July 2022 Newsletter

The Word from the Holy Bible

John the Baptist prepares the way
Luke 3:15-16, 21-22
The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the
Christ. John answered them all, ‘’ I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the
thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire’’

As I read the Baptism of our Lord, I think of my own Baptism.

• Was I a child or an adult when I was baptized?
• Where did it take place?
• Who was with me?
• What difference did my Baptism make to my life?
• How do I know the Holy Spirit is dwelling in me?

Meditate on these in your prayers of your own baptism, allow this prayer inspire your life into action.
Amen

The Place where John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ, presently in Jordon.

Jordan river shifted over 2000 years, leaving behind ancient dry River bed.
 My memories of my dearest friend Late Dr. Jay Palla
I first met my friend Jay for the first time in 1975 while he was a teenager at
Ramachandrapuram.

My name is Sunder Bethapudy, I joined The Leprosy Mission as medical officer

at Vizianagaram in 1974 , later transferred to the Leprosy Hospital,

Ramachandrapuram in January 1975. It is there I met Jay and his family for the
first time. His father Mr. Palla Gamaliel was a nurse and he has been working in
that hospital for a number of years.

He was slim, tall soft spoken gentleman who would work endlessly without
complaint looking after the leprosy patients , dressing their wounds.
During evening times Jay, Mr. Gamaliel’s son, used to come as a teenager and play chess with me almost
every evening. Some evenings we used to take a walk into the village, Jay was a very jovial enterprising
lad who would tell me endless jokes. As a result we became good friends.

Then one day we received a call saying DR. Thangaraj ( the superintendent) , Mr V.P. Das ( the Director,
from Delhi) an Accountant ( from England) would be visiting our hospital.

Mr. Gamaliel and myself carried on with our hospital work when the visitors arrived. They were very
much impressed with Mr. Gamaliel's commitment to work that he did not stop working for the welfare of
the leprosy patients in spite of superior officer’s visiting. I was planning to go to England then and left
Ramachandrapuram in July 1975. That was the last time I saw Mr. Gamaliel and my dear friend Jay.

The next time I saw Dr Jay Palla again was as superintendent of Philadelphia Community Hospital, Salur
when I returned from England and visited that hospital in 2010 . I was thrilled and delighted to see Jay
again after 35 years . He did his medicine , married with children and got promotion to Superintendent.
My visit brought back again all the wonderful memories I had back in 1975. I started a charity called
TRIBAL HEALCARE IN SALUR and Dr Jay Palla , my friend looked after it.

He was a real Gentleman and a Christian at heart. The jokes we shared and the conversations we had all
written on my heart and I can never forget them.

When I heard that he passed away my heart fell into the pit of my stomach and Jay my friend left behind
such big vacuum.

Dr Sunder Rao
Bethapudy
Community
Paediatrician, UK
 In Loving Memory of Premanandham
Late Mr. Premanandham worked for The Leprosy Mission at Philadelphia Community Hospital , Salur for
a long time. He was a devoted Christian working at St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Salur. He was soft spoken
Gentleman , always used to spend some time with me at the Hospital Guest House whenever I visited the
hospital.

He loved his family , took a great delight in performing marriage of his daughter Dr ( Miss) HEPSIBA
GLORY MBBS with DR. RAHUL ANUPAM ALPHEUS MBBS at St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Salur on 22-
10-2008

I always remember him with the Invitation Card he gave it to me with immense happiness. He arranged a
car decorated for the bride from the Guest House to the church

Dr. R. Sunder Rao Bethapudy

Norwich, UK

In Loving Memory of Prema Mohini Nayak

Late Prema Mohini Nayak has been our colleague for a number of years as our chief Pharmacist.
Originally, she comes from Orissa but chose to do God’s work at Philadelphia Community Hospital.
Sadly, she passed away due to Covid-19 infection.

She has been a member staff of this hospital for along time. She lived with her family in Salur. She took
part in all hospital activities especially Christmas festival season.
She will be remembered in our hearts and minds for ever.

