A message from the ELS Board for Christian Service and Board for World Outreach: 
Shalem, a ten-year-old boy attending one of our churches in India, needs your help. He is in the final stages of liver disease and requires a liver transplant in the next 30 days. His father will donate a portion of his own liver to save his son’s life. However, his family does not have the nearly $50,000 to pay for the surgery and anti-rejection medications. The synod has already committed some financial assistance. Would you, as individuals and congregations, consider helping Shalem and his family with your prayers and your financial gifts? Donations can be sent to ELS Board for World Outreach, 6 Browns Court, Mankato, MN 56001, with “liver transplant” in the memo line. Otherwise donations can be made through the synod web site evangelicallutheransynod.org/donate. The Lord bless and keep you as you reflect His love in Christ to our neighbors around the world.
Pastor Piet Van Kampen
Chairman
ELS Board for Christian Service
Below are the emails containing more information, received from Pastor Solomon Mamidi:
July 26, 2013
Dear Rev Steve Petersen,
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
I write this to you regarding a ten year old boy who is fighting for His life. The name of the boy is Shalem, a church member at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Hyderabad. Shalem’s father, Raju and mother Lavanya along with his grandfather and grandmother, and also all his relatives are the confirmed members of St. John’s Lutheran Church. The photograph of ten year old Shalem is enclosed with the email.
Initially, the entire family were non believers and were completely into idol worship. Later, through their relatives, Raju and his family got baptised and confirmed under me and now, they are regular members of the Church. They travel close to 20 kilometres every Sunday to attend Church. They also attended all the Lenten prayer meetings that were held for 40 days during the Lenten season and have grew up strongly in Church. Raju is an electrician who works on a daily wage and his wife Lavanya is a home maker.
Recently, their son Shalem was effected with Jaundice and when tested, it was declared as HAV+ and now it has moved to the final stage resulting in the critical malfunctioning of the liver. He has been advised by the Doctors to undergo Liver Transplantation at the earliest. It should be within 30 days and which is costing $39,700. We have taken a second and tried for the third opinion too, but the doctors confirmed that the boy needs to be operated. ‘’Special drugs used after transplantation $10,000. In the even of any infection, special medication like zygris, interferon, Liposomal Amphotericin-B, Zenapax.’’ (from Hospital estimation)
For a person, who works on daily wages, it is impossible to pile up such a huge amount. The family is taking it as a test that God has in their lives to test their faith and they are living on the only hope on their saviour Christ. The Church has witnessed the family, weeping in sorrow to pray for the boy and to help them. However, the boy comforted his family saying Christ would save him and give him life, and his father, still strong says that he can’t manage the money, but he believes that His heavenly Father would take care of all of it. We are looking into this matter seriously as it deals with the LIFE of a small boy who has a bright future. I understand that it is a very huge amount and we cannot meet this expense completely, however, if we can contribute whatever we can for the hands extended for help, that will be a great help for the family.
We are also trying our best to look into what we can do about arranging the funds. We have tried a couple of sources through government and through loans. We also have tried through Media. Both of them seem to be not a great success. Now, the family is spreading their hands for people to come forward to donate money to save the life of the 10 year old child.
So, I request you if we can establish news over the ELS, the BWO and also to BLC and see if we can do something about the child. I understand it is a huge amount but I was helpless when I heard of it and so I thought I would put this across to you so that we can help them in whatever way it is possible. Please do remember the child and their family in your prayers.
In Christ,
Rev Solomon Mamidi
July 30, 2013
Dear Rev. Steven Petersen,
Greetings.
Regarding Shalem’s surgery.
We are all fearing to the situation. For the surgery it is very big amount. I have not heard so far this much amount for syrgery. In a small family two surgeries, father is liver doner to Shalem. We are all trying all the ways to get some money. Today the wife and husband came both are crying alot.
The family made some money. Some known people and our church members also gave some money, it is all about 1/4 gathered. I know that this is very big amount but I request you whatever you can do please do.
If you have any questions about this, please write back to me.
In Christ,
Pastor Solomon
