IN MINISTRY TO LEPERS, GOD TRANSFORMS PASTOR

Leaving our comfort zone is usually a challenge! It was no different for a pastor and his wife in Laos. After a Laotian leper colony lost its pastor, this brother and his wife were called upon to fill the position. They did so with fear and trepidation, especially for their health. In fact, the wife stayed behind in their old church for quite some time. However, God is faithful! As the pastor met with the members of the leper colony, he found a fervent love of God radiating from them. These brothers are well able to worship in liberty and truth! They have not lost their voices, which they raise joyfully unto the Lord. The group that gathers for three services every Sunday numbers 300, with discipleship meetings going on throughout the week. The pastor felt impressed of God to reach out to an elderly couple. He took his wife with him, having prepared her in advance. God was very faithful and the wife surprised the pastor by reaching out and ministering with great love and compassion to the couple, just as she would to anyone else. All were blessed by the meeting. This church has outgrown its current building. Despite the members’ handicaps, they have drawn from their own resources to pool money for the needed addition by selling their rice and performing various jobs. Work recently began on the new addition, which will house an additional 50 people. The congregation is trusting God to provide what is needed to finish their project. Working as the lepers’ pastor has also brought new opportunities for outreaches to those who do not yet know Christ, such as funerals and other family events. Please pray for this pastor and his wife as they minister to this precious part of the Body of Christ - especially lifting up the wife’s health, as she suffers from a severe ulcer. To help support the construction of this church, use gift code 730-WMN. [Missions Insider www.christianaid.org].