Living in the Philippines, Jenny’s heart is filled with Jesus, and every day for her is a celebration of His boundless love. And that’s

especially true when she’s spending time with her lovable son, Ryan, who’s just 5 years old. She can’t believe how blessed she is.

And to think that not so long ago, she experienced the worst suffering anyone could imagine. Here’s what happened.

When she was just 11 years old, Jenny noticed a small red bump on her face. She thought, as any teenager would, that it was nothing more than a pimple. Her parents thought the same thing.

But it didn’t go away. Instead, Jenny developed a horrible rash that grew bigger and bigger until it covered most of her face. It all happened so fast. Jenny was so ashamed that she hid from everyone — including her family — and even stopped going to school.

That’s when Jenny’s aunt took the girl to a local clinic. There, they heard the terrible news. “I’m so sorry to tell you this, Jenny,” the doctor said solemnly, “but you have leprosy.”

Jenny was stunned. Almost immediately she began receiving treatment — treatment you

helped make possible with your generous gifts. And even though the doctors assured her she’d recover completely, she continued to isolate herself. She even stopped going to Sunday Mass — not because she lost her faith but because of her shame. She prayed by herself at home. She prayed for Jesus to help her carry on. She prayed to be healed. And she prayed to have her life back.

Through it all, Jenny’s parents and her four

brothers and sisters supported her. She was extremely fortunate in that. Often, leprosy victims endure the worst scorn from the people they’re closest to. But Jenny’s family encouraged her to live a normal

“I’m so sorry to tell you this, Jenny,” the doctor said

solemnly, “but you have leprosy.”

Inspiring Stories of Your Compassion, Prayers and Gifts at Work

Christmas 2012

Now Every Day Is Like ChristmasBut It Wasn’t Always That Way for Jenny When She Had Leprosy

INSIDE:

• Two Children Live Christ’s Compassion

• One Boy’s Christmas Miracle

(continued on page 3)

This is Jenny before she began receiving treatment. Leprosy was mercilessly attacking her body.

ALM

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Labe is a friendly boy — just 15 years old — living in a remote village in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Leprosy is rife in that country, and Dr. Jacques Kongawi travels to distant villages there to

treat people with the disease. On one of his visits, Dr. Kongawi sat down with Labe for a chat.

Dr. Kongawi: Labe, where do you go to school?Labe: I have not gone to school for two years. My father is always drunk. He has no money to pay my school fee.Dr. Kongawi: When did you discover you had leprosy?Labe: The first time I saw the lesion on my skin, I though it was a fungus infection. One lady told me to put tree leaves on it, but it did

not help. When a nurse came to our village, he met with some people about leprosy. I decided to go to the health center by myself. The nurse told me it was leprosy.

Dr. Kongawi: How long have you been receiving treatment?Labe: I started treatment immediately at the

health center. This is my second month.Dr. Kongawi: It must be very difficult for you. Do you believe in God?Labe: I believe in God, but I have not yet

chosen to go to church.Dr. Kongawi: If we pay your fee, will you return to school after treatment?Labe: Yes, that would make me very happy

... very happy.Dr. Kongawi: Your treatment is paid for, too.Labe: Yes. Before coming to the health center, my fear was about the fee. I had no money. When the nurse told me the treatment is free

of charge, I was too happy to learn it. I was overcome with joy. Dr. Kongawi: The medical treatment and the payment for your schooling are free because people give in support of American Leprosy Missions.Labe: I must thank the donors who pay for this medicine for us … and for my school. Soon I will no longer have leprosy. I will be able to go back to school and be with my friends. It is like a miracle to me! In my heart every day, I give my thanks to God!

To This Young Boy, It’s a Christmas Miracle!Dr. Jacques Kongawi Talks with a Leprosy Patient

2 • Christmas 2012

Dr. Kongawi examines Labe for signs of nerve damage, common with leprosy. Your support makes Labe’s care possible.

You can see the telltale signs of leprosy on Labe’s face. But thanks to you, he’ll get better!

No doubt you’ve heard the Biblical phrase, “a little child will lead them.” That’s certainly true in

the case of 11-year-old Lauren Etchells and 10-year-old Karissa Anderson, two remarkable girls.

