Pray for opportunities communities spread across 11 states in Nigeria. by leprosy and their families caught in the leprosy a thing of the past”. to engage with more churches and that they Every year, approximately 2,500 new troubled areas will be safe. will choose to take part in nishing what Jesus We have ambitious plans to reach a much wider leprosy cases are diagnosed. The World Health started. SAT/SUN: Give thanks to God for all the range of people and raise much more support over Organization ranks Nigeria as the third among volunteers and donors who give time and the next few years. By “eradicating leprosy, one SAT/SUN: Pray that more people from across African countries in terms of leprosy burden. money to support the work of TLM Nigeria. Pray person at a time” we believe that in this speci c Scotland will join you in praying regularly for TLM Nigeria’s determination to continually that God will continue to raise up people and area we will “ nish what Jesus started”. people a ected by leprosy, and the work of make a di erence targeted at transforming organisations to join the ght against leprosy We raise funds through direct mail appeals, The Leprosy Mission, using the ASK diary, TLM lives, reducing stigma, establishing sustainable and its consequences. digital campaigns, semi-addressed mail, face to Scotland’s monthly prayer emails and prayer livelihoods, eradicating leprosy and addressing face fundraising in stations and shopping centres, app, PrayerMate. disabilities has been streamlined into the speaking in churches, co ee mornings, concerts development of the new Country Strategy (2021 and sponsored events. – 2025). As well as raising funds, we believe in raising prayer support from across the country. We will KEY STAFF distribute more than 3,000 copies of ASK this year KEY STAFF Dr Sunday Udo – TLM Country Leader and send out regular prayer emails to interested Mr Pius Ogbu Sunday – Head of Programmes & Operations supporters. Linda Todd – Chief Executive O cer Mr Obinna Anagboso – Head of Finance & Administration Stuart McAra – Head of Engagement Top: Monday Israel Akpan is a person a ected by leprosy Mr Terver Anyor – Head of Funds Development Top: Supporters from Aberdeen took part in the Kiltwalk Mhairi Dawson – Head of Supporter Care and Volunteer Development who makes a living by weaving baskets that he sells in his Prof. Ekanem Ikpi Braide OFR (TLMN Board Chairperson) to raise support for their favourite project - Bankura Tim Reed – Head of Insight community. Vocational Training Centre in India. 44 45 ETHIOPIA 19–25 JUL GERMANY 26 JUL–1 AUG
He has caused us to be born again to a living hope For the Lord gives wisdom; out of his mouth come PRAYER POINTS PRAYER POINTS through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from knowledge and reason. the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, MON: Praise God for the individuals and Proverbs 2:6 MON: Thank God for the wonderful Germans undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. institutions that continue to support TLM who pray and give nancially to help people 1 Peter 1:3-4 Ethiopia in di erent capacities. Their support a ected by leprosy. is vital as we continue our work. TUE: Give thanks for all the helping hands TUE: Thank God for the new programme and all the creativity and ideas from friends of “Power of Voice: We are Able!” which will The Leprosy Mission as we stand with people have a great impact on the lives of people a ected by leprosy. a ected by leprosy and those who live WED: Please pray that more churches with disability as it highlights inclusive and groups will open their minds and be approaches to food security. interested in helping and supporting our WED: Pray for the people of Ethiopia, projects. particularly those a ected by leprosy. As well THU: Give thanks for all the colleagues in our as the Covid-19 pandemic, 2020 also brought implementing countries. Pray for protection, devastating locusts plagues to the country. health, strength and love for the people they These twin disasters were devastating for are working with. many farmers in a country that is heavily FRI: reliant on agriculture. Pray for those who are Pray for new funding opportunities struggling because of the locusts and the and for wisdom for sta to know where to pandemic. concentrate their e orts. SAT/SUN: THU: Give thanks to the Lord for the Advisory Pray for our new Board members Board at TLM Ethiopia. Pray for God’s and for valuable and successful cooperation ince July 2013, The Leprosy Mission Ethiopia guidance upon them in supporting us with he Leprosy Mission Germany is a small group together. S(TLMI-E) has been working as an international their skill, experience and Christian values. Tof active donors and friends with a wide heart non-government organisation in Ethiopia. TLMI-E and the urge to help people a ected by leprosy. FRI: Pray for God’s mercy and peace upon works closely with di erent leprosy-a ected The Board members are all volunteers who are very the amazingly beautiful, but poor country peoples’ organisations, such as the Ethiopian happy that we have been able to attract young of Ethiopia, as ethnic con ict in addition to National Association of Persons A ected by Leprosy people to the Board. long-term Covid-19 e ects are becoming (ENAPAL), and the Addis Ababa Leprosy and Our cooperation is characterised by signi cant, which is a real obstacle for Disability Rehabilitation Association (ALDRA). They appreciation and trust. We want to grow and development work. are also working on a new initiative with Tearfund. hopefully we are on the right track. Our partner Through God’s grace, and with great help from SAT/SUN: Pray that God will help as we seek countries are Niger, Chad and India and we TLM Netherlands, a new programme “Power of to in uence decision makers in Ethiopia, maintain close contact with each. Voice: We are able!” is starting. TLM Ethiopia, as mainly our Prime Minister, as we share the one of the partner organisations, will contribute message that leprosy needs to be on the in the areas of empowerment, amplifying voices, Government’s agenda. and creating resilience in women and men with disabilities, and those from other marginalised groups. The focus is mainly on food security in areas of long-term continuing crisis, aiming to strengthen the lobbying and advocacy capacity of individuals whose voices are not heard.
KEY STAFF KEY STAFF Mrs Beletshachew Tadesse – Country Representative Mr Berihun Legesse – Finance and Admin O cer Bettina Merz – Country Leader Top: Bel, Berihun, and Solomon, the team at Solomon Getahun – Programme Coordinator Top: Bettina Merz, Country Leader, in the Norway-Bergen Dr. Johannes Schäfer – Chair TLM Ethiopia. former Leprosy Hospital and now Leprosy Museum. 46 47 BANGLADESH – COMMUNITY-BASED 2–8 AUG NETHERLANDS 9–15 AUG REHABILITATION AND ADVOCACY But the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, PRAYER POINTS whom the Father will send in My Name, He shall PRAYER POINTS teach you all things, and bring all things to your MON: We are thankful for our wonderful remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. volunteers, they are truly indispensable to our MON: The Mobilisation and Empowerment Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; work. Give thanks to God for all that they do. of People living with Disability Project could not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your TUE: We are thankful for our loyal supporters. not carry out all of its plans in 2020, which heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid! Give thanks with us for our supporters and may be a challenge to achieve its long-term John 14: 26-27 pray that we will nd opportunities to bring in targets. Please pray that the project can carry new supporters. out all its planned activity for 2021, including the carried forward activities. WED: Please pray for the wellbeing of Geeske Zijp in Chad and her team, as they continue TUE: Please pray that initiatives to minimise their leprosy work, now in Salamat. the funding gap of the Chattogram people- led Development Project are successful and THU: We are thankful for our Board, please the project can do its planned activities. pray that God will grant them wisdom in their Community-Based Rehabilitation role. he Leprosy Mission Bangladesh (TLMIB) helps to WED: Give thanks to Lord for the extension FRI: Please pray for inspiration and guidance enable the economic and social empowerment of the Community Based Rehabilitation Partner T for our sta as they go about their work to of persons a ected by leprosy through 1,550 self- (CBRP) project which has been supported by raise money for and awareness of leprosy in help groups. These groups provide mutual support the Danish Mission Council Development the world today. and livelihood opportunities for people a ected Department for two years. Please pray for by leprosy, disability and poverty. Through these the sustainability of self-help groups and SAT/SUN: Please pray as our organisation groups TLMIB provide training, skills development, disabled peoples’ organisations, and the continues to adjust to a changed world after and access to self-help credit. registration of district associations supported Covid-19. The North West Bangladesh Ultra Poverty by TLMIB in North-West Bangladesh. Initiative Project (NUPIP) works to overcome THU: In 2019 and 2020, NUPIP supported extreme poverty among people with leprosy income generation activities for 126 disabilities and improve livelihoods. people with disabilities due to leprosy and Lymphatic Filariasis. Please pray for Advocacy improvement of their livelihoods. LMIB is in uencing the policies and practices FRI: The Activating and Engaging Partnerships he Leprosy Mission Netherlands (Leprazending Tof the Government and other decision makers to reduce leprosy in Bangladesh (AEP) project TNederland) was founded in the 1980s to as well as developing positive attitudes among has supported the National Leprosy support The Leprosy Mission International with medical personnel, NGOs, and communities Programme in reviewing the current funds, prayer and human resources. The o ce is regarding the rights of people a ected by leprosy. Leprosy Control Strategy of Bangladesh in Apeldoorn and there are ten members of sta , We are striving to ensure leprosy services in 2016-2020. Please pray for the development seven Board members and ten volunteers. uncovered districts. We also work to improve the of the strategy for 2021-2025 with active TLM Netherlands also support a Dutch cross- self-advocacy skills of persons a ected by leprosy involvement of Government and leprosy cultural worker: Geeske Zijp in Chad. through our self-help groups. NGOs. TLM Netherlands’ vision is to see leprosy and SAT/SUN: We have 10 churches in the rehabilitation services strengthened and to enable tea garden area in Moulvibazar District transformation in the lives of people a ected by which have been involved in the Activating leprosy in India, Bangladesh, DR Congo, Myanmar, Churches to Serve people affected by Leprosy Nepal and Chad. In order to make that possible, KEY STAFF (ACTS-Leprosy) project supported by TLM TLM Netherlands seeks support from individual donors, churches and trust funds and organises Mr. Surendra Nath Singh - Programme Leader, Community Programmes Netherlands. Give thanks for this work. Mr. Noel Manna Day - Finance Manager, Community Programmes events to get people involved with the vision and KEY STAFF Mr. Dalwor Hossain (Delu) - Manager, CBR Partners mission of TLM. Mr. Ambor Chisim – Manager, NUPIP Mr. Henno Couprie - TLM Country Leader Mrs. Kalpona Kispotta - Manager, TLM Nilphamari Training Centre, & Hagar Mr. Cor van Leeuwen - Team Leader, Administration & Back O ce Centre Mrs. Heidi Hoogvliet -Team Leader, Partners, Programmes & Project Mrs. Lovely Probhati Mrong - Manager, Dhaka CBR Project Funding Mrs. Masuma Parvin - Manager, AEP Project Top: A meeting of a disabled peoples’ organisation in Top: Henno Couprie, the Country Leader of TLM Mr. Mark van den Berg -Team Leader, Fundraising & Communication Nilphamari. Netherlands. 48 49 DEVOTION Born in prayer, cradled in prayer
y daughter was born with Developmental As Wellesley Bailey said: “The Leprosy Mission MDysplasia of the Hip. Both hip sockets was born in prayer and cradled in prayer.” It Be anxious for nothing, were too shallow for the top of her thighbones is a privilege to work with an organisation (the femurs) to sit in them. Her thighs would that puts God rst, that is unafraid to bow our but in everything, by dislocate whenever her legs were straightened knees and ask Him to heal, equip and guide us. so we could not swaddle her like other babies. prayer and petition, with God hears and I know he honours the prayers For one year, she had to wear a hip brace to of those who love him. As we continue thanksgiving, present force her hip sockets to deepen. through ASK, may we be reminded to your requests to God. This condition is uncommon in Singapore. We constantly put Him rst. Through prayer, let us even had to explain it to nurses during check- always lift our work and each other up. We will And the peace of God, ups! Googling it made us feel worse, stories of see an end to leprosy, transmission, disability children living with unsuccessful surgeries and and discrimination because God is in charge. which surpasses all permanent pain. Cindy Norfor understanding, will guard However, God was at work. From the day Global HR Advisor, TLM International (based in Singapore) she was born, TLM colleagues from London your hearts and your minds to Timor Leste, from Thailand to Papua in Christ Jesus. New Guinea supported me. They wrote encouraging emails and prayed with me over Philippians 4:6-7 the phone. Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist colleagues counselled me, one said, “God’s not done with your baby girl. He is still forming her!” At her rst birthday, ultrasounds showed that her hips were 100 percent developed and my daughter was discharged from follow-ups. She is 18 years old now and never once has there been a problem.
