Children at an HIV/AIDS awareness program in Zimbabwe.

On one of my short trips to West Africa in 2004, I joined up with a medical team from the US to serve as an HIV/AIDS counselor. On the day I met Naomi, our team arrived early in the morning to set up. Traveling in our jam-packed mini bus, we lurched over rutted dirt roads into a rural region outside a major city to be part of an evangelistic outreach.

The sun was coming up over the low hills, reflecting its rays across the high grass, still green from early summer growth. Local women were walking in clusters toward the open-sided church that would serve as the clinic. My eyes were drawn to their bright colored fabrics and their babies wrapped snugly to their backs. In the distance I noticed a lone bicyclist moving our way, red dust rising to trace the path. Children welcomed us excitedly. The local pastor set the direction of the day, praying for God’s divine hand to bring Africans and Westerners together to do his work of healing and blessing.

Training Day

My role included training local people in HIV/AIDS awareness so they might train others. I used an illustrated flip chart to teach how those who carry the virus appear healthy while it multiplies silently in their bodies and kills their defense system. I taught that it cannot be passed by shaking hands, hugs, insects, or eating together. It is passed through blood, mother’s milk, and sexual secretions. I emphasized that a compassionate Christian response is inclusion, not exclusion. As I concluded the session, I reminded the trainees that it’s good to be tested, particularly in a confidential and supportive place.

We waited out an afternoon thunderstorm, the great wind whipping through our open air rural clinic. Afterward, we re-hung sheets from the rafters to create privacy cubicles again for examining or counseling patients. I provided counseling and testing for those referred to me. Some were ambivalent and, in the end, chose not to be tested because they were emotionally unable to face the outcome. A few tested positive. Many knew that in this country the stigma against patients who are HIV positive was high—they would possibly be rejected and accused by family members of sinful behavior, turned out, kept from working, and possibly even shunned by their own church members.

Meeting Naomi

As workers were closing up, I lit a candle—night was falling fast. Naomi was my last visitor, seating herself carefully in our cubicle with her five week old infant in the crook of her arm and two young children at her knees. She listened carefully to the presentation, asking many questions through the translator. We learned that she was a believer but her husband was not—he traveled often for business and was emotionally distant from her. Naomi was worried for her family, she wondered if the wasting virus might already be present. We knew that in this region, ARV’s (antiretroviral medications) were not available, and that she would likely experience exclusion. She eventually found the courage to ask to be tested. I first prayed with her, asking that her faith in Almighty God would remain strong, remembering that he is with her in every moment and circumstance, and affirming that Jesus is her strong hope.

Naomi tested positive. My eyes blurred with tears as I gave her the news. For the moment, the air seemed still around us. She was a woman of courage as she allowed me to hold her baby for the few minutes she took to go outside and walk up a hill to collect herself. I looked into the small face of her baby girl and wondered about her future. Her small life reminded me that the threads of eternal glory are woven into the fabric of every person. Then, too soon, Naomi was ready to leave with her young family and walked out into the night. I never saw her again.

I extinguished the candle. Now, it was my turn to walk up the hill for a few minutes alone. There were no words, no tears. I just felt the inner confusion and jarring of being present in the pain and yet unable to be totally present emotionally. I knew the inner clash of my world view and the reality of what Naomi and her baby would experience. I was changed forever.

Later, I came to know that if ever there would be a response to the dilemma Naomi faced, it needed to be rooted in grace. Imago Dei, the concept that we are all made in God’s image (Gen 1:27), calls us to rethink the Church’s responsibilities—locally and globally. Hope that is offered in the life of Christ is eternal and available to all. His own life was evidence of holistic mission—touching the spiritual and physical needs of humankind. Our efforts to address transformational development must also be rooted in grace. These things challenge my thoughts continually, even today.

I now understand that women like Naomi are beginning to experience change in their communities that offer compassionate inclusion and care where the processes for change acknowledge:

1. She is made in God’s image and loved deeply by him;
2. Many of her challenges have a potential solution; and
3. Every one of us can make a difference.*

I have to ask the global Christian community: If we don’t do something, who will? If we don’t show God’s love, who will? If we don’t show up, who will?

On world AIDS Day, I must ask, How can we NOT get behind this with prayer and finance? How many more generations will carry this scourge? When and where will I offer grace? He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8 ESV)

Pray

Please pray for our HOPE for AIDS ministries around the world—for people like Naomi who struggle with the disease and for all of the brave volunteers who give their time and energy to help the sick and work to eradicate AIDS altogether. Visit the HOPE for AIDS website to learn more.

Give

You can make difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Give a financial gift to the HOPE for AIDS master project (99383) today.

Go

Are you interested in getting involved on the front-line of the HIV/AIDS battle? Check out the list of opportunities to serve

*#1-3 are adapted from: Richard Stearns, Hole in the Gospel, World Vision, USA, 2009, p 151.