This blog is a special account of a donor traveling to visit Embrace a Village in person! We know his testimony will encourage many of you. Thank you, Soman.
As a longtime donor to Embrace A Village and prayer warrior, I, Soman Varghese, had longed to experience firsthand all that I had seen in their communications over the years. In February 2025, that dream became a reality when I traveled to India with Embrace A Village’s CEO, Joe Clendenny. This journey was divinely ordained by our Lord, and of all my visits to India over the past 58 years, this was by far the most meaningful. It was both an encouraging and humbling experience.
Reading about suffering and witnessing it firsthand are two entirely different things. Walking alongside those who serve daily and seeing the world through their eyes has profoundly changed me. I witnessed how the devastating effects of leprosy can strip a person of their dignity, yet I also saw how our Lord Jesus Christ restores hope, giving them a reason to live.
I was deeply moved by the unwavering dedication of the staff and families at Embrace A Village. From sunrise to sunset, they tirelessly care for patients who are often unable to care for themselves. They travel for hours to reach villages, providing essential supplies such as rice, medical aid, and custom shoes. While I went with the intention of encouraging them, I found myself uplifted by the faith and perseverance of dear brothers like Sunil.
Above: Some of the EAV team members: Ruben, Vinod, Solomon, Soman, Anil, Joe, Sunil and Shaker (last day of the visit in the Thiruvallur remote area of Tamil Nadu, India – where a business man allows the team to gather and assist those in need.)
One of my experiences was speaking with a brother who suffered from severe leprosy, which had cost him both his feet and fingers. Despite his hardships, he shared with me that he wakes up every morning at 4 a.m. and is committed to praying for me. Here was a brother who seemingly had nothing in life, yet he offered me the most precious gift—his prayers. This moment deeply humbled me and reminded me of the power of faith and selfless love.
Seeing the joy and gratitude on the faces of those who have been forgotten by society yet embraced by EAV reminded me of the power of God’s love in action. This ministry is a testament to what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ, serving the least of these with compassion and dedication.
Below, please read on about one example of an impactful testimony I witnessed during my visit:
Restoring Dignity, Rekindling Joy
Nagammal’s life has been a journey of silent suffering. At just nine years old, leprosy took hold of her body, and with it, the world she once knew began to disappear. It stole her fingers, her toes, and the warmth of human connection. Once, she had dreams, a family, and a place in society—but fear and stigma pushed her into isolation.
For decades, Nagammal lived as an outcast, rejected by the very people she loved. She had no safe place to turn, no hands willing to hold hers. But then, Embrace A Village found her.
At our hospice in Coimbatore, she was welcomed—not as an untouchable, but as a cherished soul, worthy of love and dignity. Here, she received shelter, care, and compassion, all at no cost. Our dedicated staff dressed her wounds, held her hands without fear, and ensured she would never have to beg for food again.
For years, she had forgotten the sound of her own laughter. But today, in the warmth of the hospice, joy has returned. As Joe sat beside her, sharing a simple yet beautiful moment, Nagammal laughed freely—covering her face, embarrassed yet overflowing with happiness.
Leprosy took her fingers, but it could not take her spirit. It stole her past, but it could not steal her present. Because of love, because of care, because of people like you, Nagammal has found a new beginning.
Our hospice is more than a place of refuge—it is a place of healing, of joy, of second chances.
But there are still many like Nagammal, waiting for someone to see them, to care, to help. Will you be that someone?
Your generosity can bring hope, healing, and dignity to those who have been forgotten. Give today. Be the reason someone smiles again.
Seeing the joy and gratitude on the faces of those who have been forgotten by society yet embraced by EAV reminded me of the power of God’s love in action. This ministry is a testament to what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ, serving the least of these with compassion and dedication.
I would encourage anyone to visit Embrace A Village for a week – you will witness the Lord’s work in action, and I promise you will be blessed. Lord willing, I hope to return for another visit in 2026.
Thank you for your unwavering support and kindness. Together, we can bring lasting change to those in desperate need.