We’re off to Swaziland!
by Reed on Apr.27, 2006, under Uncategorized
Well everyone, this morning we’re heading off to Swaziland…finally! We are so excited!
The training we received yesterday was again excellent, and again, as we prayed, wearying. It is good though to have one’s soul touched in such a way. We discussed World Vision’s Channels of Hope program, which is a big part of their HIV/AIDS intervention. Additionally, we worked toward an understanding of World Vision as an organization (not so much new to us here) as well as through their core model of intervention in Area Development Projects (ADPs), of which, Mhlosheni is one of many in Swaziland. We even received last year’s program evaluation report for the Mhlosheni ADP. This is something Erin and I were really hoping to wade through as program evaluation is what Erin spends her time on back home career-wise. I won’t bore you with all the details of the report, but please know that World Vision is working very hard with community leaders (church, local village leaders, government) to make a difference. The report doesn’t pull any punches and admits where problems still exist. For example, they had a food security intervention last year (planting of drought resistant crops) that was devastated in three villages in Mhlosheni because of hail storms. This resulted in half of the people moving toward the point of starvation. Yet, they are finding many successes as well, even this early in the ADP’s development, including their advocacy and educational interventions, community partnership linkages, as well as in equipping the church here in Mhlosheni to erase the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. The end effect of this is twofold: 1) a decrease in in HIV/AIDS myths (and hopefully infections), and 2) an increase in compassion and practical care for those dying here (for lack of antiretroviral regiments) from AIDS.
Which brings me to my discussion topics for today:
1) What questions do you have about HIV/AIDS?
2) What is your opinion of HIV/AIDS and the people who have it?
3) What is the church’s (think the whole church, as well as CRCC) role in caring for those with HIV/AIDS?
I know that posting such things online is a risky proposition, but we need to begin this discussion, for we have turned our back on it for far too long. So, what questions do you have? What opinions do you hold? Erin and I have learned a lot so far (yet still very little I suppose) about HIV/AIDS and would love to respond to any questions or thoughts you have. So come on, take a few moments to ask those questions by submitting them as a comment to this post.
Now I must also give a litte disclaimer in that we’re not sure we’ll have internet access over then next four or five days. Swaziland is not South Africa. So, if you don’t hear a response to your question from us, don’t worry, we’ll get to it when we can read it! Besides, maybe someone else in our church might be able to respond to the question instead of us! That would be even better!
Finally, a note to Abigail and Jackson! While we can’t show you a picture, we wanted to let you know that you can be praying for Siphesihle (”Good Gift”), our family’s (and our church’s) first personal connection with Mhlosheni! She is almost seven and there is a chance that we’ll even get to meet her for the first time on her birthday, which is this Sunday! How cool would that be? Anyway, kids, please pray special prayers for her…and for us that we might be able to help her feel love and hope when we meet her. Thank you both for praying for her. We’ll bring her picture home so you can see her. And remember, mommy an daddy love you both so much and miss you so much, too! We can’t wait to give you big hugs…and Jackson, remember when we come home we’ll go to Dairy Queen!
We love you all,
Reed and Erin
9 Comments for this entry
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April 28th, 2006 on 6:40 am
Reed and Erin,
I can’t find the words to express the many emotions I have felt reading the posts of your trip.
I don’t have any questions right now about HIV/AIDS.
My opinion about people with the disease is that they are uninformed and need educating.
Also, they need prayer, love, nurturing and care just like anyone with an illness needs.
There is such a stigma put on people with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. They are treated like outcasts.
One of our friends died in 2004 from an AIDS related illness. He lived for 22 years with HIV. I educated myself about HIV/AIDS so I could treat Jeff with love and care.
I think that CRCC has already started it’s role in helping with the HIV/AIDS crisis. CRCC could also possibly get involved with Hospice.
My prayers are with you both as you continue on this journey.
