ASK 2020 PRAYER DIARY - The Leprosy Mission
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Welcome from the International Director Dear praying friends and colleagues, At the time of writing, I have just returned from a trip to Niger in West Africa. Niger sits right at the bottom of the United Nations Human Development Index, and is therefore one of the poorest countries in the world. It is also a place where The Leprosy Mission works to see leprosy defeated and lives transformed. I am pictured here with a group of children from a leprosy affected community in Niger. Every twenty minutes a child somewhere in the ANUJ’S STORY world is diagnosed with leprosy. It is heart breaking to see children affected by this ancient disease, and a tragedy that this is still happening today. It is also why The Leprosy Mission is prioritising stopping leprosy transmission by 2035 so that we don’t see child cases of leprosy in the future. Last year, The Leprosy Mission Global Fellowship T wenty-four year old Anuj Kumar is from a large family in Barethi village in India. In 2016, Anuj was studying for his BA degree Following the surgery, Anuj was identified as a Champion for the CREATE project. The CREATE project empowers people affected by leprosy adopted a new Global Strategy for 2019-23. Part of this new strategy talks about us being a Christ-centred when he noticed changes in the fingers on to become change agents and challenge and organisation, following Jesus Christ to bring about his left hand. There were no obvious skin address the issues of leprosy-related stigma transformation, by breaking the chains of this ancient symptoms of leprosy, so the doctor could not and discrimination. disease, and empowering people to attain healing, make the right diagnosis. dignity and life in all its fullness. With the support of the CREATE staff, Anuj has After a year, his condition worsened. In 2017 visited Lucknow and Sitapur for advocacy and The ASK Prayer Diary highlights the work and ministry of Anuj went to the district hospital in Sitapur for leprosy awareness training. He has travelled treatment and was diagnosed with leprosy. to Raipur for Human Rights training and has The Leprosy Mission and the journey we are on to bring received Champion training in Lucknow. about transformation. It is my pleasure to present this to His family was shocked to know about the diagnosis. They isolated him completely. He “I had lost the zest to live. But today I attend you and ask that you join us on this journey by praying was made to sleep outside the house in the meetings and people shake my hand. It feels for our work across the globe. Thank you for support, it is cowshed and provided food separately. He felt good. It’s like I have returned back to life. I owe really appreciated! dejected, but he loved his family so much that this to TLM’s staff and to the CREATE project. I he did not go anywhere, but hid himself and have suffered a lot and do not want others to In Christ, avoided neighbours and friends. He would go through the same. Now I am teaching the hide his left hand while talking to people. community about leprosy!” Thankfully, TLM’s CREATE project approached Anuj and recommended that he go to TLM’s Brent Morgan Naini hospital for reconstructive surgery. International Director The Leprosy Mission International 1
CONTENTS International Director’s welcome 1 Chad 15 OUR VISION OUR MISSION OUR VALUES TLM’s vision and values 2 Democratic Republic of Congo 39 Following Jesus Christ, Because we follow Jesus Where leprosy is found today – world map 4 Denmark 40 Leprosy Defeated, The Leprosy Mission Christ, we value Prayer Diary 8 England and Wales 23, 73 Lives Transformed seeks to bring about • Compassion How to get involved 78 Ethiopia 31 transformation; breaking • Justice Where TLM works – map 80 Finland 27 the chains of leprosy, • Integrity Country office contact details 82 France 43 empowering people to • Inclusion India senior staff 84 Germany 14 attain healing, dignity • Humility Hungary 17 and life in all its fullness. FEATURES India – Advocacy and Communication 74 Laurinda’s story 6 India – Community-Based Rehabilitation 42 Mu Mu’s story 16 India – Countrywide 12 I urge you, first of all, to Bora’s story 28 India – Healthcare 34 Ian’s story 44 India – Vocational Education 50 pray for all people. Ask God Maimouna’s story 55 Indonesia 47 to help them; intercede on Ramawati’s story 60 Ireland 65 Kala’s story 76 Italy 75 their behalf, and give thanks Mozambique 24 for them. DEVOTIONS Myanmar 66 How do we prosper? 20 Nepal 36, 70 1 Timothy 2:1 (NLT) Our name and our identity 32 Netherlands 10 Trusting in the knowledge that God Having the mind of Christ 52 New Zealand 51 hears and answers prayer, holding to Striving for excellence 68 Niger 22 the belief that our work is the Lord’s, Nigeria 9, 56 and realising that all our human PRAYER DIARY BY THEME Northern Ireland 38 efforts are in vain without God’s Fundraising 37 Papua New Guinea 54 blessing and power, we share this ASK Global Voice 35 Scotland 45 Prayer Diary to encourage believers Integral Mission 46 Singapore 59 Research 26 South Africa 25 everywhere to pray for the extension Speaking Out 63 South Korea 59 of God’s Kingdom through this work. The Global Fellowship 8 Spain 49 The Leprosy Mission International 72 Sri Lanka 41 TLM Churches 48 Sudan 30 International Chairman ASK 2020 PRAYER DIARY The Leprosy Mission Trading 13 Sweden 67 Colin Osborne Published by The Leprosy World Leprosy Day 11 Switzerland 57 International Mission International Vice-Chair Founded in 1874 Tanzania 49 Anne Ratliff Production Editor PRAYER DIARY BY COUNTRY Thailand 47 Treasurer Tim Burton Australia 62 Timor Leste 18 Philip Putman Design Bangladesh – Community-Based Rehabilitation 58 USA 65 International Director Mark and Heather Knight Brent Morgan Bangladesh – Countrywide 19 Bangladesh – Leprosy Control and Research 71 Belgium 64 © The Leprosy Mission International 2019 Canada 65 2 3
WHERE LEPROSY IS FOUND TODAY For a map of the countries where TLM works see page 80 TLM is committed to providing long-term quality care and support in the name of Jesus Christ as long as there are people affected by leprosy who need it. GREENLAND GREENLAND ICELAND NORWAY EN ED CANADA FINLAND SW ICELAND RUSSIA NORWAY EN ESTONIA ED CANADA FINLAND SW LATVIA NETHERLANDS RUSSIA DENMARK LITHUANIA IRELAND ESTONIA POLAND BELARUS UK Y BELGIUM LATVIA N NETHERLANDS RMA CZECHIA UKRAINE LUXEMBOURG DENMARK LITHUANIA GE FRANCE SLOVAKIA IRELAND POLAND KAZAKHSTAN UK AUSTRIABELARUS MOLDOVA BELGIUM A NYSWITZERLAND MONGOLIA RM CZECHIA USA LUXEMBOURG GE SLOVENIA UKRAINE ROMANIA GEORGIA SLOVAKIA UZ FRANCE CROATIA ITA KAZAKHSTAN BULGARIA BE MOLDOVA LY KIS AUSTRIA BOSNIA AND TA KYRGYZSTAN NORTH SPAIN ARMENIA TURK MONGOLIA SWITZERLAND HERZEGOVINA TURKEY MEN N KOREA USA SLOVENIA ROMANIA GEORGIA AZERBAIJAN ISTA N TAJIKISTAN UZ CYPRUS AN CROATIA ITA PORTUGAL BULGARIA BE JAPAN HUNGARY ST LY K BOSNIA AND IST SYRIA KYRGYZSTAN NORTH TURALBANIA I ARMENIA TUNISIA KMENGREECEAN AN HERZEGOVINA SPAIN TURKEY LEBANON IRAQ IRAN KOREA CHINA MOROCCO ISTA JORDAN GH AZERBAIJAN N TAJIKISTAN NEPAL BHUTAN SOUTH MEXICO AN CYPRUS AN PORTUGAL JAPAN KOREA AF CUBA HAITI IST HUNGARY IST DOMINICAN REPUBLIC WESTERN SAHARA ALBANIA SYRIA KUWAIT ALGERIA K TUNISIA AN GREECE LEBANON LIBYA PA MOROCCO IRAQ IRAN EGYPT CHINA GH MAURITANIA JORDAN QATAR BHUTAN NEPAL SOUTH MEXICO BELIZE AN KOREA AF HAITI UAE INDIA CUBA IST GUATEMALA JAMAICA PUERTO WESTERN SAHARA BURKINA FASO KUWAIT SAUDI ARABIA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ALGERIA K RICO LIBYA PA HONDURAS PANAMA SENEGAL EGYPT ERITREA LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC MAURITANIA QATAR BELIZE TRINIDAD & TOBAGO MALI NIGER OMAN EL SALVADOR GAMBIA UAE INDIA THAILAND GUATEMALA JAMAICA PUERTO GUYANA BURKINA FASO SAUDI ARABIA CHAD SUDAN NICARAGUA RICO YEMEN BANGLADESH PANAMA COSTA RICA SURINAME SENEGAL LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC CAMBODIA HONDURAS GUINEA-BISSAU ERITREA DJIBOUTI VENEZUELA TRINIDAD & TOBAGO FRENCH GUIANA MALI OMAN MYANMAR VIETNAM EL SALVADOR GAMBIA NIGER NIGERIA PHILIPPINES GUYANA GUINEA CHAD SUDAN THAILAND MALAYSIA NICARAGUA COLOMBIA YEMEN ETHIOPIABANGLADESH SOUTH SRI LANKA SOMALIA BRUNEI SURINAME GUINEA-BISSAU SIERRA-LEONE DJIBOUTI CAR SUDAN SINGAPORE CAMBODIA COSTA RICA VENEZUELA ECUADOR FRENCH GUIANA MYANMAR VIETNAM MALDIVES NIGERIALIBERIA KENYA PHILIPPINES BORNEO GUINEA EG MALAYSIA PAPUA NEW COLOMBIA SOUTH TOGO ETHIOPIA UGANDA SRI LANKA CAR SOMALIA BRUNEI GUINEA SIERRA-LEONE COTE D’IVOIRE SUDAN RWANDA SINGAPORE ECUADOR BENIN DR CONGOMALDIVES KENYA BURUNDI SEYCHELLES BORNEO PERU BRAZIL LIBERIA EG GHANA CAMEROON UGANDA INDONESIA PAPUA NEW TOGO GABONRWANDA TANZANIA GUINEA COTE D’IVOIRE BENIN DR CONGO COMOROS TIMOR LESTE CONGOBURUNDI SEYCHELLES PERU BRAZIL BOLIVIA GHANA CAMEROON ANGOLA INDONESIA MOZAMBIQUE SOLOMON GABON TANZANIA ZAMBIA ISLANDS MALAWI SAMOA PITCAIRN ISLANDS COMOROS TIMOR LESTE PARAGUAY CONGO BOLIVIA ANGOLA ZIMBABWE MAURITIUS SOLOMON FIJI MOZAMBIQUE ZAMBIA MALAWI MADAGASCAR ISLANDS BOTSWANA NEW SAMOA PITCAIRN ISLANDS PARAGUAY AUSTRALIA CHILE ZIMBABWE NAMIBIA MAURITIUS ESWATINI FIJI CALEDONIA BOTSWANA MADAGASCAR LESOTHO URUGUAY SOUTH NEW ARGENTINA AUSTRALIA CHILE NAMIBIA AFRICA ESWATINI CALEDONIA URUGUAY SOUTH LESOTHO ARGENTINA AFRICA NEW ZEALAND NEW ZEALAND ANNUAL NEW CASES OF LEPROSY 10,000+ 1,000–9,999 100–999 1–99 No new cases detected No data available SOURCE: WHO 2016 10,000+ 1,000–9,999 100–999 1–100 No new cases detected No data available SOURCE: WHO 2017 10,000+ 1,000–9,999 100–999 1–99 No new cases detected No data available SOURCE: WHO 2016 4 5
LAURINDA ’S STORY L aurinda is from Cabo Delgado province in northern Mozambique. She was diagnosed with leprosy at the age of 11, but thankfully The Iphiro Yohoolo project focuses particularly on the was able to receive treatment before leprosy caused any disabilities. education of girls Laurinda has received support from a project called Iphiro Yohoolo which means ‘Road to the Future’ in Laurinda’s dialect, Macua. It’s a project that was set up by The Leprosy Mission Mozambique to give a better future to children and young people affected by leprosy and physical disability. School uniforms and equipment are provided for 200 children just like Laurinda and parents’ groups have been created to encourage them to value their children’s education. The Iphiro Yohoolo project focuses particularly on the education of girls, who are particularly at risk of being denied an education. Girls’ clubs have been set up in schools to give girls additional life skills, training, and extra-curricular education. After girls like Laurinda complete secondary school, the project helps them to access vocational training. With projects that support the education and vocational training of young people, we have the power to change the narrative of a whole generation; the impact can be enormous. 6 77
THE LEPROSY MISSION GLOBAL FELLOWSHIP 1–5 JAN NIGERIA – PART 1 6–12 JAN I give you a new commandment, that you love For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in one another. Just as I have loved you, you also PRAYER POINTS PRAYER POINTS Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no should love one another. By this everyone will WED: In 2019 the Global Fellowship grew as distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same MON: The 2020 World Leprosy Day know that you are my disciples, if you have love it included Finland as a Member. Please pray Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For celebrations will include a series of events for one another for the team in Finland, thank God for their whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be such as lectures, advocacy visits, and visits to John 13: 34-35 desire to see leprosy defeated and pray that saved. communities of persons affected by leprosy. they will be successful in their work to raise Romans 10:11-13 Please pray that God will continue to bring money for and awareness of The Leprosy forward people and organisations who will be Mission. willing to join the fight against leprosy. THU: There are a couple of times each year TUE: The TLM Nigeria staff conference takes when members of the Global Fellowship are place in May. Please pray that this year’s able to come together to meet so that we conference will be inspired by God’s love and can learn from one another and celebrate we will be filled with renewed strength and together. Please pray that these occasions commitment towards our work. will be joyful and that there will be safe travel WED: Pray for TLM Nigeria’s Board Meeting for all those who attend. in the month of May. Pray for wisdom and FRI: Across the Global Fellowship there foresight for all members as decisions are are more than 2,000 people working for made concerning the Mission’s responsibility The Leprosy Mission. Please pray for every to persons affected by leprosy and disabilities single one of these people, thank God for in Nigeria. their commitment to defeating leprosy and transforming lives and pray for God’s T LM Nigeria (TLMN) works in collaboration with THU: In recent times, the activities of T he Leprosy Mission Global Fellowship consists the Government of Nigeria, to support the herdsmen, bandits and kidnappers have led to blessing on them. increased security concerns. Thank God for the of TLM organisations or offices across 30 control of leprosy and other neglected tropical different countries worldwide. Each of the SAT/SUN: Please pray that the Fellowship diseases (NTDs) and their consequences on progress made to curb the menace, and pray Members of the Global Fellowship have made will grow in strength throughout 2020, that affected populations in Nigeria. TLMN ministers that God will give the Government the wisdom mutual commitments to work together as one. it will be a year full of rich blessings as we to over 33,850 persons affected by leprosy in and ability to restore and sustain safety, peace, The Fellowship was formed in 2011 when the work together as one to defeat leprosy and communities spread across 11 states in Nigeria. and normalcy. countries signed the TLM Charter, which commits transform lives. Every year, approximately 2,500 new leprosy FRI: Pray for the current 3-year TLM Nigeria us to: cases are diagnosed; 55% of whom are men, 39% strategic fundraising plan, that the team will • Uphold our common purpose and identity women and 6% of whom are children less than 15 years of age, indicating the ongoing transmission of continue to access existing and prospective • Contribute to the shared life of the Mission the disease in the communities. The World Health individual donors, corporate sponsors and institutional funders. • Strengthen our global unity Organization ranks Nigeria as third among African SAT: Thank God for TLM Nigeria’s supporters • Be mutually accountable countries in terms of leprosy burden. and volunteers. Ask that God will bless their • Observe financial stewardship TLM Nigeria works closely with leprosy-affected communities and other rural communities in work and families, and strengthen them as they have committed to serving in this The joy of being a part of a Global Fellowship is ensuring early case finding in order to