Holding Hands

Here in the grounds of the leper colony at Darsarapalli a recent structural addition is a large covered verandah where residents can sit outside in the shade. The temperatures soar up into the high 40s here in the high hills and the summers are pretty intense. A small team looks after the patients and ensures that everyone stays as well as possible. Hyderabad ecclesia supports Darsarapalli with regular visits and Sunday breaking of bread meetings. The Rec Bro, Aaron, is passionate about this place and is working with the CYC and the ecclesial members to continue to encourage them to become involved with the patients and the work. Today we brought some games with us - Ludo, snakes and ladders, chess and a carrom set. This is a super-popular game in India and had been requested by some of the patients as a good way to foster companionship and fun. The idea is to flick tokens into side pockets on a large wooden board and as not many have use of their fingers we thought this might prove problematic. But we watched as one man with very contorted hands flicked the tokens with the side of his palm. It caused great hilarity but brought a real sense of inclusion for him. We played snakes and ladders and again it was pretty great to hear folk laughing out loud at the dice throws that brought a quick descent down the board. 

Leprosy has many echoes for bible readers. But being in the company of the sufferers it is difficult to write dispassionately about how this is the way we should view our sins, without further saddening those sitting here beside us. Their flesh is wasting away and you can only be filled with compassion and an ache for the one who has healing in his wings to come to the rescue. For us and for them. I think I learned that if we just focus academically on how leprosy is used to describe sin we fail to be merciful and sad for the lepers. We miss too the wonder of the touch of Jesus who reaches out his healing hands and holds the poorly hands of these folk. It takes some time to build the confidence to sit and connect with lepers. Holding their hands is not for the faint hearted. Of all the afflictions in this world this illness is the most publicly visible with its brutal ravaging of skin and bone. When we first came to live in Hyderabad our driver took us to Darsarapalli. He had no experience of leprosy and was extremely fearful and anxious. Could he become ill if he breathed the same air? What if some of their blood got on his hands? Would he become infected? He parked the car and waited in the shade by the gate. But slowly with each visit, his confidence rose and his connections with the patients progressed. He came with us a little further in, spoke hesitatingly to some men, stayed for lunch, joined in the games and functions, Now he is a friend of all there and visits by himself, taking gifts. Such is the power of the gospel of the son of God at work to transform hearts and minds. We are thankful for the input of WCF at this place, the works of grace and the invaluable finance for urgent care. The beginning of Mark's gospel says Jesus was filled with compassion and reached out his hand and touched the leper and he was healed. What a wonderful Lord we serve (Mark 1:41).