April 28th, 2006 on 7:37 am
Hi Reed,
I don’t know if I really have any questions regarding Aids/HIV… but I do find myself thinking/feeling differently towards the people say in Africa who have it as opposed to people in the U.S. who have it. Just being honest here… I feel a greater level of compassion for those who contract it because of their own ignorance than for those who live in our very well educated society and contract it through immoral behavior. I feel bad for them, yes, but truly compassionate towards them?.. hmmmmmm. I really do feel for those who contract it through no actions of their own (through birth, or a husband who comes home with it, etc…) It’s those who knowingly put themselves at risk that I struggle with. Just trying to be honest.
We will be praying for God’s blessing for the rest of your trip!!!
Karen
April 28th, 2006 on 6:11 pm
Hi Reed and Erin,
We think about you often and I look forward to your postings. In fact, the other day I was reading one and Alex came to see what I was doing. It became a teaching moment as we looked at the pictures and read your comments. Alex seemed to be struck by the poverty and appeared to be contemplating how 50 people could live in that one house.
In response to the questions that you posed, one thing that bothers me about AIDS/HIV related illnesses is that again, as with many other health issues, your economic status can greatly determine the quality of your care. I think about the quality of care that Magic Johnson received compared to the people in Africa. I think that the one question that I have is because it is so prevalant there, is the society as a “whole” more compassionate and conslusive toward those afflicted with the disease or more so how it seems here, that it is a disease that is hidden and primarily affects those that are identified as being “lower class”. I know that I struggle with this at times but realize that they should be treated no different than someone that has cancer or another devasting illness. I also have realized that the more that I am around people with AIDS/HIV, I have become less judgemental. I think as a Church our role is not only to help those who are sick (I think volunteering for hospice is a great idea) but also to be willing to educate and provide information to those who may be misinformed or have fears that prevent them from being willing to help and/or care for these people and their families.
Reed and Erin, I really appreciate your compassion and willingness to put your own lives on hold to reach out to those in need in Africa. I look forward to you sharing your experiences and insight to how we can better serve those in Africa and at home. You are in our prayers.
April 28th, 2006 on 11:42 pm
Reed,
Thanks for all this information regarding the journey you and Erin (or should I say all of us) are on!
The love and humility in your hearts is obvious!
As for questions regarding the HIV/Aids. This subject came up at my office today. You now the one with four wheels that never seems to stay in one place very long!
I have mentioned to several people about the partnership with World Vision and sponsoring a village. I mostly get positive remarks from people. Sometimes there is the comment about the people here that need help and why aren’t we doing something about that instead of going to Africa to help. Then I explain about the new property and the future plans of having help available at a facility that never closes…. Ooops, off topic.
Anyway, I made mention that about 1000 people a day dying do to HIV/Aids and a comment was made to me today was why do people keep doing this to themseves? Of course what was really on her mind was about an exfiancee that kept messing around and putting her in danger. She was always going and getting tested to make sure that she was ok because she had lupis and HIV to her would be a swift death. She finally told him to get lost but only after several months of continuing to try to make things work.
I tried to explain that the it is completely different there with kids raising siblings and trying to survive because the parents have died and all the other things that you have been mentioning. The thing that made her stop and think was the analogy you gave about the 3 plans crashing per day and how there would be such coverage of that here but there never seems to be any information about this pandemic that is going on half way around the world.
Can you believe how much time effort and money is being spent on the Avion flu? Something that may never become a real problem! Ooops sorry again.
I see people on a fairly regular basis who are dealing with HIV/Aids, Hepatitis, cancer….
I feel mostly pity for them. I can only reassure them, as allowed by them, that God is there for them if they want Him.
I think my biggest question is how long can this go on before there are no more people?
Your journey has brought up a lot of emotions and provided me with an enormous amount of food for thought.
Sorry for being so long winded.
Thanks for letting us be there with you!
