High on a hill in Nepal at the Leprosy Mission Anandaban Research Centre, pioneering work is taking place to reach the greatest height of all – ending leprosy. But the lab is at risk of closing due to its age, limited facilities and the effects of the major earthquake in April 2015. When he led worship on 3rd April, Revd Don Nichols presented an appeal from the Leprosy Mission for donations which are urgently needed to build a new world-class research centre at Anandaban. Worship included a dramatic presentation by members of the congregation of the story of Namaan, the Syrian commander healed of leprosy when the prophet Elisha told him to bathe in the river Jordan seven times (2 Kings 5). Don then showed a video of the work of the Leprosy Mission research facility and some of the people cured of leprosy but still facing discrimination. Donations raised £265.

The Leprosy Mission

Every two minutes, someone is diagnosed with leprosy. That’s more than 200,000 new cases a year. Although it is curable, millions of people worldwide are living with the effects of the disease, from physical disability to mental health problems, poverty and discrimination.

The Leprosy Mission is a global Christian organisation leading the fight against leprosy. Following Jesus Christ, it seeks to bring about transformation; breaking the chains of leprosy and empowering people to attain healing, dignity and life in all its fullness. Everything they do is focused on its goals of zero leprosy transmission, zero leprosy disability and zero leprosy discrimination. It works in four key areas to achieve this.

Diagnosing and treating leprosy

Caring for disabled people

Fighting stigma and advocating for change

Pioneering research

Information from the Leprosy Mission website: leprosymission.org.uk