The Non-Lepers Minster to the Lepers of India

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As soon as we pulled into the little colony we were greeted with immediate smiles and hand shakes. You could tell from the first couple of minutes that these people craved attention and physical touch. Many, if not all of them had families that had abandoned them when they learned they had leprosy. As my normal shaped white hand clasped many of their brown shriveled unshapely hands I was filled with instant compassion. A few men set up some woven long benches and we were ushered to sit down on them. At first we were the only ones sitting but eventually they slowly joined. Unable to find any questions to ask, I just sat there waiting and listening. 

Suddenly a woman who didn’t have leprosy but had tended her husband that had died only a month ago sat down beside me. Looking at her, you could tell she was tired and just wanted physical touch and love. So without even thinking I started rubbing her back and listening to the other conversations. Before I knew it she was fast asleep. I continued to rub her back and prayed for her. 

Earlier that morning, my encouragement card for the day was rest. I remember looking at it and thinking, “Thanks for rubbing it in that I’ve just had 3 days of rest and now have to go back to ministry.” I even wrote in my journal that I wasn’t too sure what this meant but that I couldn’t wait to figure it out. 

I got my answer as God revealed to me that sometimes encouragement doesn’t have to be solely for myself but can be shown through me. By rubbing this woman’s back I was able to provide her with 15 minutes of the best rest and peace that she has had since her husband started dying. How awesome is that? God never ceases to amaze me. 

“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 🙂