reduce capacity. that each person can know that they are not just the consequences of the disease. TLM Nigeria’s working alongside the people in their office, but determination to continually make a difference SUN: TLM Nigeria, amongst four other people across the world who are committed to is targeted at transforming lives, reducing charities, received a donation of 800,000 The Leprosy Mission’s goal of leprosy defeated stigma, establishing sustainable livelihoods, and naira from GREEN WORSHIP to support an and lives transformed. eradicating leprosy, all of which was streamlined educational project for children from leprosy- This kind of fellowship has its roots in the Bible into the development of the renewed 5-year affected homes. This support is changing lives, and in how Christians have acted throughout Country Strategy (2016 – 2020). reducing stigma and providing an opportunity history. Because of this, Christ will always be at the for a better future. Please pray that God will heart of our Fellowship. bless these children as they learn and grow. SENIOR STAFF Dr Sunday Udo – TLM Country Leader Top: Persons affected by leprosy from Amanawa leprosy Top: Members from the Global Fellowship joined Mr Pius Ogbu Sunday – Head of Programmes & Operations community in Sokoto State express excitement as they together in traditional dress for a barbecue at the Mr Obinna Anagboso – Ag. Head of Finance & Administration access safe water from the new borehole provided by International Office in Brentford after a series of Mr Terver Anyor – Head of Funds Development TLM Nigeria with funding support from TLM Sweden / workshops in June 2019. SIDA 8 9
NETHERLANDS 13–19 JAN WORLD LEPROSY DAY 20–26 JAN But the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My Name, He shall teach you PRAYER POINTS all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with PRAYER POINTS you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, MON: There is always something to distract neither let it be afraid! us online and it’s not always easy to get John 14: 26-27 people to focus on an issue like leprosy. Pray that God will draw eyes to leprosy throughout this week, ahead of World Leprosy Day. TUE: When we work with journalists, we can broadcast our stories and mission far further than we can on our own. Please pray for all T he goal of World Leprosy Day is to raise those across the world who are engaging awareness of a disease that many people with journalists on behalf of TLM this week. believe has been eliminated. It is observed every WED: An awareness day is an invaluable tool, year on the last Sunday in January and this year it but a lot of its value rests in getting people will take place on 26 January. interested in leprosy for more than one day. In 2020 the theme will centre around stigma Please pray that people across the world will and discrimination, as it did in 2019. This year, continue to engage with leprosy work, even however, it will centre on the idea that ‘leprosy is after World Leprosy Day. not what you think’. The Leprosy Mission will be THU: The Leprosy Mission is just one part working with our partners to ask people, do you T he Leprosy Mission Netherlands (Leprazending Nederland) was founded in the 1980s to support The Leprosy Mission International with PRAYER POINTS know what you think you know about leprosy? The campaign will be across all of our of the World Leprosy Day campaign. Please pray for our partners, who are coordinating work alongside us, particularly IDEA (an MON: Pray for the wellbeing of Geeske campaigning channels, reaching people on social association of persons affected by leprosy) funds, prayer and human resources. The office is Zijp in Chad and her team. We are thankful media, through the press, and through videos. and ILEP. in Apeldoorn and there are ten members of staff, to God that Tanny Hagens completed her Please keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter seven board members and ten volunteers. FRI: Please join us in praying for the mission as Country Leader in Ethiopia and pages so you can show your support! TLM Netherlands supports two Dutch cross- policymakers who see our campaign. Pray cultural workers: that a replacement has been found: Mrs that God will touch them and encourage Geeske Zijp in Chad and Tanny Hagens who Beletshachew Tadesse. them to fight for a world where leprosy has has, in recent years, worked in Indonesia, Papua TUE: Thank God that the number of praying been defeated. New Guinea, and Ethiopia. supporters in The Netherlands keeps SAT/SUN: On the weekend of World Leprosy TLM Netherlands’ vision is to see leprosy and growing, with more than 700 people now. Day, pray for the success of our awareness rehabilitation services strengthened and to enable WED: Thank God for the new Chair and a new campaign, not just in reaching people, but in transformational change in the lives of people treasurer of the board. Pray that the board engaging and inspiring them, too. With God affected by leprosy in India, Bangladesh, DR Congo, functions as an effective team and that God on our side, we know we can do great things Myanmar, Nepal and Chad. In order to make that will lead them in overseeing the functioning this weekend. possible, TLM Netherlands seeks support from of TLM Netherlands. individual donors, churches and trust funds and THU: Thank God that the number of organises events to get people involved with the volunteers has increased. Pray for health vision and mission of TLM. and energy and inspiration for the whole TLM Netherlands team (board, staff and volunteers). FRI: Praise God for loyal support from many SENIOR STAFF Dutch people. Please pray that God opens Mr. Henno Couprie- TLM Country Leader new opportunities to work with churches. Mr. Cor van Leeuwen- Team Leader, Administration & Back Office SAT/SUN: Pray for fruitful cooperation with Mrs. Heidi Hoogvliet-Team Leader, Partners, Programs & Project Funding the project countries and for successful Mr. Mark van den Berg-Team Leader, Fundraising & Communication funding. Pray that God will open doors and Top: Members of a leprosy peoples’ organisation in that we can tap into new “sources”. Mozambique who gathered together to mark World Top: Staff and volunteers from TLM Netherlands. Leprosy Day in 2019 10 11
INDIA 27 JAN–2 FEB THE LEPROSY MISSION TRADING 3–9 FEB May the favour of the Lord our God rest on us; PRAYER POINTS establish the work of our hands for us– yes, PRAYER POINTS establish the work of our hands. MON: This year TLM Trading are celebrating MON: TLMTI is in the second year of implementing its seven-year country strategy Psalm 90:17 their 25th birthday! Pray that they will (2019-25). We thank God for guiding us and continue to help provide livelihoods for helping the team develop this strategy. Pray leprosy-affected artisans and that they will be for God’s continued guidance to implement given inspiration for new product ranges that the strategy and realise its objectives. raise money for the work of TLM. TUE: Pray for God’s guidance for the TUE: On Tuesdays, The Leprosy Mission operations team, unit heads, and programme Trading team holds a weekly meeting to managers as they work to realise TLMTI’s review sales, look at new product initiatives vision, ‘People affected by leprosy living with and discuss strategy. Pray that God will bless dignity in a transformed, inclusive society that these meetings with wisdom and discernment has overcome leprosy.” and that they will continue to work well WED: Pray for God’s guidance and wisdom to together as a team. overcome ongoing financial challenges and WED: TLM Trading produces