A LEPER woman with a THANKFUL heart—Terez was her name. My mother Betty Galley met Terez in Bocanda, a town of Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa. As a leper Terez was always seen with gnarled stubs for hands, an ugly disfigured nose, and crippled feet without toes. Yet she was adorned with a beautiful contagious smile and joyful sparkling eyes. Very early every Sunday morning she faithfully swept the mud floor of the small thatched church where she regularly worshipped. As she worked she never complained, but sang praises to God.  

 

     One day my mother heard this leper’s story….”I was always very ugly, nobody wanted me. So I lived in the streets where men used me. But one day I heard about how much Jesus loved me, so I gave my life to Him. Jesus was so good to me; He gave me a husband and then a baby boy. But one day my baby boy was bitten by our pet monkey, and the next day our boy was dead. Oh, how I cried! Day after day I did not want to eat or bathe; I would just sit by the fire and weep. My husband tried to comfort me, but I pushed him so far away that he finally left me. My Christian friends tried to help, but I wouldn’t listen.

 

     Then one night as I fell asleep, I felt someone by my mat. When I looked up I saw a person all in white, shining like the sun. He said to me, ‘Terez, take off your dirty raggedy clothes; put on this shiny new white garment I have for you to wear.’ So I obeyed, and then I woke up. I felt so good; it was as if a heavy burden had dropped off my back. Right away I ate some food and took a bath. Then I walked to this Mission. Now I meet you, Madam Galley, and you also Madam Timyan.”

 

     Janis Timyan, who at that time was very fluent in Baoule (my mom was still learning), opened up her Bible to Isaiah 61:3 and began to translate the scripture into Terez’s heart language, Baoule. “My dear Terez, God loves you so much; and He has spoken to you in your dream. The interpretation of your vision is found here in God’s Word. Isaiah 61:3 says that God has sent Jesus to comfort you in your mourning, to give you beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of despair.”

 

     Terez’s heart surged with joy. “How wonderful that Jesus comforts me like this!” With a spirit full of gratitude and thankfulness, this disfigured leper woman began dancing, clapping, and singing praises to her Jesus! Meanwhile, both missionaries looked on, laughing and crying at the same time……..