"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15.

Watch rare shocking video footage and hear the heart-wrenching life stories of those stricken with leprosy...

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NEWSLETTER Special Edition February 2007- VOLUME 27
 INDEPENDENT CHURCH IN INDIA PO BOX 238 FREDERICKSBURG, PA 17026
website: www.indchurch.org email:info@indchurch.org

PAGE 5
Making a Difference in the Lives of Lepers

Since these poor souls have been rejected most of their lives, ICII wanted to do something special for them upon arriving at their new home. According to Indian custom, when someone puts a flower garland around the neck of another, it shows them great respect and honor. As each leper arrived, they each had a garland put around their neck and a warm welcome of love to their new homes. Everything ICII does at this project, we want to do differently than government-run leprosy colonies. We want all these special people to live the rest of their lives feeling as comfortable and wanted as possible. Sadly, most colonies in India are not well run, but are just existing mainly to keep lepers isolated.

One organization called "Rising Star Outreach", whose goals are to provide needs for leprosy colonies in India wrote this about two colonies they focused on to bring help: "The living conditions of those in the colonies we began serving in Southern India are quite pitiful. They are prohibited by law from working. Their only income comes from begging. They receive 300 rupees from the government each month (the equivalent of six U.S. dollars). That is supposed to cover all of their living expenses. Of course, it doesn't even come close to buying them enough rice to even subsist in a most basic manner. Each year these colonies have lost members due to starvation. Between their government allotment of 300 rupees and their begging, they simply can't get enough food".

Muthu is very happy to be appreciated.

This leper named Kosangi (featured in our last newsletter) wants to come to live at the community, but the man for whom he tends a small herd of goats will not release him. Kosangi is treated so badly that this man who claims to own him threatens to kill him if he no longer remains a slave to him. Please pray for Kosangi that the Lord will make a way for him to come and live here.

They live in very small rooms, usually with thatched roofs, which leak terribly. Most of them own only the clothes on their backs. Many of the leprosy affected persons in the colonies do not even have bandages to cover their open ulcers and wounds... It was shocking to see these people walking in the dirt with their open wounds. Many had open sores and ulcers on their bodies. Left untreated and open to contamination, these wounds frequently festered and became infected and abscessed, thus necessitating amputations... Almost all of them were either blind or going blind. They were despised by the other classes and completely socially outcast. Their suffering was unbelievable".

Independent Church in India's leprosy community will be far different than other colonies. We will provide their needs with three good meals a day, the comfort of sleeping in a bed, medicine for their sores, clothing and personal hygiene, and lots of love and appreciation. At their new home, they will feel special and appreciated. They have been untouchable, outcast from society, rejected, wounded, lonely, and hurting. But here on this promised land for lepers, a place of serene beauty, physical and spiritual care awaits those who are desolate and suffering.

This home will be like a resort where they can come to live the rest of their lives with all their needs provided for. ICII needs your help to get these Homes of Compassion started. We feel that the Lord has answered our prayers in providing this piece of land. As soon as the Lord provides and permission is granted, we will begin to build Homes of Compassion so these victims of leprosy can begin to come to their new homes. ICII will also be taking sponsorships for each leprosy resident for $30 per month.

Coconuts will be very refreshing for the lepers to drink.

You can change a leper's life by sponsoring them and adopting them into your family.

This sponsorship will provide for food and snacks we cannot grow on the land. It will also provide for their medicine, clothes, personal needs, and will help to keep the community running smoothly. As of now we know of very few ministries taking sponsorships for leprosy victims, but we wanted to do something different, something special. If you would like to be a big part of rebuilding the life of one person with leprosy, this will be a great opportunity. ICII's community plans are to make these homes a paradise for lepers. No longer will they have to suffer, be castaways, untouchables.No longer will they starve, or be rejected. We can not do this alone, but can only succeed with this project through the love, prayers and support of those who care. If you would like to sponsor a leper for $30 per month this will give one leper the family that he or she no longer has since he or she became a castaway.

You can write him or her letters of encouragement and adopt him or her as a family member by providing their needs. When you provide for one of these special people, you are lending to the Lord. "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again" Proverbs 19:17. We want to build more buildings bigger than this house because there are many elderly lepers that need love and tender care. So many are suffering needlessly because they are dreadfully poor. You can make life-changing differences in desperate lives. Thanks so much to all of you who helped us to purchase this Promised Land! God's richest blessings to you all for supporting and praying for this much needed project.

At their new homes, the lepers will have medical treatment which they normally cannot afford.

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