three main I help TLMTI achieve financial sustainability nspired by the love of Jesus, TLM Trading strives catalogues a year. This week their Easter gift T he Leprosy Mission was founded in 1874 as ‘The Mission to Lepers’ by an Irishman named Wellesley Cosby Bailey, in Ambala, India. through fundraising, project development and internal revenue generation. to show love and compassion towards people affected by leprosy, and to empower them to catalogue will have been delivered by post to around 73,000 supporters. Please pray that our supporters will like our new range of THU: TLMTI’s interventions in the lives of attain life in all its fullness by providing resources Subsequently, in 1973, The Leprosy Mission Trust of money, awareness, new supporters and prayer spring products and that TLM Trading will see people affected by leprosy are in the areas of India (TLMTI) was registered as a Society under the for The Leprosy Mission charities. excellent sales for this catalogue. health, skill building, sustainable livelihoods, Societies Registration Act of 1860. TLM Trust India TLM Trading, the trading arm of The Leprosy THU: Please pray for TLM Trading’s small staff community empowerment, advocacy and is the largest leprosy-focused non-governmental Mission, is a mail order company selling a wide team. Pray that they will be able to find time research for their social inclusion. Pray for organisation in India and is headquartered in New range of gifts, greeting cards and books, primarily to explore new, fruitful avenues for sales. God’s guidance in this work. Pray also that Delhi. to the Christian community. They produce three Please pray for the success of the sales agents through TLMTI’s work, people affected by The organisation works with people affected by main catalogues per year, as well as operating a who sell TLM’s products directly into Christian leprosy will realise God’s love and care. leprosy, people with disabilities, and marginalised successful online shop (tlmtrading.com) which bookshops across the UK. communities, especially women. TLMTI has a FRI: Give thanks for our partners, such attracts thousands of customers each year. FRI: Praise God for the best-selling range of diverse set of programmes – Healthcare, Sustainable as national and local governments, non- They also sell a range of Gifts for Life – ‘virtual’ virtual gifts called Gifts for life. In 2018, TLM Livelihood, Community Empowerment, Advocacy, governmental organisations, civil society gift cards, which customers can buy to give to Trading raised £287,000 through the sales and Research and Training. TLMTI implements these organisations, national and international friends or to mark some special occasion and of Gifts for Life. TLM Trading has recently programmes through 14 hospitals and two clinics, development and research bodies, and which directly benefit someone with leprosy. launched 10 new gifts and we thank God that six vocational training centres, five residential care grassroots organisations. Pray for God’s They include items such as school equipment, eye it is now possible for supporters to personalise homes for elderly persons affected by leprosy, blessings on these partnerships so that surgery or even the ever-popular goat! the cards with their own greetings and that community empowerment projects, and a research together we can continue working to laboratory, spread across 10 states of India. eradicate leprosy. cards can be sent directly to the recipient. TLMTI conducts its programmes in collaboration SAT/SUN: Pray for TLMTI’s fundraising SAT/SUN: Please pray for Chris Wickenden, with people affected by leprosy and their initiatives. Pray that TLMTI will continue TLM Trading’s new chairman. Thank God communities, central and state governments, The to connect with more individual donors, for Chris and for the rest of the board, who World Health Organization (WHO), the International corporate sponsors and institutional funders. generously give their time, advice and Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations (ILEP) and Pray that God will grant them wisdom to take expertise to help us in our work. Thank God civil society organisations. advantage of opportunities to develop new for all the wonderful volunteers who come in TLMTI’s vision is to see ‘People affected by leprosy channels of partnership and income. to help TLM Trading with different projects. living with dignity in a transformed, inclusive society that has overcome leprosy’. The operations team (executive director, two directors and eight domain heads) leads the organisation in realising this vision. LEADERSHIP Jo-Anne Thomson – CEO Chris Wickenden – Chair Top: Dr Mary Verghese, Executive Director, TLMTI For a full list of staff in India, turn to p84 Top: The TLM Trading team 12 13
FEATURE GERMANY 10–16 FEB CHAD 17–23 FEB PRAYER POINTS PRAYER POINTS MON: Give thanks for the faithful service of MON: Please pray for peace, safety, and the volunteers supporting the German office. stability within Chad. TUE: Give thanks for the many faithful TUE: Join us in praying for good and fruitful people and churches who pray for our work working relationships with our partners, both and support us with their donations, their civil society organisations and churches. engagement, their creativity and their joy. WED: Pray for enthusiasm and zeal for the WED: Give thanks for our board at TLM leprosy work amongst the regional and Germany. Pray that they stay motivated. Pray district supervisors. for additional volunteers to think about new THU: Please pray for protection for our staff paths and new ideas. as we travel across the country to conduct THU: Pray that God will strengthen the our work. Please pray that our staff and network of volunteers and supporters in partners remain healthy and happy. Germany. Pray for enthusiasm for the work of The Leprosy Mission. T LM Chad is an integrated leprosy control and disability programme in the Republic of Chad. Since 1992 it has been based in the Guéra province FRI: We have started a new project in the Salamat, where we have not worked before. FRI: Pray that God opens the ears and hearts Please pray for this work as we find our feet at the heart of the country. From there it supports of people in Germany, allowing us to gain new in the province. Pray that we will be able to the national NLCP team with supervision, training donors not only in the south of Germany, but transform the lives of people in the Salamat. and active case detection activities. across the nation. Pray particularly for younger T LM Germany started as a local circle of Within Guéra province, TLM Chad has extended SAT/SUN: There is a physiotherapy service supporters. that is being installed in Am Timan hospital friends around Mr. and Mrs. Riedel. They were its activities to all persons with disability. They pioneers in the fight against leprosy, and worked SAT/SUN: Pray that God may open the doors provide walking aids like crutches, tricycles, and in the Salamat. Please pray for this work from 1951 to 1997 for The Leprosy Mission. Their to new professional donors. May He give us donkeys, so as to help persons with disability of the and pray that it will be able to make a big request was to bring God’s love to all people and success success in our new paths and our new lower legs to leave the house so that they can go to difference in the lives of people in the region. to make God’s Kingdom visible. ideas. school, work, or socialise. All members of TLM Germany’s executive To further integrate leprosy affected persons, committee are volunteers and are part of different TLM Chad supports the development of Disabled churches. They organise special fundraising Peoples’ Organisations that welcome people events and will be invited to various groups and affected by leprosy. communities in order to report on their projects. TLM Chad also supports the celebration of World TLM Germany supports projects in Niger, India Leprosy Day and the National Disability Day where and Chad. issues around leprosy and disability are exposed and discussed. For the coming 5 years TLM Chad hopes to extend its activities to the Salamat, a neighbouring province of the Guéra, where leprosy and disability work has not been developed. TLM STAFF Bunmi Oluloto – TLM Country Leader KEY STAFF Geeske Zijp – TLM Chad Programme Manager Marc Djibrine Victor – TLM Administrator Dr. Johannes Schäfer – Chair of the Board Zakaria Mahamat – TLM DPO Trainer Bettina Merz – Country Leader Abdel Dejlil Hassane – TLM Office Assistant/Driver Top: Fundraisers running at Run for One World 2019 Top: Geeske, Marc, and Abdel, from the TLM team in Chad. 14 15