April 29th, 2006 on 12:49 pm
Because working with aids in Africa is one of my long term nursing goals, this is a topic that interests me greatly. As one who is there and witnessing it first hand, I would be interested to know a few things. First – regarding education – what are some of the biggest barriers to delivering and receiving the message about how to protect themsevles from Aids. Particularly, what are the cultural barriers? Also, how do medications play a role in preventing the HIV virus from turning into full-blown Aids. Is availability of medication an issue? How about the regiment requirements for taking medications and the receptiveness of the people to it? What are the stigmas associated with aids there and how do they differ from those in the US (I’m thinking of the way Americans often see it as something one “deserves” because of a lifestyle or personal choice). Does it prevent people from getting help. Have you run across many foreign aid workers and from what kinds of programs?
Sorry, that’s a lot of questions. I’d love to see any information you bring back with you.
Take care you guys.
Rhonda
April 29th, 2006 on 8:19 pm
FYI-World Vision sent me an email telling about a special program on CNN this Saturday and Sunday evenings (4/29 and 4/30) on stopping HIV/AIDS. You can get more information at:
http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/presents/
The CNN presents page with Bill Clinton contains many links to AIDS awareness materials, including more than you’ve ever wanted to know about the disease in interactive format and a quiz. In addition, the last link to websites focused on AIDS is quite comprehensive.
Of course, World Vision has a great interactive HIV/AIDS awareness quiz on their site, too:
http://www.worldvision.org/resources.nsf/main/AidsTest.html/$FILE/AidsTest.html?Open&lid=aids_quiz&lpos=leftnav
Can’t wait to follow your journey.
Love to all the Muellers,
Rob and Susan Sloan
May 3rd, 2006 on 9:02 am
Wow, these are great comments! I’m glad that so many are participating in this very important topic. Not only that, but I love the honesty with which you all are sharing your heart and questions on the matter.
I’ve had many of the same thoughts and questions. In fact, I think it would probably be very important for us as a church to do a few special classes on the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS in our community as well as across the globe. The issues range from stigma (you are right on, Melissa) to our own internal struggles with how we are to respond to those living with HIV/AIDS (thanks, Karen, for your complete honesty; your pastor has had similar internal dialogues and has learned much in this regard).
Gerri and Kris…thanks for your thoughtful comments! I think within both of your comments a key to becoming followers of Jesus in this issue is interaction – even beyond that, connection – with those who have contracted the virus. With connection two things happen: 1) We begin to hear the story behind the HIV/AIDS, which most all times begins to break down barriers; and 2) We begin to realize that there are justice issues (that is, issues of injustice) surrounding the spread of HIV **and** the treatment of it.
Rhonda your questions are great and I would not do justice to them in replying just in this post. But, again, I think they point to a multi-week class I might be able to do sometime sooner or later. Suffice it to say that many myths are prevalent with regard to the virus and the syndrome that results from it. Additionally, as I intimated above, the accessibility of ARVs (antiretroviral medications) is a critical issue in Africa, and in Swaziland even though the government now has a supply. It is just very difficult for patients to receive the medications they need but World Vision is also helping greatly in the regard in Mhlosheni. Wow…this all makes we want to come home and discuss this! Again great questions and an awesome vision you have for the future God may be calling you into! Let him lead on!
Finally, Susan, thanks for your kind words and prayers! How was the program?
May 4th, 2006 on 10:47 am
Wow Reed & Erin,
Thank you so much for taking us all along on your journey. By God moving through the two of you and the rest of our church family, a community halfway around the world will be forever changed. The photos and play that you’ve shared are moving.
Thank you for taking time away from your family to learn more about how we, as a community and individuals can make a difference.
It’ll be great to have both of you back home and to hear more about the conditions in our ADP.
May God continue to bless you,
Judy & Family
May 4th, 2006 on 9:12 pm
Thanks for the kind words, Judy. It seems quite amazing to me that simply showing up provides so much hope for the people of Mhlosheni. It’s as if they felt the whole world had forgotten them, but now they know that this is not the case. More than muscle to do the work, they needed this!
See you soon…we’re in Frankfurt right now and will take off to Portland in a few hours!