Where I've Been...

I'm sorry that it has been so long since I updated you on what I have been up to and how to be praying. Things have been quite hectic around here as we are in the midst of training a new CHE committee. We have been meeting twice a week (Tuesdays and Fridays) for three hours to talk about leadership, goals, development, and the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It has been a lot of fun getting to know a new group of people; worship with them, pray with them, and learn with them and from them. Please keep this new committee in your prayers as they go through applications and decide who the next group of CHE's will be. (If you are unclear about what the CHE program is, please read a previous blog entree called "CHE" to learn more!)

This week I have been working on a really neat project in Philippi with 17 HIV+ women. We are working on memory books. This project is a week long and each day the women come for about 4 hours to be creative, artistic, expressive, and to share thoughts and feelings. They began on Monday by designing covers for their books and discussing the importance of passing things on to those that they love. Next, we worked on a writing wills, which is so important because often when someone dies in Philippi their shack and other possessions are taken by neighbors or relatives leaving nothing for the children. Other items that will be put in the memory book are a family tree, a personal letter to their children, drawings, and personal information about themselves (what they dream about, what makes them happy, what is hard for them, etc.) The whole purpose of the book is to have something for the women to pass on to their children and to help them express thoughts and emotions that may be botled up inside.

As you can imagine, this is not an easy project for these women. However, it is so neat that it can be done in a supportive environment with other women who are also HIV+. Today, we had a really good time of sharing and prayer as each woman talked about what she hopes for. Many talked about the hope that they find in God. Some of the women brought their children along (most of whom also are HIV+). I held a three-month old baby on Monday who was already partially blind and very, very sick. I am beginning to see first hand how devastating HIV/AIDS is in Philippi, and how prevalent it is as well.

Throughout the week please choose a few of these women to commit to pray for as they face the reality of living with HIV/AIDS and seek to find healing in expressing feelings in the memory books that they are making. We have laughed together, sang together, and cried together yet I can't come close to imagining what it must be like to have to face living with a terminal condition like HIV/AIDS. Please pray that they would experience God's peace and comfort.

Please pray for...

Thembisa

Stella

Sonia

Buyiswa

Funeka

Busie

Zoleka

Nosicelo

Funeka

Phumeza

Nosamnkelo

Ethel

Kholiswa

Nosandise

Primrose

Nosipo

Noluthando