FEATURE HUNGARY 24 FEB–1MAR The one who calls you is faithful. MU MU’S PRAYER POINTS 1 Thessalonians 5:24 MON: We give thanks for God’s faithfulness to TLM Hungary since its birth in 1974 and for the great number of former and existing volunteers. We give thanks for the privilege STORY of being able to represent TLM’s values as a ‘cuckoo-egg’ in this part of Europe. TUE: Give thanks with us for the dedication of many church groups and pastors/priests, and for TLM ambassadors from each denomination all over the country who are praying and donating. WED: Give thanks with us for our project partners in Congo, India and Ethiopia, for good relationships and the chance to nurture each other spiritually and by the sharing of information. Pray with us for blessing and F or 46 years, TLM Hungary has given prayer support and raised funds for the work of The Leprosy Mission around the world. Locally, the team perseverance for them amidst their hard work. in Hungary share knowledge and information on THU: We give thanks for the openness the needs of people affected by leprosy to inspire and understanding of many new donors Hungarian people to active help. who join this cause as result of publicity The main bases of continual support are and campaigns. Pray with us that God will M u Mu Soe is 33 years old and lives in “The hospital and the TLM staff gave me lots individuals and Christian churches. Reaching out open doors through which we can share Myanmar with her 11 year old son and of counselling and physiotherapy, I’m very to the wider population, TLM Hungary has regular TLM’s message as we discover new areas for campaigns in different areas of the country, inserting expanding our support. her father. She was diagnosed with leprosy thankful to them. I was happy living there – in 2002 and in mid-2013 her right leg was the doctors were very friendly.” leaflets into local and regional magazines and FRI: Pray with us for blessing on our key newspapers, or in door-to-door visits. Different volunteers, who are offering remarkable amputated as a result of a severe infection She’s hoping to receive a microloan from media appearances in Christian TV, radio and press services with their different and needed that spread up her leg. Now she wears a are extremely good opportunities for raising and skills, time, input, and enthusiasm. TLM that will help her pay for her son to be prosthetic limb. deepening interest. educated. SAT/SUN: Give thanks with us for the “When I had leprosy I didn’t really go TLM Hungary is also invited to hold performances constructive and responsible attitude “I’d like to breed pigs. I will do everything – in Christian schools, which they regard as sowing of committee members, the chair, and anywhere, I just stayed at home for about 8 seeds for the future, as through reaching out to whatever I want – until the day I die!” Mu Mu is members of the board, who want to give years. Surviving from day to day was really children and, indirectly, some of their parents, full of confidence and has much more hope in their best in their tasks to the glory of God. difficult, and my son was so young.” the next generation can be inspired in charitable life now she is pain free. Pray for the continuation of the loving and thinking and actions. peaceful atmosphere. Pray for Marta to have Mu Mu spent two years in a city called Mawlamyine, receiving treatment at a TLM wisdom and prayerful courage in planning and acting in the best interests of people supported hospital, where she eventually affected by leprosy. underwent the amputation. She didn’t see her son in the entire two years she was there. “I was really happy to see him again. Everything is better now than before. Before the amputation I couldn’t go anywhere with the ulcer and now I can go anywhere and do anything with this prosthesis!” Top: Marta Risko meeting with Congolese pastors and SENIOR STAFF church members who are working with many others to Marta Risko – Country Leader Photo © Tom Bradley stop the stigmatisation of people affected by leprosy. 16 17
FEATURE TIMOR LESTE 2–8 MAR BANGLADESH 9–15 MAR Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as Trust in the LORD with all you heart, do not depend working for the Lord, not for human masters. PRAYER POINTS on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you PRAYER POINTS Colossians 3: 23 MON: Thank God that TLM-TL has formed a do, and he will show you which path to take. MON: Give thanks to the Lord for the faithful local board and are ready to be registered as a Proverbs 3:5-6 supporting partners, their teams, volunteers, local organisation in the near future. and supporters who have ensured financial, TUE: Pray for the commitment made by Dulce prayer and motivational support that has Da Cunha, Bruder Nico Lay, Veronica das enabled TLMIB to continue activities to Dores, Gaspar Afonso, Jose Verdial and Colin change the lives of persons affected by Martin to support TLM Timor Leste as a local leprosy. advisory board. TUE: We experienced a rather peaceful WED: Pray for the new Directorate of political atmosphere in 2019, in spite of a Communicable Diseases - Ministry of Health, post-election period. Political stability helps which recently separated from National Public to ensure targeted activities are achieved Health Department. Pray for the new director and we pray that a similar situation prevails to have wisdom and for a relationship to be in 2020. built with TLM-TL and the new leprosy project. WED: The TLMIB team will go through THU: Thank God that TLM staff have fully participated in the development of Timor T he Leprosy Mission International Bangladesh implements 22 projects through 6 programmes various processes to develop their next strategic plan for 2021-2025. We seek God’s T LM Timor Leste’s vision is to see an Leste’s National Disability Strategy 2020-2024. across 30 districts and employs around 432 staff. The guidance and wisdom, enabling the team to improvement in the quality of life of people country office is in Dhaka, the capital. The office is design a proper strategic plan. FRI: Pray for the end term review and affected by leprosy or disabilities and their responsible for ensuring adequate support for and THU: Currently registered as an international development of the new country strategy that families. oversight of projects, networking with partners, and NGO in Bangladesh, pray that TLMIB will comes to an end in December 2020. Timor Leste achieved ‘leprosy elimination’ (less building relationships with relevant government continue to enjoy making good progress than 1 case per 10,000 in the population) in 