50 51 TANZANIA AND SPAIN 16–22 AUG
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every PRAYER POINTS situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of Tanzania God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. MON: Pray for the sustainability of CHEP and Hombolo Hospital. The Hombolo Hospital Philippians 4:6-7 CHEP programme introduced several new services for the community, including an eye clinic, dental clinic and gynaecological clinic. These services are o ered by specialist doctors from DCT Mvumi, Mackay, and Dodoma Referral Hospital. Pray that God will guide these e orts. TUE: The DCT is in the process of establishing a Medical Institute which will operate under Alina’s the Mvumi Institute. The Medical Institute will o er medical courses for Nurses and Medical Attendants. Pray that God will guide their e orts towards implementation. WED: The Tanzania Leprosy Association story and CHEP are in the process of introducing and establishing vegetable cultivation in Samaria Village. The villagers will be the Tanzania ones to conduct this programme so that the ur partner in Tanzania is the Anglican Diocese community will be empowered to improve of Central Tanganyika (DCT), which runs O their own local economy. Please ask God to Hombolo Hospital and its Community Health give strength and willingness to all those lina was 13 when we rst met her in her What she wants is to be healed and at Education Programme (CHEP). They work to taking part. decrease the incidence of leprosy in the Dodoma Anative Nepal. She had found out she had Anandaban Hospital she feels like she is being Region and other areas by raising community Spain leprosy three years before but she thinks she’s healed. had leprosy since she was nine. awareness about leprosy, running a mobile clinic THU: Pray that the team of volunteers in Spain She became a Christian after her leprosy and conducting leprosy screening. will be able to achieve their goals for 2021. At rst she didn’t receive the right treatment diagnosis and when asked what she wants to They also reduce social stigma and empower FRI: Pray that the team will be successful in people a ected by leprosy through Human Rights and her ngers began to claw. Eventually she do in the future, she says she is a Christian and their e orts to reach out to supporters and training so that people a ected by leprosy and arrived at our Anandaban Hospital in Nepal wants to serve the Lord. that these supporters will continue to give to persons with disability will know their rights. and received the treatment she needed. this important work. The team also works to improve livelihood opportunities for people a ected by leprosy with SAT/SUN: Please pray for more volunteers Since she contracted leprosy, her father increased access to water and sanitation, as well that will be willing to be a part of the TLM has been gone. He has not come home. as housing. This is done through community- Spain team. Her mother works abroad in Kuwait as a based rehabilitation programmes that help household worker, so her grandparents take people a ected by leprosy make a living. care of her.
Spain She feels loved, but she also cries and feels LM Spain work to raise money for people KEY STAFF very bad sometimes. Because of nerve Ta ected by leprosy. They want to see people Tanzania damage caused by leprosy she has lost a ected by leprosy lifted out of exclusion and Debora John Michael – Director, Community Health Education Programme sensation in her ngers. She picked up some know Jesus. Spain Vivian Calderon hot glasses without realising they were For over 20 years they have witnessed many dangerously hot and ended up with wounds cures and seen many lives transformed. This is all thanks to the donations of generous Spaniards that became infected. Top: Nurse Jemima and clinical o cer, Estomihi are taking who have a heart that is full of mercy for those in a patient’s history. This patient has become blind because need. of leprosy. 52 53 INDIA – HEALTHCARE 23–29 AUG BELGIUM 30 AUG–5 SEP
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, PRAYER POINTS PRAYER POINTS says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, MON: Pray that our hospitals will continue to to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call MON: Give thanks for the many loyal and bring healing to the communities we serve upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to faithful supporters in Belgium who support with priorities to people a ected by leprosy you. the many thousands of persons a ected and other marginalised communities. Jeremiah 29: 11-12 by leprosy. Let us pray for their continued TUE: The biggest challenge is to recruit support through prayer, by donating, and committed Christian professionals. Pray volunteering. that God will raise up a generation of TUE: Give thanks for the many persons professionals who will continue the much- a ected by leprosy that the supporters of TLM needed work of the Mission and take up Belgium are helping through their prayer and leadership roles. their giving for TLM projects in DR Congo, WED: With the changing demands of Chad, Nigeria, Nepal and Indonesia. he Leprosy Mission Trust India (TLMTI) delivers healthcare, our hospitals need upgrades of WED: TLM Belgium is very grateful for all the its healthcare programme through 14 hospitals T infrastructure and equipment. Pray that God warm support it receives from the TLM Global and two clinics spread across 10 states of India will raise resources for our hospitals, so we Fellowship. It feels as though this is growing – Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, can continue to provide the best services. with the years. Let us pray that the Members Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, These changes are also much needed as a of the TLM Global Fellowship may continue Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. new generation of professionals joins the to develop into a worldwide and warm family, The hospitals and clinics address all aspects Mission. fully dedicated to striving together to defeat of leprosy as a medico-social disease, provide THU: Pray for the strengthening of the or nearly 50 years now, TLM Belgium has been leprosy and transform the lives of all those specialised leprosy referral services, and primary- community outreach work of the hospitals. Fencouraging Protestants of all denominations who are a ected by leprosy. level preventive healthcare through community These programmes raise awareness about in Belgium to support persons a ected by leprosy THU: Let us pray that the team of volunteers outreach. Leprosy is a major cause of disability leprosy and its treatment, promoting early in many parts of the world by praying, donating at TLM Belgium may hear the Lord’s voice and the hospitals address the issue of disability reporting and implementing preventive and getting practically involved as a volunteer. so they can be inspired and guided by Him through institution-based and community- “ healthcare. Although Protestants are only a very small and see how to consolidate and expand the based disability management. Also, the hospitals minority in Belgium, with the Lord’s inspiration activities of TLM Belgium so as to reach more provide secondary-level healthcare in other FRI: Pray for all sta and their families, that and guidance, TLM Belgium believes that it should people in Belgium. medical specialities, such as dermatology, God will continue to bless them and use be possible to reach more people and to motivate ophthalmology, general medicine, general them for His glory as they serve in various and enthuse more Belgians to get involved in FRI: TLM Belgium endeavours to improve surgery, and obstetrics and gynaecology. departments in our hospitals. Also, pray for supporting persons a ected by leprosy by prayer, its website and develop a Facebook page in their spiritual growth. order to connect with new supporters who TLMTI provides holistic care for the physical, donating and practical involvement as volunteers. prefer using these media. Pray that TLM mental and spiritual well-being of elderly SAT/SUN: Pray for good partnership with In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic was a wake- Belgium may succeed in attracting a new persons disabled by leprosy in its ve Snehalayas the Government at district and state levels up call and a true challenge to consolidate and team of volunteers to develop and maintain (Snehalaya is a Hindi term which means, ‘a house so that our hospitals can work together and to stay in touch with existing loyal supporters, as these newer communications channels. of love’) spread across three states of India. have a greater impact in the geographical well as to explore new ways and means to reach areas that God has placed us. new supporters. SAT/SUN: Several donors prefer to donate TLM Belgium tries to do so by attracting a more by receiving a tax certi cate, enabling younger generation of volunteers who know them to recover part of the donated amount how to get and stay connected with the younger through their annual tax declaration. TLM generation of supporters in Belgium. Belgium is grateful that for many years Protestant Solidarity has provided such tax certi cates. Give thanks and pray that this BOARD OF TRUSTEES cooperation may bear more fruit and become Paulin Songolea Bakalania - Acting Country Leader closer. Francis Van De Walle - Chair Marijke Sajet - Vice-Chair and Chair of the Dutch-speaking Working Group Irène Masika Katselewa - Member, Chair of the French-speaking Working Group Renée Hugaerts - Treasurer Norbert Ngila Bampunga - Secretary Top: A doctor examining a leprosy patent at TLM Purulia Tünde Csákány – Member Hospital, West Bengal. For a full list of sta in India, turn to p88 Top: Songolea and his wife Irène at a fundraising activity. 54 55 KEY PARTNERS 6–12 SEP THAILAND AND INDONESIA 13–19 SEP
PRAYER POINTS PRAYER POINTS
USA McKean MON: Please pray for support for ALM sta MON: Give thanks and pray for the new and partner hospitals who are contending leadership team at McKean and the start of with the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 the new independent living units. pandemic, especially as they seek to continue TUE: Pray that marginalised and care for people a ected by leprosy and disadvantaged patients will be able to travel nancing of that work. for the treatment they need, and will nd new TUE: Please pray for perseverance for our hope, mobility and well-being women-led WASH project in India. Pray that WED: Pray for doctors to provide timely these women will remain hopeful as they diagnosis and correct treatment for new help their neighbours with hygiene habits leprosy patients in Thailand attending American Leprosy Missions that will protect them from leprosy and other integrated general clinics, and for appropriate ounded in 1906, American Leprosy Missions infectious diseases. (ALM) is the oldest and largest Christian support to be given to many disabled patients F Canada organisation in the United States dedicated to who are growing elderly and frail. curing and caring for people a ected by leprosy WED: O er God praise for our CEO, Kim Indonesia and related diseases. ALM has transformed the Evans, who has led the organisation through McKean Hospital THU: Pray for the direct involvement of lives of more than four million people worldwide a pandemic and various initiatives to better cKean is a hospital and Christian service people a ected by leprosy in the promotion, through medical treatment and training, Christian position us to serve people a ected by centre owned by the national Thai church. prevention and treatment of leprosy. Pray for outreach, prevention of disability, community neglected tropical diseases. M TLM has supported this ministry in di erent ways the ongoing