Dressing the Wounds of Lepers
by Staff
August 13, 2007
WEST BENGAL, INDIA (christiansunite.com) -- It all started with a man whose heart was to reach the lost at any cost. His name is Gopan-a Gospel for Asia missionary. Gopan lives in the Indian state of West Bengal, where he first began to have a burden for those with leprosy. He is described as a man who shares the Gospel with everyone he meets.During his early days of evangelism, Gopan felt the Lord leading him to reach out to the leprosy patients he met at the hospitals he visited. Eventually he was lead to visit the patients and their families in the leper colonies where they were forced to live.
He listened to stories from families feeling ostracized by society, neglected and isolated, feeling resentment toward those outside their colonies, and living in confusion about the complacency of the larger society.
Gopan knew the Lord was going to use him to reach these suffering people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, yet the task appeared too immense. Then, by God's grace, Gopan was approached by a missionary named Pallav. This missionary asked Gopan how he might be of service to the lepers of West Bengal. Excitement and joy at the Lord's provision resonated in Gopan's heart-the Lord had answered his prayers!
Soon, two more missionaries-one of whom had been miraculously healed from leprosy-approached Gopan with a desire to reach leper colonies with the Gospel. Through the Lord's saving power, 40 lepers have been drawn to Him since then.
Currently Gospel for Asia is planning for Bible college students to receive training on basic treatment and first aid for those infected with leprosy. Pray the Lord will continue to develop this ministry, and that soon GFA missionaries will be able to physically help leprosy patients with medicines and dressings. Continue to pray the Lord will draw these people to Himself.
