In the late nineteenth century on an island known as Molokai in the Hawaiian chain, there was a colony of people who had been cast away because of their terrible disease, leprosy.  Who would dare to risk contact with these people, leave home permanently and voluntarily be cast away in order to care and minister to them?  The fear and sacrifice led to no volunteers except one, known as Father Damien, who upon reaching the island found people in utter despair, pain, and moral brokenness.  For many years he cared for them with deep compassion, embracing and teaching them without fear until the day came when Damien, himself, contracted leprosy from those to whom he ministered.  They really listened to him then.  While on the island, Damien refurbished and built two church buildings, which functioned as community gathering places. Through his sacrifice, devotion, and compassion many people on the island were better able to hear and see God.  Despair turned to hope, selfishness turned to love, and unbelief became faith.  The sight of people gathering together with a common affliction to be united in faith, hope, and love is a very beautiful spiritual thing, which exceeds the natural beauty of the island itself.  Seeing myself as the recipient of even greater compassion from Jesus, I am reminded that I am not much different from the lepers of Molokai.  I have to ask myself the question: Would I be willing to show as much compassion as Damien to the hurting people of this world, even the people who are most overlooked? And, to what extent would I go to help those in need?