leprosy and prevention training development and research. THU: Pray for greater awareness and concern over McKean’s 112 years of continuing service. and technical development for health workers among Canadians for the people we serve. Today McKean continues to provide to ensure their knowledge, skills and readiness effect:hope Pray that more Canadians will come alongside specialised services for leprosy patients, access in providing these vital services. ect:hope (The Leprosy Mission Canada) is and choose to support the work of e ect:hope to treatment and rehabilitation for displaced and focused on ending the injustice of neglected FRI: Give thanks and praise for the e and our partners through prayer and gifts. marginalised people, and multi-tiered aged care tropical diseases like leprosy. collaboration of TLM New Zealand and TLM Ireland services for a broad range of people in need. Since 1892, we have been working together with Netherlands, working together with NLR- McKean also trains care-givers for the elderly, our partners to treat these diseases, to advocate FRI: Please pray for the development of our Indonesia and the Indonesian Department provides palliative and hospice care, and pastoral on behalf of patients, and to help restore lives. research projects and the piloting of our new of Health to undertake intensive case nding care support for all involved. As well as this, We fund ground-breaking research and provide programmes around the world. Pray that our and distribution of the preventative antibiotic, McKean also provides teaching and leprosy ongoing care and training to empower patients and relationships with our partners will continue to Rifampicin, as we seek to end transmission. awareness to medical personnel. healthcare workers. deepen and grow. SAT/SUN: Pray for the awareness raising SAT/SUN: Pray that our Board will continue to activities at village level and the developing Indonesia The Mission to End Leprosy (The Leprosy be led by God to work towards ending leprosy. of relationships with a diverse range of ndonesia ranks third in the world in the number Mission Ireland) Pray that they continue to be bold in their community leaders to encourage community of leprosy cases. TLM teams in New Zealand, e support strategic interventions to map, goals for the organisation. I support for our health interventions. the Netherlands and Australia have partnered prevent, and treat leprosy. Our interventions W with NLR Indonesia to work in one of the poorest prioritise impact. In addition to our ght against districts in West Java, Indramayu. leprosy, we work with other neglected infectious The project supports the work of the local and parasitic diseases. health facilities by intensifying case nding, KEY STAFF improving leprosy control, implementing a preventive antibiotic (to household and social McKean sta contacts of someone a ected by leprosy) and Boonyarid Promsuttipong - Manager, Acting Director KEY STAFF Dr. Ratana Panpanich- Assistant Director strengthening community involvement and ALM Arunee Jimpalee- Chaplain, Head of Social services empowerment. Top: Surya, 10 years old, lives in India. He had early signs Bill Simmons – President and CEO Paratee Chalermliamthong- Head of Nursing Services of leprosy without knowing it. But one of the community e ect:hope Warit Anuchiracheewa- Head of Aged Care. resource people in ALM’s women-led WASH programme Kim Evans – CEO and Executive Director Indonesia sta (within the TLM NZ o ce) recognised Surya’s symptoms and got him the treatment The Mission to End Leprosy Gillian Whitley – TLM NZ Country Leader he needed. Surya has now been cured and can look Ken Gibson – CEO Andrew Harding – Programmes Adviser forward to a life without disability or stigma. Top: A young boy being screened for leprosy in Indonesia. 56 57 TLM CHURCHES 20–26 SEP HUNGARY 27 SEP–3 OCT
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I Unless the Lord builds the house the builders labour PRAYER POINTS PRAYER POINTS will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not in vain... for he grants sleep to those he loves. overcome it. MON: Praise the Lord. He has covered the Psalm 127:1-2 MON: Join us in giving thanks to God for His Matthew 16:18 Earth with churches and communities of faithfulness and the many ways we have been worshippers. Thank Him that thousands of permanently experiencing it along the 47 those church communities are dedicated to years of TLM Hungary’s activity so far! defeating leprosy. TUE: Give thanks for the dedication of TUE: Covid-19 provided challenges for Christian churches in Hungary towards churches all over the world. It also meant helping people a ected by leprosy, for the that we had to nd new ways to reach pastors, priests and ministers of the di erent worshippers. Thank God for our dedicated denominations who have a heart for the sta who didn’t allow physical distance cause of the Mission. Give thanks for the to stand between them and forging faithful church contacts, whose dedication connections with the churches that sustain and ongoing stimulation is keeping the ame our Mission. alive. WED: Our goal is that there will be no new WED: We have been engaging more with cases of leprosy by 2035; we will nish the secular audiences through lea et inserts into work that Jesus started and end leprosy. To LM Hungary has been supporting the work di erent magazines, appeals, advertisements, and online activities. Pray for the e cacy of he Leprosy Mission is supported by around 6,000 achieve this we need funds, and churches are among people a ected by leprosy since 1974, T these e orts, that they will touch the hearts of churches all over the world. These churches a crucial source of funding. Please pray that standing alone in the Eastern region of Europe in T many Hungarians. are central to our e orts to defeat leprosy and new churches will be inspired to give money doing that. The activity is nurtured by individuals transform lives. to support people a ected by leprosy and and churches. THU: Reaching out to the next generation is Some churches play their part with fundraising end the disease for good. To keep prayer for people a ected by leprosy a key focus for us. Sharing our Mission with events and by donating money, while other THU: Thank God for the churches and church going, ASK has been translated by a group children, youth and young adults, as well churches are crucial links to the communities we are leaders in leprosy-a ected communities who of mainly young volunteers into the national as future generations of church ministers, is looking to support as they share information about partner with us and help us to reach more language for the twelfth time. TLM’s Bridge happening across online marketing activities, leprosy and signpost people a ected to the support people a ected by leprosy. Pray that we will devotional is sent out monthly online to each local live presentations, and campaigns. We o er they can receive. be able to forge more of those connections church to help spread the spirit of an overseas volunteering opportunities in various ways. In fact, during the Covid-19 pandemic, our links as we strive to end leprosy transmission by Christian mission. Pray that these activities will be the seeds that with churches were essential as it was through them 2035. For our fundraising work, the backbone of fall upon good soil! that we provided public health information about FRI: Some of our church partners are in what we do is the regular newsletters to individual FRI: We are thankful for the spiritual and the virus to isolated communities. countries where it is not always easy to be a and church supporters, while we also work on personal relationships with our project Whether the church is in Melbourne, Lagos, Christian. Please pray for God’s protection for recruiting new, younger supporters through online partners. Pray for these links to be expanded Manchester, Yangon, Johannesburg, Auckland, them and for courage in the face of pain. channels, ads, appeals, and campaigns. and developed through a spirit of fellowship Belfast, Zurich, Stockholm, or Kinshasa, they are all Part timers and volunteers play an important and serving together. SAT/SUN: As church communities gather role countrywide as church contacts, with online part of God’s kingdom and they are all playing a role SAT/SUN: Give thanks for the small team of together this weekend, keep them in your marketing, database and administrative support, in His and our mission to end leprosy. part timers and volunteers, the Chair and thoughts and your prayers. There will be translators, advisors, and with manual tasks, members of the Board, and the di erent services every weekend that talk about such as packaging up our newsletters. Younger committees and advisors. Give thanks for the ending leprosy. Rejoice with us and thank generations of students are ongoing support in good working atmosphere amongst all of God for the thoughts, prayers, actions, and these tasks. donations of all these churches. these groups and pray that this will continue. Pray that Marta, the Country Leader, will be able to listen to God’s guidance as she plans, innovates and acts in the interests of people a ected by leprosy.
Top: This is a church in Wan Tong leprosy village in Eastern KEY STAFF Shan State, Myanmar. Donations from The Leprosy Mission’s supporters in England and Wales, as well as local Marta Risko – Country Leader donations in Myanmar, provided the community of people Dr Andrea Bartha – Chair of the Board Top: Students support the TLM Hungary team with mailing a ected by leprosy with a new church building. newsletters to supporters. 58 59 DEVOTION There is no person affected by leprosy who doesn’t matter to Jesus
nished the phone call. I shut my o ce door. The Apostle, Paul, wrote “We remember before We remember before our II collapsed into a chair, crying. I’d never had our God and Father: Your work produced by such a moving conversation with a supporter faith, your labour prompted by love and your God and Father: Your work before. He had called me from palliative care. endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus produced by faith, your He wanted to know about a project he was Christ.” 1 Thes 1:3. Paul saw Jesus as the King investing in. Even in the last stage of his life, he of Israel and that the gospel means all people labour prompted by wanted to know about others. He had been can follow Jesus. a supporter of people a ected by leprosy his love and your The Leprosy Mission’s supporters understand whole life. this. To them, it doesn’t matter if they have endurance inspired I had to take some time out. His faith in Jesus never met someone with leprosy. But the moved me. I worry about my life all the time, person with leprosy matters to them. Because by hope in our Lord I schedule it to the last minute. But this man they matter to Jesus. Jesus Christ. didn’t. He knew he couldn’t add a single hour Re ection: When you consider all your giving to his life by worrying. He was looking for 1 Thessalonians 1:3 through The Leprosy Mission, both time and God’s kingdom. He was looking for Jesus. He money, what has most captured your heart was storing his treasures in heaven. He was a and attention? living example of Matthew 6. Tim Collison I’ve had the joy of meeting many supporters Engagement Manager at The Leprosy Mission Australia of The Leprosy Mission in the last few years. And they all move me. They all remind me of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. They are not naive. They are successful businesspeople, homemakers, part of their local church. But, they have understood the Sermon on the Mount. Sometimes I am asked what I most enjoy about my job and my answer is always the same. “The supporters.” Their faith always encourages mine. They are living Matthew 10:8.
