HIV/AIDS

I would like to report on yesterday's CHE lesson/discussion on HIV/AIDS. Thank you so much to those of you who prayed for this important lesson-- your prayers were definitely felt. The top picture is the afternoon CHE group (There is a morning group that meets from 9-1 and an afternoon group that meets from 1-4 every Wednesday). Yesterday we discussed cultural beliefs about HIV/AIDS and I was so surprised to hear how many lies are circulated about this disease. We posed the following question right at the beginning of the lesson, "What do people say (true or untrue) about the causes, treatment/cures, spreading, and prevention of AIDS?" The responses varied and we took time to write down each response on a half piece of paper and then place them on the floor under signs that read "TRUE" and "FALSE". We then discussed each belief answering questions like, "Where does this belief come from?" "Is it entirely 'true' or entirely 'false' or partially true and partially false?" The discussion was great and women who usually remain silent spoke up and volunteered their input and opinions. I really sensed a lot of excitement in the room as we talked about ways that this truth could be communicated to friends and neighbors. We also talked about ways to address the harmful myths and superstitions about AIDS that are rife in Philippi. Thank you for your prayers and please continue to pray that these CHE's would be bold to share the truth about HIV/AIDS (many of them are fearful about even bringing up the issue of HIV/AIDS with friends, family, and neighbors because they think the others will assume that they are infected with AIDS themselves). Pray that the horrible stigma would begin to diminish so that AIDS can be openly talked about in homes, schools, and churches.

Praise God for all that He has done and for the transformation and healing that is occurring in Philippi!