Shirena woke up one morning and found a white spot on her finger.   She ran to her mother and said, "Look, Mother, I have a sore on my hand."   Her mother inspected her hand, and what she saw gave her a nameless dread.  She hugged her eleven year-old daughter and tried to keep a tremor out of her voice.  "It's only a little sore.  I'm sure it will go away."  She comforted her daughter and said, "Come and help me with the washing."  They chatted away as they worked and the sore was soon forgotten.

But, that night her mother whispered to Shirena's father, "I think she has the Curse!"  He whispered back, "Shush!  Someone might hear you!"  But, from then on, every day they anxiously inspected their daughter without her knowing .  The white sore quickly spread to her other hand and then up one arm.  It got so bad that they decided to call in the village medicine man.  He followed the anxious parents into the house and took one look at Shirena and then rushed off shouting "The Curse!   It's the Curse!"

A short while later they heard shouting and screaming outside.  They ran out of the hut only to be surrounded by an angry and noisy crowd.  The medicine man was shouting to the headman and pointing at their house!   The headman came to the door and Shirena's parents bowed and invited him to enter.  But, he refused to do so and cried, "Bring the girl out!"

Some men dragged Shirena out and a fearful cry came from the crowd, "It's the Curse!  The Curse!  Stone her!"  People started to pick up stones, but the headman held up his hand for quiet.  The crowd grew silent and looked expectantly at him.  The headman looked stern, "The girl has leprosy and must be sent to Leper Island this instant!"

Poor Shirena!  She looked at her parents and lifted an arm in appeal, but it was too late.  Her parents clutched each other as tears streamed down their cheeks.  They watched in horror as men dragged Shirena down to the harbour and bundled her into a ship.  Shirena's mother shouted for them to stop, but they ignored her.

She called out to Shirena, "Remember darling girl, that Jesus said that He loves you with an everlasting love."  She then turned away and hid her face in her husband's shoulder and whispered, "May God bless and keep you."  Shirena's father watched with bitter eyes as the ship's captain cast off the mooring ropes and the crew raised the sail.  He watched until the ship was a speck on the horizon, and then with a defeated look on his face, he turned homewards and led his wifeback to their house.

The ship sailed on and after many days came to an island.  As the ship glided to a stop, the crew made Shirena climb over the side and jump into the waves.  They threw her few belongings after her and immediately sailed away.  She gasped as a wave swept over her head - she couldn't swim!  She floundered and just as she was about to disappear under the water, a hand grabbed her hair.  Minutes later she stood on the sand gasping for breath.

She threw herself down on the sand and wept, because she knew that she would never see her parents again.  Some time later, she struggled to sit up and looked around her.  She was surrounded by wretched looking people!  Shirena shivered as a bent old man came up to her, but he spoke kindly to her and said that he would care for her.  She stood up and the people tried to smile at her.  But, all she could see were hands, legs, and parts of faces that had been eaten away by the disease.

It took Shirena a long time to get used to living in a cave with so many sick people.  At first she was disgusted, but the old man who had become her friend explained that she also had leprosy and in time would look the same.  That night she cried herself to sleep and wept for many nights after that.

But, gradually a change came.  She remembered how her mother had called after her that Jesus loved her with an everlasting love!  Shirena began to pray each morning.  After some time she felt a peace come into her heart.  She felt compassion for the very sick and no longer turned away in disgust at their broken bodies.  "I can do something to help!" she cried and from then on she was happy and laughed and sang each day.   She comforted many and ignored the spreading leprosy which now covered much of her body.

She told all who would listen about the love of Jesus and bound up their sores as best as she could with some rags she found.  The island became a happier place.  People started to talk and joke with each other as they went about their daily tasks.  Now there were smiles and some happy faces.  Many thanked the little girl, but she was sad as some slipped away and quietly died.  She helped to bury them and cried as her friends grew fewer.

One day, the old man collapsed and as he lay on his bed, Shirena could see that he was very sick.  She looked after him and daily sponged his forehead with water and fed him.  But, he could eat little and lay there gasping for breath.  He grew weaker and the day came when he beckoned her to come closer.

Just before he died, he whispered, "You are beautiful in His eyes!"   Tears streamed down her face as she realised what he had said.  She closed his eyes and said goodbye sadly to her friend.

The time came when Shirena herself grew weak, and others had to care for her.  One day her helper called out and many lepers came running and crowded around her.  They held their breath as her ravaged face grew beautiful.  "I see Him," she called and tried to sit up, "He is holding out His hands to me ... Oh, I'm coming, Lord!"

And she closed her eyes and breathed her last.  They carried her to the burial ground and as they laid her to rest, someone started to sing, "He has made everything beautiful in His time," and the song grew joyful as they all joined in.  Shirena was at peace with her Saviour and had left her wasted body behind and now was in Heaven with a new body.  One that was whole, and free from leprosy.  She was wearing a white linen gown and was lying in the arms of her beloved Jesus.

Those that remained behind thought often about her encouragement, love and faith.  They remembered her laughter and excitement when she told them of the love of Jesus and God's everlasting love and compassion.   Shirena was gone, but her love and laughter lingered on!

God bless.