60 61 THE LEPROSY MISSION AUSTRALIA SHOP 4–10 OCT GLOBAL NETWORKS 11–17 OCT
“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, PRAYER POINTS and whoever sows generously will also reap PRAYER POINTS generously. Each of you should give what you have MON: The Leprosy Mission Shop runs an MON: During the Covid-19 pandemic, GPZL decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or acquisition campaign for new shoppers. set up three task groups which worked to under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Give thanks for the success of this year’s nd out how the pandemic was impacting 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 campaign. Please pray all rst-time buyers people a ected by leprosy and how leprosy will become regular shoppers. NGOs could make a di erence. Their work TUE: Praise God! The Leprosy Mission Shop was exceptional in 2020. Join us in thanking helps lift people out of poverty by stocking God for this work and pray that the legacy of fair trade artisans’ goods from around the these e orts will continue to be felt. world. Pray these artisans are blessed and TUE: In 2020, EU-CORD welcomed a new their income is sustained. Praise God for all team member, Peter, who heads up the who shop to support them. advocacy work of the organisation. His work WED: The Leprosy Mission Shop buys many as a coordinator means that our e orts as a network of Christian NGOs in working with products from artisans a ected by leprosy he Leprosy Mission belongs to a range of the European Union are more focused and and disability. Praise God for this wonderful networks all across the world. These networks T concentrated. Pray that God will grant Peter double impact. Give thanks for the artisans’ allow our voice, and the voices of people a ected wisdom as he leads this network. God-given abilities. Pray these purchases by leprosy, to reach further than our one voice would be a blessing for them. could reach on its own. WED: Pray for Geo Warne, who is the CEO of THU: Groups and volunteers sell products Our networks cover a range of issues: leprosy, ILEP. Pray for him as he leads the network in to their friends and community groups. Give Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), disability, all of its work, particularly as he advances the thanks for how they help people a ected by international development, and research. These cause of people a ected by leprosy with the aring consumers can “Shop to Stop Leprosy” leprosy in this way. Please pray they would networks allow us to advance the cause of people United Nations. Cwhen buying gifts and everyday essentials continue to be successful in their e orts. a ected by leprosy, often at the highest levels of THU: Pray for our friends at DPI. They are through The Leprosy Mission Shop. FRI: Christmas shopping supports many NGO and government policymaking. working with us to try and break down the Sourced from around the world, the curated people a ected by leprosy. Please pray Some of the networks TLM are involved in are: walls between leprosy peoples’ associations hand-made range is all about fair trade. Fair trade and disabled peoples’ associations so that for another successful year. Pray especially ILEP – The International Federation of Anti- provides artisans a ected by leprosy, disability, or • people a ected by leprosy can nd a place in that this season would see many new and Leprosy Associations disadvantage a digni ed income. It enables them recovered customers. the wider disability movement. Pray that this to support themselves, their families, and even • The Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy (GPZL) work will have a great impact. empowers whole communities. SAT/SUN: The Leprosy Mission Shop has Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI) FRI: The Leprosy Research Initiative has Gift of Love donations improve the living successful partnerships with Australian • EU-CORD – A network of 24 Europe-based succeeded in providing funding for vital standards of someone a ected by leprosy or producers. Give thanks that these • Christian organisations working towards the leprosy research projects. Praise God for this disability through overseas projects. Gifts like partnerships bring in new support for eradication of poverty great provision; it is a vital part of working to protective shoes, scholarships, vocational training, people a ected by leprosy. Please pray these defeat leprosy. Pray that LRI will continue to and toilets! A Gift of Love card is a precious partnerships continue to strengthen. NNN – The Neglected Tropical Diseases NGO • direct resources to projects that will have the keepsake for you or for the friend you’ve donated Network most impact on the lives of people a ected the gift on behalf of. • The Leprosy Research Initiative – TLM is one by leprosy. The range changes seasonally over Christmas, of ve organisations who are making major Summer/Autumn (Fall), Easter, Winter/Spring and contributions each year to this joint fund to SAT/SUN: Some of these networks are there are special o ers throughout the year that are support leprosy research Christian networks, some of them are not. too good to resist. Every season is a reason to be a Pray that, whatever networks we are a part cheerful giver, because every purchase changes the of, we will be shining beacons of God’s light lives of people a ected by leprosy and disability. and hope within them.
KEY STAFF
Top: The Leprosy Mission Australia Shop’s Merchandise Supa Thejan – Merchandise Manager Top: Ruth Faber, EU-CORD CEO, meets with the Manager, Supa Thejan, introduces Aussie supporters to Jocelyn Lee – Inventory and Logistics Coordinator Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, on local artisans in Nepal. behalf of European NGOs. 62 63 NORWAY AND ITALY 18–24 OCT INDIA – VOCATIONAL EDUCATION 25–31 OCT
PRAYER POINTS PRAYER POINTS
Italy MON: Pray for more industries to come MON: Please pray that the team will be able forward to collaborate with TLMTI for in- to attract a younger donor base, especially plant practical training, job placement through their new Facebook page and the of graduates, and capacity building of website. instructors. TUE: Please pray for all of TLM Italy’s TUE: All our VTCs have strong alumni wonderful volunteers. Pray that their associations. Through these, the VTCs energies will remain high. maintain regular contact with their graduates even after they are employed and support WED: Please pray for new and powerful them to grow professionally. Pray for growth campaigns for the future so that Italy can be of the alumni associations and that the a strong supporter of all the work that TLM alumni may support each other. does. WED: Along with job-oriented technical Norway skills, our VTCs provide holistic development THU: Pray for the board of TLM Norway. of students through life skills, disability Pray that they will have wisdom to know prevention, and management programmes. Italy how best to restart the organisation and the he Leprosy Mission Trust India (TLMTI) has Pray that, through these initiatives, students issione Contro la Lebbra has been a part of fundraising activities. Tsix vocational training centres (VTCs) spread will develop digni ed lives and make a MTLM’s Global Fellowship since 2018. FRI: Pray for the work to develop a across six states of India - Andhra Pradesh, di erence in their own communities. Our team is comprised only of volunteers who Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar fundraising strategy for the country that THU: After completion of the skills dedicate time to spreading the news about what Pradesh and West Bengal. will bring in funds that will be put towards development training, many students opt can be done and what is currently being done defeating leprosy and transforming lives. Every year our VTCs provide institution-based for self-employment. Pray that they receive by TLM to ght leprosy and help people who are SAT/SUN: Pray for good partnerships to be vocational training to 1,000 boys and girls a ected the necessary support from the Government a ected by it. set up with the di erent churches in Norway. by leprosy or with disabilities. The training and community to initiate and establish their We set up our o cial Facebook page last year Pray that these churches will become regular prepares them for gainful employment. The businesses. so that supporters, who for decades had been job-oriented trades taught in the VTCs include supporters of the work to defeat leprosy. FRI: VTCs have links with reputable kept in touch through a paper-based newsletter, diesel mechanics, printing, computers, two/three- companies that provide job placements to could stay in touch online, as well. Thanks to the wheeler mechanics, and electrics. Facebook page, the website, and the newsletter, the 1,000 students who join us each year. donors to TLM Italy have begun to give regularly Through its community-based vocational Pray for more companies to come forward to through PayPal. A major breakthrough was made training, TLMTI provides vocational training to provide job placements. women, men, and young girls and boys, allowing after we worked on a fundraising campaign with SAT/SUN: Pray for God’s guidance, wisdom, them to remain with their families throughout the International O ce. The response to this and protection for all sta engaged in their training. campaign left us amazed. skills training and vocational education We look forward to more to come! TLMTI not only provides job placement and also for the people a ected by leprosy support after trainees complete the courses with whom they work. TLMTI’s vocational Norway but also advocates for fair labour and safe and education programme is instrumental round 20 years ago, TLM Norway was closed suitable working conditions for the students in in enhancing the earning capacity of Adown and the few donors that remained were their employment. individuals a ected with leprosy and general linked with TLM Sweden. Since then there has been disabilities. Pray that the graduates become no fundraising activities. However, a small group of self-reliant, take care of their families, cope interested persons are ready to restart TLM Norway. KEY STAFF with emergencies, and lead a digni ed life. With support from neighbouring countries during Italy the second part of 2020, important steps were Pietro Matino – Board Secretary taken to get TLM Norway set up once again and Franco Ciuchi – Treasurer they o cially joined TLM as an A liate Member in Elia Landi – Vice President Norway September 2020. Glenn Larsen – Chair Wenche Larsen – Treasurer Ester Akinyele – Secretary Top: Students undergo vocational training at TLM Champa Top: TLM Italy’s Board Secretary, Pietro Matino. Vocational Training Centre. For a full list of sta in India, turn to p88 64 6565 Venancio’s story
enancio is from Mozambique. He was Vworking as a labourer in a timber yard in 1985 when he started noticing symptoms of leprosy. His company were good to him and took him to Pemba so that he could receive treatment. Unfortunately, these were the days of the Civil War in Mozambique and, although he received some treatment, he didn’t realise that the treatment was incomplete. He eventually lost his job in the timber yard due to being unwell. He went back to his village to take up Katapua. Until that project he had been using subsistence farming, but his leprosy symptoms traditional farming methods, which led to loss came back. He lived with ulcers in his feet and of crops and a bad quality yield. At the training eventually lost some of his fingers. he learnt about mulching and not burning the field, planting in rows, and thinning the plants. In 2004 he met members of ALEMO in Pemba. ALEMO is the association of people affected by He also joined the savings group, which leprosy in Mozambique. They encouraged him encourages him to put aside some of his to start taking treatment again and so he did. income and allows him micro-credits when His leprosy was cured, but its disabling effects he is in need. One of the best aspects of the have stayed with him. savings group is the community emergency fund, which is funded by members’ Meeting ALEMO became a significant moment contributions and supports those who are in his life. He started organising people in his ill so they can travel to hospital and access village as ALEMO members. They started out treatment. with five people in their group in 2005, but now they are up to 39 members. All of these Thanks to these initiatives, Venancio can now people have received treatment and the afford to send his son to boarding school in stigma associated with leprosy in the village Pemba. He says being able to give his son a has disappeared. This is thanks to our partners, good education is the biggest benefit of these ALEMO. projects for him. Venancio has also benefitted from our Livelihoods and Food Security Project in
