India

This trip took place from  29^th December 2009-11^th January 2010

For the second time in three years a team of young people went out to India to work with the Leprosy mission.  The plan was to build two houses for former leprosy sufferers in need, and to work along side students at TLM’s Vocational training centre and staff at their hospital.  It was an amazing and challenging time.  Social injustice, especially when it comes to leprosy itself, is plainly evident in a place like that to outsiders.  At home we regularly let the social outcast pass us by because we have been numbed by years of seeing the same problems and situations around us.  When we step out of a plane into an alien land, the injustices of this world can be seen more clearly.  It was an experience to see these injustices, poverty and need in a foreign place, and in a way it was easier to put what God teaches us to do into action out there than it can be at home at times.

The staff out there treated us brilliantly as usual, it is a humbling experience to be served in such a Godly manor and I hope lessons of hospitality were learned.  The team were truly dedicated to the work and I was really pleased to see them take it on.  They built the houses and interacted with the people, they got up and taught memory verses in chapel, did readings and talks, delivered testimony and were a great witness to what they believe in.  In the evenings we studied the sermon on the mount as a group.  I hope those were beneficial sessions for all of us.  Everyone spoke, and the discussion was intelligent and honest.  There are endless stories to be told about the trip and endless photos to browse, but I hope the lessons that were learned have been brought home to

Ireland, along with the character that has been developed.  God needs us to work for Him here just as much as he needs us overseas.  I thank all the team members for taking the challenges of the trip on, you made the most of your opportunity and I hope it is an experience that will stay with you for a long time to come.

I would like to thank Ken Gibson and the Leprosy team in

Ireland for facilitating this trip for us.  I would also like to thank Dr Robins, Radha, Immanuel Jacob, Venkatachalam and everyone else on the staff at the hospital for teaching us about true servant hood on so many levels.

Ian Horner