Nearly two-thirds of the world’s leprosy cases are in India.

Calcutta, West Bengal’s capital city, is home to one of the highest populations of leprosy patients in India. This fact drove Gospel for Asia missionary Jiva to start a ministry to help the lepers, and the Lord is using it greatly.

Jiva’s ministry started with visiting and sharing the Gospel in a leprosy hospital. His compassion won the hearts of many patients and their families, whom Jiva also began visiting. Trips to their homes in the nearby colonies opened his eyes to a segment of society that was isolated and rejected-desperately in need of hope and salvation. Jiva motivated Bible college students to become involved in the outreach and arranged training so the missionaries could provide basic medical treatment to the leprosy patients.

Today, Jiva and the students make frequent visits to two colonies to provide comfort and counsel, as well as treating the lepers’ wounds.

The government provides packets of medicine for leprosy patients, but most of them have no one willing to bandage their sores. With this act of service, the Bible college students show God’s compassion and love for those shunned by society.

Many suffering from leprosy are eager to learn about Jesus.

In one leprosy colony with 350 families, 20 people now attend a prayer meeting. In another area, 40 leprosy patients gather to praise the Lord.

Jiva and the Bible college students ask for prayer for their ministry, especially since many of the leprosy patients are addicted to home-brewed alcohol. Jiva says the colony is filled with fighting, and asks for prayer for the safety for our missionaries and that the Lord will bring much fruit through their service.