66 67 FINLAND 1–7 NOV BANGLADESH – LEPROSY CONTROL AND 8–14 NOV RESEARCH “And remember! I will be with you always, to the end of the age.” PRAYER POINTS Matthew 28.20 MON: Pray that new fundraising e orts PRAYER POINTS will result in more individuals and churches wanting to support people a ected by MON: Please pray that the Leprosy Control leprosy. Programmes of TLM Bangladesh will be able TUE: Give thanks to God for the Board to continue active case nding initiatives and members and volunteers who freely give of provide quality treatment for leprosy patients their time and expertise, and pray that they in the di cult aftermath of the Covid-19 will stay motivated. pandemic. WED: Give thanks for many faithful donors in TUE: Please pray for the continued Finland, both individuals and churches, some cooperation of the Government Health of whom have been o ering prayers and Department, that they will commit to donations for many years. providing leprosy services despite the social and economic impact of the pandemic. THU: The Board plans to reach a wider hrough leprosy control and research, TLM WED: Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, support base amongst younger generations. projects address more than just the physical T very few people a ected by leprosy came to Pray for guidance, wisdom, and fresh needs of people a ected by leprosy and work DBLM Hospital for much-needed care and outreach ideas. Pray for the development of towards a leprosy-free Bangladesh. complication management. Please pray for online campaigns. The aims of the leprosy control programmes God‘s mercy and help for the people who are to ensure quality leprosy services, to raise FRI: Pray for renewal among the Christians of could not access the hospital, many of whom LM Finland’s team are volunteers who work to awareness, to stop the transmission of leprosy, and the world. will feel the impact of this delayed treatment raise awareness of leprosy and people a ected to prevent disability. T SAT/SUN: Pray and give thanks for The for a long time. by leprosy. Their supporters sustain the work of the TLM Bangladesh has been undertaking research Leprosy Mission’s Global Fellowship, its Mission through prayers and donations. These funds programmes on Zero Transmission, Zero Disability THU: TLM Bangladesh (in partnership with Members, sta , and diverse projects and are used to fund work in South Kivu in DR Congo. and Zero Discrimination for decades. Currently, our the Bombay Leprosy Project, India) is studying programmes. Pray for leprosy a ected The TLM Finland team produce newsletters and focus is on Zero Transmission through preventive whether additional Clofazimine (one of the people and their families. magazines in both Swedish and Finnish, which are strategies across the country and through work to drugs in MDT) will improve the outcome for sent to subscribers and churches throughout the develop an early diagnostic tool. We are searching people at risk of developing ENL. Please pray country. They also visit churches and schools to for an e ective drug to reduce ENL reactions for the success of this research project. increase engagement in the work to defeat leprosy. (painful nodules and in ammation) and related FRI: Please pray for adequate funding for They continue to reach out to younger donors disabilities. our research work in Bangladesh. We are the and develop their online materials. They are always We are also encouraging local researchers largest leprosy eld research centre in the looking for new partners with whom they can work. and institutions to engage in social research that world capable of large population studies may contribute to eliminating the barriers against to test interventions such as a eld-friendly social integration, quality treatment, and stigma diagnostic tests and new drugs for leprosy and reduction. reactions. This is vital research that will push us towards our goal of seeing leprosy defeated. SAT/SUN: Universities, Medical Colleges, and organisations of people a ected by leprosy are conducting social research on leprosy at a low cost with support from TLM Bangladesh. TLM Bangladesh has plans to KEY STAFF initiate new research in 2021. Please pray that Dr Abu Su an Chowdhury – Research Coordinator, TLM Bangladesh the institutions continue to conduct social Mr. Khorshed Alam - Project Manager, Leprosy Field Research and Leprosy research that will contribute to removing Control, RHP barriers against social integration, quality KEY STAFF Mr. Jeorge Biswas - Project Manager, Proyash and MEPD treatment, and stigma reduction. Mr. Parach Chakma - Project Manager, Chottogram Hill Tracts Leprosy Ms. Eija Kilpi – Chair of the Board Control and Rehabilitation Project (CHTP) Ms. Marja Aho – Vice chair Mr. Sultan Md. Elias - Project Manager, Chottogram Leprosy Management Top: Board Members, Vice-chair Marja Aho and Bo Ekman, Ms. Ritva Pohti – National Director /Secretary Project (CLMP) Top: Processing blood samples in our laboratory at DBLM at work. Hospital. 68 69 ENGLAND AND WALES 15–21 NOV NEPAL – ANANDABAN HOSPITAL AND 22–28 NOV TRAINING CENTRE We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though PRAYER POINTS PRAYER POINTS God were making his appeal through us. You are the light of the world. A town built on a 2 Corinthians 5:20 MON: Praise God for the talents and skills hill cannot be hidden. MON: Let us pray for the protection of of the Trustees who give their time to serve Matthew 5:14 Anandaban Hospital from natural disasters the team of England and Wales. As Andy i.e. oods and landslides. Pray for recovery Lancaster settles in as our new Chair of the from the massive funding crisis caused by Board, pray for continued wisdom and for Covid-19, when our local income dropped unity as our Trustees continue to guide the signi cantly for many months. Pray for the future of the work. safety of Anandaban Hospital’s kitchen sta TUE: Give thanks for our relationship and drivers. with Alice Cruz, the UN Human Rights TUE: Pray for the smooth operation of hospital Special Rapporteur on the elimination of work and for the sta who are living in the discrimination against people with leprosy. hospital compound. There are also patients Pray for new and impactful opportunities who are staying in hospital for a long time. to work together towards our goal of zero Please pray for their inner healing. discrimination against people a ected by WED: Many patients a ected by leprosy are leprosy. not able to seek medical treatment due to WED: We are blessed with an amazing several reasons, the major ones being stigma group of dedicated Vice Presidents and and a lack of awareness about the disease. As Ambassadors who raise awareness and we support them in providing quality medical t The Leprosy Mission England and Wales, we nancial support for our work. Pray that, care, please pray that we can give them our nandaban Hospital is located in southern are proud to be known as ambassadors for through their in uence and media pro les, continuous support. Pray also for the a ected A Lalitpur (on the outskirts of Kathmandu). Christ, partnering with others who are equally we can reach many new supporters for A people so that they will come in time for early Every year the hospital receives a large number passionate about sharing the needs of people people a ected by leprosy. diagnosis. Pray against further disabilities, a ected by leprosy. This includes supporters, o ce of leprosy referrals from all over Nepal and from THU: We are thankful for the sel ess stigma, and discrimination. volunteers, Vice Presidents, Ambassadors and many over the border in India. In addition to leprosy volunteering of thousands of people who THU: Pray for smooth coordination between more who share one vision: to see the end of leprosy patients, it caters to the general public as well. Its give time to help the England and Wales our Training Unit and the Ministry of Health in our lifetime. outpatient department is renowned for quality team in various ways. Help from church and Population. Pray for the renewal of At a team prayer day in 2020, God reminded orthopaedic and dermatology services, which representatives, volunteer speakers, o ce the TLM Training Centre with the Nepali us that we will be blessed when we are mindful of serve the general community of southern Lalitpur volunteers and interns is invaluable. Pray for Government’s Division of Health Services. the needs of the poor, the crippled, the lame and and beyond. God’s blessing in all that they do. Pray for the successful implementation of the the blind. (Luke 14). We are humbled to be part of TLM Nepal’s Training and Technical ve-year training plan (2020 to 2024) which the body of Christ, committed to serving those in FRI: Without our thousands of faithful Support Centre, equipped with a residential aims for sustainable leprosy training amongst marginalised and poor communities around the supporters, we will never achieve our goal training facility, provides extensive leprosy health professionals. world. of ending leprosy. Give God thanks for every and other Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) one of them and pray they know how much training sessions, building the capacity of FRI: Pray for the timely completion of our God loves their heart for people a ected by Nepal’s Government health sta , national Trauma Centre construction project and for leprosy. and international medical students, doctors, the safety and security of all workers. Pray that SAT/SUN: Praise God for the amazing team and community level volunteers. TLMN also we will be able to nd quali ed people who working together at England and Wales. Give supports the Nepali Government’s national are committed and motivated to work in a thanks for their dedication, focus and talents leprosy elimination programme through case faith-based organisation like TLM. used to serve the needs of our overseas validation, joint supervision, and monitoring of its SAT/SUN: Thank God for the exchange partners and people a ected by leprosy. programmes. programme between TLM Nepal, TLM Despite the busyness, pray they remember Bangladesh and TLM Myanmar, funded by to take time out to seek God’s will in all that KEY STAFF NOREC in Norway. Pray for capacity building KEY STAFF they plan and do. and skills development of participants. Dr Mahesh Shah - Acting Medical Director Peter Waddup - TLMEW Country Leader Dr Pradip Sapkota - Medical Superintendent Sian Arulanantham- Head of Programmes and Policy Mr Sher Gurung - Hospital Administrator Arminda O’Reilly - HR Manager Sr Mahima Bantawa - Nursing Superintendent Top: Phulti’s family sent her to live in a cave when she Louise Timmins Head of Fundraising Dr Deanna Hagge - Director (Mycobacterial Research Laboratories) received her leprosy diagnosis. She was forced to beg for Andy Lancaster - Chair of Trustees Top: Vice Presidents Pam Rhodes and Bishop Donald Mr Gopal Hari Pokhrel - Training Coordinator food. She used to cry a lot. Now she receives treatment, Allister visiting projects in Bangladesh in January 2020. support, and community at Anandaban Hospital. 70 71171 AUSTRALIA 29 NOV–5 DEC RESEARCH 6–12 DEC
