Archie visits TLM Allahabad, India 1964

Archie had visited TLM in Naini Allahabad in 1961. Impressed by their dedicated work and compassion, he decided he must visit it again one day. He believed The Leprosy Mission was worth supporting. They made an inestimable difference to people’s lives.

Spreading the Gospel was Archie’s top priority on his 81^st birthday on Saturday March 7 in Allahabad.

‘My heart was so full of thanksgiving to God for health and strength that I went to the Bible Society and bought 81 copies of the Gospels in Hindi,’ he wrote.

Taking many of the Gospels, he headed to the Triveni Sangam. Like Haridwar, this was another site for the Hindu gathering for Kumbha Mela. Here the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati Rivers meet in a confluence the Hindus believe will wash away their sins and end the cycle of reincarnation. They believe the gods take human form and also dip in the water to take away their sins.

Archie longed for the pilgrims to know the holy loving God. 

‘At or near the Sangam and then in the centre of the city, mingled with a few friendly words, I distributed 70 of these Gospels, often reading out a few verses to awaken interest; this led to some interesting conversations,’ Archie continued writing. ‘It was a happy morning.’

He had already contacted his friends at The Leprosy Mission Hospital at Naini. He arrived there at lunchtime, and in the afternoon handed out the remaining eleven Gospels to patients.

The staff, knowing it was his birthday, had baked a cake and organised a party for him.

Letters and telegrams from family and friends completed his happiness.

He stayed overnight, and the following morning he preached in the hospital chapel.

‘It was a touching sight to see near the front a young man without fingers or toes and only one leg; but (the young man) is a radiant Christian.’ Archie wrote.

He was evidence of the power and love of God through hardship and difficulty.

Five women at the service were wearing brightly coloured scarves, the last few Grace had knitted in 1961 – some of her final gifts to the Indian people she loved. (Page 312-13)

     Page 313 also tells of the deep satisfaction Archie felt when he visited his old Gopiganj mission station he’d built many years before. It was now a leprosy clinic.

The price for the book is $26.95 including postage in NZ. For each copy sold, $15 will be donated to the Leprosy Mission NZ.

Please contact Shirley at shirley.jamieson.nz@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing this book.