2011. SAT/SUN: Pray for our plan to implement the departments. towards being registered as a local NGO, However, in recent years the number of new cases National Leprosy Review for the country, pray TLM Bangladesh’s projects include leprosy governed by a Bangladeshi Board. May God has been increasing, so TLM Timor Leste continue for expertise, coordination, commitment and control, community based rehabilitation, advocacy, shower his blessing upon the Chair and to advocate to the Ministry of Health, telling them enough financial support. Pray for Francisco and a leprosy referral hospital (DBLM) located at advisory board members as they guide us that leprosy still is a problem in Timor Leste. TLM da Costa, the Project Manager for the Nilphamari. successfully through this process. continues to work hard to find new cases, put Improved Leprosy Service project, as he leads In alignment with the global focus on ending the new project and new staff, pray for health, FRI: Pray for TLMIB’s need to maintain them on treatment early, and so prevent disability. leprosy transmission, TLM Bangladesh sees research wisdom and commitment. the Core Research Program in order to Every person affected by leprosy is of value; each into leprosy as a major pathway to achieving that maintain and invite quality research. one of us is God’s special work of art. goal and is looking to establish a core research Faithful commitments are anticipated from TLM Timor Leste currently works on projects programme with the necessary resources (facilities, the supporting partners to continue this to improve leprosy services, they run community knowledge and personnel) for sustainable endeavour. based rehabilitation programmes to integrate support. There is also a dedicated training centre at people affected by leprosy into the community, Nilphamari, providing leprosy and other training to SAT/SUN: Pray for TLMIB as we work on a they advocate for Human Rights at the national government and NGO staff. succession and a capacity development plan level, and they have produced a Gender Based TLM Bangladesh also provides services to reduce to replace experienced staff who are leaving Violence toolkit. the prevalence of tuberculosis in cooperation with the organisation due to retirement. Pray that the National Tuberculosis Programme. TLMIB is able to continue as an effective and leading leprosy organisation, partnering with the National Leprosy Program to strengthen SENIOR STAFF the health system. Mr. Salomon Sumon Halder, TLMIB Country Director SENIOR STAFF Mr. Jiptha Boiragee, Program Support Coordinator Mr. James Taposh Adhikary, Administration and Finance Coordinator Afliana Lisnahan (Nona) – Country Leader Mr. Surendra Nath Singh, Program Leader, Community Program & Rural Francisco da Costa – Project Manager (ILS) Health Program Nelson da Silva – Project Coordinator (CBR) Mr. John Arpon Samaddar, Program Leader, Chottogram & Dhaka Joel Costa – Project Supervisor (RPD) Mr. Augustine Amal D’ Rozario, Program Leader, DBLM Hospital Program Joaozina da Conceicao – Finance Manager Mrs Suma Reverio – Human Resource Manager Thalia Araujo – HR Manager Dr Benedict Alo D’Rozario, Chairman of the Board Top: Mr Salomon Suman Halder, TLMIB Country Leader, Top: The first Timor Leste Board Meeting with Kofi Nyarko, Wellesley Bailey award winner 18 19
DEVOTION HOW DO WE PROSPER? M issions and ministries that love Jesus are like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and life He has given us the real sense of what the psalmist means in Psalm 1:3. That person is like a tree The Leprosy Mission is like that person that whose leaf does not wither and whatever is like a tree planted by the streams. In our planted by streams of they do prospers. Jesus is the real source of our all needs. If our missions and ministries mission we constantly pray and read the Word water, which yields its fruit of God. Since 2005 I have been a part of TLM are with him, we lack nothing. He is naturally in season and whose leaf Nepal and now I am Board Chair. I’ve also had supernatural and, supernaturally, He is natural. the privilege to serve on the TLM International A short story from my life - God called me to board for 8 years. During these days I have does not wither- whatever work for people affected by leprosy in 1996 found that in this family we are always seeking they do prospers. while I was working in an organisation full God’s kingdom and His righteousness. time. God’s calling was so divine so I left my Psalms 1:3 As the Bible says, “But seek first His kingdom job and followed His voice. Many said that was and his righteousness, and all these things my foolish decision. will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). It From a worldly point of view, I had lost many is true that the day when we stop being near things that day, but spiritually I had received the streams of God, we start getting dry, stop everything. That day God had called me to yielding fruits and the leaf starts to wither. be by streams of water. Amazing miracles It would mean that the TLM mission would kept happening in our life and He fulfilled become purposeless, meaningless, useless all our needs. He became our real provider. and valueless. We have never been distracted from His As TLM’s Global Fellowship we don’t live for divine calling but keep moving forward, ourselves but for God’s glory, by serving serving people affected by leprosy, for their people affected by leprosy. God has called spiritual and physical healing, dignity, and the us to work for them, for their holistic change. transformation of their lives. In this journey, He They are among the neediest people of this never left us, nor did He forsake us. Praise God! world. I encourage you all to continue with I have been well known about Khokana God in fulfilling TLM’s mission – Leprosy leprosy colony at Kathmandu since my school Defeated, Lives Transformed. In this way we days. I would love to go there and share the can yield fruits in season and our leaf will not love of God with the people there. As a reward, wither, and whatever we do will prosper. God even has given me a precious gift: a wife Thank you and may the blessings of the Lord from the same community. Since then we be upon you forever! have continued serving God together there as Pastors. The great blessing of our life is that Pastor Ashok Adhikari we still work as volunteer Pastors and God is Chairman of The Leprosy Mission Nepal our provider for everything we need. In our 20 21
