This past week, within ELI’s sphere of influence, three young families have been affected by death and 13 more orphans are on our minds and hearts. Questions about what is the best response for these families and children have no clear answers. I am challenged—what is true religion and what does it mean to love in action? With this in mind, I traveled 25 miles to a small village Saturday morning, July 7th, with ELI’s Tumaini na Afya team for an HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign. It was a cold, rainy day, but God was with us.
The day included a soccer tournament, volleyball tournament, 10 km running race, 40 km bicycle race through the mud, and tug of war amongst other activities. The Salvation Army Band marched and captured the attention of 1,500 plus people who attended the campaign. The purpose of the day was to get the eminent message about HIV to the people—there is hope for people living with HIV/AIDS. In a land where everyone is all too familiar with the effects of HIV/AIDS, fear continues to plague the situation enabling the virus to steal, kill and destroy life. One tool we have to fight this virus is HIV counseling and testing. The test requires a small prick of a person’s finger and five minutes of his/her time. I might add that they are the longest five minutes imaginable as one waits to see whether one line appears on the test, which means he/she is HIV negative or two lines, HIV positive. However, motivating people to be tested is critical in this fight. It does not change whether or not a person has the virus, but it does change what he/she can do in response to it. On Saturday, the village of Kipsangui was challenged to face their fears, and 617 individuals responded and learned their HIV status. For those who tested negative, they do not have to live in fear and were counseled to make choices that will protect themselves and their families. For those who tested positive, they were referred to a free clinic where life-prolonging, quality treatment is available. There is social support to restore and maintain their dignity; and these people, by the grace of God, can live to see their children grow up. For there is no children’s home or community based orphan care program that can replace what is lost when parents die. I was reminded of that 13 times this past week.
In the midst of fighting what feels like an uphill battle, there is hope. As a ministry team, we find courage in knowing that our God is bigger than HIV/AIDS. I thank you, on behalf of the 617 people who now know their HIV status, for your ongoing financial support and prayers. As I follow God’s lead, I know that each individual is worth fighting for.
The day included a soccer tournament, volleyball tournament, 10 km running race, 40 km bicycle race through the mud, and tug of war amongst other activities. The Salvation Army Band marched and captured the attention of 1,500 plus people who attended the campaign. The purpose of the day was to get the eminent message about HIV to the people—there is hope for people living with HIV/AIDS. In a land where everyone is all too familiar with the effects of HIV/AIDS, fear continues to plague the situation enabling the virus to steal, kill and destroy life. One tool we have to fight this virus is HIV counseling and testing. The test requires a small prick of a person’s finger and five minutes of his/her time. I might add that they are the longest five minutes imaginable as one waits to see whether one line appears on the test, which means he/she is HIV negative or two lines, HIV positive. However, motivating people to be tested is critical in this fight. It does not change whether or not a person has the virus, but it does change what he/she can do in response to it. On Saturday, the village of Kipsangui was challenged to face their fears, and 617 individuals responded and learned their HIV status. For those who tested negative, they do not have to live in fear and were counseled to make choices that will protect themselves and their families. For those who tested positive, they were referred to a free clinic where life-prolonging, quality treatment is available. There is social support to restore and maintain their dignity; and these people, by the grace of God, can live to see their children grow up. For there is no children’s home or community based orphan care program that can replace what is lost when parents die. I was reminded of that 13 times this past week.
In the midst of fighting what feels like an uphill battle, there is hope. As a ministry team, we find courage in knowing that our God is bigger than HIV/AIDS. I thank you, on behalf of the 617 people who now know their HIV status, for your ongoing financial support and prayers. As I follow God’s lead, I know that each individual is worth fighting for.