We thank God for giving us such a wonderful person as our dear friend.
 The Magnificence of the Cross of Calvary
The Cross of Forgiveness
Luke 23:34, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

The criminal on the cross at Calvary who spoke first, mocked Jesus right along with everyone else. He
joined the Jews, the Romans, the people around and also the second thief. Essentially both the criminals
reviled Jesus when the day began. To the religious leaders (priests), Romans, and the soldiers, Jesus was
a joke. They said, ‘let the Christ, the King of Jews, come down from the cross so that we may see and
believe. They humiliated, insulted, and made fun of Jesus. When the soldiers had cast lots for Jesus’
clothing it meant that the Lord had hung on cross, naked. Being stripped of clothing was gross indignity
for an Israelite. Yet, Jesus prayed for all the wicked people around Him, including the priests who
plotted to kill Jesus. Even when he was unjustly sent to the cross, heckled and jeered by the crowd,
Jesus did not retaliate. He did not summon legions of angels to destroy the people who tormented Him.
Those who were scoffing, mocking, and railing were the ones for whom He prayed. It was for their sake
then and for ours’ now that He didn’t save Himself on the cross. There was no exhibition of power of
retribution but only an exhibition of power of forgiveness. It was a show of God’s divine mercy. In our
world if one is being nailed to the cross, none would ask for forgiveness of the tormentors unless there
is something supernatural in the person being crucified. Sometimes the gift of forgiveness is going to
take supernatural power to exercise it. By saying “God, forgive them” Jesus gave us the grace, ability
and set the standard to forgive even at the time of our worst hurts.

If it is not for the cross there is no hope of forgiveness of man’s sin. So Jesus looked down from His
cross at his executioners and prayed to God, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are
doing.” What were they guilty of? In essence, they were guilty of not knowing who Jesus was. They were
guilty of being ignorant of His identity. He revealed the meaning of scriptures to people, healed the sick,
raised the dead and forgave the sinners. But His tormentors still refused to believe His divine identity.
Some possibly knew their sin but betrayed Jesus anyway. They kept silent. Jesus pleaded for forgiveness
of the sins of the unbelievers. What Jesus said was, ‘they are blinded by their sin, their sin is so
overwhelming that they can’t see the truth of who I am. God, don’t hold this against them. The very
reason for my cross is that people like these can be forgiven of their sin.’ None who gathered around
the cross showed any mercy to Jesus or said a kind word. On the contrary, all they indulged in was
mocking and beating Him. Yet, Jesus on his part called out to His Father and pleaded for His
forgiveness over them. Even after the severe beating and abuse that Jesus had received from the Jews
and the Romans, He still loved them. He was concerned of God’s judgment over their actions. The only
escape route for them was God’s forgiveness. He prayed for that. Jesus’ prayer for forgiveness for His
enemies did not go in vain. The second criminal cried out in confession “We are punished justly, for we
are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” The cross of Jesus teaches
and gives us the power to persevere and the ability to forgive. Jesus gives us a glance of God’s grace to
forgive.

The power of forgiveness is in the cross of Jesus

In gratitude for His glory.

PLN Raju
 Salur Village Clinics
YABMJ SUMITHRA Raju charity Foundation.

With the help YABMJ SUMITHRA RAJU CHARITY

FOUNDATION, we are able to do Community Outreach
Programs, visiting isolated unreachable villages, seeing
the poor and needy people. WE are able to do these
charity work in partnership with Philadelphia
Community Hospital, Salur.
In these village clinics, we provide free consultations
with the nursing staff and doctors , with free
medication. We also provide Eye Examination to
diagnose cataracts and provide free surgeries at the
main hospital.
WE would like to thank Late Dr Prasanna Raju and Late
Mrs. Sumithra Raju for their generous gifts left behind.

Dr Ratna Sunder Rao and DR ( Mrs.) Kanavalli Rao

Bethapudy
 Anti-Leprosy Week
Anti Leprosy Week observed by Philadelphia Leprosy Hospital Salur from 25th Jan to 31st Jan 2015

1. Leprosy Sunday was observed in various local churches on 25th Jan 2016 . Our staff went and
spoke about leprosy . The congregation gave that day’s offertory to The Leprosy Mission Trust
India.
2. Dr. Ganeswara Rao distributed clothes to Leprosy patients on 30th Jan 2015. Dr. Ganeswara Rao is
been working in the field of Leprosy for more than 40 years . He has dedicated his life for the
upliftment of leprosy affected.
3. A fete was organized by Philadelphia leprosy Hospital on 31st Jan 2015
The purpose of this fete was to
a) Raise fund from the sale proceeds of food items sold , which will be use for the treatment of
leprosy affected and
b) To spread awareness on Leprosy.