NIGER 16–22 MAR ENGLAND AND WALES – PART 1 23–29 MAR Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, PRAYER POINTS its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. PRAYER POINTS if any affection and mercy, fulfil my joy by being MON: TLM Niger is taking on a new initiative 1 Corinthians 12:12 MON: We give thanks for our faithful like-minded, having the same love, being of one to build a network with other NGOs to supporters, for all those who pray and accord, of one mind. advocate for people affected by leprosy and all who give gifts. We are blessed by the Philippians 2: 1-2 persons with disabilities. Please pray that the generosity of supporters who leave legacies, effort will yield positive results. funding around 25% of our work. Pray that TUE: Pray for TLM Niger’s team (Yohanna, every supporter knows that they are part of Saratou, Sani, Ichaya and Daouda) as they an amazing Mission, motivated by the love coordinate all administrative and project and compassion of Jesus. activities and work with government and TUE: Many of our team travel overseas to local partners in implementing projects help design projects and work with staff for people affected by leprosy and other in Asia and Africa. Give thanks for the disabilities. relationships of trust and co-operation that WED: The security situation in Niger is still have been built between countries, and pray a big concern due to crises and terrorist for these to strengthen through 2020. Pray attacks in neighbouring countries. Please too for protection as staff travel, particularly pray that the Lord will bring about peace and in volatile countries, and for their families keep the TLM team safe as they travel to visit here in the UK. projects. T he Leprosy Mission England and Wales values being part of a world-wide family, working to WED: Research is essential as we work T LM Niger’s vision is to see the lives of people affected by leprosy transformed through access to sustainable leprosy and community THU: TLM Niger has recently elected new board members. Please pray for wisdom bring healing and wholeness to people affected by leprosy. towards our goal to see the end of leprosy. Pray for significant new financial investment in research and for breakthroughs that and unity among the board as they take full As we raise funds and prayer support along services that enhance their potential to participate responsibility for all TLM operations in the provide new tools, including an early with managing many overseas programmes in actively in society. country. diagnostic test, so we are better equipped to South Asia and Africa, we pray that we will take TLM Niger works across six regions in Niger end this debilitating disease. FRI: Pray for CSL Danja hospital, which has time, individually and as a team, to stay focussed (Maradi, Zinder, Touha, Dosso, Tilaberi and THU: We pray that new doors will open been facing serious financial challenges and on the will and leading of Jesus and hear from Him Niamey) where they provide leprosy services such and for opportunities to put leprosy on the challenges in appointing a hospital director. in all areas of our work. as leprosy awareness training and supervision Commonwealth agenda. We also pray that Please pray that the Lord will turn around the As a team we give God thankful praise for of health workers. They also work with IDEA, an decision-makers in the UK and in countries fortunes of the centre. the success of the Heal Nepal campaign in 2019. association of people affected by leprosy, helping where leprosy exists recognise the need to Through the prayers and generous gifts of our them with training in advocacy, empowerment, SAT/SUN: Pray for Bunmi and his family; for increase efforts to fight both the disease supporters, including match funding from the and developing community awareness. Bunmi as he leads the team in Niger and and discrimination, and target government UK government, this was our most successful TLM Niger also run community development Chad as Country Leader; for his wife, Loveth, investment appropriately. fundraising initiative ever. We pray with trust in programmes such as providing micro credit and their children, as they cope with the our loving Father in heaven, that the work to find, FRI: We are blessed with the prayer and or grants so that people affected by leprosy harsh weather of Niger. cure, and heal people with leprosy in Nepal will financial support of many individual can create a livelihood. Their community have a long-lasting impact. churches and church groups throughout the development work also sees them build ventilated latrines and promote hygiene in communities to UK. Pray that we can engage new churches prevent water borne diseases. They run a housing from all denominations who share our desire project for homeless people affected by leprosy. to see the end of leprosy in this lifetime. SAT/SUN: Give thanks for the opportunity of match-funding and the benefit this has added to the impact of The Heal Nepal campaign. Pray for the UK Government, that SENIOR STAFF MPs will protect our national foreign aid SENIOR STAFF budget and that it will be spent wisely. Bunmi Oluloto – TLM Country Leader Ichaya Garba – TLM Niger Office Administrator Peter Waddup – TLM Country Leader Abdul Yohanna – TLM Niger Programme Manager Sian Arulanantham – Head of Programmes and Policy Saratou Barage – TLM Niger Technical Advisor Arminda O’Reilly – HR Manager Top: Left to right - Vice Presidents, Pam Rhodes and Bishop Sani Hassan – TLM Project Officer Louise Timmins – Head of Fundraising Donald of Peterborough, Lizzie Standbrook and Peter Top: The TLM Niger team Waddup, National Director, at the launch of Heal Nepal 22 23
MOZAMBIQUE 30 MAR–5 APR SOUTH AFRICA 6–12 APR PRAYER POINTS PRAYER POINTS MON: We will be extending a system of MON: Give thanks for new members of The health committees in leprosy-affected Leprosy Mission Southern Africa’s team, who villages throughout the year. In this way are strengthening awareness of leprosy and we can involve more community leaders in promoting the early treatment of leprosy. active case finding and follow up. We pray Pray for their safety as they travel far and that more people will take ownership of the wide to raise awareness, especially in remote, fight against leprosy. rural areas. TUE: People affected by leprosy and their TUE: Many training events are planned for communities are best placed to resolve many the year, at which health workers will have of their own problems. The Community Value the opportunity to learn the truth about T he Leprosy Mission in Mozambique works in close cooperation with the Health Department in support of the Leprosy Control project in Chain project works to give communities the tools and skills to do this. We pray that this leprosy. Pray that these training events will be effective in combatting the fear of leprosy will contribute to transformation in those and that health workers will be deeply the province of Cabo Delgado. There are also communities. motivated to care professionally for leprosy strong links with community partners, including patients. WED: We travel many thousands of community volunteers and self-care groups. kilometres each year to reach villages, WED: Pray for many of our leprosy patients We also support ALEMO, a Leprosy Patient conduct case finding, and supervise activities who live in remote rural areas. It is often Association that works to improve the livelihoods in Cabo Delgado. Please pray for God’s difficult for them to get to clinics. Pray that of its members through improved agriculture continued protection and the good health of health workers will be able to visit them methods, training, and advocacy. A network of staff out in the field. regularly and help them avoid injuries and local churches undergoing the UMOJA integral THU: The UMOJA project works to mobilise further disability. mission training is slowly growing and is increasingly contributing to advocacy initiatives the local churches to be involved in local THU: Give thanks for our many generous and greater awareness of leprosy. In 2020 we hope to implement an integrated advocacy initiatives alongside leprosy self- care groups. We pray that the voice of the T he Leprosy Mission Southern Africa raises funds for leprosy work and general disability work in South Africa. The Leprosy Mission runs friends throughout South Africa who support the work of The Leprosy Mission so leprosy control, church mobilisation, and value church will get stronger in defence of people faithfully. Pray that we will be blessed with chain project. This project will work to create affected by leprosy. leprosy programmes in the Eastern Cape and new supporters during the year who will also greater village