And do not forget to do good and to share with PRAYER POINTS PRAYER POINTS others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16 MON: Praise God for the generosity of MON: Our research laboratories are as supporters in Australia. May He bless busy as ever. 2020 was a challenging year volunteers, nancial supporters, and prayer as we coped with Covid-19 on top of our partners. Ask Him to transform Australian routine work. Several of our senior sta are supporters, as they bless people a ected by approaching retirement age and we need to leprosy. replace them with high calibre scientists. Ask TUE: This month The Leprosy Mission God to guide us to the right people. Australia runs a “Save 10,000 Soles TUE: TLM Trust India’s research covers many Campaign”. This is a multi-channel topics, including addressing transmission, campaign to connect with new supporters diagnostics, child leprosy, disability, and provide protective shoes for people esearch is key to achieving our vision of Leprosy mental health, community resilience a ected by leprosy. Please pray the Holy RDefeated, Lives Transformed. In 2020, we listed and complication management. Pray for Spirit will inspire people to give through this six research priorities to focus on: committed sta and resources and favour as campaign. 1. Understanding and prevention of transmission we submit funding applications to research WED: This is the second year of The Leprosy 2. Early diagnostic tests grant agencies Mission Australia’s ve-year strategy. The rst 3. Leprosy reactions and neuritis WED: Give thanks for the promotion of Dr strategic aim is to be Christ-centred. All the 4. Detection, monitoring and treatment of Abu Su an Chowdhury to the position of ince 1913, Australians have been sharing other strategic aims ow from it. Please pray secondary impairments research coordinator for TLM Bangladesh. He Sthe vision to see “Leprosy defeated, Lives supporters, sta and volunteers will keep 5. Inner wellbeing, mental health and stigma and his team are busy with several studies. transformed”. Often from an early age, Aussie their eyes xed on Christ. 6. The impact of the UN Principles and Guidelines Pray for the success of a major study which supporters have a heart for reaching out to on Persons A ected by Leprosy (Human rights THU: Many people leave a gift in their Will is eld testing a diagnostic tool to detect people a ected by leprosy, as Jesus did. From instrument) for people a ected by leprosy. These equip leprosy before physical signs develop. saving their pennies in boxes to now often giving The Leprosy Mission Australia to carry out The Leprosy Mission’s research covers a wide THU: TLM Nepal’s research focus also covers sacri cially from their wages or pension. They see its work. Give thanks for these dedicated range of areas. Our world-class laboratories all strategic priorities, combining clinical, their giving as an act of worship to God. supporters. Pray God will inspire more (Mycobacterial Research Laboratories at social and/or laboratory aspects. Pray for Aussie Christian supporters are dedicated supporters to leave a gift in their Will – even Anandaban Hospital, Nepal and the Stanley ongoing and developing clinical trials to rolling up their sleeves and digging deep if just one percent of their estate! Browne Laboratory in Delhi, India) collaborate with of drugs to treat leprosy reactions. New into their pockets to lend a hand to provide other laboratories across the world. FRI: Many churches and community groups treatments are needed that are without healing and hope. Very practical and personal in Our hospitals and community programmes in Australia support people a ected by risk of serious side e ects and can prevent their support, they pray, volunteer, donate and are testing new ways to manage leprosy and its leprosy. Give thanks for them. Please pray permanent nerve damage and disability leave gifts in Wills. This year they will celebrate complications, including the social, mental, and God will continue to raise up more groups to development. Giving Tuesday by making it a Giving Shoes Day; emotional complications. We are excited about partner with The Leprosy Mission Australia. FRI: TLM continues to seek new innovations empowering people disabled by leprosy to walk new innovations in managing wounds and the for old problems. Pray for the multi-country again by providing protective shoes. SAT/SUN: There are strong relationships mental wellbeing of people a ected by leprosy study that is testing new ways to heal chronic Australians want to see a world where no one between the volunteer Board and National and other NTDs. su ers from any curable disease. Council and the sta team. Praise God wounds. If successful, it will change how for these strong bonds. Please pray they wounds are managed all over the world – not continue to work together for the bene t of just for leprosy, but for other diseases, such people a ected by leprosy and bring glory SENIOR STAFF as diabetes and Buruli Ulcer. to God. TLM International Research Committee SAT/SUN: Our research can only make an Prof. Warwick Britton (Chair) - University of Sydney, Australia impact if we publish it. Pray that we can SENIOR STAFF Dr Paul Saunderson - American Leprosy Missions continue to share our research in peer- Prof. Diana Lockwood - London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine reviewed journals, at conferences and at Sheldon Rankin – Chief Executive O cer Prof. Jan Hendrik Richardus - Erasmus University, The Netherlands scienti c meetings, as well as translate Geraldine Toh – Finance Manager Prof. Pushpendra Singh – ICMR - National Institute of Research in Tribal research into practice. Andrew Newmarch – International Programmes Manager Health, Jabalpur, MP, India. Paul Andrews – Marketing Manager Senior Research Sta Tim Collison – Engagement Manager Top: Sheldon Rankin, CEO of The Leprosy Mission Australia, Dr. Abu Su an Chowdhury - TLM Bangladesh Tina Mitchell – Customer Service Manager welcomes Amar Timalsina, a person a ected by leprosy Dr. Deanna Hagge - TLM Nepal Nerida Collard – Executive Assistant and member of The Leprosy Mission’s Global Fellowship Dr. Joydeepa Darlong - TLM Trust India Board. Top: Researchers at our Stanley Browne Laboratory in India. 72 73 INDIA – ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATION 13–19 DEC GLOBAL VOICE 20–26 DEC
Speak up for those who cannot speak for PRAYER POINTS PRAYER POINTS themselves, for the rights of all who are MON: There are over 100 laws in India that destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the MON: The Covid-19 pandemic placed a lot discriminate against persons a ected by rights of the poor and needy. of pressure on governments. That pressure leprosy. These laws violate their human Proverbs 31: 8-9 is being felt in some places even today. rights, such as the right to participate in Our teams and partners are encouraging political life, the right to inclusion, and the governments worldwide to maintain their right to freedom of movement. Pray for support for people a ected by leprosy, even the Government to prioritise these issues as there are new pressures facing national and repeal all discriminatory laws in a budgets and priorities as a result of Covid-19 collaborative way. and the subsequent economic slump. Pray he Leprosy Mission Trust India’s (TLMTI) Advocacy TUE: Champions are great in uencers and that these conversations will be fruitful. Tand Communication work supports people the voice of their communities. Pray for TUE: Our teams are working on projects a ected by leprosy to speak out on the issues God’s continued guidance and direction across the world that provide training for important to them, thus defending and safeguarding as we facilitate the capacity building of people a ected by leprosy so that they can their rights, and ensuring their voice is heard by champions and provide forums to speak out advocate on their own behalf with local and policymakers. and advocate. national governments. Pray for those people TLMTI engages with strategic partners at state WED: A lot of work has been achieved with a ected by leprosy, that they may have and national levels to highlight the issues faced the help of strategic partners. Pray for new courage and skill as they speak out. Pray that by people a ected by leprosy, through strategic strategic partnerships to be built and old their e orts will succeed. communication and targeting negative attitudes and partnerships to be strengthened. WED: Please pray for policymakers practices. THU: Collaboration and communication around the world. There are many di cult TLMTI’s advocacy work addresses the barriers ll over the world people a ected by leprosy within TLMTI units is crucial and important as decisions facing them each day and their faced by people a ected by leprosy by in uencing have their human rights stripped away. They we roll out advocacy plans and campaigns. A work is challenging. Pray for wisdom and policies and practices involving those a ected by are turned away from schools, from jobs, from Pray for seamless interaction, strengthened good decision-making. Pray that they will leprosy and other disabilities. TLMTI uses innovative housing, from family, and from community. All this relationships, and deeper understanding. remember people a ected by leprosy when communication methods to in uence social is because of stigma. There is no good reason to Especially pray as all TLMTI units work they are making decisions. knowledge and attitudes on leprosy and other turn anyone away because of leprosy. on implementing a rmative actions and THU: Please remember Alice Cruz in your disabilities. Our work to change this is a continuation and policies in their own states. prayers. Alice is the UN’s Special Rapporteur an evolution of the words from Proverbs 31:8-9. for leprosy. Her work is vital in holding FRI: The Advocacy and Communications We use our voices to speak up for people a ected governments to account and encouraging team has to develop creative ideas and by leprosy, but we also train, encourage, and work them to provide or change policies so that vibrant and strong internal and external with people a ected by leprosy so they can have people a ected by leprosy are cared for. Pray communications messages on di erent opportunities to speak for themselves. for her work, that it will be successful and media platforms. Pray for the team to be This work has had a dramatic impact in she will see the best ways she can make a strengthened with new members and great recent years, as a community whose voices are di erence. ideas. Pray for the success of all initiatives. often rejected by their own families and local SAT/SUN: Good government relations are communities are now being heard at the highest FRI: We have sta worldwide who are very important as we implement our work. levels of international and national government. speaking out and conducting The Leprosy We need to build and strengthen relations Together we are ghting to get back those rights Mission’s advocacy work as we work to the with other Ministries. Pray for God’s guidance that have been stolen. Mission’s advocacy strategy for 2019-23. and favour with each Ministry and for them Pray that we will achieve the goals of the to acknowledge and appreciate the work strategy, including our ght to repeal all laws of TLMTI and work closely with us as we that discriminate against people a ected by demonstrate our value as a partner. leprosy. SAT/SUN: Please pray that all of our advocacy work is successful and that it will achieve its ultimate goals: the end of Top: The National Consultation on the Concluding Observations of the CRPD Committee where TLMTI, discrimination against persons a ected by along with champions developed by TLMTI and members Top: Steven is a person a ected by leprosy who is an leprosy and an end to leprosy transmission of Disabled Peoples’ Organisations and Civil Society advocate for other people a ected by leprosy in Papua and disability. Organisations participated. For a full list of sta in India, turn to p84 New Guinea. (© Daniel Christiansz) 74 75 OUR CHRIST-CENTRED WORK 27–31 DEC Pray for people The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; PRAYER POINTS I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. MON: Thank God for giving this opportunity affected by John 10:10 to be his hands on this Earth. Pray with us that our work will become increasingly holistic and Christ-centred in every aspect. leprosy with new TUE: Pray for the members of our Spiritual Ministry Working Group, who lead the prayer requests spiritual direction of The Leprosy Mission. Pray that God will guide their work as they lead our Global Fellowship closer to him. available on your WED: Pray for God’s sustaining power in the life of the Mission. Pray that our sta , phone every day. volunteers, and partners will be encouraged by this power and motivated by being a part of this Kingdom work. THU: Remember in your prayers all of those TLM sta members who are working on the front line with people a ected by leprosy. They are modelling God’s love amongst some of the most vulnerable people in the world. Pray that the Holy Spirit will inspire their actions. FRI: Pray for our newly appointed ‘Integral Mission Country Link Persons’ as they n 2019, The Leprosy Mission began working seek to promote Integral Mission and Iaccording to a new Global Strategy. This strategy Christ-centredness within their country encouraged us to work towards zero leprosy programmes and with their colleagues and transmission, disability, and discrimination. But, right partners. Thank God for the churches that at the centre of the strategy is a call to be Christ- mobilised to support people a ected by centred in all that we do. leprosy throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. No matter when or where you are, if you “Integral Mission” is the term used in the Global The actions of those churches were Strategy to describe this. We can think of “being incredibly powerful. are struck by an inspiration to pray for Christ-centred” as our aim and of “integral mission” people a ected by leprosy, you can do so as the way we put this aim into practice. This means bringing life in all its fullness to people a ected by following The Leprosy Mission on the by leprosy. Our approach is holistic, so we work on PrayerMate app. medical healing, community-based rehabilitation, economic self-su ciency, inner wellbeing, social inclusion, and an encounter with the love of Christ. praynow4.org/leprosymission
PrayerMate page (we’ll also try and squeeze a small ad in on page 2 or 3)
Use PrayerMate branding materials in the folder, with yellow background and the praying hands. Include QR code if possible.
