1. Dr Grace Warren http://www.leprosymission.org.au/

2. ESTHER. Chapter 2.19 to 3.15. The sabotage of God’s Mega Plan. Esther- a captive- or today we may say a migrant. - just one of the girls- But an orphan, - a lover of God and a follower of His laws. - and beautiful, so selected for the king. - she was well accepted by all- did nothing to specially promote herself. - She was selected as new queen. - Many would say - WHY Esther?

3. Her story, as we are told, is just what was going on in her world, She does not know what is happening in the outside world, But when she is asked to she passes on the Bad news. This saves the King and -- her reward. ? We do not always receive the rewards which we may think we deserve.

4. Meanwhile Haman plots against the Jews No one in the Palace knows Esther is a Jew. Desperation overwhelms the Jews. Can you imagine her feelings - her fears- Then She lets the king know what is happening- She risks her life- - BUT God put her there for such a time as this. God used this girl to save His people from being wiped out by Haman and his followers God used her to defeat the devil’s plans. Meanwhile Haman plots against the Jews No one in the Palace knows Esther is a Jew. Desperation overwhelms the Jews. Can you imagine her feelings - her fears- Then She lets the king know what is happening- She risks her life- - BUT God put her there for such a time as this. God used this girl to save His people from being wiped out by Haman and his followers God used her to defeat the devil’s plans.

5. Why are you here? What are your plans for the future? What part will you play in the welfare of your community or people? What can you do that will help others ?

6. I was never the good student. I managed to stay in the middle of the class. I had no high and mighty ambitions- But I chose to try and follow where God lead. Then He got me into Medicine!

7. God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another, I have my mission, I may not know it in this world but I will in the next.

8. For centuries people have feared leprosy a fear of the unknown- Where did it come from? Why did only some people get it? was it a curse, a punishment- whatever-- it separated people- it made life hard- it appeared to be permanent. Many treatments had been tried but none seemed to do any good.

9. What is leprosy? Today we know it is catching, an infectious disease It produces Skin patches which themselves are not a problem- but advertise to others that the patient has the disease. This in turn cuts the sufferer off from other people.

10. Lesions may become very red and swollen, associated with nerve damage,As in these four patients. This man was admitted in early stages, and then went into acute reaction with redness and swelling. However with good treatment, in twelve months he had recovered, with no obvious signs of disease.

11. It also affects nerves so that muscles are paralysed, and the patient may not feel heat or pain. It deforms and disables but does not kill. These hands show how it affects everyday use.

12. Typical Clawed hand- note fingers curl- thumb will not oppose, So no pinch or grip of base of bottle.

13. Hence It is feared- –and where it is common the people believe that any contact with a patient may result in that person developing the disease. Hence those affected are outcasts- not allowed to be part of the community.

14. For decades these things were not known about. The in1870’s things began to change- 1. Dr Hansen in Norway, realised the cause was a bacteria. This eventually led to cure. 2. Father Damien went to Molakai, Hawaii. This eventually led to improved quality of care. 3. Wellesley Bailey ( from UK) went to India. He saw the need of those with leprosy and gave help and shared the Gospel. Friends in UK raised funds. They started “ The Mission to Lepers”, now called “The Leprosy Mission”. God has His People “ for such a time as this” For decades these things were not known about. The in1870’s things began to change- 1. Dr Hansen in Norway, realised the cause was a bacteria. This eventually led to cure. 2. Father Damien went to Molakai, Hawaii. This eventually led to improved quality of care. 3. Wellesley Bailey ( from UK) went to India. He saw the need of those with leprosy and gave help and shared the Gospel. Friends in UK raised funds. They started “ The Mission to Lepers”, now called “The Leprosy Mission”. God has His People “ for such a time as this”

15. “Behind the Barbed wire fence.” A Korean Leprosy Village-1958 In many countries, for many years all affected were segregated.

16. About 1940 it was discovered that Dapsone was an effective medicine that killed the bacteria. This brought Hope of Recovery, and many were cured. There are now many other suitable medicines.

17. Fairly recent acute hot swollen lesion After 6 months treatment.,

18. But dapsone did not correct the deformities due to nerve damage. The presence of obvious deformity means that the locals believe the patient still has leprosy.

19. Dr Paul Brand moved to India- He discovered the part played by Nerve damage, He developed surgical techniques to correct deformity, to improve function and appearance. God put His man in the right place at the right time., God put His man in the right place at the right time.,

20. Clawed hand before surgery and after surgery showing grip.,

22. Club Feet. After surgery and plaster casts.,

23. There I discovered this reconstructive surgery. In 1962, I worked with Paul Brand. I had wanted to “ do surgery” before I left Australia- but it had not been possible. This was God’s way of getting me to do the job that He had waiting for me. I have had the satisfaction of seeing hundreds – may be thousands of people of all ages – rehabilitated. In 1959 I went, as temporary staff, to work at the Hong Kong leprosy hospital

24. Hay Ling Chau- The Hong Kong Leprosarium I went there in May 1959 –my base till Dec. ’74.

25. Thank you- I can work with “ My Hands” again.

26. How would you like your eyebrows ? Every one in the ward has a chance to comment- higher? Longer? More curved? What else? Increase social acceptability

27. Full Facial palsy note wide open eyes he cannot shut and crooked smile. After surgery he is socially acceptable.

28. Full Facial Palsy- pre-op; inability to shut eyes. After surgery they shut well.

29. Now I can even wink!

30. Countries where I have worked. AUSTRALIA

31. Students of all sorts- medical, physio. and nursing.

32. What’s My Future? Half way !!!

33. Plaster of Paris walking casts allow feet to heal while the patient walks !!

34. Teaching staff in Karachi the making of plaster casts In order to treat foot problems

35. MISSIONARIES SAVE SOULS MEDICAL MISSIONARIES ALSO SAVE SOLES

36. Typical deformity in Leprosy due to Muscle paralysis and no pain.. After surgery, plaster casts for 6 weeks then learn to walk.

37. The typical deformity of the nose caused by leprosy. The stigma of this is a real problem. Yes we can correct this deformity.,

38. Typical nose deformity, due to leprosy Before surgery. After Surgery,

39. I am socially acceptable because of surgery. I can now shut my eyes so I ought not go blind. I can smile. My left hand has no fingers and my right hand was gone but now I can hold things again My feet are healed so I can wear normal shoes and walk. Thank you all for helping., My leprosy is cured- I can go home I can shut my mouth so I do not dribble

40. What will my future bring?? At least I now have HOPE & ABILITY

41. Off To School

42. Small “Funded Projects” Sewing machine Weaving tablemats Handcrafts

43. Help us reach out, in the Name of Christ, to those who suffer, to make this a better world.

44. Esther shows us how God can use us – if we trust Him and let Him. We cannot see the end of the road.- sometimes it is better that we cannot.

45. Rewards do not need to be financial. The Satisfaction of seeing someone restored to his place in society is very great, and lasting. God supplies all that I need. Rewards do not need to be financial. The Satisfaction of seeing someone restored to his place in society is very great, and lasting. God supplies all that I need.

46. Receiving the “ Star of Pakistan” from the High Commissioner., in Canberra., March 23 rd 2006.,

47. If GOD calls you to do a work for Him, He has already promised you everything you need to carry out His plan. GOD IS NO MAN’S DEBTOR. If GOD calls you to do a work for Him, He has already promised you everything you need to carry out His plan. GOD IS NO MAN’S DEBTOR.

48. Will you join us in helping those who are disadvantaged and with our help they can become useful and accepted members of their community.

49. For Further Information: http://www.leprosymission.org.au/