We came to serve, and left strengthened through example.

For our second medical trip we went to the Vindalu leprosy colony. It took us about an hour and a half to get there. All of the patients have been treated and cured of their leprosy. So the disease no longer progresses. The length of time they had the disease before receiving treatment, determines the extent of their nerve damage. Leprosy attacks the nerves and sometimes the cartilage which is part of the reason they often lose fingers and toes. A large part of the medical work that Rising Star does within the colonies is helping the patients maintain their health by caring for their ulcers. Because of the nerve damage they have no feeling in their legs and hands. The severity depends again on how long the disease progressed before they received the treatment. Because of this loss of feeling, they may stand or sit in one position for too long, or touch something hot and not realize it for example. This often creates open wounds (ulcers) on the legs and feet.

When we arrived we got out all the medical supplies and set up different 5 different stations. First we take the patient’s blood pressure. Second the patients sit and the we take a picture to document their ulcers, then cut away the old bandages. Next we wash their feet.. 

After washing their feet we apply an oil around the ulcer. The oil helps repel bugs and rats that will often tear at the bandages and eat or infect the ulcers. From there they move to the final station where the dead skin surrounding the ulcer is cut away, disinfected and the wound is re-bandaged. For some patients this is painful, but for others who have lost all feeling it is simply a time to chat.

I had the opportunity to apply the oil, cut the dead skin away and bandage the ulcer. It was a humbling experience. For one of the patients it was very difficult. She was feeling a lot of pain as I removed the surrounding dead and decaying skin. Again I was reminded that sometimes we have to experience pain in order to heal, but it is so difficult to watch and especially to be the one inflicting the pain.

Yet while experiencing so much pain, she was patient, kind and positive. She didn’t complain. The pain showed in her face. She was an amazing example of quiet endurance and strength.

Here are some of Tyler's thoughts of the day:

As I prepared to sit down and wash the feet of these beautiful Indian people, I couldn’t help but be reminded of another who also washed the feet of His friends. It was an opportunity to more literally follow His example. I felt like both the woman whose feet I washed and I were humbled. I thought of how simple of a task this would be, and yet how meaningful. To me it was more than just preparing a foot to be cleared of ulcers and re-bandaged; it was a symbolic reaching out and opening up. I reached out with a love of these people, I opened myself up for their love, and we were both lifted up.

(This man greeted us when we came to the colony.  He helped bring in all the supplies and direct patients.  He appeared to be a colony leader.  After everyone had been helped though, he sat down to receive help himself.   He was not only a leader, but a leprosy patient himself. Once he was done, his foot had been cut, the dead skin removed . . . he then stood up and continued to help clean up and do all that he could.  Even though he was in need of help, he served all around him and made sure they were taken care of before he addressed his own needs.  What a great example of love and service despite personal hardships!)