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These areas were previously grossly neglected, especially the treatment of leprosy. Before INF entered Nepal and began work in 1952 most leprosy patients lived in Leper colonies outside towns, some were cast out into the forest or left for dead. INF were the first to show people stricken with leprosy love and compassion. The same compassion was demonstrated by Jesus when He too encountered people with leprosy.
‘A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean. Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.”’
(Mark 1:40-41)
Many of these Leprosy patients, treated and cared for by INF put their faith in Jesus as a result and if they returned to their communities would often return eager to share their new faith (despite the risk of persecution and ostracism), like a teenage girl with tuberculosis, described in ‘Light Dawns in Nepal’ a book recounting the history of INF by Tom Hale.
The best thing about visiting INF’s projects and meeting the staff and people who have been impacted by INF’s work has definitely been seeing how INF’s work has served to grow God’s Kingdom.
Throughout INF’s history it has been a pioneer. When they first entered Nepal they were first to address the enormous problem of leprosy. They loved and cared for these people who had been rejected and outcast from their communities, even their own families. Now they pioneer in areas such as treatment for spinal cord injuries, palliative care and community-based rehabilitation.
After putting her faith in Christ as a patient, once healthy she returned to her village with a Nepali Bible and a hymn book ‘determined to share her new faith with family and friends. She is one of hundreds who have done likewise.’ Or if they continued to be rejected by their communities and families despite being medically declared free from leprosy (which often occurred) they found themselves a part of a new family, God’s family.
This trip made me realise just how important this kind of work is in the field of Christian mission and how providing access to things like healthcare, rehabilitation, education and employment for people in the developing world opens the door to the spread of the gospel. There are so many stories of people across Nepal whose lives have been changed by the work of INF as they have come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. By supporting the work of INF, both financially and in prayer you are helping support God’s mission in this part of the world as well as enabling people to improve the health and lives of the people of Nepal!
-Bree Turkington