GOSPEL FOR THE DISABLED By Amy Butler*

There are over 650 million people in the world living with a disability.

If they were to group together as a nation, it would be third in population only to China and India.

And yet, according to Prabhu and Nancy Rayan who are currently visiting Australia, this people group is significantly unreached by the gospel.

The Rayans founded the International Fellowship for the Handicapped 22 years ago in India. They now oversee 35 programs in Asia, Africa, South America and Papua New Guinea.

Two thirds of disabled people live in developing countries. Eighty per cent of these live in rural areas and they are generally the poorest of the poor. Disability in developing countries is caused by war, malnutrition, accidents and diseases such as polio.

“Because Hindus believe in reincarnation, they perceive that disability is a result of sin in the last life, therefore creating a negative stigma around people with a disability. As a result some families try to hide away anyone with a disability – they can be totally isolated,” the Rayans said.

However, the Rayans are also critical of the Christian attitude of charity to people with disabilities.

“When the Christian missionaries came to India they set up institutions for people with disabilities. They might have been able to go to church but they were not involved. They were once again segregated from the rest of the community,” they said.

“The only hope for people with disabilities is Christ, charity will take them to the grave, but Christ will take them to eternity.”

The Rayan’s hope to educate Australian Christians about the importance of a change in attitude towards people with a disability. They say condescending attitudes form the biggest barrier to their equal participation in society and the body of Christ.

They say that ministry to people with disability must start with relationships, not the forming of institutions and charity.

In all they do, the Rayans point to the example of Jesus and his interactions with people with disabilities.

By Amy Butler Social Issues Executive Anglican Diocese of Sydney

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Amy Butler Research/Writer Social Issues Executive Anglican Diocese of Sydney

http://www.anglicanmediasydney.asn.au/socialissues

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