Top: A sign on the wall of our partner hospital in Niger, “Jesus gives life”.
76 Copy to read 77 Pray for people affected by leprosy with new prayer requests available on your phone every day.
No matter when or where you are, if you are struck by an inspiration to pray for people affected by leprosy, you can do so by following The Leprosy Mission on the PrayerMate app.
praynow4.org/leprosymission Pastor Elisha’s story
astor Elisha became a Christian about P35 years ago. Now he is the leader of a “I never dreamt or leprosy colony in India and a champion for our CREATE project. imagined that I could have The CREATE project runs in four districts in achieved such a status.” India. The project develops the capacity of people affected by leprosy to become agents of change as they address the issues of leprosy-related stigma and discrimination. The project he is able to contest the schooling project also offers training and employment rights of children from leprosy backgrounds, opportunities to help people affected by including his own grandchildren, so that they leprosy earn a living. can attend Government schools. Pastor Elisha is married to a leprosy-affected “We still have to fight for such things, but person and lives in the colony with his because we are aware of our rights, the children and grandchildren. He is very proud villagers can challenge the Government and, of what he is doing through the CREATE with the success and experience gained to project, date, fight their cause successfully.” “I never dreamt or imagined that I could have Pastor Elisha continues to pray and dream of achieved such a status.” a world when leprosy-affected families could be fully integrated into non-leprosy affected Before the project he was an individual communities. coordinator and he had some influence and could give help and services to his local With the work that Pastor Elisha and others like community, but with CREATE the opportunity him are doing through the CREATE project, we to influence at the state or even country level are bringing more and more people affected has become far greater. He is better placed by leprosy out from the margins. Together we to bring about change for people affected by are transforming lives. leprosy. When his children were younger they were not allowed to go to school because people thought they would be affected by leprosy. Now as a champion through the CREATE
78 79 HOW TO GET INVOLVED
PRAYER SHOP One of the most powerful gifts you can Visit tlmtrading.com or give us is prayer. By using this diary, leprosymission.org.au/shop to nd gifts, you’ve done that, so thank you. books, crafts, homeware, and tasty treats. The proceeds from the sales GIVING on these websites are funnelled back into our work to defeat leprosy and Our work receives substantial funding transform lives. from individual donors – just like you – with 36 percent of our funding coming from people giving out of their own pockets, through regular giving and Find out how to give, one-o donations. volunteer, or leave a The money you give today can help to legacy today by finding end leprosy and transform lives across the world. the website and contact
VOLUNTEERING details of The Leprosy Our army of volunteers across the Mission in your country. world are having a huge impact Find their details on and there are lots of volunteering opportunities in many of the countries pages 86-87. that we work in.
LEAVING A LEGACY Around 15 percent of our income comes through people who leave a legacy in their Will. We believe that we are just 15 years away from ending leprosy transmission. If you would like that to be your legacy, include The Leprosy Mission in your Will today.
80 81 WHERE WE WORK
NORWAY The Leprosy Mission believes that strength comes from unity, working together SWEDEN towards a common goal. FINLAND We work hand-in-hand with SCOTLAND governments and with local DENMARK communities, with partner N. IRELAND NGOs, local churches, WHO, ENGLAND NETHERLANDS Christian partners and GERMANY many others to bring about WALES the defeat of leprosy and BELGIUM HUNGARY FRANCE transformation in the lives of SWITZERLAND people a ected. Together we provide treatment and care for SPAIN ITALY anyone living with the e ects SOUTH of leprosy in 18 countries KOREA across Asia, Africa and the Paci c. This would not be NEPAL possible without the support NIGER CHAD SUDAN of hundreds of thousands of people around the world that INDIA BANGLADESH have responded to this call. MYANMAR ETHIOPIA THAILAND
SRI LANKA SINGAPORE PAPUA NEW NIGERIA DR CONGO GUINEA
INDONESIA
TANZANIA TIMOR LESTE
MOZAMBIQUE
AUSTRALIA SOUTH AFRICA NEW ZEALAND
82 83 YOUR LOVE LIVING ON V Ram IN THE NAME OF Babu’s JESUS Leaving a gift in your Will is an opportunity for you story to make an impact for generations to come, as together we can bring God’s Kingdom here on earth for the least, the last, and the looked over.
n important part of our work is ensuring It’s far from an easy ride for V Ram Babu and Athat people a ected by leprosy are a his wife. They start their day at 4am as they part of wider disability support programmes, take their scooter to work. The villages where and vice-versa. In India, many of our projects they sell are far o and many people leave aimed to support people a ected by leprosy early for work. When they get home V Ram We know that you share our dream also welcome people with other disabilities. Babu goes to work at the small tea shop that of a world free from the devastating he runs. V Ram Babu has been a ected by polio since e ects of leprosy – will you help us his early childhood. It has left his leg and hand Projects like these allow us to break down to continue working passionately to immobile and he had to drop out of school the barriers surrounding people a ected by make that dream a reality with a gift because of his disabilities. leprosy, but they also allow us to provide vital in your Will? support to other marginalised persons with Thanks to our team in India, V Ram Babu disabilities. learned to make cleaning products. He taught To find out more about leaving a the same to his wife, Durga, and together they gift in your Will, please contact The started a new venture. Now they sell these Leprosy Mission’s office in your cleaning pro ts to earn a living for themselves. country (see pages 86-7) With the money they’ve been able to make, they’ve moved from their humble origins to a point where they can buy a scooter, a fridge, and a TV.
84 85 COUNTRY CONTACT DETAILS
International Office Quartier Taradona Tel: 0033+ 7 83 85 74 95 Nepal Tel: +44 (0) 28 9262 9500 Sudan 80 Windmill Road Am Timan / Salamat Email: [email protected] TLM Nepal Country O ce Email: [email protected] PO Box 15079, Amarat Brentford Chad Website: missionlepre.org Satdobato-Chapagaun Road Website: tlm-ni.org Khartoum, Sudan Middlesex TW8 0QH Tel: 00235 66480913 / 98187190 Talchikhel, Lalitpur Tel: +249 912547080 (when in Sudan) UK Email: [email protected] Germany Nepal Papua New Guinea Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)20 8326 6767 The Leprosy Mission Germany Postal Address: P.O. Box 151 Unit 7, Wapil Crest Apartments Email: [email protected] Denmark Lepra-Mission e.V. Kathmandu, Nepal Budoa St, East Boroko Sweden Tel: : +977-1-5151371 Website: leprosymission.org TLM Denmark In der Halde 1 PO Box 3041, Boroko 111 Lepramissionen – Sverige Spedalskhedsmissionen 75365 Calw, Germany National Capital District, PNG Mastgatan 2D TLM Trading Ltd Peter Bangs Vej 5B Tel: +49 (0) 1575 2590 217 Netherlands Tel: +675 7377 9974 SE 692 71 Kumla Goldhay Way 2000 Frederiksberg Email: [email protected] Postal address: Post box 902 Email: [email protected] Sweden Orton Goldhay Denmark Website: lepramission.de 7301 BD Apeldoorn, Netherlands Tel: +46 (19) 583790 Peterborough PE2 5GZ Tel: +45 3529 4254 Visiting address: Arnhemseweg 17331 Republic of Korea Email: [email protected] UK Email: [email protected] Hungary BA Apeldoorn, Netherlands 31 Duryugongwon-ro 28gil Website: lepramissionen.se Tel: +44 (0) 1733 239252 Website: spedalsk.dk 1151 Budapest Tel: +31 (0) 55 76 00 500 Dalseo-gu Email: [email protected] Alag u 3, Hungary Email: [email protected] Daegu Switzerland Website: tlmtrading.com DR Congo Tel: 0036-30 6384736 Website: leprazending.nl Rep. of Korea (42670) The Leprosy Mission Switzerland The Leprosy Mission Congo Email: [email protected] Tel: +82 (53) 623 1001 French speaking office: 283, Avenue Kato Website: lepramisszio.hu Email: [email protected] New Zealand Mission Évangélique contre la lèpre Commune de Lingwala Australia PO Box 96262 Route de Denges 38 Kinshasa The Leprosy Mission Australia India Balmoral Scotland 1027 Lonay B.P. 14.347 Auckland 1342 37 Ellingworth Parade The Leprosy Mission Trust India The Leprosy Mission Scotland Switzerland Kinshasa 1, DRC New Zealand Box Hill , Victoria CNI Bhavan Suite 2, Earlsgate Lodge Tel: +41 (0)21 801 50 81 Tel: +243 (0) 99 34 44 584 Tel: +64 9 623 1865 Australia 3128 16, Pandit Pant Marg Livilands Lane Email: [email protected] Email: enquiries@leprosymission. Stirling FK8 2BG Tel: +61 3 9890 0577 New Delhi - 110 001, India Website: missionlepre.ch Email: [email protected] England, Wales, Channel Tel: +91 (0) 11 4353 3300 org.nz UK German speaking office: Website: leprosymission.org.au Islands and Isle of Man Website: leprosymission.org.nz Tel: +44 (0) 1786 449 266 Email: [email protected] Evangelische Lepra-Mission The Leprosy Mission England and Email: contactus@leprosymission. The Leprosy Mission Australia Shop Website: leprosymission.in Bernstrasse 15A Wales Niger Republic scot 37 Ellingworth Parade Postfach 175 Goldhay Way, Orton Goldhay, The Leprosy Mission Niger Website: leprosymission.scot Box