The present staff and retired staff made every effort to make the fete success . Around 15 stall were
put on which include eatery , games , products etc. The District Leprosy officer visited the stall and
encourage our staff .Many local church people and other local of Salur attended this fete . The big hit
of the fete was the attendance of School children . Nearly some 500 children of different schools
attended the fete .They enjoyed their time in participate in games , eating ice crème but most
importantly they listen patiently to our health educator , who was speaking to the children about
leprosy

Leprosy Sunday was observed in various local churches on 25th Jan 2016 . Our staff went and spoke
about leprosy . The congregation gave that day’s offertory to The Leprosy Mission Trust India.
 Anti-Leprosy Day
Anti-Leprosy day is usually celebrated on the last Sunday of every January throughout the world.
It also commemorates the death of Mahatma Gandhi who was assassinated on the same day in the year
1948.

This event arises the awareness of Leprosy ,which is also called Hansen’s disease or HD, ,named after Dr
Hansen a Norwegian Doctor who discovered Mycobacterium Leprae . He thus proved that Leprosy is
caused by a bacteria or an Infectious disease and not by accurse or hereditary or by genetics.

Anti-Leprosy day was started by a French humanitarian called RAOUL FOLLEREAU chose the last Sunday of
every January to give tribute to the life of Gandhi who dedicated his life for the cause of Leprosy. This was
established in 1954.

This day is celebrated by THE LEPROSY MISSION not only in India, in Africa, Nepal, Bangladesh and South
Korea. Where the leprosy Mission functions.
In India it is celebrated in all 12 hospitals to raise the awareness of leprosy among the public.

Thus, he has put an end to some extent the stigma and discrimination that is associated with Leprosy.

Dr. Ratna Sunder Rao Bethapudy

Norwich, UK
 Key points about Leprosy
1. Leprosy is not an ancient disease , it is very much present at
the present time
2. Leprosy if diagnosed at the earlier stage, it is just a skin
disease and eminently curable with 3 Antibiotics taken for 6
months.
3. Sometimes longer if diagnosed a bit late.
4. It is contagious but transmits very slowly, taking 5 years to 10
years.
5. You do not need to be isolated or loose a job or discriminated.
You can continue your schooling or your job.

Attitude changes everything [2 Corinth: 3:18]

As the spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him ( Jesus)

Here is a story worthy to read and think about it.

A certain lady persistently complained about her job that she did not make enough
money from it and she could not afford to buy even basic things what she needs. She
went to a counsellor for advice. The counsellor told her that she is wasting her energy
complaining about her low pay job instead of using it to go ahead. She replied

“you don’t understand, my job is the problem, not me”

The counsellor said” you can not control you job or the Boss but you can control how you feel about them”.

CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE.

The lady took his advise. She stopped complaining , instead started working hard, smiling. People noticed.
She got promotion. Eventually her job became more marketable. After several months she was transferred
to a job supporting the Boss.

Good things happen to people with good attitude.

Saint Paul wrote encouraging letters to various churches. From Where? From prison to people outside the
prison. Think about it. Amen.
 Artificial Limb Centre

Philadelphia Community Hospital has an Artificial Limb Centre which provides

an Artificial leg to Leprosy patients after their below knee amputation due to
deep seated foot ulcers with foot bone infections called Osteomylitis.

Leprosy in a person mainly effects skin, nerves and eyes, as a result they tend
to live into 80’s & 90’s of age but with hand, facial and foot deformities.

One of the commonest deformity is foot ulcers due to constant putting weight
and pressure on feet and which are effected by leprosy. Leprosy infects the
nerves that supply sensations to the feet, as a result pain which normally
protects us, is absent. So the patient walks on painless foot until they get
ulcers.

As a result these foot ulcers become gangrene or do not heal . It is these

patients who end up with amputations of legs.

After amputation, they get pair of crutches until the wound heals. Pair of
crutches slows them down, and not able to go back to their usual jobs.

On another hand an Artificial leg after training makes them very mobile and can
go back to their jobs and earn a living.

However these Artificial Legs costs Rs 4500 to Rs 5000/. Poor people cannot
bear these expenses.

Sumithra Raju Charity Foundation helps these people in providing Artificial

limbs .

Dr R. Sunder Rao Bethapudy

Norwich, UK
 The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth the second, with her husband Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh
reigned over UK and 32 Commonwealth nations for 70 years continuously.

She was crowned as Queen of England on 02-06- 1952 and Mount Everest was Conquered for the first
time by Edmond Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgey just 3 days before on 29-05 1952.

She has many palaces but mainly three palaces , Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle in London and
SWinter palace Sandrigham in Norfolk she resides.

She has seen 12 Prime Ministers from Sir Winston Churchill to Boris Johnson. During her reign.

She said her main motivation for the long reign came mainly from the people’s gratitude , kindness,
thoughts and prayers and they are with her.