We had arrived at the closest known spot to the Leprosy village to park. As James King, a team member, was offloading the bundles of brand new jackets from the roof rack, Curtis Dukes, a team member, noticed a rubber Frisbee in the S.U.V. He grabbed the Frisbee and we started the hour-long hike. 

 

After our trek into the village Curtis began to throw the Frisbee with a young boy who was visiting that day. Soon Mr. Po wanted in on the action. Mr. Po is a man who has lived most of his life in seclusion on this mountainside. He is over 60 years old. He walks on his knees and often uses a small cart with steel wheels to get around. The cruel disease has taken all his fingers.

His physical situation didn’t stop him from joining the Frisbee toss! With absolute exuberance he played like a child. The joy on his face was priceless. He played without caution or fear. This was the first time I played sports with an adult resident of a leprosy colony. 
 
Mr. Po is a believer. In the presence of God’s people he has nothing to fear or be ashamed of. The stigma of the disease means nothing to his family in Christ, nor does it mean anything to his Savior.  He is loved and valued. He felt that from our visit and from the regular care he receives from His Feet International. 

Our team worshipped with the residents and Pastor Nick Rains of Canvas Church shared the word with them. After eating a meal together we laid hands on members of the quarantined colony and prayed for them. We gave every resident a brand new winter jacket, just in time for the coldest months of the year.