Hill, Victoria Indonesia 3360 Herzogenbuchsee Peterborough PE2 5GZ TLM-Niger O ce Australia 3128 [email protected] Switzerland UK Kouara - Kano Tel: +61 3 9890 0577 Singapore Tel: +41 (0)62 961 83 84 Tel: +44 (0) 1733 370505 Rue KK - 02 TSLM Ltd. Email: [email protected] Italy Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] BP844, Niamey Tampines Central Post O ce Website: leprosymission.org.au/shop Str. S. Pietrino 1/b Website: lepramission.ch Website: leprosymission.org.uk Niger Republic PO Box 181 06129 Perugia (I), Italy Tel: +227 2035 1128 915207 Bangladesh Tel: +39 07550 58352 Ethiopia Mobile +227 96970172 Singapore Tanzania The Leprosy Mission International- Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] DCT Hombolo Hospital The Leprosy Mission International Tel: +65 96543752 Bangladesh Website: missionelebbra.org P.O Box 301 Ethiopia Email: [email protected] House-483 , Road-32 Dodoma-Tanzania PO Box 30480 Nigeria Mohakhali New DOHS Mozambique Tel: +255718847464 Dhaka-1206, Bangladesh Addis Ababa, Ethiopia The Leprosy Mission Nigeria South Africa The Leprosy Mission Mozambique 12/14 Kings Drive Email: [email protected] Tel: +88(2)9882058, 9881620, Tel: +251 113 698 235 The Leprosy Mission South Africa C. Postal: 138 , Pemba or [email protected] Email: beletshachewt@tlmethiopia. Fort Royal Homes Estate - Lugbe PO Box 46002 9846395 Cabo Delgado Province org P.M.B. 494 Orange Grove, 2119 Email: [email protected] Mozambique Area 10, Garki South Africa Timor Leste Website: tlmbangladesh.org Tel: +258 84 626 7503 F.C.T. Abuja, Nigeria Finland Tel: + 27 (11) 440 6323 The Leprosy Mission Timor Leste Email: [email protected] Tel: +234 (81) 1791 8420 Rua Lesibutak II, Fomento- Comoro TLM Finland Email: [email protected] Belgium Email: o [email protected] PO Box 84 Uotinmäentie 9 B 12 Website: leprosymission.co.za TLM Belgium o [email protected] Dili, Timor-Leste 00970 Helsinki, Finland Myanmar Tel: +32 474 471 856 The Leprosy Mission Myanmar Website: leprosymissionnig.org Tel: +670 331 0456 /76618000 Tel: +358 04497 08615 Email: [email protected] No. 12/K, Pyi Thu Lane Spain Email: [email protected] Email: rkpohti@gmail. Website: tlmbelgium.org 7th Mile, Pyay Road Northern Ireland Misión Evang. Contra La Lepra Mayangone Township TLM Northern Ireland Apartado De Correos, 51332 Chad France Yangon, Myanmar Lagan House E-CP 28080 Madrid, Spain The Leprosy Mission Chad 3 Square de Megève Tel: +95 1 666851 2a Queens Road Tel: +34 910 075 213 Mission Evangélique Contre la Lèpre 95380 LOUVRES Email: [email protected] Lisburn BT27 4TZ Email: [email protected] (MECL) France Northern Ireland Website: misioncontralalepra.es 86 87 INDIA SENIOR STAFF GLOSSARY TERMS
There are more cases of leprosy in India than ADT Alliance Development Trust (partner HEALTHCARE anywhere else in the world. Recent data suggest organisation in Sri Lanka) that 58% of global leprosy cases are in India. To Dr Famkima Darlong, Head – Healthcare ALM American Leprosy Missions re ect that, our team in India is, by some distance, TLMTI Salur Hospital (Philadelphia Community Hospital), Andhra the largest in the Global Fellowship. Pradesh: Mr Surjit Pal, Superintendent ALEMO Association of People A ected by THE LEPROSY MISSION’S TLMTI Muza arpur Hospital, Bihar: Dr Milind Chavan, Medical To best celebrate the excellent e orts of the many Leprosy in Mozambique (partner Superintendent organisation in Mozambique) people working in India, we’ve dedicated a special TLMTI Champa Hospital (Bethesda Leprosy Home and Hospital), GLOBAL DAY OF page to recognise as many people as we can. Chhattisgarh: Dr Sandeep Kumar, Medical Superintendent CBR Community-Based Rehabilitation TLMTI Chandkhuri Hospital, Chhattisgarh: Dr Manotosh Elkana, Medical CRPD United Nations Convention on the PRAYER Superintendent COUNTRYWIDE Rights of Persons with Disability TLMTI Shahdara Hospital, New Delhi: Dr Rajeev Nathan, Medical On Wednesday 12 May 2021, Operations Team Superintendent DBLM Danish-Bangladesh Leprosy Mission Dr Mary Verghese, Executive Director The Leprosy Mission is hosting a TLMTI Kothara Hospital (Kothara Community Hospital), Hospital Mr Abraham George, Director – Operations Maharashtra: Medical Superintendent (Vacant) worldwide day of prayer. Mr Samuel V. Thomas, Director – Finance and Administration TLMTI Miraj Hospital (Richardson Leprosy Hospital)/ Disability DPI Disabled Peoples’ International Dr Famkima Darlong, Head – Healthcare Management and Training Hub, Maharashtra: Dr Shirish Shegaonkar, Mrs Tina Mendis, Head – Sustainable Livelihood and Community DPOs Disabled Peoples’ Organisations Prayer has always been essential In-charge/Senior Programme Manager Empowerment to what we do and this year we TLMTI Vadathorasalur Hospital, Tamil Nadu: Dr Helen Roberts, Medical ENL Erythema Nodosum Leprosum Mrs Nikita Sarah, Head – Advocacy and Communication are bringing our sta , supporters, Superintendent (leprosy reaction with painful Dr Joydeepa Darlong, Head – Knowledge Management volunteers, and partners together Mr Amit Kumar, Head – Fundraising TLMTI Dayapuram Hospital, Tamil Nadu : Dr Suresh Herbert, Deputy nodules and in ammation) Mr Melvin Moras, Head – Human Resource Management Medical Superintendent to unite in prayer for a world GPZL Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Mr Benison Solomon, Head – Audit and Risk Management TLMTI Barabanki Hospital, Uttar Pradesh: Dr Timothy Maximus, Medical without leprosy. Mr Joseph Thomas, Head – Finance Superintendent IDEA Integration, Dignity and Economic Programme Coordinators TLMTI Faizabad Hospital, Uttar Pradesh: Mr Bino Berry, Superintendent Advancement (assocation of persons Find out how you can get Dr Ujjwal Hembrom, Coordinator – Hospitals TLMTI Naini Hospital, Uttar Pradesh: Dr Ruby Marshala, Medical a ected by leprosy) involved by contacting The Mr Karthikeyan G., Coordinator – Research Superintendent Leprosy Mission in your country Mr Babu G., Coordinator – Training ILEP International Federation of Anti- TLMTI Kolkata Hospital (Premananda Memorial Leprosy Hospital), (see p.86). Mr Vijayasekar G., Coordinator – Prevention and Management of Disability West Bengal: Mr Vijay Prathap, Superintendent Leprosy Associations Mr Vijay Patta, Coordinator – Vocational Training TLMTI Purulia Hospital (Purulia Leprosy Home and Hospital), West KKM Kaveri Kala Manram (partner Mr Sarvat Naqvi, Coordinator – Public Health Bengal: Dr Ujjwal Hembrom, Medical Superintendent organisation in Sri Lanka) TLMTI Almora Clinic, Uttarakhand: Mr Satyendra Mani, Deputy Superintendent LRI Leprosy Research Initiative COMMUNITY BASED REHABILITATION TLMTI Belgaum Clinic, Karnataka: Dr Suresh Varghese, Medical Mrs Tina Mendis, Head – Sustainable Livelihood and Community Superintendent MDT Multi-Drug Therapy (the treatment Empowerment for leprosy) Building Resilient Communities project: Mr Harsha Gudasalamani, Mr NGOs Non-Governmental Organisations Kismat Nanda, Mr James George, Programme Managers VOCATIONAL EDUCATION (such as TLM) Children Unite for Action project: Mr Naushad Hasan, Programme Manager Mrs Tina Mendis, Head – Sustainable Livelihood and Community NLR until No Leprosy Remains (a Dutch College on Wheels project: Mr. Vijay Patta, VTC Coordinator Empowerment NGO, formerly known as Netherlands Community Intervention Unit: Ms M. Phoebe, Programme Manager TLMTI Vizianagaram Vocational Training Centre (Platinum Leprosy Relief) Vocational Training Centre), Andhra Pradesh: Mr Vijay Patta, Principal Inclusive Empowerment project: Mr David Jaganathan, Mr G. and Coordinator – Vocational Training NNN Neglected Tropical Diseases NGO Manivannan, Mr Ram Robert, Programme Managers TLMTI Champa Vocational Training Centre (Chhattisgarh Vocational Network Jagruti project: Mrs Mangla Suresh Dhondge, Deputy Programme Training Centre), Chhattisgarh: Mr Mahendra Rao, Principal Manager NTD Neglected Tropical Diseases TLMTI Nashik Vocational Training Centre, Maharashtra: Mrs Shyla Udaan project: Mr Suresh Dhondge, Programme Manager Francis, Principal Women as Change Agents project: Ms Sneha Powar, Deputy PEP Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (a TLMTI Vadathorasalur Vocational Training Centre (Regional Programme Manager treatment that reduces the risk of Vocational Training Centre), Tamil Nadu: Mr Tinson Thomas, Principal developing leprosy after exposure to TLMTI Faizabad Vocational Training Centre (Wellesley Bailey the disease) Vocational Training Centre), Uttar Pradesh: Mr Keshaba Thanapati, ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATION Vice Principal SHGs Self-Help Groups Mrs Nikita Sarah, Head - Advocacy and Communication TLMTI Bankura Vocational Training Centre (Bill Edgar Memorial TLM The Leprosy Mission Mr Jacob Oommen, Team Leader - Communication Vocational Training Centre), West Bengal: Mr Gabriel Pani, Principal VTCs Vocational Training Centres
8888 89 Our Vision: Leprosy Defeated, Lives Transformed
The Leprosy Mission Prayer
Almighty Father, the giver of life and health, look mercifully on those who su er from leprosy. Stretch out your hand to touch and heal them as Jesus did during his earthly life. Grant wisdom and insight to those who are seeking the prevention and cure of the disease. Give skill and sympathy to those who minister to the patients. Reunite the separated with their family and friends. And inspire your people with the task set before The Leprosy Mission, that it may never lack the sta or the means to carry on its healing work, in accordance with your will, and to the glory of your holy name. We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen
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90 A publication of The Leprosy Mission International