ownership of leprosy services KwaZulu Natal and cooperates with the National be inspired to continue their friendship for FRI: As part of the UMOJA project, the and other community initiatives, contributing Department of Health in the provision of leprosy many long years. local church is taught to reach out to their to breaking the transmission of leprosy and the services in other areas. The RampUp general communities with the love of Jesus. We pray FRI: Give thanks for the impact of RampUp growing of stronger communities. disability campaign promotes the inclusion of that the Good News of God’s grace will be during 2019 – RampUp is our general people with disabilities in all aspects of society, amplified in communities affected by leprosy. disability programme that promotes the but especially within the church. SAT/SUN: There is a continued armed inclusion of people with disabilities in the insurgency in the northern districts of Cabo Church. Pray for the RampUp training events Delgado. This influences our programmes planned for 2020. directly and is dislocating many communities. SAT/SUN: Pray too that the RampUp book Pray with us for the situation to be resolved launched in 2019, entitled “The Church and for affected populations to find sufficient and Disability”, authored by Professor food. Louise Kretzschmar, will find a wide readership, especially at Bible colleges and SENIOR STAFF other institutions when church leaders Peter Laubscher – TLM Country Leader receive training. Pray that we will be able SENIOR STAFF Theo de Villiers – Deputy Director to find a champion for RampUp, who will Dr Arie de Kruijff – TLM Country Leader enjoy widespread acceptance across the Sr Belarmino Reich – ALEMO and Iphiro Yohoolo Project Manager denominational spectrum and who will be Sr Hipolito Cocorea – Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Officer Top: Emily was diagnosed with leprosy in the 1970s. able to encourage more churches to adopt Sr Jorge Armindo – Prevention of Disabilities/Leprosy Control Project Despite life’s huge setbacks, like losing her health, her Manager husband and four of her children who all passed away, she the RampUp model. Sra Nelta Jumamossi – Accountant believes today that the Lord has granted her a long life to Sr Culaire Luis – Human Resources Manager be a blessing to others. She teaches young women to cut Top: The TLM Mozambique team patterns from rolls of material and to do basic sewing. 24 25
RESEARCH 13–19 APR FINLAND 20–26 APR If we live in the light – just as He is in the light - PRAYER POINTS then we have fellowship with one another. PRAYER POINTS MON: TLM maintains two globally- 1 John 1:7 MON: Give thanks for the churches and recognised research laboratories – the individual donors who are faithfully praying Mycobacterial Research Laboratory at for and supporting leprosy affected people Anandaban Hospital, Nepal and the Stanley in DR Congo and Nepal. Browne Laboratory in Delhi, India. Pray for TUE: Give thanks for our board members and the staff working in our laboratories, as they other volunteers who freely give their time prioritise the issues they work on and write and expertise. proposals for grant funding. WED: Pray for wisdom and God´s blessing in TUE: Praise God for our research work in all of our plans. north-west Bangladesh - one of the very few locations in the world where large field THU: Pray for greater involvement of studies for leprosy can be conducted. Pray Christians in Finland. Pray that they will pray, volunteer, give regularly and take on greater R esearch is key to achieving our vision of for the plans to increase the capacity in our Bangladesh research work over the next 3-5 responsibilities. Leprosy Defeated, Lives Transformed. There are many unanswered questions in the field of years so that we can maintain and increase FRI: Give thanks for the TLM staff in DR leprosy, from the mechanism of transmission, to our national and international research Congo and pray for them in their work and partnerships. travel. T the reasons why some people develop severe LM Finland works based entirely on volunteers nerve damage despite good treatment, to the WED: Praise God for recent successes in and through donor contributions. SAT/SUN: Give thanks for opportunities to best ways to reduce the stigma of leprosy in a applications to research funding bodies – for The board works to talk about leprosy and pray that this work community. Without research we are not going to make progress towards zero transmission, zero chemoprophylaxis studies, piloting early diagnostic tests and studying new ways • raise funds will grow fruit. disability and zero discrimination. TLM’s research covers a wide range of areas. of managing chronic wounds. Pray for the • raise awareness of leprosy and the needs of leprosy affected people teams that are developing new research Our world-class laboratories collaborate with proposals. • encourage prayer support other laboratories across the world to develop new tests to diagnose leprosy, to test new anti- THU: Praise God for the universities worldwide that partner with TLM in order • publish magazines in Finnish and Swedish (Finland has a Swedish speaking minority leprosy drugs and to monitor for resistance to to conduct research studies. Pray for the population) anti-leprosy drugs. Our hospitals are testing new ways to manage strengthening of these partnerships and for new partnerships. Pray for our research to be • visit churches of different denominations, groups and schools, to try to motivate them to leprosy complications such as lepra reaction and translated into practice. ulcers. Our community programmes are studying become actively involved more effective ways to mobilise communities in FRI: TLM is a member of the Leprosy TLM Finland is planning new fundraising efforts, the fight against leprosy, measuring the impact of Research Initiative (LRI), a partnership for focusing on the difference that donations make in our community-based programmes. research, through which funds for research the lives of people affect by leprosy. are pooled, allowing TLM’s researchers to We are working on getting our magazine into access greater funding. Pray for LRI to grow Christian newspapers and magazines and on so that more funds are available. Pray for increasing our presence in the Christian media in success as our own research proposals are Finland. This is all a part of our drive to increase submitted to LRI for funding. the involvement of the Christian community in SENIOR STAFF SAT/SUN: Platforms like the International our work. TLM International Research Committee Leprosy Congress (September 2019) provide Prof Warwick Britton (Chair) - University of Sydney, Australia TLM with opportunities to showcase our Dr Paul Saunderson - American Leprosy Missions research work and share findings. Pray that Prof. Diana Lockwood - London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine we can continue to share our research in Prof. Jan Hendrik Richardus - Erasmus University, The Netherlands peer-reviewed journals and congresses and Prof Pushpendra Singh - University of Boroda, India to translate research into practice. SENIOR STAFF Senior Research Staff Dr Deanna Hagge – Head of the Mycobacterial Research Laboratory, Rev Eija Kilpi – Chair of the Board Anandaban Hospital, Kathmandu Ms Marja Aho – Vice chair Dr Joydeepa Darling - Head of Research, TLM Trust India Top: A researcher at the Stanley Browne Laboratory of The Ms Ritva Pohti – National Director/Secretary Leprosy Mission Trust India Top: Our Finnish team hard at work 26 27
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