Lauren heard about American Leprosy Missions at her school and immediately got involved. She gave the money she’d been saving to help a child with leprosy. Ever since she played the role of Emily in the movie Courageous, Lauren has seen that Jesus can change lives. And so she was inspired to give. But it didn’t stop there. Lauren also designed bracelets to sell and is giving the proceeds to American Leprosy Missions to continue making a difference.

Karissa heard about American Leprosy Missions at a TRUTH concert. She knew she had to help. In Karissa’s household, they have a saying: “You’re never more like Jesus than when you give.” So Karissa counted up her savings, did some work for her grandparents, and even set up a lemonade stand to raise money. In the end, she gave enough to provide a complete cure.

These two young people are perfect examples of how Jesus’ love works in our lives and how He moves us to compassion. It’s a lesson for all of us, especially now at Christmas.

To This Young Boy, It’s a Christmas Miracle!Dr. Jacques Kongawi Talks with a Leprosy Patient

As We Celebrate Christ’s Birth,Two Children Live His Compassion

Karissa and Lauren were both touched by the suffering of leprosy victims, and they took action to help.

life despite her illness. Little by little, she ended her isolation and began meeting with others again.

There were many ups and downs for Jenny, but the doctors were right — she did make a full recovery. Today, she’s a happy, confident young woman. There might be the slightest trace of the disease

visible on her face, but she knows her worth as a person, and she knows that Jesus loves her. But the greatest joy in her life is her 5-year-old son, Ryan. He’s an inspiration to her daily, and each moment with him is a lesson in unconditional love. Yes, Jenny is truly blessed, and for that she gives praise to Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Today, through your support, Jenny is free of leprosy. She’s grateful for her cure, and every day she thanks God for her blessings and for her son, Ryan.

Every Day Is Like Christmas(continued from front page)

Christmas 2012 • 3

Karissa

Lauren

XXXXX

Dear Friend,I hope you join with me and with all of us here

at American Leprosy Missions in celebrating the birth of our Savior at this holy time of year.

At Christmas, I am reminded that God loved the world so much that He sent His only Son, and in Jesus’ descent to the earth, the path was laid for curing people with leprosy.

Because of your support, people with leprosy know compassion and healing. I’m grateful for that, and I’m grateful that today we can show compassion and healing by providing care,

treatment and the cure for this horrible disease.Our Savior said, “Freely you have received;

freely give” (Matthew 10:8). The way to honor Jesus as we celebrate His birth is to follow His example and help people who are suffering.

You can do that with your generous gift — a gift that you give now in Jesus’ name and in His love.

With your support, we are working tirelessly to relieve our world of the burden of leprosy. Your generosity, compassion and leadership in this fight are as important as ever.

I hope and pray you will continue to send hope and healing to people who are suffering. Please bless us with a special gift at this special time.

Thank you, God bless you, and have a wonderful Christmas!

Bill SimmonsPresident and CEO

From the President’s Desk

Christ the Lord Is Born!

W12B1

Name: ___________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________

City: _______________________State: ______ ZIP: ______________

My e-mail address is: ________________________________________

✁

CLIP AND RETURN WITH YOUR GIFT OF SUPPORT.

YES! I want to give a special gift this Christmas in Jesus’ name to bring His compassion to people suffering with leprosy.Enclosed is my gift of: ❏ $25 to do $50 of good. ❏ $100 to do $200 of good.

❏ $50 to do $100 of good. ❏ $__________ to do as much good as possible.

Your gift will doublE in impact

One ALM Way, Greenville, SC 29601800.543.3135 | www.leprosy.org

Thank you! Please make your tax-deductible check payable to American Leprosy Missions and mail it with this reply form in the enclosed envelope to American Leprosy Missions, P.O. Box 5002, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5002. Or donate securely online at www.leprosy.org. If you have questions, call us at 800.543.3135.

To join Miracle Partners and give a monthly leprosy-fighting gift, please use the separate reply form enclosed!

DOUBLE Your Gift Impact!When you give now, your generosity

will have twice as much impact to help people with leprosy, thanks to a generous challenge grant.

You can do more good, save more lives, and reach more suffering souls with Christ’s love than ever before.

The time to give is now!